August 9 Is National Book Lovers Day, So Here Are 15 Great Novels To Help You Celebrate
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

August 9 Is National Book Lovers Day, So Here Are 15 Great Novels To Help You Celebrate

Read all about it.

3382
August 9 Is National Book Lovers Day, So Here Are 15 Great Novels To Help You Celebrate

Reading is a relaxing activity that provides many benefits. Everybody reads books (when they are not watching Netflix, chatting on social media, or making Tik Tok videos) to distract themselves from reality for a while. Many do not realize the positive impact that books have like reducing stress, assisting with sleep, improving cognitively, and strengthening the mind. In honor of National Book Day, there are many great novels that you can read to mark this special holiday. Here are the best ones to check out.

1. "Wandering in Strange Lands: A Daughter of The Great Migration Reclaims Her Roots"

Amazon

This is the story of the author Morgan Jerkins and her family's history. The book explores the Great Migration and cultural identity. Those who read the book might want to trace their own roots learn more about themselves in the process.

2. "The Undocumented Americans"

Amazon

This is a partial memoir and story by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio about living as an undocumented immigrant. It is told through six essays. The author visits different places throughout the United States and speaks with many immigrants. She discusses their jobs as essential workers and defends their basic rights, which get attacked daily by right-wing extremists.

3. "I Don't Want to Die Poor"

Amazon

This is a collection of essays by author Michael Arceneaux that discusses student loan debt and its impact on his life. Financial literacy is not taught in schools. Unemployment is what many are experiencing right now. The author talks about these issues as overcoming challenges and having a financially stable life is something many students can relate with.

4. "The Glass Hotel"

Amazon

This is a mystery story inspired by the Bernie Madoff Ponzi Scheme. It describes the people impacted by a similar con. One of the victims is a woman with a troubled past. Her story is depicted, along with the other victims involved in theft.

5. "Apartment"

Amazon

This novel by Teddy Wayne tells the story about a friendship between two men attending a MFA program. The book involves the themes of class, gender, and masculinity. It's a quick read, but the concepts will be worthy of discussion.

6. "The Silent Patient"

Amazon

This psychological thriller by Alex Michaelides is guaranteed to keep you interested and guessing from beginning to end. When a famous painter murders her fashion photographer husband and then becomes mute, a criminal psychotherapist attempts to get her to speak and uncover her motive for the homicide. Will he succeed or lose his mind in the process?

7. "The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes" ( A Hunger Games Novel)

Amazon

This prequel to the Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins tells the story of the 10th annual Hunger Games where an 18 year old Coriolanus Snow (the future President Snow) becomes a mentor for the female tribute in District 12. As the battle commences, Snow is torn between his devotion to the Games and his responsibility as a mentor to his tribute.

8. "Becoming"

Amazon

This memoir by Michelle Obama, the former first lady of the United States, reveals her life and accomplishments from humble beginnings in Chicago to the White House. She made history as the first African American to serve as First Lady, who advocated for the education, health, and success of children, and became a role model for women and girls across the United States. Michelle Obama explains how she balanced motherhood and responsibilities as First Lady and inspired Americans to respect each other, stay healthy, and follow their dreams no matter their color, nationality or place of origin.

9. "You are a Badass"

Amazon

This self-help book by Jen Sincero is recommended for those who want to improve their lives, but are not sure what to do. Follow this guide full of great stories, advice, and exercises to create the life that you want to have. If you desire to have a happy and fulfilling life, destroy beliefs that are holding you back, and increase your net worth, this is the book for you.

10. "Ready Player One"

Amazon

This science fiction novel by Ernest Cline tells the story of Wade Watts, a teenager who like the majority of humanity in the year 2045 spends time inside a virtual world called the OASIS. After the creator of the OASIS dies, his fortune and control of the OASIS will be rewarded to the first person that solves difficult puzzles based on pop culture knowledge. After Wade solves the first one, he must overcome challenges while racing against other players and deadly enemies to win the prize.

11. "Into the Wild"

Amazon

This is the true story of Chris McCandless who despite coming from a wealthy family hitchhiked into the Alaskan wilderness after deciding that he wanted to start a new life. The book explains the reason why he gave $25,000 to charity and left behind his car, possessions, and home to go on the long and perilous trip leading to his untimely demise.

12. "Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail"

Amazon

This is the true story of the author Cheryl Strayed who went on a 1,100 mile journey of self-discovery on the Pacific Crest Trail four years after losing her mother, struggling with family drama, and going through a divorce. The book chronicles her travels starting from the Mojave Desert and going through California, Oregon, and Washington State. Cheryl tells the story using suspense and humor and explains how this life changing trip helped her to finally overcome her tragic past.

13. "Bird Box"

Amazon

This is the novel that became one of the most popular horror movies on Netflix. It is a cross between "The Road" and a Stephen King book. Bird Box is a horror thriller that takes place in an apocalyptic world where survivors try to escape an unseen force that will drive a person to suicide if they look at it. The book will keep you in suspense all the way to the end.

14. "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies"

Amazon

This is a parody novel by Seth Grahame-Smith that mixes the book by Jane Austen and modern zombie fiction stories. Although the concept is bizarre, combining two different genres into one story is something previous authors have done before, and Grahame-Smith makes it very unique. This is a great book if you are a fan of Jane Austen or horror novels.

15. "Cat's Cradle"

Amazon

This is a satirical postmodern novel by Kurt Vonnegut that uses black humor and science fiction elements to poke fun at debatable and obsessive issues like science, technology, religion, and the arms race. It is an important piece of literature that will make you laugh and question the absurdity of society and the problems that make us concerned about the future.


Report this Content
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

42419
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

26635
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

951748
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

138875
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments