Celebrate National Book Lovers Day with this curated list of 15 must-read books that every reader will adore. Fiction, memoirs, and more—perfect for your next cozy read!
1. Dianetics – L. Ron Hubbard
In their World Religion class, they embarked on a fascinating journey, choosing to explore Santeria-Mucumbi. It was an adventure that required them to contact a witch doctor in Miami and correspond with someone from Louisiana. Remarkably, their teacher awarded them a perfect score, not just for their diligence but also for the audacity of a 14-year-old conversing with voodoo priests from the Deep South.
2. 1984 – George Orwell
They recalled being in a gifted class where they were introduced to George Orwell’s “1984” at the tender age of nine, in the fourth grade. While they acknowledged it as a great piece of literature, they couldn’t help but chuckle and agree that it might have been just a tad intense for a group of nine-year-olds. The exchange highlighted that some literary choices for young students could indeed border on the ambitious side, as their conversation partner concurred, stating that it needed more appropriate material for fourth graders.
3. The Kite Runner – Khaled Hosseini
They discussed robust literature, where one confessed that “The Kite Runner” was the only book they had to pause and set aside due to its profound impact. The other participant chimed in, expressing a similar sentiment regarding the book. They found certain graphic scenes involving a young boy to be quite unsettling. They questioned the appropriateness of such content, both for children and their own reading experiences, adding a touch of humor to the seriousness of the topic.
4. A Thousand Splendid Suns – Khaled Hosseini
In a conversation about their high school reading experiences, they reflected on two influential novels, “The Kite Runner” and “A Thousand Splendid Suns.” Both agreed that these books felt like a concentrated dose of trauma wrapped in paperback. The emotional impact was undeniable, and one participant humorously summed it up by saying that “A Thousand Splendid Suns” didn’t just tug at their heartstrings; it downright broke their heart. They couldn’t help but appreciate the beauty of these books, even as they left them feeling emotionally drained.
5. Flowers for Algernon – Daniel Keyes
Reflecting on their reading journey, they recollected their experience with “Flowers for Algernon” during an 8th-grade literature class. Even though they successfully completed the book, the emotional impact still lingered. They mused about how the story’s poignancy lay in the main character’s struggle with his deteriorating abilities and the inevitability of mortality. It was a tale that touched their heartstrings and, to this day, evoked a sense of teary nostalgia whenever they thought about it, adding a touch of humor to the seriousness of the book’s themes.
6. The Things They Carried – Tim O’Brien
In a reflection on their high school reading experience, they shared how being given “The Things They Carried” had triggered weeks of nightmares, primarily because their brother was serving overseas in combat at the time. They candidly admitted that some of them hesitated to introduce their children to the book, given its distressing impact on them. Despite the discomfort it brought, they acknowledged the book’s undeniable worthiness and the powerful emotions it stirred, injecting a touch of humor into their somber recollection.
7. Go Ask Alice – “Anonymous”/Beatrice Sparks
In their conversation, they delved into the intriguing backstory of a book that had left a lasting impact. Contrary to popular belief, the book’s supposedly “anonymous” author was revealed to be Beatrice Sparks, a conservative woman who penned the work with the noble intention of “saving the children.” The discussion then took a humorous turn when one shared an amusing anecdote about forbidding their son from reading the books, claiming they were filled with falsehoods, adding a lighthearted touch to the serious topic.
8. Caught in the Act – Joan Lowery Nixon
In their fifth-grade days, they encountered a book that left a lasting impression, imprinting a core memory that fueled their distaste for injustice and pompous adults. That book became an early teacher, imparting valuable lessons about self-advocacy, staying true to the facts, and not succumbing to the art of gaslighting. It was a formative experience that guided them on the path of valuing integrity and standing firm against the forces of manipulation, all thanks to a book they read in their youth.
9. The Road – Cormac McCarthy
In a discussion about books, one participant couldn’t help but mention “The Road” by Cormac McCarthy, emphasizing that it was an obvious choice for avoiding child readers. They explained that while they eventually read and appreciated the book as an adult, it needed to be more suitable for young audiences. The humor in their statement lies in the straightforwardness of their message. Some books are meant for grown-ups, and “The Road” certainly falls into that category, leaving little room for ambiguity.
10. Of Mice & Men – John Steinbeck
In a discussion about impactful literature, one participant admitted that the ending of “Of Mice and Men” had left a profound mark on their 13-year-old mind, acknowledging that it might sound a bit feeble. The other chimed in with a humorous anecdote from their classroom, where the teacher posed a question about alternative outcomes for George and Lenny. In response, a fellow student offered a rather unconventional solution involving guns and farm mayhem, injecting a lighthearted moment into the conversation about the book’s weighty themes.
11. A Child Called It – Dave Pelzer
Recalling their childhood, they shared a memory of reading a particular book in elementary school, a mere nine years old. They couldn’t help but chuckle, mentioning that they purchased it at the Scholastic Book Fair. However, they couldn’t fathom why anyone would deem it suitable for young children to read. The situation’s absurdity left them pondering the mysteries of book selection for kids at that age.
12. The Bluest Eye – Toni Morrison
Reflecting on their experience as a survivor of childhood SA, they expressed the wish that they didn’t have to silently revisit that painful trauma in a freshman English class filled with unfamiliar faces. It raised the point that sometimes educators may not fully consider the impact of the material they’re teaching on their students’ personal experiences and emotions.
13. Arthur The King – Unknown
Amid bookish anecdotes, they recalled their experience with “Arthur The King,” a tale about the legendary King Arthur. The book, surprisingly found on a list of approved classroom options, led them to believe it was intended for a more mature audience. Adding a touch of humor, they couldn’t help but muse that their teacher might have never ventured into the book’s content herself, inadvertently making it available to unsuspecting young readers like them.
14. A Day No Pigs Would Die – Robert Newton Peck
In their reminiscences, these individuals shared their memorable encounters with a specific book during their school years. It seems that 6th grade was a particularly challenging time for them, as they described the book as something akin to a twisted version of “Charlotte’s Web,” filled with hauntingly vivid depictions of animal husbandry and slaughter. One recalled the unforgettable scene of a child grabbing a goiter, even two decades after reading it in 6th grade. For another, reading it in the 7th grade left a lasting impact that still lingered well into their mid-30s, reminding them that life can be sad enough without such haunting literary memories.
15. Survival Type – Stephen King
Amid these discussions, it became apparent that a common theme united these individuals: the most disturbing and unsettling 20 pages of text they had ever encountered. The consensus was that subjecting innocent 5th graders to this material was mind-blowing. One of them recollected their 5th-grade teacher’s decision to read this story aloud, featuring a narco-trafficker who crash-landed on a desert island and resorted to extreme survival tactics. The shock was palpable. Another person, in their 30s at the time, stumbled upon the same content in an audiobook while innocently trying to cook dinner. Dinner plans were immediately postponed indefinitely, as the horrifying narrative left no room for appetite. The disbelief lingered: why would a teacher introduce such unsettling literature to young minds?
