Novelist George R.R. Martin once said, “A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies . . . The man who never reads lives only one.” And it’s true. Reading gives you the unique ability to experience a completely different universe and, by doing so, help change how you see your own.
In addition to providing an individual with a fuller and more colorful view of the world, reading has numerous other benefits, including reducing stress, building empathy and improving memory. With the end of the school year fast approaching and summer vacation right around the corner, it’s the perfect time to grab a book and get back into reading. Below are three book recommendations UHS students have enjoyed which may serve as just the right supplement to your spring reading list.
“I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings” by Maya Angelou
Maya Angelou’s 1969 memoir, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” recommended by junior Deya Nurani, is a coming-of-age story that follows Angelou as she battles issues of racism and childhood trauma. Nurani first read the autobiography in eighth grade and has since re-read it several times. The story’s moving nature stuck with her, and she considers it to be one of her favorite books of all time.
“It’s one of the first books I read that I truly felt seen by,” Nurani said. “I didn’t know that kind of recognition could happen through literature until I read it.”
“The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Junior Tina Aalli recommends Taylor Jenkins Reid’s New York Times bestselling novel, “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.” The historical fiction novel follows 1960s movie star Evelyn Hugo as she works her way up the fame and social ladder of Old Hollywood. As the co-president of the Between The Pages Book Club, hosted in the UHS Library, Aali is an extremely avid reader with a passion for all things fiction.
“This book was so interesting and I was captivated by the amazing storytelling,” Aali said. “I couldn’t put it down and it is definitely one of my favorite books.”
“Something In Between” by Melissa De La Cruz
“Something In Between” by Melissa De La Cruz is the story of protagonist Jasmine De Los Santos, a high-achieving student whose life is uprooted when she finds out that her green card has expired. As a child of immigrants, senior Ariana Ahmad-Shaw resonated deeply with Jasmine and has been revisiting the book for many years.
“I love this book because it addresses many fears that I have as the child of an immigrant family,” Ahmad-Shaw said. “It also has a little bit of romance, which I loved.”
Finding time to read with the stress of daily life can be a challenge, but the satisfaction one gets from getting swept up in a different universe is well worth it. Whether you’re an avid reader or haven’t picked up a book since elementary school, these recommendations brought a smile to a couple of students’ faces, and they can do the same for you.
