With all the required readings that we are assigned, sometimes it is hard to fit in leisurely reading. Here are a few reads that should fit into your reading list. -A. Perelli
“The Girl on the Train”
By Paula Hawkins
Thriller, Mystery, Fiction
This book starts off from the perspective of main character Rachel. She watches suburban families from the window of her commuter train to work. One couple in particular really catches her eye and the mystery unfolds between her and these not-so-ordinary people. This story takes you on a journey that will change the way you look at people’s lives. Hawkins switches the perspective of the story between characters in the book and gives you a glimpse inside their everyday lives. “The Girl on the Train” will keep you on your feet and shock you from start to finish.
“This Star Won’t Go Out”
By Ester Earl
Biography, Young Adult, Illness
“This Star Won’t Go Out” is a collection of journal entries, fictional stories and drawings of a young girl, Ester Grace Earl. This story takes you along with Ester as she battles cancer. Although Ester passed away in 2010 at the age of 16, her family and friends put this book together to tell her story to the world and show that she never gave up the fight. This book is very important because it’ll make you appreciate your life and the time that you have here on earth. John Green, the author of “The Fault in Our Stars” knew Ester and has said she was one of the inspirations he had for writing the book.
“It’s Kind of a Funny Story”
By Ned Vizzini
Fiction, Humor, Mental Health
Vizzini’s style of writing is absolutely hilarious. The main character, Craig, struggles with the stress of high school and life as a teenager. For Craig, grades are everything and failure is not an option. Eventually, he can no longer handle the stress of his everyday life and winds up in a psychiatric hospital near his home in NYC. The story unfolds with his experience of learning about himself and the people there with him. Vizzini’s story is humorous and tackles mental illness from a whole new perspective.
