Even amid the busy second semester, students still find time to read a good book. Whether it’s fantasy, romance, coming-of-age, or science fiction, here are what Bears recommend.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
“I have to say, it’s kind of hard for me to pick a favorite book,” freshman Nikolett Pataki said. “But if I did choose one, it would probably be The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Steven Chbosky.”
The coming-of-age novel follows introverted freshman Charlie navigating high school, told through letters. “I feel like it was one of the few books that actually made me want to wake up early just to be able to read it and finish it,” Pataki added.
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
Sophomore Mason Weiss recommends Ready Player One by Ernest Cline. “I enjoy the fantasy theme of it and the post-apocalyptic idea,” Weiss said. Ready Player One follows a young man in a race to find a hidden treasure in a virtual world called OASIS. “It shows the man’s idea that money solves every problem,” Weiss added.
Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter
Freshman Saki Shudo enjoys cozy romance novels. “My favorite book is better than the movies, because it’s a very cute romance book for people who don’t want it super sussy,” Shudo said. The book is a young-adult comedy about an unexpected romance blooming between two neighbors. “I really recommend reading because it’s the first book that I read without putting it down,” Shudo said.
Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes
Senior Gustav Singel is fond of Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes, following a man with an intellectual disability who undergoes a procedure to increase his intelligence.
“It’s written in diary form, so you can see in the beginning it’s not very intelligible, but as time progresses and the procedure starts, he just becomes smarter and smarter,” Singel explained. “You can see how that influences his thoughts about himself and others, and I think that’s really cool.”
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkabanby by J.K. Rowling
Sophomore Leila Hsieh’s favorite book is Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling. “I’ve read it a bunch of times, and I think [it’s] the best Harry Potter book,” Hsieh said. The third novel in Rowling’s Harry Potter fantasy series follows Harry in his third year at Hogwarts. “I think I relate to Ron Weasley because he’s the comedic relief,” Hseih said, adding that she finds the book comforting.
