Books for Your "To-Be-Read" List
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Sage Osesek
Finding a good book is a hard task. Many recommendations can be long and dull with uninteresting characters and a repetitive plot. However, with my recommendations, I can assure you that at least one will meet your standards. They are very different from each other, with each character having a uniquely large personality. These reads should be at the top of your to-be-read list!
Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Historical fiction, fiction
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This is a Reese's Book Club book, so naturally, I had to read it. It is told in an interview-style, question/answer way that I found unique and refreshing. The novel takes place in the ‘60s. Daisy Jones is the next celebrated singer, and she meets five other talented musicians, with whom she forms a band. Daisy Jones and the Six follows their lives of fame, fortune, addiction, and music. I loved the characters and their flaws; their personalities made it seem like the band was real. I read this book in one day, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a captivating novel.
*Daisy Jones and the Six contains substance abuse and addiction.*
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
Coming-of-age, historical fiction
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The story, inspired by Charles Dicken’s David Copperfield, follows Demon, a troubled yet witty boy whose life never gets easier. He is born poor and neglected and continues his journey down a rocky path. Demon struggles through foster care and work mistreatment, abuse, addiction, and the deaths of loved ones. It is a sad story about a boy whose life is perpetually hurting him. The book, told from his unique perspective, demonstrates his remarkable resilience. Demon Copperhead is flawlessly written, and Demon’s perspective keeps the reader engaged. I recommend listening to this as an audiobook for the full experience because the narrator makes Demon’s personality come to life.
*Demon Copperhead contains drug abuse, child abuse, addiction, and suicidal thoughts.*
The Dead Zone by Stephen King
Science Fiction
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The Dead Zone follows Johnny and his perplexing visions. He goes into a coma after a devastating car crash and after five years, he awakes with newly developed precognitive abilities. By touching another person, he can see their future. The characters’ personalities are so well written that I grew to despise Greg Stillson, an ambitious, dangerous, and infuriating bible salesman who Johnny recognizes as a threat to the world in the future. The book is strange yet captivating, and I recommend it to anyone who doesn’t mind bending reality a bit.
Yellowface by R.F. Kuang
Satire, thriller
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R.F. Kuang always writes captivating books, so I had to pick up Yellowface. It is a quick read that I couldn’t put down. It is a satirical novel, mocking many aspects of society in only 296 pages. The novel follows June, who steals a manuscript from a popular dead writer. She publishes it as her own work and suddenly, she is the next big writer. It explores cultural appropriation, racism, social media, and the publishing industry while June has to pick between integrity and success. Yellowface is told from June’s point of view, which is particularly interesting because of her moral grayness. She’s not a likable character, but it makes the book all the more entertaining. Read Yellowface for a quick, engaging read.
Don’t wait: pick up these books to get lost in another story!
