When was the last time you sat down and read an entire book? If you did read an entire book within this week, then you should be proud of yourself. Reading Is one of the best habits you can cultivate but it is also one of the toughest habits to start especially in today’s age. Earlier, every teenager used to love reading books but today it’s a dying hobby because of the distractions all around us. Social media apps and OTT platforms have largely taken over the place of books in the minds of kids. But if you are someone who still enjoys reading, you should really pat yourself on the back.
Reading enhances creative thinking, improves your language, and all in all makes you a better person. But what you read also tells a lot about you as a person. As a tribute to all the young minds who still love to read, we have put together a list of the top 10 best books for young adults. These books do not have one specific genre. Some of them will inspire you, some will intrigue you but each and you will be sure to enjoy each and every one of them. So, pick your literary companion among our top choices and have fun reading!
1. A Separate Peace by John Knowles
A tale of friendship and also the dark side of adolescence, A separate peace is one of the best works of John Knowles. The story is set in a boy’s boarding school in New England at the time of World War 2. The two protagonists are Phineas and Gene and the story navigates us through the twists and turns that happen in their friendship during one summer which makes their world go topsy turvy. A Separate peace is one of the most beloved novels in the US and it has been a best seller for more than 30 years which is an amazing feat. The novel shows us how World war 2 affected the world, especially the young adults and the negative impacts of war, and what it can do to humanity. This book should certainly be on your list.
2. A Serious of Unfortunate Events – The bad beginning by Lemony Snicket
A Series of Unfortunate events sold over 60 million copies and also was adapted into a film in 2004 and also a TV series from 2017 to 2019. That must give you some context on how amazing this story is. The book is written by Lemony Snicket which is actually the pen name of American wirter Daniel Handler. Handler is an acclaimed fictional novelist and A Series of Unfortunate Events is celebrated as his best work to date. This is the first book of a 13 book series and will get you hooked, so be ready to spend some time on the story if you decide to read it! The story uses dark humor delightfully well and the plot always keeps the reader intrigued. The writing also uses a unique vocabulary that will also be really useful for you. There are a lot of subtle jokes included in the story that might allude to you if you’re not paying attention. All in all, this book will definitely be worth your time.
3. All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven
Contrary to popular belief, teenage is a stressful time. The life of a teenager is not always about parties and road trips and having fun. Sometimes it is about coping with the darkest of paths that life throws at you. For a lot of youngsters, the pressure to fit in and be one of the ‘cool kids’ comes at the cost of sacrificing who they really are. This novel by Jennifer Niven is a love story between 2 teens who have almost given up on life. The story starts off with the two characters, Theodore Finch and Violet Markey saving each other from suicide and then slowly falling in love with each other. The story is beautiful and tells us that hope is a powerful thing and sometimes, the most unexpected people can give us reasons to live. You should definitely give this book a chance if you are a fan of romantic novels.
4. Sophie’s World: A Novel About the History of Philosophy by Jostien Gaarder
If you are a voracious reader, you must have experienced a reading hangover at least once in your life. A reading hangover is when you read a book that is so good and that makes you think so much that you cannot stop obsessing about it. Sophie’s World is definitely one of those books. The book starts with young Sophie Amundsen coming home from school and finding 2 notes in her mailbox. The two notes contain two questions, ‘Who are you?’ and ‘Where does the world come from?’. The book kickstarts with this very intriguing beginning and then proceeds to take the reader on a roller coaster ride in which Sophie tries to solve many riddles with the philosophy that she learns. I cannot give away too much of the plot as it will ruin the experience of reading this delightful book. If you love philosophy, then you will very well be impressed by this book. Through a simple narration, the author gives out a lot of meaning and provides enough and more for you to suffer a reading hangover!
5. Vagabonding – An Uncommon Guide to The Art of Long-Term World Travel
Travelling can really change a person. The people you meet, the cultures you imbibe, and even the food you taste, can really make a better human being out of you. Traveling is not just about fancy hotels and gourmet dishes. In fact, the best journeys are usually the cheapest. This book written by Rolf Potts is an unofficial guide to teach you to spend some time every now and then to wander around and live the authentic gypsy lifestyle. If you are someone who enjoys traveling and settling down in new cities, this book is a gold mine for you. It gives a lot of practical information on things like financing your travel time, deciding the perfect destination, and also getting used to life on the go. Your 20s is the aptest age for you to start exploring the world and even if you have budget constraints, the book contains tips on how to overcome hurdles and live and embrace the vagabond experience!
6. How to Win Friends and Influence People
This is probably one of the most famous books in this list and rightly so. This book is borderline dangerous as the tips and tricks the author provides in the book is really effective if you practise it right. Do not get me wrong, there is nothing unethical about the book and there is certainly no mind control involved! But the methods stated by the author are scientific and will definitely help you to win people over and increase your charisma. The book is especially useful for youngsters who are joining new colleges or schools or looking forward to acing an interview. All in all, this is one of the best non-fiction books on the list. And it’s also a personal favorite of mine! It is also one of the most bestselling books of all time.
7. The 4-hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich
This book is basically a guide on how to make the most out of your career. The book talks about treading the road not taken in your life and career and to plan out your life in the best way possible. The book basically helps you to work less and enjoying more of your life. The book includes a lot of practical tips and tricks to manage your money and also includes real life stories of successful people which will inspire you to cave your own path in life. The book also includes templates for eliminating emails and discussing with different clients. The author, Timothy Ferriss is an American entrepreneur, investor and lifestyle guru.
8. All The Walls of Belfast
All the Walls of Belfast is another really good teenage story set in Belfast which is a city in Northern Ireland. The story is about Fiona and Danny and them discovering life and trying to fulfil their expectations from life. The novel is relatable to every teenager and also takes you through a range of emotions all throughout the plot. The character arc of both the teenagers are really nice to read and the reader will enjoy the way in which their relationship evolves. This book should definitely be on your list for being such a simple et captivating story.
9. 48 Rules of Power
Throughout history, mankind has always been obsessed with power. Almost all major conflicts in history can be traced to a chance to get more power and authority. This book is dedicated to analysing more than 3000 years of the history of power and crafting 48 laws out of it. The book is fascinating and is sure to grab your attention after the first few paragraphs itself. The author, Rober Greene explains all the 48 laws in detail and emphasise on the fact that you should treat others the way you wish to be treated. The book is ruthless and does not mince words and is sure to keep you hooked from the beginning to the very last word.
10. The Perks of Being a Wallflower
This is a classic and has been one of the most popular teenage books for years. The book is not like every other high school story and has many elements that craft out a brilliant story that is sure to give you a reading hangover. The story is about the life of an young introvert named Charlie. Charlie has a lot of trouble fitting into high school but then he meets a brother and sister duo which turns his life upside down. He starts enjoying the little things in life and they help him out of his darkest places. The book is heart-warming and so much fun to read! It has even been adapted into a hit film starring Emma Watson, Ezra Miller and Logan Lerman.
