Wednesday 24-04-2024 - 10:44

Studies have shown a rapid decline of leisure reading in university students, due to time restrictions, study-related stress and circumstantial barriers. The Spring months can be a super stressful time with deadlines, exams and dissertations, however, reading texts outside of your university reading-list is a great way to unwind from the chaos. Leisure reading can also help with spoken and written communication, long-term concentration and relaxation. I would like to encourage everyone to have a go at this great habit, and offer my own list of book recommendations from a variety of genres, to get you back into reading habits, and to give yourself a break from your studies whilst increasing your attainment:  

 

 

For the Romance Fans: Where the Crawdads Sing, Elenor Oliphant is Completely Fine 

Where The Crawdads Sing. I watched the movie first and thought it was absolutely brilliant, however, the book is even better. It’s such a compelling read, with beautiful writing. I loved the unique setting of the marshland, and the story was emotional and easy to read.  

Elenor Oliphant Is Completely Fine is a super fun read from the perspective of a socially awkward woman navigating her life and past trauma. It deals with themes of isolation and loneliness, but it's actually really uplifting, and the darker themes are contrasted with a lot of humour. If you’re a fan of an unreliable narrator, this is a great read, as Eleanor’s lack of self-awareness makes for a very fun read. 

 

 

Rewriting History: The Book Thief, The Silence of the Girls 

If you’re up to the challenge of a longer book, The Book Thief is one of the best books ever, in my opinion. It’s written from the perspective of The Grim Reaper during WWII, who follows the story of a young German girl growing up with a new foster home. The perspective of death is unique and it’s so emotional and fluently written. The language is amazing and it’s a very compelling read. 

The Silence of the Girls is a really different perspective on the Trojan War, told from the marginalised voice of the woman. It gives a new slant on Greek history and gives a strong message about rewriting dominant narrative voices. 

 

 

Quick Reads: Flowers for Algernon, Convenience Store Woman  

If you’re looking for something you can read in one sitting, look no further than Flowers for Algernon. This is a short story about a man who has undergone an experimental procedure to raise his IQ, and how he must navigate the social difficulties with this. It’s written in diary format where the writing style changes accordingly with the protagonist’s changing IQ. 

Convenience Store Woman is also a quick read, under 150 pages, and explores the standards the world holds regarding success and happiness. It’s sharp, ironic and has a great commentary about the values of society. 

 

 

My Favourite Dystopian Novels: Tender Is The Flesh, The Ballad Of Songbirds and Snakes 

Tender Is The Flesh imagines a future where society has redefined their moral perception within the food industry. It’s super dark but a riveting read that provokes a lot of critical thought.  

The Ballad Of Songbirds and Snakes is a prequel to The Hunger Games trilogy but can be enjoyed as a stand-alone book. It’s another really though-provoking one with an unlikeable narrator and loads of action, to keep you turning the pages. 

 

 

Psychological / Thriller: Room, Nine Perfect Strangers 

Room is about a young boy and his mother who are held captive for the entirety of his life, who escape, and must navigate the outside world as someone who never knew it existed outside ‘Room.’ It’s a brilliant narrative about surviving trauma and the powers of parental love. 

Nine Perfect Strangers has multiple accounts of people who attend a retreat to better themselves. However, everything about the retreat is not as it seems, and the story takes a dark and thrilling turn. This book is super accessible and can be finished so quickly. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time.  

 

 

Black British Fiction: Girl, Woman, Other 

Girl, Woman, Other is a phenomenal book which won the 2019 Booker Prize. It comprises of 12 individual narratives, largely from Black British Women who are all interconnected whilst on their own journey. It shares how these women have been ‘othered,’ based on their gender, sexuality, race, or other factors and shines a light on the various prejudices that exist within our society. 

 

 

BookTok Recs: Everything I Know About Love, Daisy Jones 

If you’re on BookTok you’ve likely heard about these books. Everything I Know About Love is semi-autobiographical and based on Dolly Alderton’s experiences with growing up and her changing perspectives on love and friendship throughout the years. I found it really enlightening as someone navigating my 20s. It’s written in such an ironic and self-aware way, making it super relatable and fun.

Daisy Jones is a fiction book written in an interview style, giving voice to the various members of a band from the 70s, accounting their relationships, conflicts, rise and decline. This one is also really accessible and could definitely be finished in a matter of days. 

 

 

Young Adult: The Hate You Give (THUG) 

This book is a Printz Honour Winner and one of my personal favourites. It was written in light of the BLM movement and accounts for a 17-year-old girl who must navigate a world divided by race between her neighbourhood and her school. It gives such a comprehensive and understandable insight into the racial prejudice within the frameworks of our society.  

 

 

LGBTQ: Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo 

The Seven Husbands Of Evelyn Hugo is another brilliant read which follows the story of a deceased actress in 1950s Hollywood. It explores the prejudice and corruption within the industry and has a great twist at the end! 

 

 

For more books, make sure to check out our book swap bookshelf upstairs in The Hub, leave a book you no longer need, and pick out a new one!  

 

 

Happy Reading and Good Luck During Exam Season!