As Fenton High starts to ease into spring, it’s necessary to find a good book to power through the last three months of the school year. These three books are my favorite introspective stories that are sure to change perspectives.
- “The Midnight Library” by Matt Haig
“The Midnight Library” is a philosophical fiction surrounding 35-year-old Nora Seed, who consistently regrets many choices in her life. After experiencing the loss of her cat and getting fired, Nora overdoses and wakes up in a place between life and death. She finds herself surrounded by a library filled with books of her regrets and shows her how her life could’ve been if she had done something differently. This is a phenomenal story that changed my perspective on the choices we make in daily life and how we handle their effects.
- “Holding Up The Universe” by Jennifer Niven
“Holding Up The Universe” is a beautiful story from the two perspectives of Libby Strout and Jack Masselin. Libby is an insecure, overweight teen who has always been bullied for her looks and history, and Jack is a popular jock who secretly deals with a neurological disorder, Prosopagnosia, that removes his ability to recognize faces. The two characters take turns narrating in alternating chapters, and as the story progresses, the two teens realize they have more in common with each other than they could’ve imagined. This heartwarming romance story teaches readers about being yourself and the importance of self-love.
- “All The Bright Places” by Jennifer Niven
“All The Bright Places” is another excellent book by Jennifer Niven. The story alternates between the perspectives of Violet Markey and Theodore Finch. Violet is a studious, quiet, popular girl who is struggling with survivor’s guilt after the death of her sister. Finch is an erratic, angry boy who is constantly labeled as a “freak” at school. The two students spontaneously meet one day on the bell tower of their school, and their paths cross again when paired up for a school project. This bittersweet story is a great read that explores the instability of both of the teenagers and how each of them dealt with their own hardships.
