One of the best things about reading is the community formed through literature. Whether it’s from a book club, seeing regulars in the library, or chatting with strangers about their favorite books, it’s a language that is easily understood amongst avid readers.
Aside from writing for Our Future Reads, I’m also a part-time waitress. So, to spread the community feel that’s engraved within Our Future Reads, I decided to step out of my comfort zone and ask my tables what their favorite books were to see the range of genres people enjoy.
Some answered with an author, and some gave a name of a book or series they enjoyed but the majority of the people I asked took the time to discuss why I was doing this and how it made them smile. However, it was interesting to see people get put on the spot and figure out if they even had a favorite. Although this put a bump in the road when I didn’t get an answer, it gave me such joy to talk to people who read for enjoyment. Check out the list below for some authors, books, and series that strangers enjoy!
Books:
Animal Farm by George Orwell
A classic in schools across the board. This book is about animals who take control of a farm they live on. Some animals fight for the minds of others by using force and power but in the end, it’s shown that animals are equal or some are revered more than others. Many of the animals in Animal Farm represent political leaders of the Russian Revolution.
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
The Glass Castle is a memoir written by the author about her own life and her dysfunctional yet vibrant upbringing. The love the family held allowed Walls to create her own successful life. In the book, you’ll read how the title is the ultimate promise which was never by the father: to build this castle.
It by Steven King
We have all seen the creepy clown in the “It” movies however the book follows the seven children as they experience being terrorized by an evil entity. This evil entity disguises itself while hunting its prey and usually uses Pennywise the clown as a cover-up.
The Hunger Games by Suzanna Collins
As a popular book and movie series, The Hunger Games is about a nation that is divided into 12 districts, each district is forced to select two tributes between the ages of 12 and 18 to fight to the death in the annual Hunger Games.
Divergent by Veronica Roth
This series is about a post-apocalyptic era and dystopian society in Chicago where people are divided into distinct factions based on human virtues. The protagonist is warned that she is divergent, meaning she’ll never fit into any of the categories that are cut out.
The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey
The story is about the earth undergoing an alien apocalypse. Essentially, the 5th wave is the total eradication of the human race. The story follows the protagonist who is one of the few survivors of the human race after being knocked out by waves of terror.
The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz
This book takes on the nature of reality and existence as it deconstructs the reality of society today. In the book, the author reveals the source of things that rob us of joy and shows a powerful code of conduct that can rapidly transform our lives.
Authors Suggested:
Lisa Scottoline
Scottoline is a #1 best-selling author, The New York Times best-selling author, and an Edgar award writer. Her latest book Eternal is her first historical-fiction novel. Scottoline is known for her down-to-earth characters that resonate with readers. One of her best-selling books is Look Again.
Harlan Coben
Coben is another #1 New York Times best-selling author. He has more than 75 million books in print worldwide. Coben has also created and produced numerous Netflix series and dramas. His best-selling book is Tell No One.
Steven King
Steven King is a popular author who is well-known for his horror/thriller novels, including It. He has a list of awards from his suspenseful reads. After selling over 350 million copies worldwide, King is successful and critically acclaimed. His best-selling book is The Shining, based on The Stanely Hotel in Colorado.
Sometimes a simple conversation can lead to life-long memories or even friendships. Or rather, a simple conversation can help you find your new favorite book and author. The sense of community can grow by sharing your favorites and chatting about why you enjoy reading. Step out of your comfort zone and talk to a stranger about their favorite book and pass it along! Happy Holidays!
Sources: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/z9w7mp3/revision/1 https://www.bookbrowse.com/reviews/index.cfm/book_number/1560/the-glass-castle https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It_(novel)#:~:text=The%20story%20follows%20the%20experiences,preferred%20prey%20of%20young%20children. https://www.supersummary.com/the-hunger-games/summary/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Divergent_(film) https://www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/2016/feb/06/the-5th-wave-rick-yancey-review View at Medium.com