The new social distancing situation has left me with so much opportunity to ignore all my earthly responsibilities as a high school student. With this new abundance of time, I scoured the internet in order to find something to entertain me. While browsing, I realized a fundamental issue deeply rooted in literary society: book recommendations are subpar. Of course, this is just a personal opinion, but I feel that a lot of information in book recommendations is unnecessary and irrelevant, with inclusions of the author’s childhood, the origin of the book’s idea, the best tea to drink while reading the book, etc. Book recommendations and reviews are equal to recipes in the writing to actual information ratio. For this reason, I have compiled a list of five books from my very own bookshelf. I hope you enjoy my non-whimsical advertising for some truly fantastic books, and I recommend clicking on the links I have provided for more insight.

Six of Crows​ by Leigh Bardugo Length​: 496 pages

Genre​: YA Fantasy

I have recommended this book and its sequel, ​Crooked Kingdom,​ several times to fans of the genre. However, if you are not a fan, do not be discouraged by the cliched YA title (the industry seems to regurgitate the same 12 words — shadow, dark, kingdom, queen, ashes, bone, etc.) because this series is unlike other hugely popular YA Fantasy series out there. There is no romanticization of toxic characters simply because they are “handsome and broody”, no fetishization of mental illnesses, no unrealistically noble and moral characters who do things “for the greater good”, and absolutely no “chosen one!”. Instead, it is a nail-biting heist story in an intricately fantastical universe, the GrishaverseTM. With intimate portrayals of complex characters and an artfully crafted storyline, it is a gripping read for its intended audience. And despite the sophistication in which relevant social problems are woven into the story, it remains entertaining and witty, not pretentious. Overall, if you have been scared off of the YA Fantasy genre due to the sheer cringe-factor of some of the cliched stories out there, or if you are a fan of the genre because of its more tolerable features, this book will be hard to put down.

The Devil Aspect​ by Craig Russell

Length​: 414 pages

Genre​: Historical Fiction, Thriller, Mystery

This is probably one of my favorite all-time fiction books. I love history and I love horror, and this bone-chilling novel is a beautiful mix of both. While it is technically a mystery it is by no means a “whodunit?”, so if you are expecting a ​Murder on the Orient Express​ ordeal, you will be sadly disappointed. Having said this, the sheer psychological roller coaster the author sends his readers on is fantastic. Essentially, what Russell asks is “what if a Jack the Ripper copycat terrorized 1935 Czechoslavakia?”. The result of this question left me gaping out of shock and mild fear at every other page. If you need any more evidence of this novel’s creep-factor, it is mostly set in a gothic insane asylum. While brilliant, terrifying, and worldly, it is not for everyone. Are you brave enough?

Diary of an Oxygen Thief​ by Anonymous Length​: 143 pages

Genre​: Fiction, YA

What first drew me to this book was the anonymous author and the very first line of the book “I liked hurting girls”. After finishing it all in one day, it left my chest aching and my head spinning. It has got it all: an unreliable narrator, alcoholism, misogyny, critical analysis of humanity, anguish, romance, karma, honesty, and some seriously dark humor. It is genuinely heartrending and beautiful to read in the way that honest and simple writing sometimes is, even if you are left furious by it in the end. It would not be something to read if you are easily offended. The author, whoever he or she is, provokes readers into offense in order to get his/her point across: hurt people hurt people. Be warned the structure is relatively loose, the chronology of events comparable to unspooled yarn. Now with its two sequels ​Chameleon in a Candy Store​ and ​Eunuchs and Nymphomaniacs​, the series is recommended for a mature audience that appreciates lessons learned, and lessons taught.

From Here to Eternity​ by Caitlin Doughty Length​: 272 pages

Genre​: Non-fiction, Travel literature

The words that come to mind are ‘neat’, ‘cool’, and ‘oh’. If non-fiction is more your style, Doughty’s book has scientific knowledge and value, with the added plus of a beguiling commentary of life, death, and our journey through life and through death. As a mortician who travels around the world documenting how different cultures take care of their dead, Doughty gifts readers with the medical and technical elements of the disposing (or not…) of cadavers. More than that, she investigates the cultural roots of different mourning traditions. It is not gruesome, but respectful and charming in its documentation of the deceased. Fascinating, witty, and well-written, I recommend this to absolutely anyone not fastidious about what they want to learn. Prepare to concern some people if you happen to recall facts from this book in conversations.

An Introduction to Constitutional Law​ by Randy Barnett and Josh Blackman Length​: 408

Genre​: Non-fiction, Law

This is not a light read or a book you pick up one and consume in one go. By the title, you can gauge why. This quasi-textbook includes an explanation of 100 Supreme Court cases that the authors chose to explain to readers. Having read most of it, I can say that it is not without its slight bias. However, if you want to sound smart, understand more, win debates, and all those perks to being well-read, this book is fantastic. But beyond this, I recommend it as a wake-up call to “the youth”, so-to-speak. Some of the conclusions reached by the Supreme Court were not without their prejudice, and the ability to recognize this, especially in this political climate, is crucial. And I plan to recall the information in this book if I ever make it to law school to earn brownie points with Professors.

I hope you heed my recommendations. If you are struggling with anxieties over What-Shall-Not-Be-Named going on around us, books are a great way to escape reality. Although the irony in reading a dystopian novel during this time in order to escape reality is not lost on me. This will be over soon, one way or another. If your creativity wanes or your attention span gets shorter by the minute, have a good scream or cry into your pillow, and persevere. This epidemic will be great leverage on your kids if you choose to have some.

If you want more book recommendations, contact me at ​[email protected]​. I never grew out of feeling superior or orbiting my personality around the fact that I read a lot as a kid. While slightly annoying, it means I have a lot more book recommendations suited to everyone’s tastes. Stay safe.