
Photo by Min An from Pexels, Pexels License
Back by popular demand, a must-reads list for Reading Week 2021! Grab your favourite drink and dig into these recommendations from our staff. Whether it’s for your personal wellbeing or just for fun, there’s a book here for everyone.
For readers who love being inspired by unlikely heroes…
Children of Time
Adrian Tchaikovsky
Synopsis:
When human scientist Avrana Kern attempts to play god on another planet, she accidentally elevates a colony of spiders to the intellect level of humans. The story follows Portia, a spider that would pass on her knowledge to the next Portia of that generation, and so on and so forth. Through generations of spiders, the spiders must find ways to thrive despite battling issues like wars, disease, overpopulation, social injustice, and eventually come face to face with their own creator, Avrana Kern.
Why Johnson loves it:
Coming from a person who hates spiders, I almost cried reading about spiders that seem doomed to repeat humanity’s biggest mistakes. Yet, there were moments of genuine triumph from Portia and her fellow spiders that made me feel inspired. This book tackles big themes using an incredibly unconventional perspective, and I highly recommend it!
Circe
Madeleine Miller
Synopsis:
As an adaptation of Greek myths, this book retells the Odyssey from the perspective of Circe, the daughter of Helios. Starting as an insignificant nymph, Circe will meet face to face with the wrath of both men and gods and eventually confront her internal struggle about who she is.
Why Alex K. loves it:
This book incorporates strong feminist themes in its masterful storytelling. Circe’s retelling will draw you in and keep you reading. If you are a fan of coming-of-age stories and Greek Mythology, this book will be perfect for you.
For lovers of short stories and dreamers who reach for something more…
What Is Yours and Not Yours
Helen Oyeyemi
Synopsis:
A collection of short stories, this book centers around both the physical and metaphorical concept of a “key”. From unlocking two lovers’ fates to secret libraries and gardens, Oyeyemi’s book spans across time periods and realities to create an unforgettable experience.
Why Alex K. love it:
Oyeyemi writes this book beautifully, with surprising turns in each imaginative short story. You won’t regret reading this book!
The Thing Around Your Neck
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Synopsis:
A collection of short stories centred around the clashing of cultures between two continents, Adichie enriches this book with sorrow and hope. These stories also focus on the people; from men and women to children and parents, The Thing Around Your Neck is a profound exploration of the human struggle.
Why Sara C. loves it:
One of my favourite books of all time! It is a collection of twelve short stories touching on a lot of important topics, especially for people of African descent, and Chimamanda’s writing style is amazing. Highly recommend!
For those who wish for an alternate life in another time…
The Midnight Library
Matt Haig
Synopsis:
In a space between life and death, Nora finds herself in a library full of all the alternative life paths she could have taken. Struggling to find her reason for existence, Nora dives into these alternate lives searching for her purpose. Will she find it before time runs out?
Why Alex M. loves it:
This book is succinct and deeply introspective. You walk with Nora struggling through her regrets and her self-perceived helplessness in life. This book gives a very personal take on depression and where the motivation for living can come from. It was very relatable, especially given the pandemic cultivating a sense of helplessness around the world.
The Sisters Brothers
Patrick DeWitt
Synopsis:
When the powerful man known as the Commodore ordered the death of Hermann Kermit Warm, the Sisters Brothers were sent to do the job. On their long journey to find the mark in Sacramento, one of the two brothers, Eli, begins to question what he does for a living.
Why we love it:
With dark humour, an engrossing plot and fascinating characters, the Sisters Brothers is a modern take on the classic Western Genre.
A Thousand Splendid Suns
Khaled Hosseini
Synopsis:
This is the story of a young woman who was forced into marrying a significantly older stranger and was uprooted from her only home to live with him. Her husband later took a younger woman for a wife and a unique relationship blossomed between both women; where the younger woman was almost like her daughter. Set against the backdrop of seemingly endless war, this book illustrates how devastating it can be to generations of families in a torn-apart region.
Why Sara C. loves it:
This book touches on sensitive yet ever-important topics such as feminism, forced marriage, polygamy, intimate partner violence in a heart-wrenching and deeply moving way.
For explorers…
Silence
Shusaku Endo
Synopsis:
Set in 17th century Japan, Portuguese missionaries travel to minister to the small Christian communities there- and examine themes of faith, colonialism, and mercy.
Why we love it:
While the book starts slow, this book is a deeply existential novel that touches on deep questions. The characters in this book and the method by which Endo writes their continuous struggle are hauntingly touching.
Ways To Live Forever
Sally Nicholls
Synopsis:
Sam loves facts. He searches for facts about UFOs, ghosts, scientists, and everything an eleven-year-old might find interesting. This book is a boy’s quest to understand life, to dream about what it may be like to be an adult and to maybe try all those things which he wants to do when he grows up. Yet, because of his leukemia, he needs answers to some questions that no one seems to want to answer.
Why Valentina loves it:
This story opened my eyes to oblivion. It reminded me about what life is about and changed both my perspective and my approach to problems. With an honest and beautiful depiction of the inevitable question, this book is an emotional journey.
Advocating for Change…
The Fog
Kyo Maclear
Synopsis:
Warble is a curious bird, and things are changing. A strange fog has settled in his land, but none of the other birds seem to notice, or care! With the help of his new friend, will Warble be able to find people who can see the fog, and the need to protect the environment?
Why Minori loves it:
This picture book is gorgeously illustrated and the story that it tells is deeply heartwarming, to say the least. Perfect for a coffee table, or for a short and sweet break from studying!
We Should All Be Feminists
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Synopsis:
Adapted from a TEDx Talk, this short essay is filled with personal anecdotes that provide context for a uniting desire for all to identify, albeit in different and unique ways, as feminists. Unapologetic in nature, this book allows for a continued discussion of sexual politics and socio-economic realities for particular gendered identities, a conversation that can be difficult to have.
Why Katie loves it:
Although short in page numbers, this book does not lack thought-provoking reflection and critical engagement that is relevant to everyone!! Not to mention it’s a New York Times Bestseller!
Conclusion:
We hope you enjoyed this series of book recommendations. We plan on creating another list for our second reading break, so stay tuned and keep an eye out for it on our social media and blog!