Let Your Inner Bookworm Shine: Pick Up One of These Books for Spring

I’ve always been a major bookworm and have made  it a personal mission to read a minimum of 100 books every year. This being said, being a fast reader definitely has its perks;even though I don’t have as much time anymore to read for fun, I can usually squeeze in a couple books per week. I’m also the type of old-school nerd who refuses to read e-books and loves the smell of a fresh paperback novel. This spring, I’ve been digging into a wide variety of some of my new favorite books — a mixture of romance, feminist and political novels. In this article, I’ll be highlighting a few of the best books I’ve read so far in 2018.

Educated by Tara Westover

Educated is a fascinating memoir by Tara Westover that follows her upbringing in a Mormon, fundamentalist family in the mountains of Idaho. This true story is brutally honest and carries the reader through Westover’s transformation from a young girl in a survivalist family to a woman who, at 17 years old, left her family to attend school for the first time. Yes, you read that right — her first time stepping into a classroom was at 17 years old. She had never heard of World War II or the Holocaust and had no idea who Martin Luther King was. She went on to not only graduate magna cum laude from college, but earn a PhD from Cambridge University and win a Harvard fellowship. If you’re looking for a nonfiction novel that will quite literally shake you to your core, this book is for you.

Come Back to Me by Mila Gray (Sarah Alderson)

On a lighter note, Come Back to Me details the forbidden romance between a marine and his best friend’s little sister. This book is a roller-coaster ride of emotions and I was honestly exhausted after I finished – I read it all in one sitting because I just couldn’t put it down. If you’re looking for the perfect spring romance, it’s time to head to Barnes and Noble and pick this one up.

Asking for It by Kate Harding

With an abundance of research to support her articulate argument, Asking for It makes the case that the people of today’s society support rapists more often than they support victims. Not only does Harding detail institutional failures in preventing the rise of rape culture, she also offers recommendations as to how we can turn our country around and give priority to victims without taking away the rights of the accused. If you’re looking for a kick-ass feminist novel, this one’s for you.

White Rage: The Unspoken Truth of Our Racial Divide by Carol Anderson

I was inspired to read this book by a class I’m taking this semester called the “Black Man in America,” a course about institutional racism and its persistence throughout time. In White Rage, Anderson brings to light the carefully crafted actions leading to the persistence of racism in mainstream society. This novel highlights important details that are often forgotten and/or covered up by politicians and society in general. If you’re looking for strong arguments to use in your next political debate about racism, look no further than this book.

Unspeakable Things by Laurie Penny

Another feminist novel, Unspeakable Things looks at “sex, lies and revolution” in the 21st century and addresses how these factors, among others, contribute to gender inequality and the constant power struggle. Penny uses both historical feminist theory and her own experiences to support the arguments made and provide a riveting analysis of not only what’s wrong with our society, but also how we can fix it.

The Sun and Her Flowers by Rupi Kaur

This sequel to Rupi Kaur’s first poetry book, Milk and Honey, is structured in a similar and equally entrancing way. Filled with poems about life’s daily struggles, The Sun and Her Flowers is the perfect book to carry around in your purse — I had this with me at all times and read a few pages whenever I had a free minute. If you love Tumblr-esque poems as much as the next girl, Rupi Kaur’s latest is definitely for you.

A Million Little Things by Susan Mallery

To end on a light note, A Million Little Things revolves around several characters who are all connected in one way or another. It’s a warm-hearted book about love, friendship and acceptance. This was a “springtime afternoon on the porch” kind of read and takes you through the ups and downs of life — the women are easy to identify with which always makes for a relaxing read. If you’re looking for something lighthearted and relatable, check out A Million Little Things.