With winter looming behind autumn’s lovely colors, finding new items of distraction seems to be more pertinent than ever. For many, the colder season provides the perfect opportunity to start a new television series or to rewatch an old favorite. Although watching a show is a comforting pastime, an activity that can be similarly comforting is reading a book. After all, it is much easier to curl up in your blankets with a book rather than a laptop.
Personally, I adore books that compel me to grapple with them. An alluring storyline is enticing; however, books that push me to expand my perspective are the ones that firmly retain themselves within my memory. The following few books are recommendations that will hopefully broaden your horizons as well as your reading repertoire.
“Watership Down” by Richard Adams
A gorgeous, oddly macabre saga about a band of travelers, this epic questions the lengths an individual will go to establish a home. Although the main cast of characters consists of rabbits, the storyline is anything but light and fluffy. From habitat destruction to the dangers of the cult mindset, the themes contained within this novel address a wide variety of concerns that are pertinent to modern day.
“Gun, Germs, and Steel” by Jared Diamond
Although this book is a historical journey rather than a novel, it is no less fascinating. Diamond tracks the growth of societies and cultures, and explains the positions of countries as they are today due to an influence of geography. Furthermore, the book diverges from previous historical thought as the advantages that have been garnered by the influential countries today are not due to cases of human superiority, but rather, a proximity to resources. I would recommend this book for anyone with an interest in anthropological studies, as well as anyone looking to expand their knowledge.
“East of Eden” by John Steinbeck
This novel is frequently thought to be the magnum opus of Steinbeck, and after reading it, I was in full agreement. Any individuals with even an iota of a Biblical background will easily pick up the references to Genesis within this book, and it is easy to appreciate the craftsmanship that went into creating a magnificent novel derived from the Biblical narrative. Steinbeck dissects and explores morality, ambition, and kinship, while focusing on the interpersonal bonds that humanize each character.
“The People in the Trees” by Hanya Yanagihara
Yanagihara is, perhaps, one of the most understated writers of the 21st century. This is an opinion I share loudly and unabashedly, and I highly recommend her debut novel to anyone looking for a book to read. In this novel, Yanagihara confronts the reader with a dilemma: does brilliance excuse a lack of morality? Can you separate the work from its creator? The storyline follows a scientist that makes a significant discovery to aid the human condition; however, genius and virtue do not necessarily go hand-in-hand. Particularly relevant in current society due to conversations about “cancel culture,” this novel was a striking piece that I hold firmly as one of my favorites.
Although everyone has different tastes in literature, there is undoubtedly a novel that will strike each person’s fancy. Perhaps a trip to James White Library would assist that search, although sometimes your next best read is found closer than you think. I would encourage anyone looking for a new book to ask their friends, and maybe a well-endorsed loan from their personal library will do the trick. Change up your routine, and try curling up in your cozy blankets with some hot chocolate and a well-loved book.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.