This Side of Paradise by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Most are familiar with Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby, of course, but I thought it would be interesting for some of you to get to know the story that catapulted him to fame. This Side of Paradise tells the story of Princeton student Amory Blaine, a character reminiscent of the author himself, and his journey of self at the tail-end of World War I. Although from a different era, the story covers the ups and downs of young adults that transcend time.

The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky

The acclaimed Russian author spent his last novel telling a gripping tale of murder, mystery, sensuality, and a whole lot of drama. Morality is the central theme and debate of the three brothers in this twelve part adventure, originally distributed as a serial in the late 19th century. It preserves its well-regarded status as a gift to the literary world for its remarkable modernity and inventive prose.

Norwegian Wood by Haruki Marukami

An ever-popular Japanese youth novel that takes you through heartache, lost love, mental illness, social standards, death, and sexuality in the eyes of Toru Watanabe, a student with no ambitions and an aimless future. We find charm in the rawness of each character presented and identify a part of them in the people we see in our own separate lives; and in turn, their struggles become our own. 

The Flamethrowers by Rachel Kushner

Reno is a motorcycle enthusiast who travels to New York in the 1970's and soon finds herself submerged in a thrilling, bustling art scene. In the midst of her self-exploration, she falls for an Italian artist and upon paying his family a visit, gets looped into the country's radical movement. The novel cascades between reality and surreality while digging deep into the protagonist's coming-of-age story.

salt. by Nayyirah Waheed

If you're longing for poetry, don't worry, I got you covered. Waheed is a quiet force, but her words speak volumes. She mostly writes about love, identity, race, and feminism, while tackling tough topics like xenophobia and misogyny. To give you a taste, here's an excerpt: 

"i want more 'men' with flowers falling from their skin. more water in their eyes. more tremble in their bodies. more women in their hearts than on their hands. more softness in their height. more honesty in their voice. more wonder. more humility in their feet."

If you're interested in purchasing any of the above books, they're all available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble, physically and digitally.

Please comment with any other reads you've found hard to put down or want to recommend!