Our Take on the Best Books for College Students

It’s a prevalent belief that college students don’t enjoy reading. After all, they are too busy with their assignments. But a survey suggests that a whopping 81% of them read books. Do you want to build a reading habit? Then you should know about the best books for college students.

Top colleges in the US publish annual reading lists for their students. This includes Swarthmore, Elmira, Colby-Sawyer, Keene State College, and many other institutes. You should take inspiration and prepare your own reading list.

Are you unsure which books you should try in 2021? We’ve prepared a recommended list of the best books to read for college students. You can check it out below.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Have you watched the movie adaptation?

Regardless of your answer, you should read this novel. It’s a coming-of-age novel by Stephen Chbosky. The story is set in the premises of 1991. It revolves around a young boy, Charlie. He is a shy, introverted boy who finds it challenging to settle in high school. Moreover, his clinical depression drives him away from his class fellows.

It is a good read since you can relate to the struggles of high school and college. The novel highlights how Charlie makes a few friends who are his seniors. Thus it’s a motivational story for those who want to turn around their lives.

Somebody’s Daughter

Ashley Ford’s memoir became the New York Times’ best seller in no time. It’s an eye-opening masterpiece. So, you should read it if you enjoy reading books.

The story narrates the life of the author. She shares her struggles as a young African American girl. On top of that, she had a rocky relationship with her mother. She gets in a relationship with a boy against her mother’s wishes. Unfortunately, he sexually assaults her. This is when she gets to know her father had been in jail for almost three decades due to similar charges.

As the story progresses, we get to learn about her adolescent life. Her father helped her understand she wasn’t the culprit. This talk helped her let go of this unwanted burden. Also, it covers how she makes peace with her life and other relationships.

The Color of Law

Web novels are interesting. But reading about your country’s history can be more captivating. This is why you should read The Color of Law.

It provides historical insights into segregation and racial injustice. Segregation in the neighborhoods of the US is a fact. But the book explores how unjust government policies were the stepping stones for systemic racism.

Richard Rothstein presents an interesting argument. He says that the rights of African Americans weren’t restored despite the end of slavery. So, he points out that the judicial system couldn’t roll back injustice rooted deep through governmental policies.

The Ultimate College Student Health Handbook

Jill Grimes‘s creation is one of the best books for college students. Moving away from home is a unique experience. You start afresh away from your family. But this change can make students ignore their health due to added stress.

The health book is your go-to guide to stay healthy. It shares common health problems. You can also find useful solutions to these problems. This way, you can learn a great deal about health issues. Also, it helps you adopt a healthy lifestyle for indulging college life.

The Fifth Season

The Fifth Season is another interesting web novel for college-goers. N.K. Jemisin wrote a series of science fiction novels. You ought to start reading it this year.

The novel features a society, Stillness, that emerged at the end of the world. The remaining nations of the world are at the brink of war with each other to claim basic resources. But these things don’t matter much to Essun who is the central character.

Her husband brutally kills their son and kidnaps their young daughter. This is when Essun leaves everything to save her daughter. The first installment of a three novel series bagged the Hugo Award for Best Novel in 2016.

On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft

This memoir by legendary Stephen King is a must-read for all college students. It’s a valuable resource if you intend to pursue creative writing as your career. It is one of his 62 published novels and books. And it is among the best books to read for college students.

This best-seller is immensely useful for inspiring writers. The author shares his experiences and habits that helped him reach where he is. From writing tips to dealing with challenges, it has everything. So, the memoir will help you establish yourself as a writer.

The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion

Not every college student builds the habit of reading books. But if you want to become a high-achiever, then you should adopt this habit early. So, we suggest you to read The Righteous Mind by Jonathan Haidt.

This bestseller by the social psychologist presents an intriguing point-of-view about the world. The author sheds light on the reasons why people can’t agree with each other despite the myriads of problems facing our society.

He connects human morality with politics and religion. Haidt suggests that intuition is the driving force behind the way people act. Furthermore, he proves his point with the help of social psychology theories.

Wait, What? And Life’s Other Essential Questions

The Dean of Harvard University, James Ryan’s commencement address went viral in 2016. This book is a written version of that famous speech. Further, he encourages students to ask the right questions to get good answers.

The author explains the importance of asking good questions. He shares his experiences along with examples from around the globe. Overall, it’s a good read for college students.

Have you already read any books from our list of the best books for college students? We would love to hear about your experience!