Good Books I Reading Recommendations for High School Students

Good Books I Reading Recommendations for High School Students “Let’s be reasonable and add an eighth day to the week that is devoted exclusively to reading.” â€" Lena DunhamHere are the ground rules: the only requirements were that the books be appropriate for high-school-aged readers, and that they not be books that regularly show up on high school reading lists. Fiction and nonfiction, memoir and sci-fiâ€"it’s all here.Happy reading!The Castle by Franz Kafka Recommended by Sebastian von ZerneckThis book is a lot of fun! A land-surveyor is sent to a distant village to do some work for the castle which stands guard in the center of the village. Or is he? The narrator, K., cant quite get a confirmation that he was actually commissioned to work in the village. He tries to get to the castle to speak to an official about his situation, but hes stymied by a dense bureaucracy and cloud of mysticism reinforced by the reverent attitude of the villagers about the castle. Full of comical characters like K.s two assistants, you wont know whether t o laugh or to cry when you get to the ending (Franz Kafka died before he could complete the manuscript).Factfulness by Hans Rosling Recommended by Lee MillerWouldnt it be nice to read a book that widens your perspective on whats going on around the world and leaves you feeling positive about the future of humanity? The late Hans Rosling, renowned physician and international development advocate, offers a fascinating and compelling counterpoint to the negative media narrative weve become accustomed to. He breaks down how our cognitive biases distort the way we take in information, how statistics can be misleading even when theyre correct, and how our picture of the world changes dramatically when we think more globally and long-term. Factfulness shows that when we put things in perspective (example: the standard of living of Sweden in 1948 is similar to that of Egypt today!), we can be both more serene about the world around us and more effective in promoting progress.The Dresden Fil es by Jim Butcher Recommended by David MasseyHarry Dresden is a mild mannered detective who also happens to be the only wizard listed in the Chicago phone book. A great series for high school age readers who are interested in seeing what being a workaday wizard might actually get up to.SPQR by Mary Beard Recommended by Katie NoiceThis book charts origin and the fall of the Roman Republic. As it discusses the fall of the Roman Republic, it tracks how the Roman Empire began through the rise of tyrants like Julius Caesar and Augustus who used the laws of the republic to consolidate power around themselves. It covers various Roman civil wars, and delves into the politics of it all. It is quite a gripping read, especially as it charts the Roman citizens gradual acclimatization to and acceptance of tyranny during the end of the Roman Republic. Mary Beard is one the leading classicists of today, and her fresh look at this historical period is incredible.There, There by Tommy Orange Recomme nded by Noah LarsonThis book is comedic, tragic, adventurous, and enlightening all in one! You’ll learn about the urban Native American experience, the AIM and the occupation of Alcatraz, and more. This novel has multiple narrators, so each chapter is uniquely interesting and it’s always exciting to see which character is going to tell the story next.Brave New World by Aldous HuxleyRecommended by John RichardA thought provoking and sometimes eerily accurate read! Brave New World presents a seemingly utopian society, where every need is met and everyone is happy. However, as the story progresses, the reader is left to wonder if having everything come easily might just be a method of enslavement are if Huxleys world is as perfect as it seems. Utopia or Dystopia? It all depends on your point of view.The Winter King by Bernard CornwellRecommended by Andrew HoughtonIf you like historical fiction, you’ll love this action-packed retelling of the King Arthur saga. Memorable characters , unfathomable plot twists, and a fascinating world will assure you get lost in the story in a matter of pages!