Hi guys! I'm back with a non-beauty related post today. I am in my sophomore year of college and am currently taking a Literature and Film class, where we just finished reading Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer. I was so inspired and moved by this book that I decided to put it on my list of the 5 books I recommend everyone to read before they turn 21. 

Now, I know that some of these books seem a bit "young adult" to for people who are older than 21, but hear me out first. 

1. The Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling:

I cannot say it enough how much I love this series. To me, books create an entire different dimension in their own, but Harry Potter takes me to an entire new world. I first read this when I was around 11, as most people do. I'm one of those people who has to reread my favorite books, because it's like watching my favorite movies over. I can't get enough. If you read these when you were younger, reread them again now that you're out of high school. You find so many parallels between this magical wizarding world and ours. You see all of the troubles that happen between friends and foes and it makes you appreciate the entire series more than you ever realized you could. 

2. Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher:

I found this book in high school, and out of the many novels I've read this still remains one of my favorites. You can read it in less than a day. This will be one of the most impactful books you will ever read. Told from the point of view of Clay, a quiet high schooler, comes home to a package from the girl he loved, Hannah Baker, who had just killed herself. Inside is tapes that Hannah leaves for 12 people with the 13 reasons why she killed herself. 

3. I Wrote This For You by Please Find This:

I don't know whether to call this poetry or a collection of prose. I suppose it's a bit of both. It's a mixed media book with photographs and these deeply beautiful, intriguing words that become some of your favorite quotes. It's designed so that each "chapter" focuses on a different emotion or part of your life. 

4. Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer:

This was the second book on my syllabus for my Literature and Film class. I cannot thank my professor enough for making me read this book. It's a novel centered on loss and the traumatic events of 9/11, told by 9-year-old Oskar Schell. I've never come across another book that made me laugh and cry all while not wanting the story to end. Another book that uses mixed media, it makes the story more personal and eye-opening with pictures of The Falling Man and accompanying pictures of Oskar's story. 

5. Every Day by David Leviathan: 

Every Day is a different kind of romantic story. A wakes up in the body of a different person every morning. It's not a problem until A wakes up as Justin, Rhiannon's boyfriend. A falls in love with Rhiannon, and breaks every rule. No matter what body or distance it takes, A goes back to Rhiannon at every chance. 

Creating such strong emotions that connect you to storylines and characters is a great power in itself. These novels will affect you and your outlook on life. If you've read these before, I encourage you to read them again and see how it changes you now that you're in a place other than middle or high school. I think it's safe to say that these books are truly life changing. 

What books do you recommend to read before they turn 21? 

Books Mentioned:
Harry Potter Paperback Box Set (Books 1-7) // Thirteen Reasons Why // I Wrote This for You // Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close // Every Day