The Kite Runner
Written by acclaimed Afghan-American novelist Khaled Hosseini, The Kite Runner follows two childhood friends, Amir and Hassan, who grow up in Afghanistan. I chose this book because the plot and characters are so compelling, and it also provides the reader a glimpse into the history and culture of Afghanistan. While this book has been adapted into a movie, I always recommend reading the book first!
Sweetness in the Belly
After becoming orphaned, Lilly, the protagonist, is raised in Morocco and later travels to Ethiopia, where she becomes a teacher and falls in love. The book alternates between the past and present, and it is a beautifully written story about loss, romance, identity and belonging. This is definitely the kind of book that sits with you weeks after you’ve finished it!
The Alice Network
Intrigue. Adventure. Spies. Eve is recruited to become a spy for the Allies during WWI, and, after the war, her past collides with Charlie’s, who is on the hunt for her lost cousin. I especially liked this book because there are so many strong, well-written female characters!
The Chosen
Reuven, an Orthodox Jew, and Danny, a Hasidic Jew, become friends, and each tries to decide how to make his way in the world, despite expectations from their families. I have probably read The Chosen three times, and it remains one of my all-time favorite books because the story is so relatable and it’s a great introduction to the Jewish faith.
The Book Thief
Narrated by death, this book tells the story of Liesel, who loves books, and her neighbors and friends, all trying to survive in Nazi Germany. I love this book because the characters are so realistic and the addition of death as a narrator is very clever. Like The Kite Runner, The Book Thief has been adapted into a film.
Between Shades of Gray
Lina, her mother, and her brother are forcefully deported from their home in Lithuania under the cruel Stalin regime. This book is an excellent and informative work of historical fiction!
I’ll Give You the Sun
Jude and Noah are twins and share a close bond until one day they don’t. The book, told alternatively in Jude and Noah’s voices, retraces the steps to what drew the siblings apart. Since Jude and Noah are both artists, the figurative language used in the book is amazing!
Revolution for Dummies: Laughing through the Arab Spring
Egyptian Bassem Youssef recounts the events that led him to become one of the most famous comedians in the Middle East during the Arab Spring uprisings. He reached millions of viewers through his popular show, Al-Bernameg. As a huge Bassem Youssef fan, I laughed out loud throughout this entire book!
Boy Erased
In this memoir, Garrard Conley describes growing up gay in the American South in a religiously conservative family. In an effort to rid Conley of his homosexuality, he is sent to “conversion” therapy, which tests his faith in God, his family, and ultimately himself. In a world in which homophobia still unfortunately exists, Conley’s memoir is a powerful tool to promote tolerance and love, not hate and ignorance.
Eating Animals
Expectant father Johnathan Safran Foer contemplates whether or not he should raise his child as a vegetarian. This deceptively simple question opens up the door to a deeper discussion about the relationships we humans have with animals and the meat we consume. I definitely questioned my relationship with meat after finishing this book!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
A Texas native, Bianca Navia is currently in her junior year at Arizona State University, pursuing a dual major in Political Science and Global Studies. She is most passionate about international affairs, diplomacy, foreign languages, traveling, and teaching. A fun fact about her? She’s the oldest of four sisters in a big Cuban-Italian-American family!