By Eva Ferguson

Before this summer, I had a heaping pile of books sitting on my desk. Now, we all know this “pile”. It had been culminating for two years, echoing the promises I made every Christmas that I would sit down and read through them all. That never happened – school, procrastination, life in general – I had endless excuses for not sitting down and just reading. That all changed this past summer. I decided June would be the month dedicated to reading. Without further ado, are some must-read, tear-jerking, inspiring reads for anyone out there who wants to add to their own pile of books to read.

Normal People by Sally Rooney

While visiting me in St Andrews, my mom picked up this book from Waterstones’s “buy one get one half off” desk. She read it in a day and begged me to read it as well, insisting I wouldn’t be able to put it down. She was right. If you’re looking for a witty, relatable page-turner, this is the one for you. Sally Rooney is a young author making it big in the literary world. Her very real take on growing up and all the quirks and nuances that go along with it make this a perfect read for college students going through a transition period.

Quiet by Susan Cain

I firmly believe this should be required reading in all schools. It sounds cliché, but this book truly changed the way I view myself and my place in the world. In an extrovert dominated society, introverts’ powers are often overlooked. This book will teach one how to harness their power as an introvert and reinforces the notion that, no, introverts are not always shy and bashful. They are equally as powerful as extroverts if taught how to use their powers correctly. This is a must-read for introverts, extroverts, and anyone in between.

The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown

If you’re looking for a fast-paced, entertaining read, this is it. After reading The DaVinci Code, I was hooked. Shortly after, I bought The Lost Symbol and only recently got around to reading it. It has mystery, thriller, adventure, and a plethora of historical facts, all jam-packed into an entertaining read. If you want an escape from reality, this book is for you!

Becoming by Michelle Obama

In her new memoir, Michelle Obama reflects on what made her the woman so many people around the world love, admire and look up to, including myself. Even if you’re not the biggest Obama fan, I promise you, this book will not fail to leave you inspired and determined to make the most out of your personal journey through life. Never has a book left me more determined to come back to school and work twice as hard as this one. Michelle Obama flawlessly integrates deep, personal reflection with light-hearted humor, making this a perfect read for anyone, no matter their background or political beliefs.

Flow by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

This is a life-changing read for anyone who wishes to know the secrets to live a happy, productive, fulfilled life. Csikszentmihalyi eloquently elaborates on the concept of flow, and how one can use it to cultivate their own happiness. I can safely say this book changed my perception of life and completely altered the way I live it. However, do not expect an easy read. This one took me a couple of weeks to get through. To get the most out of it, try and remain mentally present and fully engaged with it throughout. I highly, highly recommend it.

Michelangelo and the Pope’s Ceiling by Ross King

At this point, I initially finished reading through all the books I wanted to get through. However, this book caught my eye as I was glancing at our family bookshelf one day. No matter what field of study you’re in, whether Art History or Mathematics, this book is a must read. It covers all you could ever want to know about arguably the most famous piece of art in the world: the Sistine Chapel. Personal accounts from Michelangelo himself reveal the depth of the technicality and sheer genius artistry that went into its development. It touches on the high stakes pressure that being an artist in Michelangelo’s day entailed. This is an exciting, fascinating read that will leave you breathless and knowledgeable about the fascinating history that this world has to offer.

Inspirational Reads

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