As you progress through your academic journey, you’re going to pick up a lot of knowledge. That’s the entire point.
However, whether you’re in high school or college, the classroom just can’t cover every tiny thing in life. You’ll learn that mitochondria are the powerhouse of a cell, but will you learn about the complexity of morality and human nature?
If you really want to dive into niche topics, you’re going to have to do that on your own.
The best way to do that is to start reading regularly.
Don’t worry, though. It’s not all about reading scientific journals or historical accounts. In fact, there are plenty of titles that can completely change your life, and they’re fun, too.
Here’s our list:
1: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
One book that anyone interested in the scientific world should read is Mary Shelley’s 1818 novel called Frankenstein.
Sure, you think you’ve gotten the full Frankenstein experience by now. We know that the story has been reimagined and turned into various Hollywood projects.
However, Shelley’s novel is more than just a sci-fi horror-turned-classic. It’s a powerful warning.
Frankenstein is Mary Shelley’s way of warning the world, and the scientific community in particular, about the dangers behind reckless scientific advancement.
The tale is about much more than just a bumbling amalgamation of various corpses. It’s what happens when morality and ethics are removed from science.
2: Roadside Picnic
Roadside Picnic is a science fiction novel written by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky in 1972. On the surface, it is a dark and morally challenging tale centered around a man’s exploration of “Zones” created by alien visitors.
The Zone is a harsh, dystopian, and post-apocalyptic-like environment where “STALKERS” go to find their fortune by pillaging relics of Earth’s visitors.
However, Roadside Picnic serves as both a critique of humanist trends in science and its portrayal of humanity’s behavior in extreme circumstances are both deeper than the post-apocalyptic setting.
The story was initially censored by Soviet Russia, but a 2012 English reprint has restored the book to its original, morally challenging state.
3: Incantation
Incantation is a historical fiction novel that takes place during the beginning of the horrific Spanish Inquisition.
In terms of plot, it focuses on a Jewish teenage girl during the period, but she quickly begins to learn that her family practices Kabbalah, putting her in the crosshairs of religious persecutors for the practice of witchcraft.
The setting and writing style of Incantation give it a fun, page-turner vibe, but it’s the surreal look at persecution, betrayal, and society’s unwillingness to stand against such atrocities that provide the most from this title.
4: Meditations: Complete and Unabridged
Marcus Aurelius
One thing young individuals need is guidance in life, and sadly, many don’t receive it. Meditations: Complete and Unabridged, contains the writings of Marcus Aurelius, one of the most famous Roman emperors and philosophers, as well as one of the founding fathers of Stoicism.
The writings in Meditations provide advice on personal growth, morals, behavior, and more, as well as a basic guideline for both the common citizen to live by and the authority to rule ethically.
Meditations is a title that you’re sure to take something away from that will change the rest of your life. It’s a valuable addition to this list of books students need to read because every time you read it, you’ll learn something new, and that’s a guarantee.
5: Man’s Search for Meaning
Viktor Frankl was a real survivor of Germany’s concentration camps during the holocaust. His 1946 (published in 1959) novel details his psychological approach to surviving the concentration camp he was held in, as well as the patterns and traits he identified in other victims during his time in the camp.
Viktor’s account isn’t just historically significant. It’s eye-opening, and it allows you to take a deep dive into the way humans get through some of the most traumatic experiences imaginable.
6: Tools of Titans
Tools of Titans is something every student needs to read. Right now, your focus is on setting yourself up for a successful future. Tools of Titans functions as a compilation of the mental tools used by 200 highly successful athletes and business professionals.
In a sense, it works as a way for you to learn exactly how the most successful people of the modern world developed the characteristics needed to reach such a high level of success.
This is one of those books for students that needs to tag along in every bag to be referenced time and time again.
7: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Written by Stephen R. Covey, The 7 Habits of Effective People is similar to the Tools of Titans book we recommended above.
Except, instead of teaching you about mental tools, it teaches you the 7 habits used by highly successful people that have gotten them to where they are.
8: The Outsiders
H.E. Hinton’s The Outsiders was published in 1967, and it’s a timeless tale of two rival gangs. While the book will pull countless emotions out of you, you really gain perspective on class disparities and friendship.
This has become a common movie to show in high schools, but even if you’ve seen the movie, the book is far superior in terms of the emotions elicited and the delivery of the message.
9: A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier
The author Ishmael Beah was a child soldier in Sierre Leone’s civil war. In this title, he recounts his experiences ranging from pre-war life in his home village.
It also depicts the cruelty and horrifying nature of war from a child soldier’s perspective, his rescue and eventual move to The United States, as well as the challenges of adulthood after such an experience.
This is a one-of-a-kind look into a very dark and depraved part of humanity that will open your eyes to the horrors of the world, but it is surprisingly warm and triumphant in many regards.
10: Rich Dad Poor Dad
Rich Dad Poor Dad is increasingly more important in the modern world. The writer, Robert Kiyosaki, teaches the reader about basic financial literacy and its importance, and that’s precisely what makes it a crucial addition to the list of books students need to read. It equips the readers with basic economic knowledge through the lens of personal experience.
As one of the defining factors behind your ability to live a comfortable life going forward beyond your education, this is a must-read for any student.
