Are you a college student trying to decide what books to read this semester? Whether you want to get ahead in class or just get a head start on the future, books can help. Especially when your source for booking recommendations is those at Harrington Housing – experts in the world of living, learning, and succeeding as a college student.
In this article, Harrington Housing experts will provide 11 book recommendations specifically tailored for college students. With knowledge about scholarships, academics, relationships, personal finance, and much more– these books will help equip college students with the tools they need to make the most out of their college years.
No matter what stage of life you're in– freshman year or graduate school– these book recommendations will help give you the edge you need to thrive. So finish cramming for that upcoming test and let's explore Harrington Housing's 11 book recommendations below!
Why are books important for college students
Books are critically important for college students because they provide an influx of knowledge and ideas. Reading expands your imagination, helping you explore new subjects like philosophy or psychology and develop a deeper understanding of the topics that interest you.
Reading is invaluable in college because it teaches you to think critically, analyze complex topics, and craft compelling arguments. By consuming a wide range of books, you gain expertise and practice problem-solving skills.
Good books also provide a constant source of inspiration when times get tough. When struggling with exams or life's uncertainty, turn to the pages of a book where you'll find solace, motivation and wisdom from trusted authors. Start with the 11 book recommendations from Harrington Housing - pick up some books today!
What are the best books for college students
Freedom by Jonathan Franzen
Jonathan Franzen's Freedom is a book you'll never forget. It follows the lives of a couple and their families over several years as they make choices and struggle to remain connected through life's complexities.
This epic novel has something to say about relationships, environmental crises, religion, and personal freedom. Franzen masterfully reveals how our private lives are inextricably influenced by political forces beyond our control.
The story focuses on Patty and Walter Berglund, two college sweethearts that rise through the middle class after going to prestigious universities. Through the perspective of young adults entering adulthood, readers will be able to relate to their experiences in this coming-of-age story.
Freedom may be politically charged but it is ultimately optimistic about the power of love even in difficult times. This beautiful book should be required reading for all college students!
This Side of Paradise by F. Scott Fitzgerald
This Side of Paradise by F. Scott Fitzgerald is an ideal book for college students looking to start their literary journey. Written from Fitzgerald's experience as a student at Princeton, this novel captures the insecurities, frustrations, and hopes that accompany the collegiate experience.
The protagonist, Amory Blaine, is searching both academically and socially to define his place in the world. His struggles with acceptance, relationships, and purpose are full of bittersweet moments that readers can easily relate to.
This storyline provides an entertaining way to explore deeper human connections and reflect on our own personal growth journeys. Whether you’re out of school or in school now, This Side of Paradise will take you on an emotional exploration of what it means to be alive in a world always changing around us.
Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami
Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami is a classic piece of literature that belongs on any college student's reading list. It tells the story of Toru Watanabe, who looks back on his days as a college student and his friend Naoko when she’s battling a severe mental illness.
Sensual and nostalgic, Norwegian Wood offers an unforgettable exploration into love, loss, and living with immense grief. By exploring meaningful topics like censorship and the ravages of war in this book, Murakami has developed an understated classic that needs to be read.
The depth and complexity of Murakami’s characters will suck you in as you follow Toru’s journey; his relationship with Midori provides insight into what it means to create an adult identity versus remaining a child forever. With its timeless themes, Norwegian Wood is sure to leave a lasting impression for college students wanting meaningful reading material.
1984 by George Orwell
1984 by George Orwell is a timeless classic and with good reason. It tackles complex issues, such as the dangers of government surveillance and the restriction of civil liberties, through an entertaining story.
Written in 1949, this novel still resonates today more than ever, making it an essential reading for college students. It explores the idea of totalitarianism, which means that one group or individual has excessive control over all aspects of life.
The story follows the main character Winston and how his desire to rebel against a highly oppressive regime ultimately leads him to face the consequences. Orwell’s classic warning about state power remains potent even after seven decades after its publication.
Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky is an absolute must-read for college students. It is considered one of the greatest novels of all time, examining the psychological effects of crime and poverty on a former student in 19th-century Russia.
The story follows a young man named Raskolnikov who commits a murder in order to prove his theory that some people are inherently above the law. Through various torments, he learns to grapple with the moral dilemmas that stem from his decision and faces justice in the end.
This book tackles issues like social injustice, guilt, sin, and redemption that still challenge us today. Richly layered with complex characters and vivid descriptions, Crime, and Punishment is an unforgettable journey into one man's inner psyche.
A Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
"A Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley is a must-read for any college student. Written in 1932, it portrays a futuristic world where human life is controlled through genetics and drugs.
It’s a classic dystopian novel that explores the consequences of technology, pleasure-seeking behavior, and potential suppression of creativity in technological societies.
It tackles themes such as freedom, conformity, love, suffering, and sobriety that have universal relevance today. Huxley’s writing style creates a surreal and thoughtful picture of what the future could look like.
The book has stood the test of time and continues to provide valuable insight into how our society might change as technology advances. It’s an ideal choice for college students to read during their spare time alongside more traditional books about university life and studying.
One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Marquez masterfully transports readers to the fantastical world of Macondo with his vibrant writing style and mesmerizing storytelling. He paints vivid pictures that make it easy for you to get lost in this incredible tale set in Latin America.
His story is an engaging exploration of themes such as family, morality, and nature that are sure to make you think about your own values. It's quite possibly one of the greatest novels ever written—a timeless masterpiece that should be on everyone's bookshelf.
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Its careful depiction of life in the Jazz Age of 1920s America captures the excitement and excess of the era, as well as its darker side.
Fitzgerald uses a character-driven story to explore timeless themes of love, money, morality, and ambition. The Great Gatsby’s main characters embody vastly different values, yet all share a common goal: to attain happiness.
This beautiful novel will challenge your assumptions about what is right and wrong, tug at your heartstrings, and make you think deeply about society as a whole. College students will gain invaluable insight into American culture while exploring this timeless classic.
Lolita by Vladamir Nobokov
Though it can be controversial and emotionally charged, it's a great work that dives into complex themes about love, power dynamics, and vanity.
Interestingly, Lolita delves deep into how forbidden love can truly drive our instincts to become irrational or malicious. In this gripping tale, the narrator relentlessly tries to possess the affection of his stepdaughter.
Although the protagonist's actions are quite disturbing, they foster dialogue around how powerful emotions and ethics are gripped with strings that go beyond reason or logic. It's exceptionally worrying but unforgettable content that will make any reader think twice before acts of selfishness next time.
A farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway
A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway is a must-read for any college student. It tells the story of a WWI American ambulance driver, Frederic Henry, who falls in love with an English nurse named Catherine Barkley.
This timeless classic will not only teach college students about the complexities of war but also about how to turn tragedy into bittersweet triumph.
Hemingway's powerful storytelling style and masterful use of language are both thought-provoking and mesmerizing all at once. Through his impactful characters, Hemingway compels readers to experience the tragedies and emotions of war juxtaposed with love.
A star-crossed couple of Frederic and Catherine is heartbreakingly realistic as they confront external and internal obstacles that prevent them from establishing their own life away from war - obstacles that no one can really overcome.
The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck is a book that many college students should consider reading. In this classic novel, Steinbeck skillfully follows the plight of a family of sharecroppers during the infamous Dust Bowl period of 1930s America.
Set against a backdrop of drought and catastrophe, Steinbeck brings together a cast of unforgettable characters who courageously battle an oppressive system while striving to remain faithful to their own values and beliefs.
Although it touches on social injustice and other themes, The Grapes of Wrath essentially offers an important lesson in resilience as characters must confront tremendous obstacles as they seek out a better life for themselves and their loved ones.
Bottom Line
Reading should be encouraged in all academic settings, especially college. Hopefully, the 11 book recommendations provided by Harrington Housing will help get you started on the right page. Reading helps increase your knowledge of different topics, stimulate mental growth, and energizes creativity.
Reading can open up a whole new world of insights and perspectives that enrich everyone's individual lives. Don't forget to take advantage of this!
Ok, that's it for today, we hope you enjoy reading it.
As you know Harrington Housing is a student housing company that offers off-campus housing for students in major cities.
We understand that college life can be stressful, especially when it comes to finding an affordable place to live.
That's why we're here: We serve as a resource for students who are looking for off-campus housing in the area around their university.
