What are the books that impacted the class of 2024 the most? The books they would reccomend to current high schoolers?
These recommendations are just a sample of the thousands of books out there that could change your life with their lessons and story. However, this fraction of them are personally recommended by the class of ‘24 with the impact they gave illustrated. Here are four favorites, ranging from self-help psychology books to striking fiction:
Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking (2005) by Malcolm Gladwell follows psychological tips and explores “popular science” (science intended for a general audience). It poses the argument that intuitive thinking is based more on knowledge and training than most people think, and does so through a multitude of anecdones. Gladwell advises on how to analyze important situations with only the most crucial information.
“It taught me to trust my intuition more and not overthink things… to be more aware of any subconscious biases I may have,” says Addie Kim (‘24). “Overall, I thought it was very insightful into the way we perceive situations, and helped to give me more confidence in my own intuition and thought processes.” This is a book that is perfect for wanting to know more about the psychology behind the decisions and how our brains handle the information thrown at them.
The Bell Jar (1963) by Sylvia Plath is a story that follows a troubled, but in some cases relatable, protagonist. Plath writes from her personal experiences, exploring how we view womanhood and the roles that women are often associated with. This is a heavier book that contains depression and darker mental health topics, but brings much needed awareness to these situations. Many people deeply connect and empathize with the characters, making it a cult classic.
“The way Plath describes the transition between girlhood and womanhood is unique, relatable, and utterly astonishing,” said Robin Sickman-Garner (‘24). “I actually wrote one of supplemental college essays on this book because I haven’t read anything else that describes a main character so comfortable in admitting her flaws… [it’s] subject matter is depressing, but that ultimately leaves the reader feeling hopeful.”
The Five People You Meet in Heaven (2003) by Mitch Albom follows Eddie, who died as a mechanic, and then reflects in heaven on five people that impacted him or were impacted by him. It really makes the reader think about the consequences of actions.
“I remember the last few chapters and their lasting impact … the final person Eddie meets is a Philippine girl named Tala, who he killed while fighting in World War II,” says Isabella Sommers (‘24). “Meeting her in Heaven gave him a new perspective on how impactful his decisions were on others’ lives,” said Sommers, who said she was shocked by how much that impacted her. “I started to think more about how I treated people and the lasting effects my actions can have.” This book undoubtedly increases self awareness.
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck (2016) by Mark Manson is a self help book that explores the values people carry in their daily life. It can help develop confidence and social awareness.
“The book explained how to live your life and care about others without violating your personal boundaries and iterated the validity of having boundaries,” says Leela Aiyagari (‘24). “I attribute my ability to be social and make friends to reading this book because prior to reading it I had a hard time due to severe anxiety but the book helped me a lot,” Aiyagari reinforced. This can be especially helpful for individuals who are entering new environments. It can help prepare you to meet new people while also staying true to yourself.
