Top 10 Books

The Danish Girl (2000) by David Ebershoff

Loosely based on the story of Lili Elbe, one of the first transwomen to receive gender-affirming surgery, this book was one of the first to be not only supportive of transgender people but attempt to explore what it is actually like feeling like you were born in the wrong body and seeking self-expression in a world hostile to us. I remember watching the film adaptation when I was still a trans-teen and feeling like I was being seen for the first time.

 

There are plenty of problematic things about both the book and film, including the lack of transgender cast and crew and some outdated language around the topic. It's a book from 2000 before trans people were as widely talked about as we are today, but it's worth reading nonetheless, if only because it is inspiring.

War (2024) by Bob Woodward

This is a nonfiction recap of how the Biden administration handled withdrawing troops from Afghanistan, the support of Ukraine's independence, and the support of Israel's invasion of Gaza. It also covers how politics impacted his successes and failures.

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It is captivating and self-contained. It's not just a history book, as it includes some behind-the-scenes commentary from people who witnessed the decisions. If you are looking for a crash course on the issues Trump inherited, check it out.

I'm Glad My Mom Died (2022) by Jeanette McCurdy

This isn't just any ordinary celebrity memoir. Jeanette McCurdy, former Nickelodeon child star, tells the story of the abuse she suffered primarily at the hands of her narcissistic mother, who taught her to hate her body, become bulimic, and roll over for every acting opportunity.

 

Her story isn't unique, as many child stars have similar issues as a result of their parents forcing them into it, but the way in which she manages to lay the struggle out bare naked made me so uncomfortable in the ways I needed to be.

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She reads the audiobook, which is how I experienced it. I highly recommend doing that, too.

11.22.63 (2011) by Stephen King

This book is, in my humble opinion, the magnum opus of the King of suspense and horror, the product of decades of research and crafting of a fairly simple premise: A man finds a portal to 1960 where his actions in the past affect the future unless he uses it again, and attempts to use it to save President Kennedy on 22 November 1963 in Dallas, TX. The catch is he has to live out three real years of his life in the 60s, getting a job, buying a home, trying not to make waves or friends, meanwhile planning for the day that he came for and hoping he doesn't spend all that time just to mess up when it matters most.

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This book is so hard to oversell. It's a master's hand at work, and you can't regret it.

The Hunger Games (2008) by Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games is a yearly event where two kids from each of the subjugated districts of Panem are forced to battle to death for the amusement of the rich. During the reaping for the 74th games, Katniss volunteers in her little sister's place to protect her, but now she must learn the ropes of surviving from a veteran of the games and not make enemies.

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I fully believe the Hunger Games series will become classic lit because not only was it insanely popular when released, but it still holds up as solid story writing to this day with a well-developed world and analogies to the real world. Let's face it, every year, the world of Panem seems a little less unrealistic.

Inside Mari (2012-2016) by Shuzo Oshimi

This series is a fascinating exploration of identity told through a mystery. How did Isao, a college dropout with no prospects, end up in the body of a popular teen girl, Mari? He suddenly needs to learn who Mari is, what she is like, and try to find out what happened to the real Mari's mind, as well as whether he can return to being Isao.

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While this story isn't about being transgender, it touches on a lot of the way gender dysphoria feels. In addition, it is very tasteful in its discussions of bodily autonomy and trauma. If you're going to read one manga, this would be a great choice.

The Perfect Girlfriend (2018) by Karen Hamilton

Juliette loves Nate so immensely that despite the fact that he broke up with her months ago, she still enters his apartment while he is at work with the key she stole from him, keeps up with his life by logging into his Facebook because he has blocked her, and, yes, she even started a job as a flight attendant so as to be near him while he's flying all around the world as a pilot. She is only biding her time until Nate is ready to get back together with her. Just a little longer, and this silly hiatus will be over and they can go back to their happily ever after.

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I loved this book. Every chapter kept me hooked, and I found myself unable to concentrate on anything else until I finished it. True to the name, the book was perfect.

The Book Thief (2005) by Markus Zusak

This book was haunting and beautiful. It's the story of a little girl in Nazi Germany, narrated by Death himself. Her mother leaves her to the care of a couple who are rough around the edges but care for her and hide a Jewish man in their basement, knowing that at any time, they could be caught and their lives destroyed. ​She doesn't initially know how to read, but slowly learns by stealing books and getting lessons from her new papa, all the time, befriending the Jewish man and learning how evil the Nazi regime and Hitler are.

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I'm not sure what more I can say. It is hard to read, and I left it emotionally drained. Maybe I'm weird for loving that.

Normal People (2018) Sally Rooney

This is a psychological exploration of the complexity of a relationship between two youths with bundles of potential and trauma. Rooney's characters are real in that they lie to each other to spare feelings and hurt each other while trying to help and bounce between appreciating their time together and distancing themselves because things get too hard or too real. These characters and their relationships are imperfect, and without giving spoilers, the way their lives twist and turn like vines made me more emotional than any rom-com third-act misunderstanding ever could.

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Truly the best book I've read from the 21st century, Rooney is in a league above her peers.

Pride and Prejudice (1813) by Jane Austin
It was once a truth universally acknowledged that a single woman not in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a husband, and the Bennet family with their five daughters were no exception. Thankfully, two single, young, wealthy men are coming to town. Seems like a match made in heaven for the eldest daughters, right? Maybe not, as this story is filled with characters who are too prideful to admit their feelings and too prejudiced to look past the surface.

 

Jane Austin is by far my favourite author of the 19th century. She doesn't add unnecessary details, has a writing style more akin to hearing a story from a friend than a stranger, and, most importantly, fills these characters with passion and attitude that make them as relatable today as they were in the 1810s.