The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
An autobiography about the life of Sylvia Plath, though with the names of places and characters changed in order to make the story loosely fictional. This novel expresses how dark and world-altering mental illness can be through a girl who has a bright future ahead but grapples with depression and is slowly losing grasp of all her hopes and ambitions.
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
A classic illustrating the lives of four young sisters living in America during the Civil War. Readers watch these girls grow into women and see their close friendships with each other blossom as they age and deal with all of life’s challenges.
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
A story about a young boy who has a lot of untapped potential and wants to have a better future than his parents. In order to achieve this wish, he has to leave his reservation’s school, and his best friend, and begin attending the school on the other side of town where he is the only person who isn’t white.
Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
A dystopian novel decoding the strange childhood of three friends who are trying to discover their purpose in life. The reader, though kept in the dark in the beginning, slowly uncovers the mysteries of the character’s lives through shocking and thrilling time jumps.
The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith
A psychological thriller chronicling the European adventure of a poor, loner Tom Ripley. Ripley’s funds come from a wealthy Manhattanite, Herbert Greenleaf, who enlists Tom’s help to persuade Greenleaf’s son, Dickie, to return home from Italy. It all goes downhill from here.