By Andy Fuentebella

By Gilli Aquino

Every individual is familiar with the feelings that come with opening a new chapter; the fear, excitement, and curiosity that come right before you turn to the next page. However — as all of us know — it is this uncertainty that makes these experiences all the more special. 

The second week of January marks the beginning of National Book Week (NBW) — serving as an avenue for students to get lost in the endless dream of fantastical worlds. Yet beyond those grandiose, fairy tales, there exist those novels that may hit a little too close to home for some of us. As we begin to write the tales of our high school lives — let us indulge in the stories that remind us to treasure each and every moment of our youth. After all, there is much to be learnt from the stories of those so different from us. 

Books To Fall In Love

“I could study you for a lifetime, carrying all your peculiarities and discretions in the webs of my spidey palms, and still feel empty wanted.”

Handwritten letters and longing looks prove to be staples of the typical high school romance. While not everyone may hum the tunes of serendipitous love songs — novels allow us to fall in love with the stories found between pages, filling in the “fomo” of every hopeless romantic. 

While romcoms remain a beloved movie genre, Lynn Painter’s novel “Better Than The Movies” is, in fact, better than the average Netflix romance movie. The story follows Liz and Wes, two childhood friends turned frenemies, who are unexpectedly thrown into the classic trope of “fake dating.” This lighthearted and butterfly-inducing story possesses all the romance tropes imaginable to have you falling in love with each and every word.

The flurries of first loves are an experience that entices almost every hopeless romantic. However, as we grow up, most have come to realize that love is a little more complicated than romantic grand gestures. “Alone With You in the Ether” by Olive Blake is a story of love and its imperfections. The novel revolves around Reagan and Aldo, two complicated individuals who serendipitously form a connection that takes over their lives. As opposed to the usual cheery romances, the story explores what happens when love is simply not enough — showcasing a love that is difficult, complex, and wholly real. 

tw: substance addiction, mental illness, overdose (past mentioned)

Books That Transcend Time

“I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship.”

It is beautiful the way that words have the capacity to surpass generations. The way that you can come across a passage or line that completely captures the exact emotions that you have failed to put into words, to wholly relate to the words of an author who has lived a multitude of lives so different from your own decades before you.

Classics are a testament to the beauty of reading, while these books may seem completely out of our reach — their stories continue to reflect humanity in its rawest form. “Little Women” by Louisa May Alcott is a classic coming-of-age story that follows the four March sisters: Jo, Amy, Meg, and Beth. The novel follows their lives from childhood as they eventually navigate the harsh realities of growing up. The story features the all too real experiences and lessons that come with growing up — making the tale of the March sisters relatable to almost every generation.

In line with the themes of childhood, “Anne of Green Gables” by Lucy Maud Montgomery follows the story of eleven-year-old orphan Anne, who is adopted by the Cuthbert family. The classic deals with themes of family, friendship, and the journey of forging your own path in life. To those looking for a lighthearted yet emotional childhood story — Montgomery’s narrative is sure to touch those with a heart for adventure. 

Books to Find Yourself

“So, this is my life. And I want you to know that I am both happy and sad, and I’m still trying to figure out how that could be.

There is a part of you found between the pages of your favorite book — somewhere, lost between the chapters, is a version of you that has been forever changed by the words of someone else’s life. For many people, they read in the pursuit of deepening their own knowledge. However, for others, to read is to be quietly seen by a person you have never met — to have your deepest darkest secrets laid out for you to read and understand. 

Adolescence is the time when most people begin to ponder the question of who they are. With questions of college applications and “what course are you taking?” — the stress of the future is waiting for every high school student. “Perks of Being A Wallflower” by Stephen Chbosky is a story for those who feel lost in their teenage years. The novel follows Charlie, a shy and quiet high school freshman, who meets two friends who teach him how to live life on his own terms. Guised as a stereotypical high school story, the novel touches on topics ranging from LGBTQ+ relationships to the importance of mental health awareness. As a classic coming-of-age story, this book proves to be a love letter to the quiet kids in the back who were told to speak up more.

tw: self-harm, suicide, sexual abuse, homophobia, mental illness

Every single person is familiar with the feeling of being lost, most especially as you grow older. David Nicholls “One Day” follows the friends-to-lovers story of Emma and Dexter as they navigate life after college graduation. Aside from the emotional beats of their relationship, this novel grapples with the whiplash of adulthood and the difficulty of living up to one’s childhood dreams. The book follows the lives of Dexter and Emma throughout the years — showcasing how their friendships grow and change amidst the perils of career choices, relationships, and family pressures. 

In a time where “doomscrolling” and social media have become addictive amongst the youth, NBW reminds us that there are things better captured through printed words and lengthy chapters. From novels ranging from romance and heartbreak to family and growing up — there is at least one thing found in each story that can resonate with every single person. After all, these seemingly fantastical stories reflect lives not so different from our own as long as we continue to read between the lines.