By Maryam Sheikh

One of my goals in 2020 is to read 100 books over the course of the year. While it is a large feat to accomplish, I really want to get back into one of my favourite hobbies- reading. I have always considered myself a bookworm, but in high school, I started reading less for fun and more for schoolwork and assignments.

I think that during these times of social distancing, we can all develop some new habits and make room for hobbies we have been meaning to pick up. I’ve found the Overdrive app to be really helpful- it allows me to use my city library account to borrow ebooks and audiobooks. So, while I haven’t been able to go to the public library, I’ve been able to read on my phone. It’s also still possible to make online orders if you prefer hard copies of books. A few stores you can check out are Thriftbooks, Indigo, and Book Outlet.

Here are some books I’ve read and loved- I recommend you check them out too!

1. The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

This bestseller follows the story of Starr Carter, a teenage girl, as she deals with the aftermath of a police shooting that results in the death of her best friend.The novel, written by Angie Thomas, covers topics revolving around racism, police brutality, and activism. I found it extremely thought provoking, informative, and well-written. It’s a page-turner that focuses on some heavy topics but ultimately provides great insight on family relationships, identity, and discrimination. The Hate U Give was also made into a film and was released in 2018.

1. The Darkest Minds Series by Alexandra Bracken

This series is one of my all-time favourites! The Darkest Minds is a series that covers the story of Ruby, a teenager who gets sent to a government rehabilitation camp because she wakes up with supernatural abilities. At the camp, Thurmond, she learns the truth about her powers and escapes, desperate to find other kids and go to a safe haven for others like her. The series follows the journey of Ruby and her friends as they fight against the government. This dystopian, science fiction thriller kept me on the edge of my seat and I was hooked. It’s not a genre I would usually read but I’m happy that it was recommended to me because I thoroughly enjoyed it. This series by Alexandra Bracken consists of four books and also includes a collection of short stories called novellas.

1. The Dinner by Herman Koch

The Dinner is a mystery novel that starts when two couples, each who have a teenage son, meet at a high-end restaurant for dinner. Throughout the course of the meal, it becomes known that the two boys have committed a crime that is being investigated by the police. The story is captivating and reveals the backstories of all the characters while readers are left piecing parts together. It was definitely an interesting read!

I hope you read some of these great books and enjoy them as much as I did- happy reading! Stay safe and stay