Can we Bring Reading Back?

By Clara Ding 

Reading is a gateway into perplexing realms - an escape into relaxation, a wellspring of knowledge and imagination. It allows us to endeavor a journey into the gamut of human experience and understanding, encouraging personal growth and entertainment. Furthermore, reading is incredibly beneficial for cognitive development skills such as increased vocabulary, enhanced focus, and critical thinking. So why don’t we want to read anymore? 

A lot of the time (most of the time) people, especially teens, avoid reading as it’s considered ‘lackadaisical’, ‘boring’, a low dopamine activity. Moreover, our decreasing attention spans, exacerbated by constant usage and reliance on technology. However, a central issue contributing to the trend of the avoidance of reading lies in the labour of finding a suitable book to read. Especially during the awkward transitional period between young adult and teen genre novels, this issue is not yet widely recognised by both readers and non-readers. 

As a victim of the issue at hand, I have been delving into a range of compelling, slightly underrated novels, perfect for bridging the gap between this awkward period. Book recommendations down below!

Note: Some of these novels handle mature, graphic and sensitive themes so approach these novels with caution (trigger warnings have been included).

1. Kitchen - Banana Yoshimoto 

Kitchen is a relatively short and easy read communicating the tales of transgender identity, how to cope after losing family members and finding comfort in kitchens - given the title. This novel spreads awareness about transphobia and violence rooted in fascist views and ideals, providing an inside thought into the systemic roots of transphobia. Reading and analysing Kitchen made me realise how institutionalised frameworks (in this scenario gender norms and cisnormativity) constantly produce and reproduce transphobia, making it an embedded, systemic issue. I did notice something strange about this novel; transgenderism is incorrectly represented or just represented in a peculiar fashion - this could be a lazy translation and/or portrayal of gender in Japanese society 40 years ago. Other than that, Kitchen is a wholesome, minimalistic story of healing, grief and love.

Themes: convalescence, bereavement, coping mechanisms, bonding over food

TW: mentions of death, short description of a physical attack rooted in transphobia 

2. Radio Silence - Alice Oseman 

Growing up with Heartstopper, I’ve always been drawn towards this author’s novels but Radio Silence has especially resonated with me in a unique way. Radio Silence explores the complexities of friendship, identity, and the pressures placed on young people to follow narrow paths that may not reflect their true interests and passions. This novel contains traces of humor, heartbreak, friendship, appealing to the likes of many readers. I appreciate the organicity, simplicity, realisticness, relatability and most importantly the diversity of this novel - a common trend you’d expect to see throughout the spread of this author’s works. I would definitely classify Radio Silence as an easy read, but it is also a fun, exciting and pivotal novel to read.

Themes: academic pressure, friendship, graduation, coming of age, creativity, freedom, identity

TW: animal death, emotional parental abuse 

3. Heaven - Mieko Kawakami 

Heaven is a perfect example of a novel that is relatively easy to read, but dense with mature themes and concepts. I particularly admire how well this author represents her young characters - she creates a juxtaposition between their innocent nature and the adult situations into which they are thrust, this novel is very well-written. Most importantly, Heaven implores readers to ruminate upon their own lives; if their own words or actions have affected others and vice versa, it helps grapple your understanding of bullying and its intense ramifications. For me, reading this novel altered my entire perspective on these mature themes. Heaven is definitely aimed towards an older or more mature audience, there are a few scenes that demonstrate uncomfortable realism; incredibly descriptive scenes of physical bullying - approach this novel with caution. 

Themes: newfound friendship, step-mother relationship, coming of age, bullying, insecurity surrounding physical appearance

TW: teenage suicidal ideation, COC(S)A (Child On Child (Sexual) Abuse)

4. All The Girls I’ve Been - Tess Sharpe 

If you’re interested in fast-paced, thrilling, complex storylines, this novel is engaging, suspenseful but densely packed with perplexing themes and plot twists. The Girls I’ve Been discusses an uncustomary story of fractured identities - shaped by the protagonist’s upbringing as the daughter of a con artist - whilst in the midst of a bank heist. On a more serious note, this novel demonstrates a realistic portrayal of the aftermath of familial trauma and struggle to reclaim identity and autonomy.

Themes: survival, resilience, identity, self-discovery/self-exploration, recovery, representation of Endometriosis and reproductive health 

TW: depiction of psychological manipulation, references to addiction 

5. Sweet Bean Paste - Durian Sukegawa 

Sweet Bean Paste is a short and sweet read that discusses social stigmas, the meaning of life and human connection. This novel encourages readers to reflect upon valuing simple pleasures against living in a harsh, demanding world. Sweet Bean Paste is an important novel to read as it informs and explores themes of ableism, chronic illness - the stigma surrounding Hansen’s disease or Leprosy in Japanese society, and the concept of ‘failure’ in life. It is emotive, heartbreaking and has a high chance of activating tears - despite being a relatively easy read, this novel tackles sensitive themes and topics - approach with caution.

Themes: intergenerational friendship, social prejudice, loneliness/isolation, love of food/bonding over food

TW: mentions of suicidal ideation and depression 

6. August Blue - Deborah Levy

August Blue is an evocative, atmospheric but sparse novel, hard to capture in just a short paragraph. Set during the pandemic, it follows a world-renowned concert pianist and her growing obsession with a woman whom she views as her doppelgänger; someone who embodies what she desires. August Blue is not a straightforward novel resulting in it often being slow-paced and challenging to grasp a full understanding of as it possesses a strong conceptual aspect. Along with having an intellectual, ambiguous nature, August Blue ventures into psychological and existential themes; it would suit an older/more mature audience to a greater extent.

Themes: metamorphosis, alienation, self crisis, self-renewal, melancholy, bereavement 

TW: existential crisis, mentions of death (of a parent), stalking 

7. All About Love: New Visions - bell hooks

Written by bell hooks - illustrious feminist, author, theorist and social critic - All About Love is one of her transformative works that interrogates the global understanding of love and how it is practiced in modern society. Offering philosophical perspectives, drawing from her own life, All About Love argues love must be redefined as an action or a practice rather than a feeling - a system of accountability. All About Love broke me, you will probably cry reading this.

Themes: love vs power, self love vs narcissism, necessity of honesty, trust and respect alongside love, love and social justice, impact of patriarchal culture on love

TW: addressing childhood neglect, abandonment, discussions of emotional abuse and manipulation in relationships (but rejecting these romanticised notions of love)