For students, books are an important tool for us to enrich ourselves and gain wisdom. These best books to read for students are not just words on paper. They depict history, show the dreams of writers, and reflect the wisdom of generations. They tell us about the past, illuminate the present, and inspire us to plan the future. Each book offers you a unique journey. Reading these required books can not only enrich your knowledge, but also cultivate your thinking ability and shape your character. Let us gain some strength from reading and embrace a wider world.
Popular books to read for students: biographies
Reading biographies is an important way for students to deeply understand the growth experience and striving spirit of these outstanding figures. We can learn from the example and inspire ourselves to face challenges and pursue excellence in study and life.
Steve Jobs
- Author: Walter Isaacson
- Price: $16.99 (hardcover)
- Number of Pages: 656 pages
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster
- Literary Awards: Financial Times Business Book of the Year Nominee for Shortlist (2012), Goodreads Choice Award for History & Biography (2011), Premio Know Square (2011)
- What Does the Book Say?
Steve Jobs is the only authorized official biography of Steve Jobs, written by renowned author Walter Isaacson. He paints a comprehensive picture of Jobs’s legendary life through more than 40 face-to-face interviews with Jobs himself, as well as interviews with more than 100 Jobs’ family members, friends, competitors, and colleagues. The book not only chronicles Jobs’ entrepreneurial journey and the rise of Apple, but also delves into his complex and true personality. Jobs’ passion, perfectionism, artistic culture and desire for control are vividly captured in the book. Jobs’ story reveals his spirit of innovation, leadership, and values, while also revealing the contradictions and struggles deep in his mind.
Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption
- Author: Laura Hillenbrand
- Price: $11.68 (hardcover)
- Number of Pages: 671 pages
- Publisher: Random House
- Literary Awards:
Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Biography (2010), Pennsylvania Young Readers’ Choice Award Nominee for Young Adults (2014), Soaring Eagle Book Award (2015), Indies Choice Book Award for Nonfiction (2011), Dayton Literary Peace Prize Nominee for Nonfiction (2011), Lincoln Award Nominee (2015), Andrew Carnegie Medal Nominee for Nonfiction (2012), Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for History and Biography (2010) - What Does the Book Say?
This book is a true and powerful biography. The book tells the story of Louis Zambellini’s legendary life. Zambellini was an unruly teenager who then became an Olympian with his talent for running. When World War II broke out, he became a bombardier for the US Army. In 1943, his plane crashed in the Pacific Ocean, and he spent 47 days adrift on a life raft with two companions. Later, they are all captured by the Japanese. In the prison camp, Zambellini experienced extreme torture, but he survived until the end of the war with his strong will and unyielding spirit.
This book not only shows Zambellini’s suffering and strong spirit during the war, but also describes in depth how he overcame psychological trauma after the war. With vivid strokes and rich detail, Hillenbrand brings Zambellini’s story to the reader, inspiring people to keep their faith in difficult situations and never give up.
Einstein: His Life and Universe
- Author: Walter Isaacson
- Price: $34.47 (hardcover)
- Number of Pages: 705 pages
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster
- Literary Awards: Audie Award for Biography/Memoir (2008), The Quill Award for Biography/memoir (2007)
- What Does the Book Say?
This book is the definitive biography of Albert Einstein by Walter Isaacson. The book is the first biography of Einstein to be published since all of his manuscripts were published in 2006. It is the first comprehensive and in-depth presentation of the life and thought of this great scientist.
With so many details and vivid narration, Walter reveals how Einstein’s scientific imagination grew from his personalities. His success comes not only from questioning traditional ideas, but also from his curiosity about everything. The book not only explores Einstein’s achievements as a scientist, but also delves into his personal life, political views, and quest for a free spirit. The book has been recognized as “the most readable biography of Einstein to date”.
Into the Wild
- Author: Jon Krakauer
- Price: $22.48 (hardcover)
- Number of Pages: 228 pages
- Publisher: Anchor
- Literary Awards: Washington State Book Award (1997)
- What Does the Book Say?
Into the Wild is Jon Krakauer’s novel based on a true story. The book not only tells the story of a young man’s quest for freedom, but also provokes profound thinking on family, society, and the meaning of life.
The protagonist, Christopher McCandless, is an excellent graduate from a privileged family who chooses to donate all his savings and burn his cash after graduation. He then changes his name to “Alexander Super Wanderer” and embarks on a journey to find the meaning of life. Christopher hitchhiked his way across the West from the eastern United States. He met many people along the way, including a wheat farm worker and an old man in his eighties. In 1992, he arrived in Alaska to live in the wilderness. He lives in abandoned buses and hunts and gathers for a living. However, summer floods blocked his return, and he finally died of malnutrition after eating poisonous seeds.
John Adams
- Author: David McCullough
- Price: $21.66 (hardcover)
- Number of Pages: 752 pages
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster
- Literary Awards: Pulitzer Prize for Biography or Autobiography (2002), Ambassador Book Award for Biography (2002), Audie Award for Nonfiction (2002), Puddly Award for Nonfiction (2002), American Revolution Round Table Award (2001), Fraunces Tavern Museum Book Award (2002)
- What Does the Book Say?
It is a biography of John Adams, the second president of the United States, written by David McCullough. The book details Adams’ rise from a Massachusetts lawyer to an important leader in the American Independence movement. He helped draft the Declaration of Independence and served as the first vice president and second president of the United States.
The book not only shows John Adams’ achievements in the political arena, but also gives an in-depth picture of his deep relationship with his wife Abigail. This marriage is considered one of the most moving love stories in American history. In addition, the biography also explores Adams’s character, beliefs, and his persistence and compromise in political struggles. Through this work, readers can fully understand the life and contributions of the founding father of the United States.
Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln
- Author: Doris Kearns Goodwin
- Price: $21.22 (hardcover)
- Number of Pages: 945 pages
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster
- Literary Awards: Benjamin Barondess Award (2006), Lincoln Prize (2006), National Book Critics Circle Award Nominee for Biography (2005), New-York Historical Society American History Book Prize (2005)
- What Does the Book Say?
This book is a biography of President Abraham Lincoln by Doris Kearns Goodwin, an American historian. The book tells how Lincoln incorporated former political opponents into his cabinet to form a “team of rivals”, and relied on his outstanding political wisdom and charm to resolve internal contradictions and jointly deal with the challenges of the American Civil War.
Through rich historical detail and vivid narration, Goodwin shows the challenges Lincoln faced during the Civil War, including battling ineffectual generals, hostile lawmakers, and internal contradictions in his cabinet. The book not only reveals Lincoln’s political wisdom, but also shows his noble personality and vision for the future of the country.
The work is not only an insightful description of President Lincoln, but also a comprehensive review of that turbulent era. Widely considered a classic study of Lincoln and his times, it won a Pulitzer Prize and was adapted into a film.
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
- Author: Rebecca Skloot
- Price: $15.86 (hardcover)
- Number of Pages: 393 pages
- Publisher: Crown
- Literary Awards: Ambassador Book Award for American Studies (2011), Audie Award for Nonfiction (2011), Chicago Tribune Heartland Prize for Nonfiction (2010), Wellcome Book Prize (2010), Puddly Award for Nonfiction (2011), Goodreads Choice Award for Nonfiction and Debut Author and Nominee for Favorite Book (2010), AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prize for Excellence in Science Books for Young Adult Science Book (2011)
- What Does the Book Say?
The book tells the true story of Henrietta Lacks, an African American woman. In 1951, Lacks died of cervical cancer, but her cancer cells were unknowingly removed by doctors and became the first “immortal” human cell in medical history — Hela cells. Hela cells have played a huge role in medical research. It has helped scientists develop polio vaccines, driven breakthroughs in cancer, viruses and genes, and even made important contributions to nuclear radiation research. However, Lacks’ family did not learn of the cells’ existence until more than 20 years after her death. And they have been living in poverty, unable to benefit from the huge profits they have brought.
Through the investigation of author Rebecca Skolut, the book shows the Lack family’s confusion and struggle after learning the truth, but also explores complex issues such as medical ethics, racial issues, and the ownership of body tissues. This work not only reveals the human story behind scientific progress, but also provokes profound thinking about informed consent and the ethics of medical research.
Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman
- Author: Robert K. Massie
- Price: $ (hardcover)
- Number of Pages: 656 pages
- Literary Awards: PEN/Jacqueline Bograd Weld Award for Biography (2012), Andrew Carnegie Medal for Nonfiction (2012), Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for History & Biography (2011)
- What Does the Book Say?
Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman is a biographical work by renowned historian Robert K. Maysch that details the legendary life of Catherine the Great, Empress of Russia. Ekaterina was born Sophia Frederica Augusta to an aristocratic family in Germany. She married Peter III of Russia and then began her court life in Russia. After her marriage, she gradually won the support of the Russian nobility and the military with her wisdom and political skills. She then overthrew her husband in a palace coup in 1762 and ascended to the throne.
In his book, Maysch details the reign of Catherine, who promoted Russia’s modernization with her enlightened policies and support for Enlightenment ideas. She promoted education, the arts, and the sciences, making Russia one of the great powers of Europe. Her reign is known as Russia’s “Golden Age”, and she greatly expanded the country’s territory through war and diplomacy. This work is not only a profound analysis of Catherine the Great, but also a wonderful presentation of 18th-century Russian history.
Popular books to read for students: self-help books
Reading self-help books can provide students with valuable life wisdom and growth strategies to help them better understand themselves and tap their potential, so that they can deal with various challenges in study and life more confidently.
Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones
- Author: James Clear
- Price: $14.5 (hardcover)
- Number of Pages: 319 pages
- Publisher: Avery
- Literary Awards: Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Nonfiction (2018)
- What Does the Book Say?
It is a classic book about habit formation and behavior change written by James Clear, a famous American habit researcher. Using a scientific approach and a practical framework, this book helps readers understand how habits are formed, and provides a set of easy-to-follow strategies for developing good habits and breaking bad ones.
According to the book, habit formation can be divided into four steps: cue, desire, response, and reward. These four steps form a neurofeedback loop that ultimately leads to automated habits. The authors propose “four laws” to help people design good habits: make the cue obvious, make the habit attractive, make the behavior easy, and make the reward pleasant. At the same time, by reversing these four laws, you can effectively stop bad habits.
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life
- Author: Mark Manson
- Number of Pages: 212 pages
- What Does the Book Say?
This book is an iconoclastic self-growth book by Mark Manson. The author believes that the pursuit of superficial happiness and the approval of others in modern society has led to more anxiety and dissatisfaction.
True happiness comes not from avoiding problems, but by selectively focusing on the things that really matter. Manson developed the concept of “selective care”, which means that people should allocate their energy and attention in a limited way to those things that align with their core values.
In addition, the author advocates facing up to one’s own limitations and accepting the existence of negative emotions rather than avoiding or denying them. In this way, people can better manage their emotions, resulting in a more lasting sense of satisfaction.
How to Win Friends & Influence People
- Author: Dale Carnegie
- Price: $19.74 (hardcover)
- Number of Pages: 310 pages
- Publisher: SUDAMERICANA
- What Does the Book Say?
It is a classic self-help book first published in 1936 by Dale Carnegie, the famous American master of human relations. This book is considered a classic in the field of interpersonal communication and presents many practical interpersonal skills and principles.
The book is divided into four main parts: the first is the basic skills of interpersonal relations, which emphasizes avoiding criticism, accusations and complaints, and learning to sincerely appreciate others. Part two introduces six ways to win the affection of others, including smiling, remembering their names, genuinely caring about them, listening to them, and talking about topics that interest them. The third part discusses how to persuade others and puts forward twelve principles, such as avoiding arguments and respecting others’ opinions. Finally, the book discusses how to be a leader, highlighting nine ways to change people without antagonizing them.
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change
- Author: Stephen R. Covey, Jim Collins
- Price: $30.99 (hardcover)
- Number of Pages: 558 pages
- Publisher: Mango Media
- What Does the Book Say?
It is a classic book by Stephen R. Covey, first published in 1989. This book presents seven habits that help people achieve personal and interpersonal effectiveness.
The book divides habits into three stages: from dependence to independence to interdependence. The first three habits (proactive, finish first, important thing first) are personal areas of success that help people achieve independence. The middle two habits (win-win thinking, mutual understanding) and the sixth habit (integrative effectiveness) are successes in the public sphere that help people achieve interdependence. The last habit (constant renewal) is the foundation of the first six habits, emphasizing continuous growth in the four dimensions of physical, mental, emotional and spiritual.
The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business
- Author: Charles Duhigg
- Price: $16.69 (hardcover)
- Number of Pages: 392 pages
- Publisher: Random House
- Literary Awards: Financial Times Business Book of the Year Nominee for Longlist (2012), Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Nonfiction (2012)
- What Does the Book Say?
This is a best-selling book by Charles Duhigg on habit formation and change. Through scientific research and vivid examples, the book reveals the profound impact of habits on individuals, organizations, and even societies.
Duhigg points out that habits are made up of a “habit loop” consisting of three elements: cue, routine, and reward. The cue triggers the habit, the routine is the action, and the reward is the satisfaction of the habit. Understanding this pathway is the key to changing habits. The book emphasizes that habits cannot be eliminated, but they can be replaced by changing habits. In addition, the authors introduce the concept of “critical habits,” in which certain habits trigger a chain reaction that changes others.
The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom
- Author: Miguel Ruiz, Janet Mills
- Number of Pages: 152 pages
- Publisher: Amber-Allen
- What Does the Book Say?
This is a self-growth book by Don Miguel Ruiz that combines ancient Toltec wisdom with a modern philosophy of life.
The book presents four simple protocols designed to help people break their self-limiting beliefs and achieve personal freedom and happiness. The first agreement is to “remain unassailable in your words.” The author emphasizes the power of words, advocates honest and positive expression, and avoids harming oneself or others with words. The second protocol is “don’t personalize anything.” He reminds readers to understand that the actions and words of others are a projection of their own reality, not of themselves, thereby reducing unnecessary suffering. The third protocol is to “avoid assumptions”. The book advocates clear communication and questions to avoid misunderstandings. The fourth agreement is to “always do your best”. The author encourages people to do their best in every moment and not strive for perfection.
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing
- Author: Marie Kondō
- Number of Pages: 213 pages
- Publisher: Ten Speed Press
- What Does the Book Say?
This is a best-selling book by Japanese tidying master Marie Kondō. This book introduces a unique method of organizing — the “Marie Heart organizing Method” to help people re-examine their lives and find their inner happiness by organizing things.
The book puts forward the concept of “once organized, it will not be messy”, emphasizing that the core of organizing is the “heartbeat principle”: only keep those items that can make you feel excited, and discard those that are no longer needed or no longer make you feel happy. The authors suggest organizing items by category, rather than by room or area. For example, you can tidy up your house in the order of clothes, books, papers, clutter, etc. Through the decluttering methods mentioned in the book, people can not only have a tidy home, but also gain greater psychological freedom and happiness.
The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment
- Author: Eckhart Tolle
- Number of Pages: 229 pages
- Publisher: New World Library
- What Does the Book Say?
Eckhart Tolley’s classic book has been hailed as one of the most influential spiritual books of our time. The core idea of this book is to teach the reader how to achieve inner peace and spiritual awakening by living in the present moment, free from the control of the mind.
Tolley pointed out that people are often haunted by past regrets and future anxieties, while true power and wisdom reside only in the present moment. The book introduces the concept of “surrender to the present” and emphasizes that accepting reality is the key to achieving inner peace. In addition, the author introduces the concept of the “pain-body,” in which the accumulated emotional Pain of the past can have an impact on our thoughts and behavior. By becoming aware of and accepting these emotions, we can gradually free ourselves from their bondage.
Best novels to read for students
Reading novels can broaden students’ horizons, expose them to different life experiences, cultural backgrounds and social phenomena, and thus better understand the world. At the same time, the novel’s rich plot and vivid description of characters can stimulate students’ imagination and creativity. Here are some famous novels in English for students.
To Kill a Mockingbird
- Author: Harper Lee
- Number of Pages: 323 pages
- Publisher: Harper Perennial Modern Classics
- Literary Awards: Pulitzer Prize for Fiction (1961), Audie Award for Classic (2007), The Quill Award for Audio Book (2007), National Book Award Finalist for Fiction (1961), Alabama Author Award for Fiction (1961)
- What Does the Book Say?
To Kill a Mockingbird is a novel written by American author Harper Lee in 1960. The story is set in the southern American town of Maycomb in the 1930s. The novel is told from the perspective of a six-year-old girl, Scout. She grows up with her brother Jem and her friend Dill.
The story is divided into two parts. The first part revolves around the children’s speculation and exploration of the mysterious neighbor Radley, and they are full of curiosity about the “strange” who does not leave the house. The second part focuses on the case of Scout’s father, Atticus, defending Tom Robinson, a black man. Tom was falsely accused of raping a white woman, Mayella. Although Atticus found evidence to exonerate him, the jury found Tom guilty because of racial bias. In the end, Tom is killed during the escape.
Through the symbol of “mockingbird,” the novel criticizes racial discrimination and the harm to innocent people.
Fahrenheit 451
- Author: Ray Bradbury
- Price: $18.02 (hardcover)
- Number of Pages: 263 pages
- Publisher: Harper Voyager
- Literary Awards: Prometheus Hall of Fame Award (1984), Geffen Award for Best Translated SF Book (2002), California Book Award for Fiction (Silver) (1953), Retro Hugo Award for Best Novel (2004), Pulitzer Prize Special Citation (2007), AudioFile Earphones Award
- What Does the Book Say?
Fahrenheit 451 is a dystopian novel written by American author Ray Bradbury in 1953. The novel is set in a future society where books are considered dangerous objects. A fireman’s job is no longer to put out fires, but to burn books. The protagonist of the story is fireman Guy Montag, who, by chance, begins to develop an interest in books and knowledge and gradually doubts the existing social system. As the plot develops, Montag realizes that the burning of books is actually the suppression of ideas, and that the society in which he lives is using it to maintain a semblance of harmony. In the end, Montag chooses to escape this oppressive society and join a group of wanderers whose mission is to protect knowledge.
The novel deeply criticizes the totalitarian suppression of freedom of thought, while also exploring the importance of knowledge and humanity.
1984
- Author: George Orwell
- Price: $17.99 (hardcover)
- Number of Pages: 340 pages
- Publisher: Robin Classics
- Literary Awards: Prometheus Hall of Fame Award (1984), Audie Award Nominee for Audiobook of the Year and for Audio Drama (2025), Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Audiobook (2024)
- What Does the Book Say?
1984 is a dystopian novel written by British author George Orwell in 1949, set in a totalitarian state called Oceania. The main character, Winston Smith, lives in London, a city in the heart of Oceania. In this society, the government, through the thought police, monitors what everyone says and does. History is being manipulated, truth is being distorted. Winston works in the “Ministry of Truth”, where he is tasked with revising the historical record to conform to party propaganda. However, he became dissatisfied with this totalitarian rule and began to keep a secret diary expressing his resistance to the party. He develops a secret affair with a colleague, Julia, and the two attempt to rebel against party rule. But eventually, they were arrested by the thought police and subjected to harsh interrogation and ideological reform. Winston is completely destroyed in “Room 101” and forced to betray Julia, eventually becoming a “loyal” member of the party.
Through Winston’s tragic fate, the novel deeply reveals the totalitarianism’s destruction of humanity, freedom and truth, and warns people against the harm of thought control and totalitarian rule.
The Diary of a Young Girl
- Author: Anne Frank
- Price: $22.26 (hardcover)
- Number of Pages: 430 pages
- Publisher: Rustam Prakashan
- Literary Awards: Luisterboek Award Nominee (2008)
- What Does the Book Say?
It is the personal account of the experiences of a Jewish teenager Anne Frank during World War II. In 1942, to escape Nazi persecution, Anne, her family and two other Jewish families hid in a secret room in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. In this period of more than two years of hidden life, Anne recorded the secret room with a diary.
From the fear of war, the desire for freedom, to the confusion and growth of adolescence, she truly describes the joys and sorrows of people in the secret room, as well as the contradictions and reconciliation between family and friends. Despite living in an extremely depressed environment, Anne remains optimistic and hopeful for the future, and her writings show the unyielding spirit of human beings in desperate situations.
Romeo and Juliet
- Author: William Shakespeare
- Price: $0.99 (kindle)
- Number of Pages: 281 pages
- Publisher: Washington Square Press
- What Does the Book Say?
Romeo and Juliet is one of Shakespeare’s classic tragedies, and is always recognized as one of the best English novels for students. The story focuses on the love story of Romeo and Juliet, two young lovers in Verona, Italy, under the background of hatred between two families, the Montague family and the Capulet family.
Romeo was the son of a Montague, and Juliet was the daughter of a Capulet. The two met at a dance and fell in love at first sight, but could not make their relationship public because of the family feud. With the help of Father Lawrence, they secretly marry, hoping to dissolve their family animosity. However, Romeo is exiled for killing Juliet’s cousin Tybalt, and Juliet is forced to marry another man, Paris. In order to escape this marriage, Juliet takes a fake death pill given by the priest. Romeo mistakenly believes that Juliet is really dead, heartbroken and desperate to kill himself. Juliet wakes up to find Romeo dead and ends her own life with a dagger. Eventually, their deaths make the two families realize the folly of hatred and reconcile.
This work is one of Shakespeare’s most famous tragedies, showing the purity and beauty of love, as well as the destruction of human nature by fate and hatred.
The Book Thief
- Author: Markus Zusak
- Price: $15.85 (hardcover)
- Number of Pages: 177 pages
- Literary Awards: National Jewish Book Award for Children’s and Young Adult Literature (2006), Book Sense Book of the Year Award for Children’s Literature (2007), Buxtehuder Bulle (2008), Sydney Taylor Book Award for Teen Readers (2007), Prijs van de Kinder- en Jeugdjury Vlaanderen (2009), Michael L. Printz Award Nominee (2007), Exclusive Books Boeke Prize (2007), Rhode Island Teen Book Award Nominee (2008), The Quill Award Nominee for Young Adult/Teen (2006), Zilveren Zoen (2008), Teen Read Award Nominee for Best All-Time-Fave (2010), Deutscher Jugendliteraturpreis for Preis der Jugendjury (2009), Association of Jewish Libraries for Teen Book Award (2006), Lincoln Award Nominee (2010), Australian Book Industry Award (ABIA) Nominee for Literary Fiction (2008), Kathleen Mitchell Award, Ena Noel Award (2008), Literaturpreis der Jury der jungen Leser for Jugendbuch (2009), LovelyBooks Leserpreis for Allgemeine Literatur (2009), Margaret A. Edwards Award (2014)
- What Does the Book Say?
The Book Thief is a novel by Australian author Markus Zusak, set in Germany during World War II. Nine-year-old Liesel Meminger is forced to move with her brother to a foster home outside Munich when her parents go missing. On the way, my brother died. Under the care of her adoptive parents, Hans and Rosa, Liesel gradually adjusts to her new life. Her adoptive father Hans taught her to read, and she became obsessed with books. Despite her hardship, she finds solace in books and begins to steal them. As Nazi persecution of Jews intensifies, Liesel’s adoptive father Hans takes in a Jewish man, Max, and hides him in the basement. Liesel and Max become friends and comfort their neighbors by reading books to them in the bomb shelter. However, the cruelty of war did not spare the family. Liesel’s foster parents were killed in an air raid, but Liesel survived in the basement. After the war, Liesel moved on and Max survived.
Told from the perspective of death, the novel shows how words can be both a tool of destruction and a force to save hearts in war.
The Catcher in the Rye
- Author: J.D. Salinger
- Price: $13.7 (hardcover)
- Number of Pages: 116 pages
- Literary Awards: Teen Read Award Nominee for Best All-Time-Fave (2010), National Book Award Finalist for Fiction (1952)
- What Does the Book Say?
The Catcher in the Rye is a classic novel by American writer J.D. Salinger, which tells the story of a 16-year-old boy named Holden Caulfield. Holden, who comes from a wealthy middle-class family, was expelled from school for poor grades, the fourth time he had been expelled. After leaving school, he roamed New York City alone for two days and two nights, during which he experienced various setbacks. He meets riffraff in a hotel, breaks up with his girlfriend Sally over a fake social style, and is beaten for refusing to blackmail prostitutes.
Holden was disgusted by the hypocrisy of the world around him, and he longed to escape the complexity and hypocrisy of the adult world to live a simple life in the west. However, after communicating with his sister Fei Bi, he realized his responsibility to protect the purity and finally gave up the idea of leaving home. The novel ends with Holden falling ill and being sent to a nursing home, showing his struggles and confusion as he grows up.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
- Author: Stephen Chbosky
- Price: $14.79 (hardcover)
- Number of Pages: 237 pages
- What Does the Book Say?
This is a bildungsroman written by American writer Stephen Zbowsky. In epistolary form, the book tells the story of Charlie, an introverted and sensitive high school student, coming of age during his first year in high school.
Charlie, who has become withdrawn due to the suicide of a close friend and a family accident, writes to a stranger about his confusion and struggles. Under the influence of his new friends Sam and Patrick, Charlie gradually comes out of his self-imposed cocoon and begins to experience high school life. However, as the story progresses, he uncovers the trauma of his childhood abuse and, with the help of his friends and teachers, begins to face his inner pain. The novel deeply explores themes such as growing up self-exploration, the importance of friendship, and mental health.
Popular books to read for students: non-fiction
Non-fiction books cover a wide range of fields of knowledge, from history and science to social culture. Reading such books can exercise students’ logical thinking and critical analysis skills, and is also the best books for students to read.
Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind
- Author: Yuval Noah Harari
- Number of Pages: 512 pages
- Publisher: Vintage
- Literary Awards: Royal Society of Biology General Book Prize Nominee (2015), J. A. Hollon palkinto (2017)
- What Does the Book Say?
The book is an interdisciplinary bestseller by Israeli historian Yuval Harari. The book takes a grand perspective, starting from the origin of human beings, and explores the process of Homo sapiens’ gradual evolution from an ordinary species in the corner of Africa to the domination of the earth.
The book is divided into four parts. The first part, “The Cognitive Revolution,” tells the story of how Homo sapiens built complex social structures through language and imagination some 70,000 years ago. Part two, “The Agricultural Revolution,” explores the transition from hunter-gatherer to agricultural societies. While this has led to population growth and the rise of cities, it has also led to social inequality and environmental problems. The third part, “The Unity of Mankind,” analyzes how money, empire, and religion promote the unity of human society. The final section, “The Scientific Revolution,” discusses how scientific progress in the last 500 years has profoundly changed human society and the environment.
Combining history, biology, philosophy, and economics, the author reveals the roots of human culture, religion, law, and more, and offers profound thoughts about the future of humanity.
Educated
- Author: Tara Westover
- Price: $12.63 (hardcover)
- Number of Pages: 336 pages
- Publisher: Random House
- Literary Awards: Audie Award for Best Female Narrator (2019), Los Angeles Times Book Prize Nominee for Biography (2018), ALA Alex Award (2019), Dayton Literary Peace Prize Nominee for Nonfiction (2019), Wellcome Book Prize Nominee for Longlist (2019), National Book Critics Circle Award Nominee for Autobiography (2018), Goodreads Choice Award for Memoir & Autobiography (2018), Evans Handcart Award (2019), PEN/Jean Stein Book Award Nominee for Shortlist (2019), Reading Women Award for Nonfiction (2018)
- What Does the Book Say?
Educated is an autobiographical novel by Tara Westover. The book tells the story of how she came out of an extremely religious family and ended up with a PhD from Cambridge University.
Born in Idaho to a paranoid father opposed to public education, Tara didn’t set foot in a classroom for the first time until she was 17. As a child, she and her siblings worked in their father’s garbage dump, received herbal remedies from their mother and never had access to formal education. However, influenced by her brother Tyler, she began to teach herself and eventually enrolled at Brigham Young University. After that, she earned a Gates Cambridge Fellowship and studied at Cambridge University and Harvard University, eventually earning a doctorate in history.
Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking
- Author: Susan Cain
- Price: $16.5 (hardcover)
- Number of Pages: 364 pages
- Publisher: Crown
- Literary Awards: Guardian First Book Award Nominee for Longlist (2012), Andrew Carnegie Medal Nominee for Nonfiction (Shortlist) (2015), Goodreads Choice Award for Nonfiction (2012)
- What Does the Book Say?
Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking is a bestselling book by Susan Kane that explores the advantages of introverts. Through a wealth of examples and scientific research, the book analyzes the situation and value of introverts in modern society. The authors point out that introverts are often underestimated, but they have unique strengths such as deep thinking, listening skills, creativity, and independence.
The book is divided into four parts. The first part explores how the “extroverted ideal” dominates the social culture. The second part analyzes the differences between introversion and extroversion from the biological perspective. The third part discusses the different views of introverts in different cultures. Part four focuses on introverts’ coping strategies in relationships and the workplace. The book also mentions that many great inventions and works have been written by introverts, such as the law of gravitation, relativity, Google, etc. The author encourages introverts to accept themselves, use their strengths, and find a way to live and work that works for them.
Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones
- Author: James Clear
- Price: $14.5 (hardcover)
- Number of Pages: 319 pages
- Publisher: Avery
- Literary Awards: Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Nonfiction (2018)
- What Does the Book Say?
Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones is a bestselling self-improvement book by habit researcher James Clear. This book uses scientific methods and practical strategies to help readers develop good habits and break bad ones.
The book proposes a “four-step model of habit”: Cue, Craving, Response and Reward, and summarizes “four laws” to build good habits based on this model. It includes making the cue obvious, making the habit attractive, making the action easy, and making the reward satisfying. Through a wealth of examples, the authors also show how these methods can help people succeed in their fields.
I'm Glad My Mom Died
- Author: Jennette McCurdy
- Price: $14.48 (hardcover)
- Number of Pages: 319 pages
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster
- Literary Awards: ALA Alex Award (2023), Lincoln Award Nominee (2025), Goodreads Choice Award for Memoir & Autobiography (2022)
- What Does the Book Say?
I’m Glad My Mom Died is a memoir by Janet McCarty about growing up as a child actress and her complicated relationship with her mother. McCarty was pushed into acting by her mother from the age of 6. But her extremely controlling mother not only took control of her life after she became famous, but also physically and emotionally abused her, including forced dieting, restricted independence and inappropriate “physical examination”.
The book is not only a reflection on the experience of child actors, but also a profound dissection of mother-daughter relationships, emotional abuse and self-redemption. Through her own story, McCarty has called attention to the pain behind child stars and the emotional trauma in families.
Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything
- Author: Steven D. Levitt, Stephen J. Dubner
- Number of Pages: 268 pages
- Publisher: William Morrow
- Literary Awards: Book Sense Book of the Year Award for Adult Nonfiction (2006), Financial Times Business Book of the Year Nominee for Shortlist (2005), The Quill Award for Business (2005)
- What Does the Book Say?
This is a bestselling economics book by Steven D. Levitt, an economist at the University of Chicago, and Stephen J. Dubner, a reporter for The New York Times.
With a unique perspective and rich data, this book explores the hidden logic behind many phenomena that seem to have nothing to do with economics. For example, the book analyzes whether guns are more dangerous than swimming pools, what schoolteachers have in common with sumo wrestlers, and why drug dealers still live with their mothers. At the heart of economics, the authors argue, is the study of incentives – how people get what they want through a variety of means, even if they seem inconceivable in conventional wisdom.
Outliers: The Story of Success
- Author: Malcolm Gladwell
- Price: $17.22 (hardcover)
- Number of Pages: 321 pages
- Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
- What Does the Book Say?
In this book, Gladwell uses a wealth of case studies and studies to reveal that success is not solely based on individual talent and effort, but is influenced by multiple external factors.
The book proposes the famous “10,000-hour rule”, which states that excellence in any field requires at least 10,000 hours of deliberate practice. In addition, the authors explore other key factors, such as birth time, family background, cultural inheritance, and social opportunity. The book also examines the influence of cultural background on success, such as the emphasis on hard work in Asian cultures that promotes mathematical skills. Gladwell emphasizes that success is the result of many factors, including talent, hard work, family environment and opportunity.
The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America
- Author: Erik Larson
- Price: $16.9 (hardcover)
- Number of Pages: 44 pages
- Publisher: Vintage
- Literary Awards: International Horror Guild Award for Nonfiction (2003), Book Sense Book of the Year Award Nominee (2004), Great Lakes Book Award Nominee for Nonfiction Shortlist (2003), Edgar Award for Best Fact Crime (2004), Washington State Book Award (2004), Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association Award (2004), National Book Award Finalist for Nonfiction (2003), ALCS Dagger for Non-fiction Nominee (2003)
- What Does the Book Say?
This is a non-fiction work by American author Erik Larson and one of the best books to read for students. The book is set at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair and focuses on two stories. The first is about how Daniel Burnham, the chief designer of the fair, overcame all odds to create this spectacular event. The second is about how H.H. Holmes, a serial killer, used the fair’s exuberance to lure countless young women to death. This book is not only a vivid record of historical events, but also an exploration of why people choose very different paths in their limited lives.
Popular books to read for students: poetry collections
Reading poetry can cultivate students’ perception of beauty and enrich their emotional world. Poetry also enables them to engage in dialogue with poets of all ages, to absorb the essence of wisdom and ideas, and ultimately to learn to express themselves.
The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson
- Author: Emily Dickinson
- Price: $28.06 (hardcover)
- Number of Pages: 368 pages
- Publisher: Start Publishing LLC
- What Does the Book Say?
The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson is a collection of nearly 1,800 poems by Emily Dickinson. Dickinson’s poems are rich and varied, covering nature, love, death, soul, time and eternity, etc., showing her profound insight into life and delicate depiction of human nature. Her poems often reflect on the meaning of life through natural scenes and details of everyday life.
This book is not only a masterpiece of Dickinson’s poetry, but also a monument in the history of American literature. It not only presents the reader with the full picture of Dickinson’s poetry, but also helps people to understand how the “hermit poet” created such a profound and philosophical work in solitude.
Leaves of Grass
- Author: Walt Whitman
- Price: $14.2 (hardcover)
- Number of Pages: 624 pages
- Publisher: Simon Schuster
- Literary Awards: Premi Crítica Serra d’Or de Traducció (2015)
- What Does the Book Say?
Leaves of Grass is a masterpiece by American poet Walt Whitman, first published in 1855 and has since been revised and expanded several times. This collection, in the form of free poetry, shows Whitman’s deep thinking on democracy, freedom, nature and human nature. Whitman regarded the United States as “the land of democracy”, emphasized the equality and dignity of individuals, and highly praised the creativity and pioneering spirit of workers. He also expressed his love for life and his celebration of the human spirit through his description of nature.
This book not only breaks the traditional rhyme in form, but also sets a precedent for “free style” poetry. It not only reflects the spirit of the American times in the mid-19th century, but also becomes a milestone in the history of American poetry with its profound thought and bold expression.
Shakespeare's Sonnets
- Author: William Shakespeare
- Number of Pages: 488 pages
- Literary Awards: Filter vertaalprijs Nominee (2021)
- What Does the Book Say?
Shakespeare’s Sonnets is a collection of classic poems by William Shakespeare, composed between 1590 and 1598 and containing 154 sonnets. These poems have a high artistic value in the history of British and even world literature, and are known as “the brightest pearl in the treasure house of English poetry”.
Shakespeare’s sonnets inherit and innovate the traditional sonnet structure in form, with concise language and novel metaphors. Especially in the last two lines, his poems often end with an epigram, which gives people a profound revelation. These poems not only show Shakespeare’s profound understanding of love and friendship, but also reflect his philosophical thoughts on time, beauty and human nature.
Ariel
- Author: Sylvia Plath
- Price: $14 (hardcover)
- Number of Pages: 258 pages
- Publisher: Harper Perennial
- What Does the Book Say?
Ariel is one of the representative collections of poetry by American poet Sylvia Plath, first published in 1965. The collection is a collection of 40 poems written towards the end of Plath’s life, covering her deep reflections on childhood trauma, marriage, suicidal tendencies and social realities.
Ariel is not only the peak of Plath’s poetry, but also an important milestone in women’s poetry in the 20th century. With a unique perspective and profound emotions, it reveals the dilemma and struggle of women in modern society, and also expresses the unremitting pursuit of life, death and freedom.
The Waste Land and Other Poems
- Author: T.S. Eliot
- Price: $8.99 (hardcover)
- Publisher: Modern Library
- What Does the Book Say?
The Waste Land and Other Poems is a collection of Eliot’s classic poems, The most famous of which is The Waste Land. This collection of poems is a milestone in modernist literature. The significance of The Waste Land and Other Poems is that it laid the foundation for modernist literature and became one of the most influential poetry collections of the 20th century. It not only reveals the crisis of modern society, but also, through the call for peace, offers a possible path to salvation for humanity’s spiritual plight.
The Raven and Other Poems
- Author: Edgar Allan Poe
- Price: $7.87 (hardcover)
- Number of Pages: 96 pages
- Publisher: Arcturus
- What Does the Book Say?
The Raven and Other Poems is a collection of poems by American poet Edgar Allan POE, the most famous of which is the Gothic masterpiece The Raven. The collection includes many of POE’s classic poems, such as “The Bell” and “Annabel Lee,” and shows his profound exploration of love, death, disillusionment and loss.
The significance of this collection lies in its unique artistic style and profound themes. POE created a mysterious and melancholy atmosphere through rich symbolism, complex rhythm and strong musical beauty, which became a classic work of 19th century American literature.
Conclusion
In the age of information explosion, the best books to read for students are essential tools in the pursuit of progress. Reading a good book, like a conversation with a wise man, can broaden the horizon and enlighten the mind. Students are in a stage of great curiosity, so it is particularly important to choose the right books. No matter what kind of book, it is worth reading. I hope that every student can find themselves and achieve themselves in reading, and write their own wonderful chapters with the power of knowledge.
FAQs
According to Amazon, here are the top 10 books to read.
- Psychology: Learn Influence And Persuasion And Read Body Language — Amanda Harvard
- Atomic Habits — James Clear
- Learning How to Fly: Life Lessons for the Youth — A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
- The Art of Being Alone: Loneliness Was My Cage, Solitude Is My Home (English) — Renuka Gavrani
- The Power of Your Subconscious Mind — Joseph Murphy
- The Psychology of Money — Morgan Housel
- You Can — George Matthew Adams
- Life’s Amazing Secrets: How to Find Balance and Purpose in Your Life — Gaur Gopal Das
- World’s Greatest Books For Personal Growth & Wealth (Set of 4 Books): Perfect Motivational Gift Set — Dale Carnegie, Napoleon Hill, et al.
- Dopamine Detox: A Short Guide to Remove Distractions and Get Your Brain to Do Hard Things — Thibaut Meurisse
According to Amazon’s listing, here are some famous novels in English for students.
- Never Lie: A Totally Gripping Thriller with Mind-bending Twists — The Housemaid Freida McFadden
- Magic of the Lost Temple (Over 2 Lakh Copies sold) — Sudha Murty
- A Man Called Ove — Fredrik Backman
- The Power of Your Subconscious Mind — Joseph Murphy
- Believe in Yourself — Dr. Joseph Murphy
- The Blue Umbrella — Ruskin Bond
- Don’t Believe Everything You Think (English) — Joseph Nguyen
- Falling in Love Again — Ruskin Bond
- The Girl Who Knew Too Much — Khanna Vikrant
- The Room on the Roof — Ruskin Bond
Here are some of the benefits of reading these best books for students.
- Expand your knowledge horizon. Books can provide a wealth of knowledge and information, including history, science, literature, art and so on.
- Improve your language skills. In the process of reading, students can come into contact with a large number of standardized and beautiful language expressions, accumulate vocabulary and improve language application ability.
- Develop thinking skills. Reading requires students to pay attention, understand the content, analyze the structure, and think and summarize. This process can exercise students’ logical thinking ability, analysis ability and innovation ability.
- Enrich your emotional experience. Books are carriers of emotions. Through reading, students can experience the joys and sorrows of different characters and feel the fluctuations of various emotions.
Choosing one of the best books for students is an important step in reading, and here are some practical tips:
- Define your reading purpose.
- Consider your hobbies.
- Refer to classics list and hits.
- Check book reviews.
- Read some of the content.
- Choose the suitable difficulty.
