53 (Grown-Up) Books For Your Own Reading List

Alexandra F.:  This dystopian trilogy had everyone in our family absolutely hooked from the moment we each started it. They are good middle schooler books, but equally great reads for older teens and adults, too. Katniss Everdeen is a teenage girl living in one of 12 districts in what was once North America, under the rule of a Capitol that requires one boy and one girl from each district to participate in an annual "Hunger Games," where the children must fight to the death as punishment for a long-ago rebellion. An absolutely gripping story with wonderful characters you won't soon forget.

Jennie Utsinger:  Paul Kalanithi was a neurosurgeon who died from stage IV metastatic lung cancer at age 37. This stunning and heart-wrenching memoir explores his journey from medical student to neurosurgeon as he grapples with the idea of how to lead a meaningful life, especially in the face of a terminal cancer diagnosis. Paul Kalanithi's prose is beautiful and he does an excellent job of conveying the upheaval of his diagnosis at a young age and how he grapples with it.

Margaret Atwood's novel is set in a dystopian future and follows Offred, a handmaid, in this patriarchal society. Formerly the United States, a new regime has taken over, stripping women of their rights, and Offred must navigate her way to freedom through rules so horrifying, mysterious, and dangerous they're hard to fathom. This book is a major page-turner and haunts the reader long after the past page is read.

Amanda Banta:  The Nightingale, by Kristin Hannah, tells of two sisters in Nazi-occupied France, one doing whatever is necessary to keep family and friends alive and safe while the other discovers a need to actively fight back against the enemy. Both are passionate about and desperate for their causes as they endure the unthinkable that World War II has made their reality.

You do not have to be a history buff to be entranced by this novel. The suspenseful adventure and danger that the sisters encounter keeps you on the edge of your seat and pulls your emotions in every direction conceivable.

Amanda Banta:  This Pulitzer Prize winner by Donna Tartt is heartbreaking and uplifting. It starts dark, gets darker but rewards readers with a compelling plot and satisfying end. It's a novel that has stayed with me long after I finished the last page.

Theo, a teenager, survives the accident that kills his mother. He leaves the scene with a painting that physically keeps his connection to his mother. The story follows Theo as he struggles to find his way in his new reality, ultimately falling into the underground art world because of the painting and its hold on him.

Nancy L.:  Rebecca Skloot dives into history to introduce Henrietta Lacks, a poor mother of five who died of cervical cancer in 1951 at age 31. Her cells were taken from her body without her knowledge or consent. This African-American woman's cells would change medicine globally. The "HeLa" cells were vital in developing the polio vaccine, uncovered secrets of cancer, viruses, and lead to important advances such as in-vitro fertilization and cloning. Now it's time for her story to be told. This book was also made into a movie starring Oprah Winfrey. Both the book and the movie are excellent!

Erynn:  To be honest, I first read this work by Paulo Coelho in high school, and wasn't a huge fan. But after re-reading it in college as an adult, I learned to appreciate the depth of the story. The symbolism and writing style makes it worth revisiting, and of course, a good old-fashioned love story helps move the plot along. Overall, it's a grown-up version of the "follow your dreams" mantra, and a classic you won't want ever want to be finished with.

Kelly R.:  Jeannette Walls tells the true story of her wandering and dysfunctional childhood, one of four children growing up with unpredictable parents who eventually chose to live homeless. The captivating writing chronicles the incredible and shocking experiences that punctuated her childhood, with a surprising tenderness for her parents despite their flaws.

Kelly R.:  Reading this one is challenging, sure, but it's also enlightening, moving, and altogether worthwhile. Victor Hugo's page-turning tale of convict Jean Valjean's attempt to redeem his life while escaping the relentless pursuit of the law is interwoven with stories of unforgettable characters, despicable villainy, wretched poverty, and French history. As powerful today as it was in 1862.

Juan L.:  Jane Austen is one of those authors that can be enjoyed at all ages and yet gets infinitely better with age, making her the perfect bridge among generations. Austen has the ability to create fascinating and captivating plots and story lines that are so relatable to human experience.

Vanessa M.:  With over 4 years on the New York Times Bestseller's List, Laura Hillenbrand's biography about Louis Zamperini will stay with you long after you finish the last page. This book chronicles Zamperini's astounding life journey from his troubled boyhood, to becoming a running prodigy at the 1936 Olympics, to the survival and strength of both his body and spirit through the extreme difficulties of World War II. His story encapsulates persistence, resilience, and forgiveness in a way that will touch you to your core.

Kelly R.:  Tina Fey tells the autobiographical story of her journey from awkward suburban kid to successful comedienne, with her signature dry humor and personal voice coming through on every page. Along the way, Fey takes a shot at unraveling some of life's big mysteries, like how to balance work and family and where to find the best rest stop delicacies on Pennsylvania's Interstate 80.

Kelly R.:  This Pulitzer Prize winner, written by Anthony Doerr, paints a vibrant, beautiful, and tragic picture of World War II as experienced by a blind Parisian girl and a young German soldier. It's the sort of book that you can't put down (due in part to the deliciously short chapters), while dreading the inevitable arrival at the last page.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc:  This touching story by Debbie Macomber is about two best friends and their journey through life. It is a true page-turner told through letters, diaries, and emails. I could not put this book down and couldn't wait to find out what was going to happen next in Jillian and Lesley's lives. By the end of the book, I felt like I knew the characters in real life.

This book will especially resonate with women as it is about the unique power of the female friendships. Between Friends is a book you will want to share with your girlfriends and talk about long after you have finished it.

Tim Ponisciak:  The Boys in the Boat, by Daniel James Brown, follows the story of the young men who were a part of the US Men's Olympic Rowing Team in 1936. This college crew team was never expected to make it to the Olympics, but together, these young men defied the odds to find success and hope. Woven through the story is background on the climate leading up to World War II.