Reading can seem like a chore rather than an enjoyable pastime, especially when the only time you do it is when it’s required. As a student, it’s easy to neglect reading for pleasure when you’re constantly buried in a book for hours in tedious required reading to pass the academic year. However, for all the tiresome reads on the market, there are just as many, if not more phenomenal books waiting to be read. So, whether you’re looking for a book worthwhile or waiting to be proven wrong and actually find a love for reading, below you can find five of the best books to read at uni this year. Hopefully, one of these works by these exceptional writers can cure your years of book trauma whilst getting lost in between the pages.
1. The Real Deal (Caitlin Devlin)
Read when: you’re procrastinating on an assignment but want to dive into the drama of reality TV without the guilt!
Starting off strong with a new author on the scene, Caitlin Devlin with her debut book The Real Deal. You might be familiar with Devlin via TikTok just like I, along with fourteen thousand other people, as of now, discovered her on the platform and had the privilege of following her book publishing journey.
Calling all reality television fanatics, if you grew up watching Dance Moms, then this book is for you. The Real Deal follows former teen reality television sensation formerly under the wing of Donna Mayfair, Belle Simon, now in her mid-twenties, trying to live a private life. After being approached by a producer with a hefty paycheck to film a reunion special with five of her former castmates, Belle questions if she’s ready to confront her past. What happened in the show’s finale? Why is she not the star today she and the other girls were prepped to be? Why did Belle choose to cast herself into a life of obscurity? Purchase the book today and discover what halted Belle’s fated life of success.
2. Yellowface (Rebecca F. Kuang)
Read when: you’re low-key avoiding your flatmates and want to question everything about the literary world!
This book arguably needs no introduction, so I’ll just list Kuang’s current accolades she’s managed to achieve with the phenomenon that is her book Yellowface. Instant number one New York Times Bestseller, Fiction Book of the Year 2024 at The British Book Awards, Amazon Book of the Year, Foyle’s Fiction Book of the Year, shortlisted for the Waterstones Book of the Year and a Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick.
Set in the world of publishing, Yellowface follows the journey of Juniper Hayward and her questionable journey to literary success. With a freak accident resulting in the sudden passing of her “friend”, successful novelist Athena Liu, and the possession of her final manuscript, Juniper decides to turn her dead-end career as a novelist upside down and makes no apology for it. After submitting her rewrite of Athena’s manuscript on Chinese workers in the First World War, Juniper finds herself going down a plagiarism rabbit hole that she wishes not to get out of.
Juniper has now rebranded as June Song, to avoid being questioned about writing a Chinese historical fiction novel. After gripping on tight onto the rollercoaster of literary success, it’s not long until she finds herself in the midst of a Twitter frenzy, at the mercy of cancel culture and spiralling into depression. Yellowface, despite being a compelling publishing thriller, allows discussion for the ramifications of cultural appropriation. So, whether you’re interested in hearing June’s side of things or want justice for Athena, buy Yellowface at WHSmiths, and yes there is a right answer!
3. In The Country (Mia Alvar)
Read when: you’re home for the holidays and feeling nostalgic – it’ll take you on a trip across cultures and memories.
Nine globe-trotting stories await to be read for those who decide to get their hands on Mia Alvar’s short story collection In The Country. Alvar’s morally messy tales are heavily inspired by her own upbringing and heritage down to all the places in which she lived, such as the Middle East, the United States and the Philippines, which all served as settings for her stories. A common theme which runs throughout each story is displacement, loss and the desire to connect across borders both physical and imagined.
A stand out in this short story collection is my personal favourite, The Kontrabida. To set the scene, imagine a Filipino Tagalog drama brought to life following pharmacist Steve, based in New York, returning to Manila upon hearing the news that his father is sick. Despite witnessing and enduring his father’s abuse, for the sake of his mother to ease the burden that is now cancer coupled with her marriage, finds himself smuggling pain relief medication. Upon his return, Steve finds himself by the end of the tale realising he may have read things wrong and Alvar leaves the reader questioning who truly is the bida and Kontrabida in this grappling tale.
If that happened to spark your interest, buy it here at World of Books. Follow along the journeys of Filipino maids, teachers, engineers and healthcare workers, at home and away living under Martial Law in the 1970/80’s over the course of three hundred pages. You won’t regret it.
4. Born For This (Caitlin Devlin)
Read when: you’re having an existential crisis at 2 a.m. when you wonder if you’re truly on the right uni path – find your purpose with this one!
Devlin’s sophomore book Born for This hits bookshelves in February 2025. If you find yourself loving The Real Deal, then make sure to get your copy of her newest book. As discussed on her TikTok, upon seeing the cover of New York Magazine’s Nepo-baby boom article, this ended up being the catalyst for her upcoming book. Follow Harley Roth’s journey indulging in the perks of nepotism. In an effort to become a household name, Harley takes up the role of playing her aunt Rachel Carmichael in her biopic. Click here to pre-order Born For This now.
5. For Such A Time As This (Shani Akilah)
Read when: you’re lazing about on a Sunday, feeling deep, and want a thought-provoking, empowering story to remind you of the bigger picture!
For Such A Time As This is a stunning debut. Set between prior and during the peak of the COVID-19 global pandemic, the stories centre around the intertwined lives of a Black British group of friends based in London. Akilah doesn’t disappoint. Over the course of multiple stories she manages to produce compelling tales about love, loss, mental wellbeing and more.
Seasoned bridesmaid Gabby and her ex Jonathan run into each other at a wedding. After half a decade apart, can they get it right this time? Ghana in December follows David reaching his breaking point abroad regarding a loss for years his grief he’d kept hidden. The book’s titular tale recounts Niah’s desire to make a change in her workplace go awry. When a diversity and inclusion role she was promised gets snatched from her due to racism and workplace discrimination, she takes matters into her own hands. Blood and Ink sees budding writer Ifey grapple with her diagnosis of endometriosis. If any of these plot points have grabbed your attention, then get your hands on a copy of Akilah’s debut.
Still unsure whether to grab a copy of Shani’s book? Well then, this quote from Shani Akilah herself might convince you otherwise. I asked Shani how she would describe her book for anyone thinking of reading it and this was what she said in response:
“I would describe ‘For Such a Time as This ‘as an ode to Black British London and the beauty found in community in the midst of the ups and downs of life. My wish is for readers to find hope and joy in the stories and feel seen.” (Shani Akilah)
There you have it, five of the best books to read at uni this year. Books worth spending your day or night perhaps diving into rather than endless scrolling for a change. If you’re interested in perusing reading for a hobby after being convinced by this article, find out the best ways to get cheap books.
Last Updated on October 14, 2024
Published on October 7, 2024
