Highschool can be a confusing time, we’re standing on the brink of change, constantly reinventing ourselves and it is certainly a challenging moment. It’s exciting, but also overwhelming. But I believe that challenging times should always be accompanied by good literature because books have a way of reflecting who we are, even when the story seems worlds apart from our own.
That’s why I’ve put together this list of novels. At first glance, they couldn’t be more different, ranging from ancient epics to modern fantasy and historical fiction. But if you look closely, you’ll see they’re bound by the same theme: life itself. Each story, in its own way, shows that life is a mix of challenges, victories, and the constant process of figuring out who we are
- The Odyssey by Homer
Yes, I know, it feels almost lazy to recommend the classic, the foundation of Western literature itself. But that’s exactly why I think it belongs here. As high schoolers, we sometimes shy away from classics because they feel intimidating. But at its core, The Odyssey is just the story of a man trying to get home. Odysseus’s trials – facing cyclopses, storms, and temptations – mirror the obstacles we face in our own lives. Beneath the myth and poetry is something surprisingly relatable: the perseverance to keep going when everything seems impossible.
- Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
On the other end of the spectrum is a fantasy series that, at the risk of sounding dramatic, changed my life. Throne of Glass follows Celaena Sardothien, an assassin with a complicated past, as she fights to claim her destiny. What could that possibly have in common with The Odyssey? More than you’d think. Both are stories about the journey home—a journey filled with battles, monsters, and impossible choices. Where Odysseus faces sirens, Celaena faces ancient demons, and to be honest, some days I think I’d take a Valg witch over a science EoL.
- Any Human Heart by William Boyd
Finally, a quieter but no less powerful novel. Told through the diaries of a fictional English writer, Logan Mountstuart, the book traces his life across the 20th century, from love affairs and friendships to the devastation of World War II. What makes it unforgettable is its honesty: the reminder that, no matter the decade, people wrestle with the same joys, heartbreaks, embarrassments, and moments of wonder. It’s a story about one man, but really it’s about all of us, how ordinary lives are shaped by history, and how humanity shines through even in difficult times.
So I hope you enjoy this hero’s journey I have laid out for you. Because highschool, like these novels, is its own odyssey: a stretch of time that shapes who we are becoming. And as a just-turned senior, who urges you to enjoy every experience, both the good and bad moments, I’ll leave you with this: a hero can’t be a hero without the monsters.
