By Lauren Hunter and Molly Biggar

‘Why are they qualified to write this piece?’, we hear you ask. Well, as English students, reading is one of our favourite things to do. During university, sometimes you need that little bit of escapism, but for those of you who prefer visual content, most of these have adaptations that are almost as good as the books.

So, what should you be reading other than textbooks and literature reviews? Here we offer you ten recommendations to inspire and help you survive some of the most stressful but rewarding years of your life.

Firstly, we suggest Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney. This has become a comfort read. It’s a story about friendship, love, and struggling to understand life and the world around you.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak is a beautifully written story about life, death, and love – and a great story about how WW2 impacted the lives of ordinary citizens. If you’re into narrative twists and turns, this is for you.

Sylvia Plath’s The Bell Jar is all about identity, discovering who you are and what your place in the world is. It challenges gender norms and societal conventions while learning to grow in a big city.

Set deep in the Italian summer, Call Me by Your Name by André Aciman is a tender portrait of sexuality, beauty, and self-reckoning. You probably already know the film version starring Timothée Chalamet, but it’s a great holiday read and well worth your time.

Mayflies by Andrew O’Hagan is a beautiful showcase from a Strathclyde alumnus. This book explores life’s fragility and is really all about the friendships you keep with you. It feels like a soundtrack to youth.

A classic that everyone should read is Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. Overcoming their own pride and prejudices about one another, Mr Darcy and Elizabeth combat social interactions as best they can before they fall ardently in love.

Honestly, we recommend anything by Taylor Jenkins Reid. Her books are favourites on TikTok, but it’s for good reason because they are such page-tuners. Malibu Rising charts the repercussions of an unexpected fire at a Hollywood house party, and it’s perfect if you’re a lover of celebrity culture and mysteries…

Girl, Interrupted by Susanna Kaysen is an exploration of reasoning behind women’s experiences and how these form the people they become, and a great pick for anyone looking for their next read.

Okay, maybe not exactly a beach read, but Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart is so unmissable that we couldn’t resist. This is a coming of- age story in 1980s working-class Glasgow, and it’s equal parts heartbreaking and beautiful.

A great one if you’re keen to learn a bit more about the cultural history of the city! Finally, Love Alone: 18 Elegies for Rog by Paul Monette is collection of poetry exploring the lost love of a man who loses his partner to HIV/Aids. It is a touching portrait of life after love and loss.