28 Books You Should Read If You Want To via The Millions

In my 10 Rules of Basic RA Service my first rule is not mine, but it is so very important to everything we do:

Betty Rosenberg: “Never apologize for your reading tastes.”
      -- A non-judgmental list of what you “should read”
      -- Set a better example of the first rule of RA

Too often we all get caught up in the newest, shiniest, and flashiest titles. We often forget that reading is not just our job, it is something we love. That link goes to a post that was originally published in 2014 in The Millions, but it is one I ask the library workers I am training to turn to every time I present my signature training. And, I too return to it often.

I have reposted the list below because I know some of you never click through, but do click through. The comments have been added to over the years with even more ideas on what you "should read."

Sometimes, when I am stuck for aa suggestion for a patron or I need a conversation starter, I turn to this list for ideas on what they can read next. If nothing else, these questions will spark conversations about books and reading, and that is the entire point of RA Service as it should be practiced today. 

28 Books You Should Read If You Want To

LISTS NOTABLE ARTICLES

Janet Potter

With that in mind, here is my list of books you should read (if you want to):

• You should read the book that you hear two booksellers arguing about at the registers while you’re browsing in a bookstore.

• You should read the book that you see someone on the train reading and trying to hide that they’re laughing.

• You should read the book that you see someone on the train reading and trying to hide that they’re crying.

• You should read the book that you find left behind in the airplane seat pocket, on a park bench, on the bus, at a restaurant, or in a hotel room.

• You should read the book that you see someone reading for hours in a coffee shop — there when you got there and still there when you left — that made you envious because you were working instead of absorbed in a book.

• You should read the book you find in your grandparents’ house that’s inscribed “To Ray, all my love, Christmas 1949.”

• You should read the book that you didn’t read when it was assigned in your high school English class. You’d probably like it better now anyway.

• You should read the book whose author happened to mention on Charlie Rose that their favorite band is your favorite band.

• You should read the book that your favorite band references in their lyrics.

• You should read the book that your history professor mentions and then says, “which, by the way, is a great book,” offhandedly.

• You should read the book that you loved in high school. Read it again.

• You should read the book that you find on the library’s free cart whose cover makes you laugh.

• You should read the book whose main character has your first name.

• You should read the book whose author gets into funny Twitter exchanges with Colson Whitehead.

• You should read the book about your hometown’s history that was published by someone who grew up there.

• You should read the book your parents give you for your high school graduation.

• You should read the book you’ve started a few times and keep meaning to finish once and for all.

• You should read books with characters you don’t like.

• You should read books about countries you’re about to visit.

• You should read books about historical events you don’t know anything about.

• You should read books about things you already know a little about.

• You should read books you can’t stop hearing about and books you’ve never heard of.

• You should read books mentioned in other books.

• You should read prize-winners, bestsellers, beach reads, book club picks, and classics, when you want to.

• You should just keep reading.