7 Amazing Books You Need to Read ASAP

Recommending one book for every color in the rainbow

“In your reading, find books to improve your color sense, your sense of shape and size in the world.”― Ray Bradbury, Zen in the Art of Writing

Everyone judges a book by its cover. So, what if, we actually recommended books based on the cover?

In this article, I am sharing several amazing books you should read, inspired by the colors of the rainbow. From nonfiction to fiction, there is something for everyone.

Let’s dive right in!

Red: Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi

Persepolis is translated into English by Mattias Rippa. It’s a powerful memoir told in black and white comic strips that shares the story of Marjane’s childhood in Tehran, Iran during the Islamic Revolution.

I loved Marjane’s voice and art style. The book is both funny and heartbreaking. It has antedotes about Marjane’s daily life as well as details about the life-changing political and historical changes going on around her. This history isn’t talked about enough (especially in the U.S.), and the memoir details it in an insightful and touching way.

“Intensely personal, profoundly political, and wholly original, Persepolis is at once a story of growing up and a reminder of the human cost of war and political repression,” per Goodreads. “It shows how we carry on, with laughter and tears, in the face of absurdity.”

If you enjoy graphic novels and memoirs, I highly recommend picking up Persepolis!

“Listen. I don’t like to preach, but here’s some advice. You’ll meet a lot of jerks in life. If they hurt you, remember it’s because they’re stupid. Don’t react to their cruelty. There’s nothing worse than bitterness and revenge. Keep your dignity and be true to yourself.” ― Marjane Satrapi, Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood

Orange: People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry

People We Meet on Vacation is one of my favorite romance novels.

The story follows two best friends, Poppy and Alex, who have grown apart. For ten years, they have gone on vacation together every summer. But now, they’re barely speaking. Two years later, Poppy is determined to reconnect with Alex to understand what went wrong, so she convinces him to take one last trip with her.

Emily Henry’s romance books are fantastic. She always develops both characters so they feel like real people. Whenever I read her books, I’m always rooting for the characters to get together.

If you love romance and haven’t read People We Meet On Vacation yet, I suggest you pick it up soon!

“I’m on vacation. Vacations always end. It’s the very fact that it’s finite that makes traveling special. You could move to any one of those destinations you loved in small doses, and it wouldn’t be the spellbinding, life-altering seven days you spend there as a guest, letting a place into your heart fully, letting it change you.” ― Emily Henry, People We Meet on Vacation

Yellow: The Fifth Wave by Rick Yancey

The Fifth Wave is an addictive science fiction read about an alien apocalypse.

After four waves of destruction, only a few survive. Cassie knows that the safest thing to do is be alone. But then she meets Evan. Despite her hesitation to trust others, Cassie realizes that in order to rescue her little brother, she’ll need Evan’s help.

The Fifth Wave is a high-stakes thrilling adventure. There’s a strong female protagonist, plot twists, and more.

If you like sci-fi survival stories, I highly recommend The Fifth Wave!

“But if I’m it, the last of my kind, the last page of human history, like hell I’m going to let the story end this way. I may be the last one, but I am the one still standing. I am the one turning to face the faceless hunter in the woods on an abandoned highway. I am the one not running but facing. Because if I am the last one, then I am humanity. And if this is humanity’s last war, then I am the battlefield.” ― Rick Yancey, The 5th Wave

Green: Eliza and Her Monsters by Francesca Zappia

Eliza and Her Monsters is about webcomics, fandom culture, and anxiety.

The story follows shy teen Eliza. Online, she’s the author of a popular webcomic series, but in real life, her webcomic identity is a secret. Eliza struggles with anxiety and has no friends. Then, one of her webcomics biggest fans transfers to her school. He thinks that Eliza is just another fan, and they start to form a relationship. But when Eliza’s author identity is shockingly made public, Eliza’s life starts to crumble.

There is a romantic plot to this story, but it also talks about Eliza’s relationship with her family and her creating art. I appreciated how Zappia handled Eliza’s anxiety in the book, as it’s a sensitive topic. Eliza visits a therapist in the book and learns about how to manage it in a healthy way.

If you enjoyed Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell, you would like Eliza and Her Monsters. It’s a great coming-of-age novel about mental health and fandoms. Read it as soon as possible!

“There is a small monster in my brain that controls my doubt. The doubt itself is a stupid thing, without sense or feeling, blind and straining at the end of a long chain. The monster though, is smart. It’s always watching, and when I am completely sure of myself, it unchains the doubt and lets it run wild. Even when I know it’s coming, I can’t stop it.” ― Francesca Zappia, Eliza and Her Monsters

Blue: Born a Crime by Trevor Noah

Born a Crime is one of the best memoirs I’ve ever read.

Trevor Noah shares what it was like growing up during the brutal period of apartheid in South Africa. He also talks about the adventures he and his mother go on when apartheid finally ends.

“Born a Crime is the story of a mischievous young boy who grows into a restless young man as he struggles to find himself in a world where he was never supposed to exist,” per Goodreads. “It is also the story of that young man’s relationship with his fearless, rebellious, and fervently religious mother — his teammate, a woman determined to save her son from the cycle of poverty, violence, and abuse that would ultimately threaten her own life.”

I both laughed and cried when I read this book. It’s a personal story about the history of apartheid South Africa and a beautiful exploration of a son’s relationship with his mother.

You need to read Born a Crime! I highly recommend the audiobook. It’s narrated by Trevor Noah himself and his voice brings the stories to life.

“We tell people to follow their dreams, but you can only dream of what you can imagine, and, depending on where you come from, your imagination can be quite limited.” ― Trevor Noah, Born a Crime: Stories From a South African Childhood

Indigo: A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer

A Curse So Dark and Lonely is a fantastic fantasy novel. The book is a unique take on the “Beauty and the Beast” story.

When Harper tries to save a stranger on the streets of Washington, DC, she gets pulled into a magical world. There, she meets Rhen, a prince who is cursed to repeat the autumn of his eighteenth year until a girl can fall in love with him. However, Rhen has lost hope in the curse ever being lifted. His uncontrollable transformation into a vicious beast means he has destroyed his castle, his family, and most of the village.

This book has an interesting blend of the modern world and a mythical fantasy realm. I loved Harper as a main character; she is fierce and strong. I appreciated that this story touches on Harper’s cerebral palsy. We learn she has been underestimated in the past because of her condition, but that she has become tougher because of it.

If you’re looking for a new fantasy book to read, pick up A Curse So Dark and Lonely!

“Failure isn’t absolute, just because you couldn’t save everyone doesn’t mean you didn’t save anyone.” ― Brigid Kemmerer, A Curse So Dark and Lonely

Violet: Autoboyography by Christina Lauren

Autoboyography is a fantastic coming-of-age novel that explores sexuality and religion.

The story follows bisexual teen Tanner Scott who moves from California to Utah for his last few years of high school. In a writing class, Tanner meets Sebastian (and quickly falls in love). But, while Tanner is from a progressive family, Sebastian is Mormon and comes from a conservative religious community.

Tanner and Sebastian’s relationship is adorable. While the book is lighthearted, it also discusses topics like religion and conservative beliefs in a thoughtful and nuanced way. If you’re looking for a sweet young adult novel with some deeper themes, I recommend Autoboyography!

“This is your life, and it will stretch out before you, and you are the only person who can make it whatever you want it to be.” ― Christina Lauren, Autoboyography

If you liked this article, you can sign up for free emails whenever I publish something new. You’ll get all my book recommendations, reviews, and ramblings in one place.

Interested in more book recommendations? Check out this article where I recommend one book for every letter of the alphabet: