SAP Recommends: Books and Podcasts for Gen Z
April 12th is National Drop Everything and Read (D.E.A.R.) Day, and members of our 2023 Springtide Ambassadors Program (SAP) have identified books that their peers should not miss (with a couple of podcast recommendations thrown in). While anyone could enjoy these, Gen Zers in particular should not miss these recommendations. Read below to see why these are their favorite picks.
Tabatha, 20
Book: A Thousand Splendid Suns, by Khaled Hosseini
“It’s a true masterpiece.”
Claire, 21
Book: The Alchemist, by Paulo Coehlo
“The Alchemist depicts a beautiful, enchanting quest that will resonate with anyone interested in the spiritual or religious life.”
Anthony, 22
Book: Last Night at the Telegraph Club, by Malinda Lo
“This book is a masterpiece that captures the experience of someone with intersectional identities; you are bound to relate to the protagonist in one way or more.”
Anna, 21
Book: The Raven Cycle, by Maggie Stiefvater
“This series explores community, faith, magic, leadership, and belonging through stunning prose and a wonderfully dynamic group of characters, combining profound insights into life with the delightfully ridiculous experience of young adulthood.”
Noah, 14
Book: Scythe, by Neal Schusterman
“It’s really cool and funny and awesome, with an interesting outlook on dystopia and immortality.”
Gabrielle, 24
Book: Crying in H Mart: A Memoir, by Michelle Zauner
“In rich and heartbreaking detail, Zauner’s memoir deals with complex themes of migration, intergenerational trauma, biracial identity, grief and loss, and growing up.”
Christian, 24
Book: A Raisin in the Sun, by Lorraine Hansberry
“A great story of a family going through trials and tribulations through racism in America but not allowing it to break their own spirit.”
Anonymous, 15
Book: The Hate U Give, by Angie Thomas
“While this might be a little old, it never loses its relevance to the current state of our world today.”
Cyrus, 17
Book: Animal Farm, by George Orwell
“It’s a book that I read in 10th grade, and its overall message is to be against tyranny, which I believe is Gen Z’s biggest responsibility.”
Lensa, 16
Podcast: Me & My Muslim Friends, hosted by Yasmin Bendaas
“It’s a great podcast that talks about the diverse spectrum of Muslim identity, sharing thought-provoking stories, underrepresented perspectives and laughter too.”
Mia, 18
Podcast: Queerology: A Podcast on Belief and Being, hosted by Grace Semler Baldridge
“I can heavily relate to their music and to their podcast.”
Grace, 23
Book: Embracing the Love of God, by James Bryan Smith
“Embracing the Love of God shares how we are to live in relationship to God, ourselves, and others in the ways we love, care, and forgive.”
Brandon, 23
Book: Forged, by Austin Wofford
“Great Christian content on how to walk with Gen Z in discipleship—the gist is community.”
Viva, 21
Book: Grit, by Angela Duckworth
“This book discusses how one’s future and success is much more determined by how one chooses to act as opposed to their “talent” or “intelligence.”
Guillermo, 17
Book: Men Explain Things to Me, by Rebecca Solnit
This title is an incredible short book composed of essays by Solnit that analyze the ways in which toxic masculinity affects the ways that women speak or have to converse with men in society.
