What I Wish I Knew When I Was 20 by Teena Seelig
Tina Seelig is the executive director of the Stanford Technology Ventures Program. For students making the difficult transition from the academic environment to the professional world, Seelig extends tangible skills and insights that will last a lifetime to the reader. By weaving her own personal experience, stories, and friendships into a philosophy of life book this will help anyone just discovering themselves as an adult.
The Rules of Attraction by Brett Easton Ellis
We follow the drink, drug and sex-fuelled lives of three students in New England during the 1980s as a romantic triangle begins. The story is told through the different perspectives of the three characters, all using different writing styles which creates a fast paced and chaotic tone throughout. Most actions taken are despicable and sleazy making the narrative a hilarious caricature of student life.
Letters to a Law Student by Nicholas J. McBride
This book comprises a series of letter to an imaginary law student, Alex. It acts as a useful guide for soon-to-be students preparing for what can be an incredibly scary first year of studying. After a first read you will keep this book close to you throughout your time at uni and find yourself referring back to it often.
Starter for Ten by David Nicholls
Brian Jackson is a fresher who joins the school’s University Challenge team. Throughout his first year he must tackle various challenges - academically and personally. Set in the 1980´s, in the middle of a recession, working class issues are discussed in an honest and frank way. It's a clumsy, awkward coming-of-age story that any first year uni student can relate to.
Justice: What’s the Right Thing to Do? by Michael Sandel
Sandel, based on his philosophy course at Harvard, offers an education in thinking through the complicated issues and controversies we face in public life today. It gives a really well-structured, easy-to-read introduction to critical thinking and moral issues and will prepare you for many of the common modules and topics taught during university.
Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami
Set in Tokyo in the late 60s, Norweigan Wood is a poignant story of love and loss set against a violent backdrop of student protests and civil unrest. Blending together the music, the mood, and the climate of the time it is harrowing and eye opening through the story of one student’s first love.