As readers, we all know what it feels like to hit a block in our reading—that weird funk where you just can’t bring yourself to pick up a book, or even when you try to pick one up, you just don’t feel like continuing past the first chapter. So this 16th volume of TRC brings to you three easy-to-read page-turners that are from three completely different genres—poetry, graphic novel, and historical fiction. We hope these relatively light, yet interesting and rich books are able to pull you out of that unfortunate reading slump.

Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid is an oral history that narrates the rise and fall of a legendary fictional 70s rock band entirely via interview transcripts. The story follows Daisy Jones, a free-spirited young woman gifted with overflowing talent and beauty, and the Six, a rising band led by lead singer Billy Dunne. The two musicians come across one another when a producer realizes the potential success of them joining forces. And he was right—they became hit. Daisy Jones and the Six managed to become the greatest band of their time, but one night, after a show in July of 1979, the band breaks up seemingly out of nowhere at the peak of their careers without anyone truly knowing why. This is the story unraveling the mystery of that why. Daisy Jones and the Six is an utterly wild and intoxicating ride riddled with drama, drugs, sex, glamor, and music—the makings of a quintessential rock n’ roll superstar story. But with the layers of depth imbued within the characters, emotions and themes, Reid is able to spin this tale into something much more than that.

No Matter the Wreckage is Sarah Kay’s debut contemporary poetry collection featuring 61 poignant, sincere and relatable pieces about a range of topics—life, love, family, travel, history, insecurities, and women empowerment, amongst others. The poems are tender explorations of Kay’s own childhood and adulthood as she navigates discovering herself and the world around her—from summer vacations in Long Island to experiences being born and raised in New York City, from her personal relationship struggles to her vibrant trips to India and South Africa. Flush with warmth and verve, this collection is sure to enrapture both poetry readers and non-readers alike with every gracefully, lovingly written line of poetry woven with abundant wisdom and charm.

Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood is a graphic novel slash memoir chronicling Marjane Satrapi’s everyday life in Iran growing up within her peculiar and remarkable family amidst the overthrow of the Shah’s regime, the victory of the Isalmic regime, and the aftermath of war with Iraq—a childhood fraught with the rich history of her country. The novel opens with young Marjane attempting to adjust to the changes of the new Islamic Republic which was a result of the Revolution. Satrapi presents the tumultuous events, and heavy cultural and political drama of 20th century Iran in a refreshing manner through her simple yet striking black-and-white illustrations, and through the unique point of view of a child. Young Marjane is a sharp, witty and endearing narrator, a fiery force to be reckoned with that readers just can’t help but love. Bold and bittersweet, Persepolis is truly an epic tale that manages to be equal parts dark and humorous, equal parts political and personal, and wholly honest and powerful.

We hope this list is able to spice up your TBR, and that these books are able to reignite your love and interest for reading again.

Happy reading!