One of the best ways to improve your SAT Reading score is to pick up a book and read it for fun. Finding a book that’s fun to read can be a challenge, however. You ideally want something funny and with some interesting new ideas without being overwhelming. So, let me reccomend some great fantasy books to read to improve your SAT Reading score.
Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
You’ve probably seen the Ghibli movie based on this book, but even after seeing the movie, this book contains all sorts of wonders and surprises. The book is about Sophie, a . Howl’s Moving Castle is a wonderful read for anyone, whether they love the movie, or just like the idea of wild magica and an off-kilter magical castle wandering the landscape.
Rumo & His Miraculous Adventures by Walter Moers
This book is very weird, but very satisfying to read. If you want something that feels very new and pushes your imagination, but hits all the right story beats, Rumo is the book you want. It’s like one of those familliar stories you’d hear around a campfire on acid. It has a lot of the familiar staples of fantasy: a talking sword, an unlikely hero, bitter rivals, and terrifying monsters. However, it never gets boring. You’ll also encounter a race of talking, book-obsessed dinosaurs, a creature with seven brains who transmits an intelligence-raising bacteria, and an entire too-small-to-be-seen city full of folks known as the Non-Existent Teenies. None of those things are spoilers, and all of that barely scratches the surface of the wonders within Rumo & His Miraculous Adventures.
Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi
Want something different but more grounded than talking dinosaurs? Try Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi. This is maybe the darkest and most relevant book on this list, but it still has spirits and princesses in it. The book explores Yoruba mythology, and focuses on Zélie, a dormant magic-user, seeking to reclaim her power and take on the monarchy. The controversy around this book is only the more reason to read it, really. If you like fairy tales, but want something more modern and relevant, Children of Blood and Bone is for you.
Ella Enchanted by Gale Carson Levine
Ella Enchanted is great for someone just getting into reading. It’s light enough that you can read it in chunks on the bus or waiting for class to start, but different enough so that reader’s don’t feel unchallenged or bored. The book is about a girl given the “gift” of obedience by her fairy godmother. The fairy godmother’s curse leaves little room for argument- if someone asks Ella to do something, she must do it. Nevertheless, Ella uses her cunning and stubbornness to overcome many of her challenges and go on adventures. If you’ve outgrown Disney movies or just really like Shrek, Ella Enchanted might be for you.
Going Postal by Terry Pratchett
The entire Discworld Series by Terry Pratchett are extremely fun to read, and Going Postal is a great place to start. It’s about a con-man given a second chance as the postmaster general of the post office to a city full of golems, vampires, and all manner of interesting creatures. His given name? Moist Von Lipwig. Terry Pratchett mixes wild humor with tongue-in-cheek commentary and a hilarious, off-the-wall plot line. If you’re in the mood for shenanigans that only succeed because of pure luck and faked confidence, this is the book for you.
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That’s all! Now go forth and check out some of these books! Pick one and get reading. If you want more SAT and ACT prep advice sure to join our mailing list for a free 27-item checklist and 30-day free SAT email course.