Elif Batuman's The Idiot

If you've been searching for a new coming-of-age story to read in your spare time, I would recommend this witty and emotional novel by Elif Batuman. The Idiot takes place in the late 90s and follows the life of Selin, navigating new territory as a college freshman at Harvard. We get to follow Selin's summer travels as an English tutor in Hungary, see her build connections with new interesting people, and hear her thoughts on “new” technology like email. The novel deals with culture shock, anxiety, frustrating new relationships, and personal growth. Batuman does a wonderful job with the narrative, the book is funny and beautifully written. Needless to say, if you're a fan of the bildungsroman genre, you should add The Idiot to your reading list.