ernest cline, 2011

recommended for all of cortis

the book is set in a 2045 dystopia where people spend most of their time in a virtual world, following an easter egg hunt whose winner gains ownership of the game. it’s a fun, easy read with high stakes, tons of 1980s pop culture references, and themes like technology, corporate greed, and pollution; i think martin especially might enjoy it because of the sci-fi and rock elements.

content note: explicit language, violence, dark themes, mild sexual content

norihiro yagi, 1996

recommended for james

it’s a lighthearted slice of life comedy with a hint of romance. the running joke might get a little repetitive as the manga goes on, but the work never stops being engaging. all the characters, specially the main protagonist are very likeable. it’s an enjoyable read and the best option to breeze through and put your mind at ease in the midst of a busy schedule.

oscar wilde, 1890

recommended for keonho

i’ve seen keonho be quite interested in queer novels nowadays. oscar wilde, as a queer writer, has done such an amazing job with this story. the layers to human identity and relationships that are encountered in this book are simply mind-opening, and i think keonho would love the mystery behind it all.

content note: suicide, self-harm, murder, violence, substance abuse

matthew salesses, 2021

recommended for all of cortis

it’s a non-fiction book about creative writing that questions who made the rules of “good” storytelling in the first place and why certain conventions are treated as universal. as a youngcreatorcrew that writes their own music, i think cortis would enjoy its mix of craft, cultural criticism, and ideas about power, and hopefully gain some new insights from it.

albert camus, 1942

recommended for juhoon

it’s a personal favorite of mine and is quite easy to get lost in due to the huge but small nuances in the novella. honestly jju might find it pretty thrilling, the main character is relatable in some aspects and has a complex mind. it is a classic and if he hasn’t read it yet i really encourage not just jju but coers to read too!!

content note: emotional distress, violence

jane austen, 1817

recommended for all of cortis

everyone should read at least one classic in their life, and northanger abbey is one of austen’s most fun and accessible novels. it explores growing up, friendship, social expectations, and the difference between imagination and reality, with one of austen’s best heroes in mr. henry tilney.

lucy maud montgomery, 1908

recommended for all of cortis

a coming-of-age novel about how family isn’t just the people you’re born with, but also the relationships you build. i also love that while anne is a dreamer and idealist, she still realizes she has to grow up.

louisa may alcott, 1868

recommended for all of cortis

a classic coming of age novel centered around the lives of a group of sisters. the character work in this is awesome and i enjoyed seeing how each sister grew over the course of the story. in a way, i also see cortis' music as the vessel to tell their 'becoming'

content note: death, illness, grief, poverty, war themes

benjamin alire sáenz, 2012

recommended for keonho

swimming comes up throughout this book because dante is so fond of the water, and it kept making me think of keonho while rereading it. it’s an lgbtq+ coming-of-age story about two boys with the whole world ahead of them, and that sense of having such a big future still to discover is what made me think he might really connect with it.

content note: violence, homophobia, substance use

sohn won pyung, 2017

recommended for all of cortis

this book is about a boy with alexithymia who struggles to recognize and express his emotions and the hardships that come with it. since cortis already does such a great job expressing themselves through their music, i think this book could give them a different perspective on emotions and help them explore that even further.

content note: bullying, death

kazuo ishiguro, 2005

recommended for martin

never let me go by kazuo ishiguro is a novel about life, art, relationships, love, and friendship. being a dystopian / coming of age novel, it explores the meaning of life and identity through kathy h. it is set in an alternative world of england.

mikhail bulgakov, 1967

recommended for juhoon

maybe juhoon will like the nighty, mystic, fantasy vibes

content note: graphic violence

david larbi, 2025

recommended for all of cortis

this book is primarily a poetry collection with meditations and journal prompts, structured around 52 chapters for each week of the year. i think they might enjoy going on that year-long journey with it, using it as an anchor for mindfulness, gratitude, and staying grounded in their thoughts and emotions. ((:

han kang, 2014

recommended for coer

honestly one of the best books I've read. i don't know how to explain it, you just have to read it. it is a heart-wrenching book as it is based on the gwangju uprising and massacre. i think it's a crucial reading in terms of history, accountability, and remembrance.

content note: death, genocide, sexual assault, sexual violence, torture, violence, police brutality, war, shootings

ray bradbury, 1953

recommended for all of cortis

a classic dystopian (not so dystopian) novel. like 1984 it makes you think and reflect

content note: suicide, self-harm, graphic violence, substance use, oppressive themes

sarah harvey, 2019

recommended for all of cortis

it talks about growth ! :)

antoine de saint-exupéry, 1943

recommended for all of cortis

the little prince isn't just a story, it’s a manifesto of creative freedom. the book challenges the rigid rules of the adult world to remind us that true magic happens when we dare to look beyond the obvious and create without a mold. that pursuit of pure authenticity, rebellious curiosity, and deep connections aligns directly with their artistic soul, making it a read they wouldn't just enjoy, but truly resonate with.

content note: grief, depression

antoine de saint-exupéry, 1943

recommended for juhoon

the overall theme and concept of this book is just soooo 😞🫰 he’ll really love this because the message can be interpreted from different perspectives.

content note: grief, depression

banana yoshimoto, 1988

recommended for coer

it's beautifully written and the story is so touching

content note: transphobia, grief, death

mieko kawakami, 2009

recommended for juhoon

juhoon loves to read, and when i finished this book, i felt a great emptiness and happiness at the same time because i had never read anything like it before. it’s a powerful novel with a special sensitivity, exploring loneliness, finding someone who understands you and how even the smallest conversations can mean so much.

content note: severe bullying, physical violence, suicidal ideation