Read with Yoongi: Book Recos from BTS SUGA
There is a subtle inside joke in a small part of the BTS-ARMY fandom. They say that “Maybe we fell for the looks, but we stay for the books”. And it can never be more accurate, not only for the bookworms, but for everyone in the fandom. Unconsciously, ARMYs stay because of the books, you know why? Because Min Yoongi a.k.a SUGA is also Min PD-nim. One of the group’s composers and producers, and he has shared many times that he gets his inspirations from the movies he’s watched and books he read.
He has read a bunch and shared his current or past reads whenever he got a chance. Though he read the Korean translations of the books, fortunately, almost all of his recommendations have their English counterparts or vice versa.
With Yoongi’s birthday just around the corner and his upcoming SUGA/Agust D World Tour, here’s a very short list of the producer’s book recommendations.
Book recommendations by Min Yoongi
1.) About Her – Banana Yoshimoto
A gloomy book that is also a form of healing for the author. Yoongi has shared that he has read this back in 2018 in an interview.
2.) Life Lessons – Elizabeth Kubler-Ross
In his IG story, @agustd, has shared an exerpt of this book in Korean. It is automatically added to ARMYs’ reading list on how realistic yet calming it was.
3.) A Bowl of Udon – Kuri Ryohei and Takemoto Konosuke
About family, relationship of neighborhood, and understanding life.
4.) The Alchemist – Paulo Coelho
A tale of magic and self-discovery. BTS members, especially their leader and of course, Yoongi, has expressed their love for the Brazilian author and his works.
5.) A General Introduction to Psychoanalysis – Sigmund Freud
Where Sigmund Freud has discussed Psychoanalysis from the 1917. This one is free when you search it online or read it here.
6.) The Interpretation of Dreams – Sigmund Freud
Another Sigmund Freud recommendation from the man who wears his interest to Psychology. As its title, is about dreams, and their mysteries and depth.
7.) About Grief- Ron Marasco and Brian Schuff
According to Yoongi, this book tells you how to endure pain. He shared it on his live back in May 2020, a few days after the release of his second mixtape “D-2” under the the Agust D.
8.) Slam Dunk – Takehiko Inoue
Slam Dunk has been famous all over the world. It is not just the anime’s OST that is iconic but the story itself is a remarkable adventure.
9.) Reinventing Your Life – Jeffrey E Young, Janet S. Klosko
The full title is “Reinventing Your Life: The Breakthrough Program to End Negative Behavior & Feel Great Again” and it teaches you how to rid of those ‘life-traps’. Yoongi was seen carrying the book’s Korean version after their Bang Bang Con: The Live concert.
10.) Almond – Son Wonpyeong
SUGA along with band member RM were seen reading this book on “BTS in the SOOP”. This is the only one I have read so far and for a pinch, it is an oddly interesting and uniquely seasoned book.
Read with Yoongi
You know, people say that you can have a glimpse of a person’s personality just by looking at their bookshelves. What we read says something a lot about ourselves. Our Min Yoongi PD-nim (producer-nim) is not called a “genius” for no reason. He always feeds his mind by allowing himself to explore. Spending time with great films and books are also on his menu.
And with the words of Canadian poet and novelist, Margaret Atwood, “A word after a word after a word is power.”
