Prep

I'm currently reading Prep by Curtis Sittenfield. So far, (page 102 of 380+) it is one of the most realistic novels I've read. It has no mystical or world-saving plot; there's just an observant 14-year old narrating her story. If you have read Memoirs of a Geisha, you'll find them pretty similar (prep is way better, though. IMHO). You don't really know where the story will revolve, what the exact conflict or climax is. You just follow the daily routine of a certain character. Also, there are bits of wisdom and "so someone else noticed!" moments in between pages, if only you would pause and think about it.

If certain universities accepted me, I'd probably be bawling while reading it. (Or maybe not. I'm probably in a gap-year.)