This blog chronicles the 10 most memorable books that I have read.
1. Flowers for Algernon, Daniel Keyes
This novel stuck with me because it graphically illustrated that a great amount of intelligence does not necessarily lead to happiness. It also teaches the value of lasting relationships with people that one truly cares about.
2. The Golden Compass, Phillip Pullman
As a fan of fantasy books, I am always looking for a new and original novel to read. The Golden Compass was one of the most creative novels that I have read with themes that can appeal to both children and adults.
3. Black Boy, Richard Wright
Black Boy serves as a brutal and harsh autobiographical perspective about a young Black male trying to live in the South during the early 20th century. I can't recall another non-fiction novel where the author has experienced so much hardship in his/her youth.
4. The Giver, Louis Lowry
Consequent to reading this novel, I had a great deal of difficulty coming to a conclusion whether the main character, Jonas, ended up living or dying. The society envisioned in this novel is elegantly crafted with a dark background that lingers in one's mind long after the story is completed.
5. The Odyssey, Homer
As an avid fan of mythology whether it be Greek, Roman, Norse, or Egyptian The Odyssey more than satisfied my appetite for epic adventures and powerful deities. My sophomore year teacher also introduced me to one of my favorite concepts while reading this epic, called "The Hero's Cycle" created by writer John Campbell.
6. To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee
This novel truly sticks with me because of its masterfully crafted characters that are extremely realistic. This novel blends a vast amount of themes together seamlessly making it a true masterpiece. The novel eloquently incorporated comical parts as well as very saddening parts.
7. Hiroshima, John Hersey
This book narrates the harrowing tale of six lucky survivors of the fateful day when the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. Its an incredibly powerful book that allows readers to truly digest the act of brutality that was committed August 6, 1945.
8. The Hobbit, J.R.R. Tolkien
My father introduced this book to me at a very young age and this was also my first taste of fantasy writing. Tolkien's Middle-Earth is one of the the most richly imagined worlds that I have ever encountered in my years of reading books. The history, races, languages are all beautifully flushed out and glow with a vivid flair of originality.
9. The Screwtape Letters, C.S. Lewis
This book is a very interesting look and study of human nature through the viewpoint of a well experienced demon, Screwtape, to his apprentice ,Wormwood. This book has a very unusual perspective stating that God is "the enemy" and Satan is "the father below". One of the most interesting pieces of advice that I recall Screwtape giving Wormwood was negatively influencing "the patient" when he was in one of life's troughs making him weakest and most susceptible to the devil's influence.
10. The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas, Ursula K Le Guin
Although technically a short story and not a full-fledged book, this story left a very haunting impression on me during my first read through. This was one of the most shocking encounters that I have ever experienced with a text. The happiness that is displayed in this Utopian society called Omelas is sustained at the expense of an exceedingly mistreated child. The descriptions provided to illustrate his or her condition are absolutely revolting and contrast in the most polar way to the serene and gorgeous description of Omelas on the preceding pages.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Summer Reading!
Book that I have read this summer:
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, J.K. Rowling
Everything's Eventual, Stephen King ( I read a few of the short stories)
The Life of Pi, Yann Martel
Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen
At a glance, my summer reading list probably appears rather elementary and inappropriate for a high school student entering 12th grade. My purpose for beginning the Harry Potter series over was not for any intellectual merit, but rather for pure, unadulterated literary entertainment. My primary motivation for digesting all of the novels again is to build up to the 7th book with a fresh memory of all character and events since I haven't yet *gasp* read the final installment, The Deathly Hallows. Truthfully, I would be proud to say that the novel that I enjoyed most was The Life of Pi making it appear that I am a well educated and enlightened consumer of thought-provoking books. That statement would clash with my honest perspective and would leave and unsettling feeling inside of me. The novel that I thoroughly enjoyed most this summer was Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
This Harry Potter book captivated me the most out of the first three due to its substantially darker themes and finely polished plot. Assuming that most readers in the 21st century are familiar with the novel's plot, I'll briefly summarize it. The notorious servant of Lord Voldemort, Sirius Black, has recently escaped from the wizard prison called Azkaban. His apparent motivation for pursuing and killing Potter is due to the fact that 13 years ago Potter stripped Voldemort of his power and life force. Potter faces the arduous challenge of protecting himself from the dark forces that linger over him and piecing together his first encounter with Voldemort the night his parents were murdered. Although this novel is not regarded by critics as a magnum opus of literature, Rowling creates an engaging and wonderfully crafted narrative that can be easily enjoyed by a wide range of ages. One of the most unique aspects of this novel is the information that I have absorbed at age 17 that I wouldn't have when I read it as a ten year old. The previous two installments in the series had a commonality of terrible defense against the dark arts professors. The third book introduces characters with a truly passionate individual by the name of Remus Lupin. As the ten year old reader, I acknowledged that he was an interesting character sharing a strong bond with Harry, but not his true importance. Lupin is manifested as one of the first paternal mentors that Harry has connected with. Lupin served as an approachable link to Harry's father and his escapades as a student years back at Hogwarts.
While reading this novel at camp, a feeling of nostalgia also surfaced. Camp for me evokes my most cherished and happy memories. For a reason I can't fully comprehend, reading this Harry Potter novel only added to the feelings of nostalgia. This book greatly complemented my camp experience and while reading it I felt as though I were visiting a childhood friend that I had long forgotten.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, J.K. Rowling
Everything's Eventual, Stephen King ( I read a few of the short stories)
The Life of Pi, Yann Martel
Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen
At a glance, my summer reading list probably appears rather elementary and inappropriate for a high school student entering 12th grade. My purpose for beginning the Harry Potter series over was not for any intellectual merit, but rather for pure, unadulterated literary entertainment. My primary motivation for digesting all of the novels again is to build up to the 7th book with a fresh memory of all character and events since I haven't yet *gasp* read the final installment, The Deathly Hallows. Truthfully, I would be proud to say that the novel that I enjoyed most was The Life of Pi making it appear that I am a well educated and enlightened consumer of thought-provoking books. That statement would clash with my honest perspective and would leave and unsettling feeling inside of me. The novel that I thoroughly enjoyed most this summer was Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
This Harry Potter book captivated me the most out of the first three due to its substantially darker themes and finely polished plot. Assuming that most readers in the 21st century are familiar with the novel's plot, I'll briefly summarize it. The notorious servant of Lord Voldemort, Sirius Black, has recently escaped from the wizard prison called Azkaban. His apparent motivation for pursuing and killing Potter is due to the fact that 13 years ago Potter stripped Voldemort of his power and life force. Potter faces the arduous challenge of protecting himself from the dark forces that linger over him and piecing together his first encounter with Voldemort the night his parents were murdered. Although this novel is not regarded by critics as a magnum opus of literature, Rowling creates an engaging and wonderfully crafted narrative that can be easily enjoyed by a wide range of ages. One of the most unique aspects of this novel is the information that I have absorbed at age 17 that I wouldn't have when I read it as a ten year old. The previous two installments in the series had a commonality of terrible defense against the dark arts professors. The third book introduces characters with a truly passionate individual by the name of Remus Lupin. As the ten year old reader, I acknowledged that he was an interesting character sharing a strong bond with Harry, but not his true importance. Lupin is manifested as one of the first paternal mentors that Harry has connected with. Lupin served as an approachable link to Harry's father and his escapades as a student years back at Hogwarts.
While reading this novel at camp, a feeling of nostalgia also surfaced. Camp for me evokes my most cherished and happy memories. For a reason I can't fully comprehend, reading this Harry Potter novel only added to the feelings of nostalgia. This book greatly complemented my camp experience and while reading it I felt as though I were visiting a childhood friend that I had long forgotten.
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