As I enter the last semester of being an English Literature major, I cannot help but reflect back upon all of my experiences in different classes. I realized I have read hundreds of amazing books thanks to the outstanding professors here at Nazareth College. Therefore, I decided to create a list of my top ten favorite reads and why they are so special to me. I hope I am able to inspire you to pursue at least one of the readings, because it is my mission to get you as passionate and excited about reading as I am! Let’s get started!
1. Sing Unburied Sing by Jesmyn Ward
Last year I read Sing Unburied Sing by Jesmyn Ward for the very first time and it was from that moment on I knew Ward was going to be my favorite author! What captured my attention the most was her dramatic plot inspired by her real life events. I completely forgot that I was reading a homework assignment as I rapidly read past the required section of reading. Reading one of Wards novels for me is like binge watching a Netflix series that you cannot ignore, because you keep asking: “What’s going to happen next?” This captivating novel portrays the long and historical American story of law enforcement’s brutality upon the African American community in the deep south. One of the reasons why I love this novel so much and I think absolutely everyone should read it, is because the novel is told from the perspective of people that society normally makes an effort to silence.
2. Men We Reaped by Jesmyn Ward
I could easily use every single one of Ward’s books to fill this list, but I’ll stick to just these two for now! I recommend Men We Reaped because, unlike Sing Unburied Sing, this book is completely autobiographical. This novel vividly portrays Ward’s life, struggles with sudden loss, and the lives of loved ones she once knew in the tight knit community of her rural Mississippi hometown. I will warn readers, this is a very serious book that recons with heavy topics such as graphic violence and death. However, the stories revealed to us are very close to Ward’s heart. Readers feel the brilliant warmth that comes from her organic place of longing, to have her life and the lives of those she loves be heard.
3. My Àntonia by Willa Cather
What instantly drew me into the world of Willa Cather’s novel, My Àntonia, was her poetic language and ability to convey the rugged beauty of the outdoors without sparing readers a single detail. This coming of age story follows the lives of pioneers in the rural west through the eyes of Jim Burden growing up. Cather also illuminates the often overlooked true experiences of immigrants living on the wild frontier. Reading this book was less like doing homework and more like a pleasant form of escape from the present age. I recommend this to anyone who wishes to become immersed in Cather’s romantic landscapes and revel in the beauty of the farmer’s simplistic realism.
4. Blankets by Craig Thompson
Changing up the typical formatting of what readers commonly associate with a ‘novel,’ I recommend this graphic novel by Craig Thompson. What captured my interest most about this book was Thompson’s beautifully detailed and imaginative style of art. Though this novel is quite thick, I found myself devouring it within hours. Thompson’s artistic abilities are brilliant enough to be critiqued as one would a painting in a gallery. It is important to be aware that this book grapples with the topic of sexual abuse which may be uncomfortable for some readers, especially in the graphic novel medium. However, Thompson includes everything for a reason such as his themes of coming of age, religion, education, and familial relationships. He strives to keep his plot as close to his life as possible, because this comic book is an autobiography of his journey into adulthood. His plot so engaging, you will not want to put it down!
5. Tartuffe by Jean-Baptiste Poquelin Molière
One of my favorite plays, Molière’s Tartuffe tells the story of hypocrisy in the church with a witty sense of humor, snappy jokes, and memorable characters. I swear, if it weren’t for the 1600’s language it could be staged in a contemporary 2020 American setting, because the topic is just as relevant today as it was then! I would highly recommend scouting out a good production of it as well, and there are a few full productions on Youtube with surprisingly good quality. Grab some snacks and be prepared to be amused by this hilariously witty play!
6. Narrative of The Life of Frederick Douglass by Frederick Douglass
What drew me to this book was Douglass’ story and its intense need to be heard. If I were able to select the required readings for the literature PEQ’s here at Naz, this book would be the first on the list! I often found myself underlining every single sentence when taking notes for class. Douglass’ book is filled with wisdom and truth that is not only relevant to our past history but also America at the present moment. Though it is often regarded as an old historical text, one will find it difficult not to personally connect at the present moment through themes of perseverance, as they read about the life of Douglass.
7. The Odyssey by Homer (Robert Fagles Edition)
A classic for a reason, this specific edition offers a very easy to understand translation that takes the reader upon the epic journey of Odysseus! While reading this book I highly recommend listening along to the audio book at the same time, to receive a better sense of character interaction. This is narrated by Ian Mckellen and can also easily be accessed on Youtube as well! This book is an epic way to escape into a world of fantastic fantasy and ancient Greek mythology!
8. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
Another favorite canon classic, Jane Eyre can surprisingly relate to any reader, even though it was written in the 1800’s. The reason it stands so well over time? The humanity (and sometimes lack thereof) within the book is what makes it so universally relatable. Everyone, no matter what gender, age, or race can empathize with Jane being bullied, falling in love, and striving to claim her independence. Another coming of age novel, Jane Eyre never fails to entertain the reader as they relate to every fundamental part of her journey and triumphs through life.
9. The Arrival by Shuan Tan
This novel is outstanding for many reasons, one of them being the graphic artist’s depiction of the immigrant story using strictly images. Yes, it is a novel! Yet, there are no words because Tan’s artwork reveals all, and it is the reader’s job to interpret the meaning from images, while having no words to work with. There are occasional foreign looking symbols that show up in the novel; however, this artistic technique is done on purpose to put readers in a world where they are not be able to read the language, much like the immigrants in the story. Now that is some stylistic formatting to appreciate!
10. Bus Stop by William Inge
Saving the best for last, Bus Stop is my favorite play for many reasons, one of which being I played the lead, Cherie, at MCC’s production in the spring of 2018. The image adjacent is my beat up old script with all my notes on it, explaining how to speak in a southern dialect. Bus Stop is a Romantic Comedy that takes place in a cute southern diner in rural Kansas, during a terrible snow storm. Everyone on a traveling bus is forced by the winter weather to stop in Grace’s Diner until the roads clear. Personalities collide, sexual tensions rise, and life lessons are learned among the entire cast of characters!
As I conclude this blog, I want to express gratitude to the entire english department here at Nazareth College for being so supportive. I could not have asked for more passionate professors, who strive to make their students as dedicated and enthusiastic about literature as they are. Reading has always been a form of escape and entertainment for me, as well as a way to understand the world and the harshness of reality at times when I cannot find answers elsewhere. Thank you Nazareth College, and keep on reading!
“Once you learn to read, you will forever be set free.” – Frederick Douglass