Recommended Reads...

 

 

Novels 

Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe is a response to Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness. It tells the story of British colonization of the African Congo. Things Fall Apart describes the ruin of Okonkwo when his pride and status are damaged and colonization changes his life and tribe.

 

I'll Give You The Sun is a young adult novel by Jandy Nelson. It follows a set of twins after the death of their mother. This brother and sister lead completely separate lives while they blame each other for their ruined relationship. 

 

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell is a young adult novel of two siblings who take their own paths through college, but their twinship ties them together.

 

Short Stories

 

What We Talk About When We Talk About Love by Ramond Carver is a collection of short stories. Carver has a way of making mundane life seem heavy and full of emotion. 

 

Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri is a Pulitzer Prize winning collection of short stories. Lahiri writes of the lives of immigrants and first-generation Americans exploring life and love and barriers between generations. 

 

Series

 

Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling is one of my all-time favorite series! These novels follow Harry, a wizard brought up by his strict and scared-of-magic aunt and uncle. At the age of 11, Harry discovers his gift and uncovers a world of magic that he is a a part of - good and bad! The series follows Harry's years in school as he struggles with friends, classes, and most of all, dark wizards. 

 

Poetry

 

Love and Other Small Wars by Donna-Marie Riley. This collection is Riley's first publication. Her poetry is revealing and honest in a way that makes everyone realize they are not alone.