Part I: Inventory of Books I have Read
Fantasy
-Harry Potter Series (1-7) by J.K. Rowling* (Fantasy)
-This Harry Potter series shaped most of the childhood literature I read and my childhood itself. I read this series because my mother read the first book to me and I was instantly captured. I began reading them on my own for the adventure, joy and obscured emotions they brought me. Four new books were being released all the way up until I was 16. It was the first time I really got excited and anxious about a book before. First time I really felt the magic of a book by my own proclivity. First time I fidgeted on the bus and ran home as soon as I got off to lie in bed and read all night. Without Harry Potter I don’t think I would be the person I am today, in a certain sense. While others were focused on the typical, expected activities of a teenager, I was engaged in another world, which fed my imagination and gave me the joy I craved. This series opened up many different explorative paths for me and was always there to fall back on when I needed it. What an adventure.
-The Inheritance Cycle (1-4) by Christopher Paolini (Fantasy)
The Magicians Trilogy (1-3) by Lev Grossman*(Fantasy)
-One of my favorite fantasy books/series hands down. It is exactly what I needed after scouring through books looking for the next Harry Potter. When I began this series I was reading for a fantastical adventure like Harry Potter that would re-familiarize me with the power of reading. Not only is this just as good as Harry Potter, but it is written for adults and has many mature themes. The worlds Grossman created are just as detailed, rich and imaginative as HP, full of twists and revelations. Most reviewers found the main character annoying but I liked him a lot and connected with him. This series was a delight and I am always full of reverence when I read them. The amount of time and research Grossman put into his novels was obvious from the beginning. The scientific approach to a magical system is well crafted and the back story very insightful. What I liked the most was the escape. Many books provide a place for readers to escape reality but I never enjoyed it so much as with this book. I also never loved a twist more in any book. Right when I was wondering how it would end and what could possibly happen next, Grossman hit me with a twist like none other that was not only unforeseen, but fun. I was so happy that it happened.
-The Elemental Assassin Series (1-7) by Jennifer Estep (Adult Fantasy)
-The Dragonprince’s Legacy (1-2) by Aaron Progue (Fantasy)
-The Merchant of Death by D.J. McHale(Fantasy)
-Howl’s Moving Castle by Dianna Wynne Jones(Fantasy)
-Chosen Series (1-4) by Denise Grover Swank(Urban Fantasy)
-The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis (Fantasy/Children’s Lit)
-Where the Darkness Dwells by Glen Krisch(Fantasy)
-A Song of Ice and Fire (1-3) by George R.R. Martin (Fantasy)
-Dragon Stone Saga (1-2) by Kristian Alva(Fantasy)
-The Gentlemen Bastard’s Sequence (1-3) by Scott Lynch*(Fantasy)
-Picked this book up after a recommendation and was not disappointed. Funniest series I have ever read. One of the reasons I liked it so much. When I picked up this series I was reading for a better reviewed and respected fantasy then the previous couple of disappointing novels I read. The witty sarcasm was something I had experienced to an extent before, but it was masterfully included in these novels. I’ll never forget the line, “You couldn’t find shit if your hands were stitched to your asshole.” The characters were everything a young adult like myself could want: sly, clever, ruthless but purposeful. It also has mature themes and adult practices. I liked the fact that there was no magic system and that the main characters were thieves who relied on their cleverness, integrity and friendship to survive. The back story is so plentiful and developed that the characters devious traits were made understandable and acceptable. Best of all was the humor. An adventure is always better with laughing involved. Some movies are labeled romantic comedies or action comedies but this series is a comedic growth/action/thriller/mystery/romance etc. all involved in one.
-The Amulet of Samarkand by Jonathan Stroud (Fantasy)
-The Kingkiller Chronicles (1-2) by Patrick Rothfuss *(Fantasy)
-I sometimes argue with my friends that this series is better than Harry Potter. My reasoning is usually shot down because the third and final installment is not out yet. This series is something else; from the way it is written, to the world itself. When I began this series I was reading for a book to knock me out and sweep me off my feet, a feeling that had literarily eluded me for some time. I have never been so attached to any one character. Especially one that is so good at everything, seeming almost perfect. That is the best part though. The main character, Kvothe, is so exceptional that he creates problems for himself. If somebody says something snide to him, he has a wittier comeback. If somebody torments him, his revenge is better. He acts before he thinks and the conflicts he faces, along with the plot and lively world, make this one of the best tales I have ever read. There is so much left to be revealed, even though so much has been said. The prose of Rothfuss, the self-caused dilemmas, and even better extrications of Kvothe, make this the most anticipated fantasy series since Harry Potter. I loved watching Kvothe succeed at everything and then fail at once because of his stubbornness and naivety. My favorite character ever.
-Mistborn: The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson(Fantasy)
-A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin(Fantasy)
-A Raven’s Shadow Series (1-2) by Anthony Ryan(Fantasy)
-Fantasy Genre-I think that the reoccurring situation in the world that supports fantasy is the oppressing force of reality. Many people looking for an escape into literature find fantasy novels appealing to them because they usually take place in another reality, a world created from the author’s imagination. Things happen that are impossible in the reality we live in. This gives readers something wondrous and inventive to get lost in. Many people find the world we live in harsh, unfair or mundane and find reprieve in the magical worlds created by fantasy authors.
-The substantive and stylistic features of this genre are the mythical, magical, otherworldly elements that make up most of the setting, drive and background of the stories. From dragons to demons, spells to potions, fantasy has all the imagined forces of nature and human creation within its pages. Plots, character development, and prose are all included, but are usually involved in a world with a different structures and inhabitants than our own. Nothing is impossible to write about in the fantasy genre. Fantasy is a non-realistic version of fiction.
-The principle behind fantasy is that there really aren’t any laws or rules needed to be followed by the authors creating the stories. It’s their world; they can make it however they want. Magic, mythical creatures and dark plots have a tendency to make their ways into fantasy novels but even all those novels still have their own standards and diversity. Organizing the genre is hard, but having a supernatural phenomenon that revolves around the plots and themes, is a consistent trait of fantasy novels.
Fiction
-Lorien Series (1-5) + multiple novellas by Pittacus Lore (YA fiction)
-Hunger Games Trilogy (1-3) by Suzanne Collins (YA fiction)
-Tales of a Madman Underground by John Barnes*(YA fiction)
-This story is about a bunch of high school kids labeled as weird, freaks, and losers. When I began this book I was reading for relatable problems in people my age. It reminds me of the breakfast club, except they hold the meetings themselves in front of a counselor. What I liked the most about this book was that even though these kids are weird and have all kinds of flaws, we understand why. Barnes lets us know why each kid is the way they are, how their experiences made them so flawed. They are a bunch of misfits, but I sympathized with all of them because they didn’t really care as long as they had each other. Anyone who has faced judgment from peers can relate to the characters in this book and feel better about themselves. I read this around the time my father died. The main character also loses his well-liked father and has to deal with his incoherent, undutiful mother. This made me appreciate my mother’s strength and perseverance much more.
-Can You Keep a Secret? By Sophie Kinsella (Fiction/Chick lit)
-Tomorrow When the War Began series (1-5) by John Marsden (YA fiction)
--Matilda by Roald Dahl (Fiction/FantasyChildren’s Lit)
-Peter and Wendy by J.M. Barrie(Fiction/FantasyChildren’s Lit)
-To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee*(Fiction)
-Was looking for a new book to read and thought I might as well read this highly regarded classic. I didn’t know what to expect, but I liked the characters and the way the plot was moving. When I began this book I was reading for a different scenario than mythical fantasy novels. I kept predicting things to happen that didn’t and eventually realized that this was a book about racism. I finished the book and was satisfied with the outcome but wasn’t in awe like the many reviewers said they were. It wasn’t until days after when I found myself thinking of this book that I realized the true essence of it. It is a tale of the preconceived notions of racism, the destruction they can demand, and the biased ignorance that veiled the community. The first full book I read about racism and the simplicity of the story through the innocence of a child’s eyes make the act of killing a man because of his race even more monstrous.
-The Treasure of the Sierra Madre by B. Traven(Fiction/Adventure)
-Holes by Louis Sachar(YA fiction)
-The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger(Fiction)
-The Road by Cormac McCarthy(PAfiction)
-The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald(Fiction)
-The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane(Fiction)
-The Godfather by Mario Puzo(Crime fiction)
-The Forgotten Legion Chronicles (1-3) by Ben Kane(Historical Fiction)
-Fiction Genre-Fiction is much like fantasy in my eyes as it contains unreal events happening throughout the course of the novel. Fiction can take place in any reality as long as there are imaginary situations occurring. The existence of this genre is supported by people looking to read about a situation that is possible in the provided setting, real or not. Combined with exceptional literary prowess, fiction is just flat out more interesting than most of the stuff going on around us today. It also has a happy ending and brings joy to people, something that is hard to acquire these days.
-I think the substantive and stylistic features in fiction are the characters. A novel will fall flat every time without the characters, they are what people relate to. Most of the characters are human beings with human traits and personalities, trials and tribulations, both physical and mental. People tend to connect and sympathize with characters that are going through a lot more shit than they are. ‘I have money problems but Jorn’s mother and sister were raped and killed in front of him when he was 12! I’d like to read about him’. There is a sense of comfort in reading about made up events that have logical reasoning for their occurrence.
-Fiction novels are a lot like fictitious movies: things that wouldn’t normally happen to people in real life, but would be an awesome story if they did. That is the principle behind it and why people are so drawn to it. Almost all fiction contains a relating or sub-genre along with it. All the author has to do is make something up that is believable. The setting, theme, background, prose and characters will organize the rest of the story into the genre.
Horror
-Public Enemy Zero by Andrew Mayne*(Horror/Fantasy)
-This was one of the first books in a long time that I stayed up all day and night to read. It was so high paced and veering that every time I wanted to put it down, something dramatic happened and I read on. When I began this book I was reading for a cheap, adventurous novel to satisfy me. I just couldn’t get over the numerous twists and problems the main character faced. He was all alone in the story, I was his only supporter! I was rooting for him the whole time. This is one of those stories that keeps you on the edge of your seat while a one man army battles forces he should have no chance of winning against. I never really read anything like that before and loved the captivating pace and thrill of it all. Felt like I was on some kind of upper.
-Alice in Deadland by Mainak Dhar(Horror/Fantasy)
-The Stand by Stephen King* (horror/fantasy)
-This was the first Stephen King novel I read, and his fame gave me great expectations. When I began this book I was reading for the experience of finally reading my first Stephen King novel, and his best one, also recommended by my mother. I have realized that King has the most thorough, thought-out, and profound characters in any novels I have read. And there are so many characters. I’ve never read a scene before that was so powerful between two characters having a mere argument over something. They’re back stories and experiences gave conviction to an argument that otherwise might have felt forced or dull. The Stand is about the good guys standing up against the much more powerful bad guys. While the ending was satisfactory, it was the characters that made the story. There traits, personalities and motives were so different that together they made a wonderful ensemble in a world where all they had was each other. King also gave us many back stories to the characters on the bad side. Loved the character depth in this book, King not only manipulates the words but also the audience. What I loved the most though, was reading this in the middle of the night and actually feeling frightened and anxious, breathing quickly and getting the goose bumps. And I wasn’t scared for the characters but scared of the characters.
-Salem’s Lot by Stephen King(horror/fantasy)
-Horror Genre-The only horror books I have really read are Steven King novels, but I think they contained enough of the butterflies-in-stomach inducing material for me to grasp the genre a bit. The feeling of fear obtained from a movie or novel, is much different than many other emotions felt throughout. I think humans like the feeling of fear, the intense, blood-pumping pleasure, of course, on the condition that it is not imminent to themselves. ‘Sure, let’s read about the character in the novel and get goose bumps and neck prickles’, much different and enjoyable than realistic fear.
-It is the prose, craft, writing that is a substantive and stylistic feature in horror novels. Dragging out the scene, including all the details, being able to write about silence, and then delivering, are all elements necessary in a horror novel. With truly intimidating characters to back it up, a horror author can have the reader in the palm of his hands using just their prose.
-The principle that organizes this genre is pretty general, fear. People pick up a horror novel so that at some point while reading it, they become frightened. Without the fear there is no basis for the story. Without fearful characters there is nobody to coordinate the fear in the story. Fear should organize the story automatically. If a plot point, character or scene is not scary or essential to a fearful climax, then it has no reason for being in the story.
Thriller
-Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn(Thriller)
-The Firm: A Novel by John Grisham(Thriller)
-Thriller-Thrill is a short-lived human emotion highly sought after and easily obtained in bursts. From rollercoaster’s, skateboarding, movies or novels, humans love thrill rides. The suspense, mystery and high pace are exhilarating, heartwarming and flat out fun. The reoccurrence of this human-derived necessity keeps this genre in existence.
-The substantive and stylistic features of a thriller are the pace. Thrillers are usually non-stop rides of action, suspense and ‘who did it?’ I haven’t read many thrillers but the ones I have, have kept me reading for hours upon hours trying to find the outcome of the situation at hand. The characters are usually against the clock and need to solve a problem or escape one quick. If it features the right pace, than a thriller is always a great, fast read combined with action and suspense.
-The founding idea behind thrillers that always keeps me reading is something strange, abnormal, or unforeseen, happening to the character and them needing to resolve it, with me, quickly taking the characters side thinking, ‘Go, go, found out whatever it is you’re looking for!’ The pace is riveting and it is like routing for the underdog. There are so many forces against the character, how can they ever succeed? It’s like John McClain in Die Hard, we just want to see him defeat those damn Russians and save the day. Why? Because he is the underdog, and who doesn’t like the underdog?
Philosophy
-Apology by Plato* (Philosophy)
-When I began this book was reading for a philosophy paper and found it to be one of the most important pieces of my adulthood. Though philosophy was interesting I wasn’t attuned to it and didn’t pay attention much. This book was different. It is about the trial of Socrates and what he says to the audience. His beliefs, reasoning and introspection on life itself were very intriguing. I learned a lot from this book about philosophical approaches to the bigger picture in life and it made so much sense, the most sense possible at the time. Socrates believed that the inner self was most important and if one fulfilled their potential, they could die a complete being. Living the destiny inside of you (Like Demian!) For me, this correlates with writing because if you don’t apply yourself 100%, you will be disappointed.
-Philosophy Genre-The reason philosophy books are widely read and supported by different kinds of people is because philosophy is the search for the truth, something that everybody can appreciate and make sense of. There are so many philosophical approaches to contrasting theories and arguments that one can easily find something they can relate to. I gripped the central ideas in The Apology and it felt like the truth to me and there is something like this out there for everyone seeking truth.
-The substantive and stylistic features in Philosophy novels are the arguments. It is usually a two-sided argument provided by the one author. When the author promotes a point, and you think ‘Well what about the opposite side?’ The author then proceeds to show you the opposite sides argument against their own and why it is wrong. Every argument and theory is fully mapped to contain the whole idea, conflicting views and all.
-The principle that organizes this genre is the search for truth, because people have different beliefs and can find something to match them with philosophy. People can also be unsure of their beliefs but fulfill and shape them while reading different philosophical pieces.
Part II: Proposal
-We Wish to Inform You That Tomorrow We Will Be Killed With Our Families by Philip Gourevitch (Nonnarrative)
-The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand
-1984 by George Orwell
-Animal Farm by George Orwell
-It by Stephen King
-Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut
-The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
-The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
-The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
-Silent Spring by Rachel Carson (Non-Fiction, Academic Book)
-The Golden Compass: His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman
-The Shining by Stephen King
-Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
-The Broken Empire Series (1-3) by Mark Lawrence
-Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
-Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad
-Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk
-The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
-The Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison
I chose the list of books for many reasons. Some are books I started but never finished. Some were recommended by my mother, which I should take into accord since she is smarter than me. Some just deserve to be read and interrogated, analyzed and comprehended. As a reader, I feel I have neglected myself by not taking advantage of the knowledge they offer. Since many of the books on my list are famous, or considered classics, I felt I should seek the wisdom incorporated in those books so I could experience and learn what many have before me.
I would also like to break away from the fantasy genre more and series in general. I want everything encapsulated into one book, not spread out over a series of books that I have to wait to read. I realized this is important to me after reading To Kill a Mockingbird and Gone Girl, books that aren’t labeled as fantasy. I still want to read fiction, but different kinds. Less wizards and magic, more realistic sensations that have plots interwoven into them with characters of this world, because after all, I live in this world and not a created one. I still have fantasy books on my list, but those are classics that I curse myself for not reading sooner and feel I should read them to wrap up my preference and move on to different genres.
There are also books on my list that I was assigned to read in high school and never did because I was lazy and actually reading the material, instead of Sparknotes-ing it with my friends, was not cool. Slaughterhouse Five, Animal Farm, 1984 and Brave New World are all titles that I have been assigned to read, but ashamedly never did. All considered classics as well. I must eventually read these and no time is better than right now.
None of these titles were not just stolen from a list of ‘Books Everyone Should Read Before They Die!’ The fact that I heard of them means that they are popular enough to be talked about and recommended. For them to be popular they must be well written and contain content worth reading. That alone is enough for me to put them on my list.
“The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug.” -Mark Twain
Fantasy
-Harry Potter Series (1-7) by J.K. Rowling* (Fantasy)
-This Harry Potter series shaped most of the childhood literature I read and my childhood itself. I read this series because my mother read the first book to me and I was instantly captured. I began reading them on my own for the adventure, joy and obscured emotions they brought me. Four new books were being released all the way up until I was 16. It was the first time I really got excited and anxious about a book before. First time I really felt the magic of a book by my own proclivity. First time I fidgeted on the bus and ran home as soon as I got off to lie in bed and read all night. Without Harry Potter I don’t think I would be the person I am today, in a certain sense. While others were focused on the typical, expected activities of a teenager, I was engaged in another world, which fed my imagination and gave me the joy I craved. This series opened up many different explorative paths for me and was always there to fall back on when I needed it. What an adventure.
-The Inheritance Cycle (1-4) by Christopher Paolini (Fantasy)
The Magicians Trilogy (1-3) by Lev Grossman*(Fantasy)
-One of my favorite fantasy books/series hands down. It is exactly what I needed after scouring through books looking for the next Harry Potter. When I began this series I was reading for a fantastical adventure like Harry Potter that would re-familiarize me with the power of reading. Not only is this just as good as Harry Potter, but it is written for adults and has many mature themes. The worlds Grossman created are just as detailed, rich and imaginative as HP, full of twists and revelations. Most reviewers found the main character annoying but I liked him a lot and connected with him. This series was a delight and I am always full of reverence when I read them. The amount of time and research Grossman put into his novels was obvious from the beginning. The scientific approach to a magical system is well crafted and the back story very insightful. What I liked the most was the escape. Many books provide a place for readers to escape reality but I never enjoyed it so much as with this book. I also never loved a twist more in any book. Right when I was wondering how it would end and what could possibly happen next, Grossman hit me with a twist like none other that was not only unforeseen, but fun. I was so happy that it happened.
-The Elemental Assassin Series (1-7) by Jennifer Estep (Adult Fantasy)
-The Dragonprince’s Legacy (1-2) by Aaron Progue (Fantasy)
-The Merchant of Death by D.J. McHale(Fantasy)
-Howl’s Moving Castle by Dianna Wynne Jones(Fantasy)
-Chosen Series (1-4) by Denise Grover Swank(Urban Fantasy)
-The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis (Fantasy/Children’s Lit)
-Where the Darkness Dwells by Glen Krisch(Fantasy)
-A Song of Ice and Fire (1-3) by George R.R. Martin (Fantasy)
-Dragon Stone Saga (1-2) by Kristian Alva(Fantasy)
-The Gentlemen Bastard’s Sequence (1-3) by Scott Lynch*(Fantasy)
-Picked this book up after a recommendation and was not disappointed. Funniest series I have ever read. One of the reasons I liked it so much. When I picked up this series I was reading for a better reviewed and respected fantasy then the previous couple of disappointing novels I read. The witty sarcasm was something I had experienced to an extent before, but it was masterfully included in these novels. I’ll never forget the line, “You couldn’t find shit if your hands were stitched to your asshole.” The characters were everything a young adult like myself could want: sly, clever, ruthless but purposeful. It also has mature themes and adult practices. I liked the fact that there was no magic system and that the main characters were thieves who relied on their cleverness, integrity and friendship to survive. The back story is so plentiful and developed that the characters devious traits were made understandable and acceptable. Best of all was the humor. An adventure is always better with laughing involved. Some movies are labeled romantic comedies or action comedies but this series is a comedic growth/action/thriller/mystery/romance etc. all involved in one.
-The Amulet of Samarkand by Jonathan Stroud (Fantasy)
-The Kingkiller Chronicles (1-2) by Patrick Rothfuss *(Fantasy)
-I sometimes argue with my friends that this series is better than Harry Potter. My reasoning is usually shot down because the third and final installment is not out yet. This series is something else; from the way it is written, to the world itself. When I began this series I was reading for a book to knock me out and sweep me off my feet, a feeling that had literarily eluded me for some time. I have never been so attached to any one character. Especially one that is so good at everything, seeming almost perfect. That is the best part though. The main character, Kvothe, is so exceptional that he creates problems for himself. If somebody says something snide to him, he has a wittier comeback. If somebody torments him, his revenge is better. He acts before he thinks and the conflicts he faces, along with the plot and lively world, make this one of the best tales I have ever read. There is so much left to be revealed, even though so much has been said. The prose of Rothfuss, the self-caused dilemmas, and even better extrications of Kvothe, make this the most anticipated fantasy series since Harry Potter. I loved watching Kvothe succeed at everything and then fail at once because of his stubbornness and naivety. My favorite character ever.
-Mistborn: The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson(Fantasy)
-A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin(Fantasy)
-A Raven’s Shadow Series (1-2) by Anthony Ryan(Fantasy)
-Fantasy Genre-I think that the reoccurring situation in the world that supports fantasy is the oppressing force of reality. Many people looking for an escape into literature find fantasy novels appealing to them because they usually take place in another reality, a world created from the author’s imagination. Things happen that are impossible in the reality we live in. This gives readers something wondrous and inventive to get lost in. Many people find the world we live in harsh, unfair or mundane and find reprieve in the magical worlds created by fantasy authors.
-The substantive and stylistic features of this genre are the mythical, magical, otherworldly elements that make up most of the setting, drive and background of the stories. From dragons to demons, spells to potions, fantasy has all the imagined forces of nature and human creation within its pages. Plots, character development, and prose are all included, but are usually involved in a world with a different structures and inhabitants than our own. Nothing is impossible to write about in the fantasy genre. Fantasy is a non-realistic version of fiction.
-The principle behind fantasy is that there really aren’t any laws or rules needed to be followed by the authors creating the stories. It’s their world; they can make it however they want. Magic, mythical creatures and dark plots have a tendency to make their ways into fantasy novels but even all those novels still have their own standards and diversity. Organizing the genre is hard, but having a supernatural phenomenon that revolves around the plots and themes, is a consistent trait of fantasy novels.
Fiction
-Lorien Series (1-5) + multiple novellas by Pittacus Lore (YA fiction)
-Hunger Games Trilogy (1-3) by Suzanne Collins (YA fiction)
-Tales of a Madman Underground by John Barnes*(YA fiction)
-This story is about a bunch of high school kids labeled as weird, freaks, and losers. When I began this book I was reading for relatable problems in people my age. It reminds me of the breakfast club, except they hold the meetings themselves in front of a counselor. What I liked the most about this book was that even though these kids are weird and have all kinds of flaws, we understand why. Barnes lets us know why each kid is the way they are, how their experiences made them so flawed. They are a bunch of misfits, but I sympathized with all of them because they didn’t really care as long as they had each other. Anyone who has faced judgment from peers can relate to the characters in this book and feel better about themselves. I read this around the time my father died. The main character also loses his well-liked father and has to deal with his incoherent, undutiful mother. This made me appreciate my mother’s strength and perseverance much more.
-Can You Keep a Secret? By Sophie Kinsella (Fiction/Chick lit)
-Tomorrow When the War Began series (1-5) by John Marsden (YA fiction)
--Matilda by Roald Dahl (Fiction/FantasyChildren’s Lit)
-Peter and Wendy by J.M. Barrie(Fiction/FantasyChildren’s Lit)
-To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee*(Fiction)
-Was looking for a new book to read and thought I might as well read this highly regarded classic. I didn’t know what to expect, but I liked the characters and the way the plot was moving. When I began this book I was reading for a different scenario than mythical fantasy novels. I kept predicting things to happen that didn’t and eventually realized that this was a book about racism. I finished the book and was satisfied with the outcome but wasn’t in awe like the many reviewers said they were. It wasn’t until days after when I found myself thinking of this book that I realized the true essence of it. It is a tale of the preconceived notions of racism, the destruction they can demand, and the biased ignorance that veiled the community. The first full book I read about racism and the simplicity of the story through the innocence of a child’s eyes make the act of killing a man because of his race even more monstrous.
-The Treasure of the Sierra Madre by B. Traven(Fiction/Adventure)
-Holes by Louis Sachar(YA fiction)
-The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger(Fiction)
-The Road by Cormac McCarthy(PAfiction)
-The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald(Fiction)
-The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane(Fiction)
-The Godfather by Mario Puzo(Crime fiction)
-The Forgotten Legion Chronicles (1-3) by Ben Kane(Historical Fiction)
-Fiction Genre-Fiction is much like fantasy in my eyes as it contains unreal events happening throughout the course of the novel. Fiction can take place in any reality as long as there are imaginary situations occurring. The existence of this genre is supported by people looking to read about a situation that is possible in the provided setting, real or not. Combined with exceptional literary prowess, fiction is just flat out more interesting than most of the stuff going on around us today. It also has a happy ending and brings joy to people, something that is hard to acquire these days.
-I think the substantive and stylistic features in fiction are the characters. A novel will fall flat every time without the characters, they are what people relate to. Most of the characters are human beings with human traits and personalities, trials and tribulations, both physical and mental. People tend to connect and sympathize with characters that are going through a lot more shit than they are. ‘I have money problems but Jorn’s mother and sister were raped and killed in front of him when he was 12! I’d like to read about him’. There is a sense of comfort in reading about made up events that have logical reasoning for their occurrence.
-Fiction novels are a lot like fictitious movies: things that wouldn’t normally happen to people in real life, but would be an awesome story if they did. That is the principle behind it and why people are so drawn to it. Almost all fiction contains a relating or sub-genre along with it. All the author has to do is make something up that is believable. The setting, theme, background, prose and characters will organize the rest of the story into the genre.
Horror
-Public Enemy Zero by Andrew Mayne*(Horror/Fantasy)
-This was one of the first books in a long time that I stayed up all day and night to read. It was so high paced and veering that every time I wanted to put it down, something dramatic happened and I read on. When I began this book I was reading for a cheap, adventurous novel to satisfy me. I just couldn’t get over the numerous twists and problems the main character faced. He was all alone in the story, I was his only supporter! I was rooting for him the whole time. This is one of those stories that keeps you on the edge of your seat while a one man army battles forces he should have no chance of winning against. I never really read anything like that before and loved the captivating pace and thrill of it all. Felt like I was on some kind of upper.
-Alice in Deadland by Mainak Dhar(Horror/Fantasy)
-The Stand by Stephen King* (horror/fantasy)
-This was the first Stephen King novel I read, and his fame gave me great expectations. When I began this book I was reading for the experience of finally reading my first Stephen King novel, and his best one, also recommended by my mother. I have realized that King has the most thorough, thought-out, and profound characters in any novels I have read. And there are so many characters. I’ve never read a scene before that was so powerful between two characters having a mere argument over something. They’re back stories and experiences gave conviction to an argument that otherwise might have felt forced or dull. The Stand is about the good guys standing up against the much more powerful bad guys. While the ending was satisfactory, it was the characters that made the story. There traits, personalities and motives were so different that together they made a wonderful ensemble in a world where all they had was each other. King also gave us many back stories to the characters on the bad side. Loved the character depth in this book, King not only manipulates the words but also the audience. What I loved the most though, was reading this in the middle of the night and actually feeling frightened and anxious, breathing quickly and getting the goose bumps. And I wasn’t scared for the characters but scared of the characters.
-Salem’s Lot by Stephen King(horror/fantasy)
-Horror Genre-The only horror books I have really read are Steven King novels, but I think they contained enough of the butterflies-in-stomach inducing material for me to grasp the genre a bit. The feeling of fear obtained from a movie or novel, is much different than many other emotions felt throughout. I think humans like the feeling of fear, the intense, blood-pumping pleasure, of course, on the condition that it is not imminent to themselves. ‘Sure, let’s read about the character in the novel and get goose bumps and neck prickles’, much different and enjoyable than realistic fear.
-It is the prose, craft, writing that is a substantive and stylistic feature in horror novels. Dragging out the scene, including all the details, being able to write about silence, and then delivering, are all elements necessary in a horror novel. With truly intimidating characters to back it up, a horror author can have the reader in the palm of his hands using just their prose.
-The principle that organizes this genre is pretty general, fear. People pick up a horror novel so that at some point while reading it, they become frightened. Without the fear there is no basis for the story. Without fearful characters there is nobody to coordinate the fear in the story. Fear should organize the story automatically. If a plot point, character or scene is not scary or essential to a fearful climax, then it has no reason for being in the story.
Thriller
-Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn(Thriller)
-The Firm: A Novel by John Grisham(Thriller)
-Thriller-Thrill is a short-lived human emotion highly sought after and easily obtained in bursts. From rollercoaster’s, skateboarding, movies or novels, humans love thrill rides. The suspense, mystery and high pace are exhilarating, heartwarming and flat out fun. The reoccurrence of this human-derived necessity keeps this genre in existence.
-The substantive and stylistic features of a thriller are the pace. Thrillers are usually non-stop rides of action, suspense and ‘who did it?’ I haven’t read many thrillers but the ones I have, have kept me reading for hours upon hours trying to find the outcome of the situation at hand. The characters are usually against the clock and need to solve a problem or escape one quick. If it features the right pace, than a thriller is always a great, fast read combined with action and suspense.
-The founding idea behind thrillers that always keeps me reading is something strange, abnormal, or unforeseen, happening to the character and them needing to resolve it, with me, quickly taking the characters side thinking, ‘Go, go, found out whatever it is you’re looking for!’ The pace is riveting and it is like routing for the underdog. There are so many forces against the character, how can they ever succeed? It’s like John McClain in Die Hard, we just want to see him defeat those damn Russians and save the day. Why? Because he is the underdog, and who doesn’t like the underdog?
Philosophy
-Apology by Plato* (Philosophy)
-When I began this book was reading for a philosophy paper and found it to be one of the most important pieces of my adulthood. Though philosophy was interesting I wasn’t attuned to it and didn’t pay attention much. This book was different. It is about the trial of Socrates and what he says to the audience. His beliefs, reasoning and introspection on life itself were very intriguing. I learned a lot from this book about philosophical approaches to the bigger picture in life and it made so much sense, the most sense possible at the time. Socrates believed that the inner self was most important and if one fulfilled their potential, they could die a complete being. Living the destiny inside of you (Like Demian!) For me, this correlates with writing because if you don’t apply yourself 100%, you will be disappointed.
-Philosophy Genre-The reason philosophy books are widely read and supported by different kinds of people is because philosophy is the search for the truth, something that everybody can appreciate and make sense of. There are so many philosophical approaches to contrasting theories and arguments that one can easily find something they can relate to. I gripped the central ideas in The Apology and it felt like the truth to me and there is something like this out there for everyone seeking truth.
-The substantive and stylistic features in Philosophy novels are the arguments. It is usually a two-sided argument provided by the one author. When the author promotes a point, and you think ‘Well what about the opposite side?’ The author then proceeds to show you the opposite sides argument against their own and why it is wrong. Every argument and theory is fully mapped to contain the whole idea, conflicting views and all.
-The principle that organizes this genre is the search for truth, because people have different beliefs and can find something to match them with philosophy. People can also be unsure of their beliefs but fulfill and shape them while reading different philosophical pieces.
Part II: Proposal
-We Wish to Inform You That Tomorrow We Will Be Killed With Our Families by Philip Gourevitch (Nonnarrative)
-The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand
-1984 by George Orwell
-Animal Farm by George Orwell
-It by Stephen King
-Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut
-The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
-The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
-The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
-Silent Spring by Rachel Carson (Non-Fiction, Academic Book)
-The Golden Compass: His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman
-The Shining by Stephen King
-Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
-The Broken Empire Series (1-3) by Mark Lawrence
-Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
-Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad
-Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk
-The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
-The Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison
I chose the list of books for many reasons. Some are books I started but never finished. Some were recommended by my mother, which I should take into accord since she is smarter than me. Some just deserve to be read and interrogated, analyzed and comprehended. As a reader, I feel I have neglected myself by not taking advantage of the knowledge they offer. Since many of the books on my list are famous, or considered classics, I felt I should seek the wisdom incorporated in those books so I could experience and learn what many have before me.
I would also like to break away from the fantasy genre more and series in general. I want everything encapsulated into one book, not spread out over a series of books that I have to wait to read. I realized this is important to me after reading To Kill a Mockingbird and Gone Girl, books that aren’t labeled as fantasy. I still want to read fiction, but different kinds. Less wizards and magic, more realistic sensations that have plots interwoven into them with characters of this world, because after all, I live in this world and not a created one. I still have fantasy books on my list, but those are classics that I curse myself for not reading sooner and feel I should read them to wrap up my preference and move on to different genres.
There are also books on my list that I was assigned to read in high school and never did because I was lazy and actually reading the material, instead of Sparknotes-ing it with my friends, was not cool. Slaughterhouse Five, Animal Farm, 1984 and Brave New World are all titles that I have been assigned to read, but ashamedly never did. All considered classics as well. I must eventually read these and no time is better than right now.
None of these titles were not just stolen from a list of ‘Books Everyone Should Read Before They Die!’ The fact that I heard of them means that they are popular enough to be talked about and recommended. For them to be popular they must be well written and contain content worth reading. That alone is enough for me to put them on my list.
“The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug.” -Mark Twain