- Lord of the Flies by William Golding [Reading Literature Privately]
Lord of the Flies was one of the very first books I read that had literary merit. My dad had given me the book in middle school and while I read it I suddenly found myself introduced to an entirely new type of book. One that was much deeper than what the entertaining novels I had been reading before.
- Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger [Discussing Literature]
This book was the first one I read as part of my high school AP Literature class. What really affected me in this novel was the art in which the language was employed. Things that had previously not been known to me were now explained by my teacher. Things like perspective, symbolism, and the use of passive language in an intentional manner made me see literature as much more of an art form employed by masters in the craft. The English language was introduced to me as something one could play with.
- Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer [Cinematic Literary Experience]
I had read this book my junior year of high school and found extremely fascinating. The film adaptation was also excellent but like almost every film adaptation, it removed a lot of the content that was included in the novel. What this accomplished in doing though was it helped me as the reader appreciate the reasoning behind adding those sections to the book. I was able to see what had been missed by removing them. It helped me appreciate the smaller movements in novels and their real purpose.
- The Poppy War by R. F. Kuang [Sublime Literary Experience]
I had originally picked up this book because of the good reviews I had seen it getting and I was already looking for something new and interesting to discover. This book was not what I expected it to be though. You continue through the novel expecting the main character to overcome the growing conflict she has with rage and win the day, as most novels do, but instead the novel ends instead she gives in to the rage and commits the atrocity of destroying every living person that opposed them in the war. To her this was the only way the war could be won and her people be protected but it raises the question of whether or not it was worth it and did so in such a way to leave me thinking for a long time.
- The Shining by Stephen King [Reading Literature Privately]
I've always been a fan of horror movies so I decided to try out a horror book and see how I would like it. Whatever I was expecting it was not to be actually scared by the book. Somehow, through some literary masterpiece, this book was scaring me. I read it with clammy palms, something I never knew could happen from reading a book.
- Brave New World by Aldous Huxley [Discussing Literature]
This was another book that I had read in my AP Literature class, but unlike the rest of the books, it didn't necessarily contain very developed characters or literature. What made this book so interesting and impactful was that it didn't need that to develop its purpose. The book introduced a concept that was interesting and relevant, and provided compelling arguments both for and against it.
I'm so intrigued by the Poppy War. I wonder why the author went that different route with the character progression?
ReplyDeleteYeah, the Poppy War was what stood out to me too. Wow! It's always so startling when a book doesn't have a happy ending. We always want good to win out... I guess it sometimes doesn't.
ReplyDeleteLord of the Flies was probably one of the first books I read that was deeper than anything I had read before too. I had never felt anything while reading a book like the weird feeling I had reading that one.
ReplyDeleteHorror movies are not my thing. Props to you for actually watching them. Every time I watch one, I find myself looking at a pillow more than the screen.
ReplyDeleteI can definitely relate to feeling terrified while reading a Stephen King book! My dad forced me to read Misery by Stephen King and I was actually scared and looking over my shoulder the whole time, which really surprised me.
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