To Spread Season's Greetings with Suggested Readings?

With the holiday season quickly approaching, what better gift to ask for as English majors than more books? Students and professors alike will finally have time over the winter recess to delve into the fresh pages of new novels, and I personally could not think of a better way to spend my free time this winter. Whether it is furthering the educational reads we have grown to love this semester (I plan on reading as many Shakespearean plays as I can get my hands on) or picking up all of the 2009 New York Times Bestsellers, you can bet thousands of pages will be read during this ‘most wonderful time of the year.’

As lovers of literature, a few things I would like to see our organization participate more in are book exchanges, suggestions and passes. I am sure many of you avid readers out there have already started a shopping list of novels for this year, I know I certainly have. That being said, why not share our suggestions for this winter’s ‘hot reads?’ There is no better literary resource than a society of English majors for finding the latest and greatest books, or for being reminded of some of the all-time classics. It might even be fun to see which authors our peers and professors have been grappling with! Plus, you never know what sort of inspiring work of art you might come across in hearing other suggestions.

I’ll go out on a limb and start us off with some of the novels I plan to read in the upcoming months. I will also include some of my favorite reads from this past semester. After all, what better way to spread the holiday cheer than to give others the opportunity to escape into a fantastic novel?

This semester I read (and would like to suggest):

Love is the Higher Law by David Levithan- A young adult novel that begins on September 11, 2001, and follows the lives of three teens- Claire, Jasper and Peter as they cope with the horrific events of that day. Despite the heavy topic, the novel is primarily about finding hope and love in a world far removed from these emotions.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare- You can never ever go wrong with Shakespeare. I have also recently encountered a number of Shakespearean plays turned graphic novels, which may be very interesting reads as well!

Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver- A multivoiced narrative chronicling three interwoven stories of humans and their relationship to the natural world (specifically Zebulon Valley in Southern Appalachia). If you are at all interested in the notions of ecocriticism, this is a must-read for you.

The Misfits by James Howe- This is the ultimate must read for future teachers of young adult literature. It follows the life of four middle school outcasts and they struggle to fit in- something I’m sure we can all remember doing not too long ago... I created a ‘book trailer’ (similar to a movie trailer, but for books!) that will soon be available via youtube, if you’re interested.

Over break I hope to read:

Twelfth Night-William Shakespeare

Boy Meets Boy- David Levithan

Blankets-Craig Thompson (A Graphic Novel)

I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell- Tucker Max (I’d like to see for myself what all the controversy on campus is about Tucker Max)

How to Read Literature Like a Professor- Thomas C. Foster (Times Bestseller)

Columbine- Dave Cullen

I Shudder: And Other Reactions to Life, Death and New Jersey- Paul Rudnick

There are just a few of my suggestions and intended reads. I am hoping for a large number of contributions from you, fellow members of Sigma Tau Delta. Happy Readings and Season's Greetings!

- Matt Persico