Books to read before you book it
May 10, 2017
Père Goriot (Old Goriot) by Honoré de Balzac
Isaac Serna, News Editor
Père Goriot” is an 1835 French novel written by the celebrated novelist and playwright, Honoré de Balzac. Though the novel takes place in 1819 I found young Rastingnac, the protagonist, a relatable character as he struggles to juggle his studies and his hope to rise in society. As Rastingnoc flirts with higher society his life becomes wound with the elderly Goriot, the father of two beautiful daughters of good standing and a mysterious criminal-in-hiding Vautrin. The variety of sharp-witted and endearing characters made Rastingnoc’s pursuit all the more engaging. “Père Goriot” is a fantastic novel that leaves readers to reflect on the motives of their own pursuits and dreams.
Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
Samuel De Leon, News Assistant
“Thinking Fast and Slow” explores two systems of thought. System one includes quick and emotional thinking and System two is slower or more logical thought. Daniel Kahneman explains the human mind in a great read and students can expect to pick up a better understanding of how they view situations and solve problems. I recommend this as a great book for some self-reflection and application into personal relationships.
Collected Short Stories of O. Henry
Justice Lovin, Staff Writer
Short stories are the perfect medium for the busy reader and the impatient reader alike, and O. Henry is a master of the form. He’s a distinctly American writer, with settings ranging from New England cities to nineteenth century San Antonio, but his characters and plots are well written and have been appropriated in any number of new settings and modes. Because of his early role in defining the short story, O. Henry provides a great place to start for anyone looking to engage their mind and become more literate in the process.
White Teeth by Zadie Smith
Ricardo Rodriguez Web Editor
“White Teeth” follows the story of the friendship between Archie Jones and Samad Iqbal through war, love, and religion. Their story touches on race, religion and family and the effects of those things through three different generations.
Why Our Feminism Must Be Intersectional (And 3 Ways to Practice It) by Jarune Uwujaren and Jamie Utt
Helen Stransky Staff Writer
Jarune Uwujaren and Jamie Utt of Everyday Feminism brilliantly break down the core concepts of intersectional feminism and give examples of how people can practice those ideals in their day-to-day lives. They address why white feminism is harmful, explain how to make sure your feminism is inclusive and detail the importance of race in the feminist community. I’d recommend this article to anyone who is interested in feminism or that is unsure of what it means to be an intersectional feminist. See it at:
http://everydayfeminism.com/2015/01/why-our-feminism-must-be-intersectional/.
Self-Reliance by Ralph Waldo Emerson
Jessica Salinas Senior Copy Editor
An 1841 essay written by an American transcendentalist philosopher and essayist. “Self-Reliance” contains the most thorough statement of one of Emerson’s recurrent themes, the need for each individual to avoid conformity and false consistency, and follow their own instincts and ideas. Emerson also touches on themes of individual authority, nonconformity, spirituality and solitude and the community. According to Emerson, truth is within one’s self.
