Summer Reading Suggestions - 2003

Sorted by Title

A list sorted by Author is also available.

Leonard, Elmore. anything Find it in OSCAR: For your summer pulp fiction fix, accept no substitute!
Twain, Mark. Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Find it in OSCAR: This is a book to read more than once; every time you come to it, you see something new, a true "masterpiece" of American literature.
Stone, Irving. The Agony and the Ecstasy Find it in OSCAR: Truly fantastic biography of Michelangelo. forceful, breathless; makes you want to sculpt!
Conrad, Joseph. Almayer's Folly Find it in OSCAR: I was surprised to find out this was Conrad's first book. I expected an awkwardness of a writer refining his skill, but what I found was a captivating, accessible and satisfying story. It has suspense and romance as well as the tragedy that Conrad is known for. I think the young characters and themes make this book far more accessible to a young person than the standard required Conrad novel — Heart of Darkness. Almayer's Folly is an excellent introduction to Conrad's work.
Langewiesche, William. American ground : unbuilding the World Trade Center Find it in LINK+
Rand, Ayn. Anthem Find it in OSCAR: A very short book by Rand. Entertaining and probing. A compelling narrative-form argument against socialistic government, which is increasingly relevant to America's ever-growing state and federal governments.
McEwan, Ian. Atonement: A Novel Find it in OSCAR: A novel of the end of childhood, perception, the writer's craft, and the possibilities for atonement and forgiveness, this novel creates a world full of and fit for meditation. It's a lovely reading experience.
Delfino, Michelangelo & Mary E. Day. Be Careful Who You SLAPP Find it in LINK+: Perfect book about Internet free speech in this time of diminished civil liberties.
Szczypiorski, Andrzej. The beautiful Mrs. Seidenman Find it in LINK+
Goldberg, Myla. Bee Season Find it in LINK+: This is such an interesting book. A young girl, basically ignored by her family, demonstrates an uncanny ability in spelling bees. Her success changes the dynamics of the family in completely unexpected ways. This is a novel of faith, family, obsession and love; it is beautifully written and a joy to read.
Pinker, Steven. The Blank Slate: The Modern Denial of Human Nature Find it in OSCAR: This book integrates all the latest information from psychology and biology about the nature of man and the "nature vs. nurture" debate. It is very well written and full of detailed scientific results. It is also philosophical and casts the findings against the backdrop of theories about man (such as his being a "blank slate" and many other simplifications).
Saramago, Jose. Blindness: a novel Find it in OSCAR: A beautifully written novel by Nobel Prize winner Jose Saramago. Describes what happens to a town when an epidemic of blindness starts to spread. Touches on the topics of maintaining moral values in a chaotic and increasingly violent world. The book can be seen as a metaphor to many situations that occurred and are occurring on Earth. Despite all the hardships, hopelessness, violence and degradation of values, something positive and inspiring can always arise out of it.
Halberstam, David. The Breaks of the game Find it in LINK+: for any basketball fans
Walker, Alice . The Color Purple Find it in OSCAR: The novel explores the relationships between African American men and women. The book illustrates how a strong bond of love and friendship can help one rise from a position of submission to a position of inner strength and power.
McCarthy, Cormac. The Crossing Find it in OSCAR: Great story and interesting writing style. The novel keeps you interested throughout. Second part of the Border Trilogy. All three books are well worth reading. The other two books in the trilogy are All The Pretty Horses and Cities of the Plain.
Allende, Isabel. Daughter of Fortune Find it in OSCAR: This book appeals on a number of levels. It's an adventure story set largely in Gold Rush California. It's a book full of colorful characters of several nationalities. It's a book with very descriptive and lyric prose. Although this is the second book in a trilogy by SCU's 2003 Leader in Residence, it isn't necessary to read the earlier book to enjoy this one.
Vargas Llosa, Mario. Death in the Andes Find it in OSCAR
Hesse, Herman. Demian Find it in OSCAR: bad is good and good is bad
Abbey, Edward. Desert solitaire : a season in the wilderness Find it in OSCAR
Larson, Erik. The devil in the white city : murder, magic, and madness at the fair that changed America Find it in LINK+
Higgins, George V.. The Digger's Game Find it in LINK+: for mystery lovers
Beck, Martha Nibley. Finding Your Own North Star : claiming the life you were meant to live Find it in LINK+
Irving, John. Fourth hand Find it in LINK+
Higgins, George V.. The friends of Eddie Coyle Find it in LINK+: for mystery lovers
Ellenberg, Jordan. The Grasshopper King Find it in LINK+: A funny novel in a genre the author calls "linguistics fiction," parallel to science fiction. Set in a mythical western university, the novel describes, among other things, the protagonist's study of Gravinic, a language with at least 30 cases. There are theoretically 10,000 ways to say, "I kicked the dog." The author is a math professor at Princeton.
Hornby, Nick. High Fidelity Find it in LINK+: Different than the movie - a quick read - perfect on the beach and quite impressive when you can say that's not how it was in the book. Characters remind us of people we know - maybe kind of like ourselves - quirky, vulnerable, and obsessive. Truly human.
Sacher, Louis. Holes Find it in OSCAR: It's a fun book that's easy to read — not like the boring crap we have to read for classes
Saroyan, William. The Human Comedy Find it in OSCAR: It is a simply written story that illustrates why life is not so simple at times. Saroyan is an excellent storyteller.
Roth, Philip. The Human Stain Find it in OSCAR
Lahiri, Jhumpa. Interpreter of Maladies Find it in OSCAR: Book of short stories that won the Pulitzer Prize. Written by a young woman from India who has moved to the USA. Beautiful stories about love, new cultures, and people
Quinn, Daniel. Ishmael Find it in LINK+: This is the most influential book I have ever read. It has given me an entirely new perspective on life and the world. I have recommended it to everyone I know and have applied its ideas and concepts in almost all my classes.
Hemingway, Ernest. Islands in the Stream Find it in OSCAR: I recommend this book with mixed feelings about it being edited and published for the first time after the author's death. I am not sure the book was "meant to be", but I am grateful for it. The writing is elegant in a manner unparalleled, even by Hemingway himself (in more famous novels).
Leech, Gary. Killing Peace: Columbia's Conflict and the Failure of US Intervention Find it in LINK+: Everyone should read this 91-page book! It's super short, ridiculously informative, and so, so, so relevant for all of us here in the states. For example, since Plan Columbia, neither cocaine usage nor availability has declined in the states. How can this be? It's also important for us to know about Coca-Cola-sponsored executions of union leaders...
Greene, Melissa Fay. Last Man Out Find it in LINK+: Excellent read! Excellent author! She writes so that you are there, experiencing the darkness, hope and despair of all the men. A historical account of the 1958 Springhill Mine disaster in Nova Scotia. A real page turner.
Naylor, Clare. Love: A User's Guide Find it in LINK+: She may not be quite as witty as Bridget Jones, but Amy, the book's heroine, is lovable and hilarious in her own right. She loves literature as much as she loves Manolo shoes, which gives her a little added depth and intelligence. It's a perfect title to throw in your beach bag.
Sebold, Alice . The Lovely Bones Find it in LINK+: Although its a pretty easy read it is captivating and creative.
Hiaasen, Carl. Lucky you Find it in LINK+
London, Jack. Martin Eden Find it in OSCAR: This is a great read for those in academia. It's all about the struggle to become educated and the fallacy that the upper class is in fact superior.
Unsworth, Barry. Morality Play Find it in OSCAR: This is a murder mystery set in medieval England, involving a band of itinerant actors and a fallen monk. Unsworth's recreation of medieval theater and village life is very convincing, and the book raises interesting political issues about the church and the place of women in that society. It's also very suspenseful and thus ideal summer fare for the thinking person. The ending is only a little disappointing...
Muir, John. The Mountains of California Find it in OSCAR
Burroughs, William S. Naked Lunch Find it in OSCAR: Because drug addicts are great writers
Mitchel, David. The Number Nine Dream Find it in LINK+: Good stuff
Smith, Alexander McCall. The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency Find it in LINK+: A witty look into the lives of ordinary people who live on the edge of the Kalahari desert in Botswana. Cheating husbands, car thieves, and the haunting case of a lost boy addressed by a clear-eyed and down to earth woman I'd like to meet. This is an Africa you can smell and taste, but not one overwhelmed by the tragedies we usually conjure up at the name.
Kerouac, Jack. On The Road Find it in OSCAR: Its a brilliant book, as well as a book of great importance to the American literary landscape. It's a great story for summer.; This book has been with me on every vacation I've ever been on. Nothing makes me happier when I'm traveling to kick back and read this book. Kerouac has an uncanny ability to really capture the spirit of enjoying the process of getting there as well as the destination. Pick up On The Road this summer and you wont be disappointed.
Kesey, Ken. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest Find it in OSCAR: This is an all-around outstanding book that can be read and re-read on so many levels. There is an intense psychological element paired with a political allegory that pushes this book from start to finish - I think it's a definitely read (or re-read) for any college student.
Zinn, Howard. A People's History of the United States Find it in OSCAR: Even if you think you know the history of the US, this book will enlighten you as to aspects or views that you may not have thought about before. Great book...
Mason, Daniel. The Piano Tuner Find it in LINK+: This is a fascinating and compelling story of devotion, loyalty, and perception set in a quite exotic location - the Shan States of Burma in the late 19th century. It is part adventure story, part love stories, and part treatise on pianos and piano tuning.
Shreve, Anita. The Pilot's Wife Find it in LINK+
Kingsolver, Barbara. The Poisonwood Bible Find it in OSCAR: Set in the hot and humid jungles of Africa, this fascinating tale of a family slowly being torn apart by the pressures of jungle living and the drives of the individual members, this is a summer read that sucks you in from beginning to end.
Goldman, William . The Princess Bride Find it in LINK+: This is an amazing book filled with "sophisticated humor, parody, satire and fairy tale elements." Touted as being the "Good Parts" version of the "Classic Tale of Love and High Adventure" originally written by S. Morgenstern, the clever reader discovers that S. Morgenstern is completely fabricated by William Goldman, whose narration adds humor and insight into the story. The Princess Bride was made into a movie in 1987 and while the movie is wonderful in and of itself, the book offers so much more!! Goldman is a well known Hollywood screenwriter and wrote screenplays for: Heat, Marathon Man, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Dreamcatcher, and The General's Daughter, among many others.
Diamante, Anita. The Red Tent Find it in LINK+: It tells the well-known Old Testament story of Jacob through his wives' eyes. It's a powerful and important book for anyone with an interest in feminist theology.
Rivers, Francine. Redeeming Love Find it in LINK+: I didn't want to put this book down at the end, or to be finished with the characters. A fascinating story of love, hope, and perseverance that can change people. Set in California in the 1800s, an interesting glance at the historical life of this area as well.
Angell, Roger. Season ticket : a baseball companion Find it in LINK+: for baseball fans
Szczypiorski, Andrzej. Shadow Catcher Find it in LINK+
Hiaasen, Carl. Sick puppy Find it in LINK+
Vonnegut, Kurt. The Sirens of Titan Find it in OSCAR: The perfect book to read if you are spending your summer days wondering what the purpose of the human race is. This book is incredibly enjoyable and humorous.
Stephenson, Neal. Snow Crash Find it in OSCAR: This is a good book to read if you're going to take Cyberspace Law w/ Professor Hammond. He refers to it a lot during class and some of his hypos are similar to the one's in the book.
Mishima, Yukio. The Sound of Waves Find it in OSCAR: Romantic story keeps the reader interested and depicts rural Japanese life - a lifestyle not experienced by many today. The story easily attracts those interested in modern romance stories and also those looking for to read about a new culture.
Hesse, Herman. Steppenwolf Find it in OSCAR: This book made such an impact on me when I first read it. I believe that it speaks to the quest many college age students face to find meaning, spiritual understanding, and a sense of individual purpose in their lives. Steppenwolf meant so much to me; I would love to share the experience with others.
Newman, Sharon. Strong as Death Find it in OSCAR: I had to read this for my Western Civ Hist 12 class with Prof French, but don't let this scare you; the book was excellent and I continued the series. If you like a good mystery with history, this is fast and fun plus you learn more about the Pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela and can impress you teacher.
Grisham, John. The Summons Find it in LINK+: Grisham isn't great literature, but he's a "good read." This is his latest novel available in paperback. It's perfect for a long airplane flight or a day at the beach; and, if you're off to the mountains it fits nicely in a backpack.
Penman, Sharon Kay. The Sunne in Splendour Find it in LINK+: This is wonderfully interesting and intellectually invigorating re-imagining of the rise and fall of Richard III, and believe me this is definitely not Shakespeare's Richard III. Penman makes her case for Richard with care, while skillfully recreating the life and times of the era in which he lived. This is a nice, big, fat book that is just perfect for lazy summer afternoons and evenings!
Smiley, Jane. A Thousand Acres Find it in OSCAR
Kundera, Milan. The Unbearable Lightness of Being Find it in OSCAR: Great philosophy/cultural/sensual novel. Compliments almost any philosophy, cultural, sociological, psychological class.
Barrett, Andrea. The voyage of the Narwhal Find it in LINK+
Bryson, Bill. A Walk In the Woods Find it in LINK+: This is a travel book that will make you laugh out loud while you learn a great deal. The author, and his equally out of shape city slicker friend, decide to take on the Appalachian Trail, or at least a tiny part of it, which stretches 2,100 miles from Georgia to Maine. Their misadventures make for an interesting and a choke-on-your-coffee funny story.
Gowdy, Barbara. The White Bone Find it in LINK+: This is the best novel I have read in years. There is nothing like it. Told from the point of view of several family groups of African elephants, it is a serious work of literature that tries to imagine the psychological, political, and spiritual life of another species. It is a fantasy, but it is not a parable starring anthropomorphized animals, a la many folk tales or schlock like Watership Down. Of course there are many aspects of Gowdy's conception of elephant life that reflect human traits and concerns. The story itself revolves around a classic quest tale. The elephants are enough like us that we can empathize with their beliefs and concerns, but they are different enough that we come to appreciate what it might be like to be something other than what we are. This is, as the critics say, a triumph of the imagination, a work of art that is gripping, often funny, poetic, and ultimately extremely sad. Humans play a role in the story, and perhaps it goes without saying that we don't come off very well.
Fitch, Janet. White Oleander Find it in OSCAR: It was much better than the movie. An incredible story about a girl lost in the foster care system. I could barely put it down.
Smith, Zadie. White Teeth Find it in LINK+: Sure, the Masterpiece Theatre presentation has been cute, but the book is fantastic. Satirical but deeply humane, it's about the world we live in now. The writing is wonderful. It's also the funniest book I've read in years.
Vargas Llosa, Mario. Who killed Palomino Molero? Find it in OSCAR
Murakami, Haruki. The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle Find it in OSCAR: A very strange story about a man who loses his cat and his wife. His search to retrieve them moves across a surreal urban landscape and decades of modern Japanese history. Also a moving love story, sort of.
Downer, Lesley. Women of the pleasure quarters : The secret history of the geisha Find it in OSCAR: If you have read Arthur Golden's Memoirs of a Geisha, and like it very much. This one is a perfect book for your summer reading. The book reveals the hidden stories about the geisha's life, how they were trained and how they played important roles in the history of Japan. It also tells the very interesting of the author when entering the world of Geisha in the way that none of any authors have done before. I read Golden's book and Mineko Iwasaki's Geisha: A Life before I read this one, and Downer really answered a lot of questions I had from the contradiction of Golden's and Iwasaki's. In conclusion, do take a break from your text books and read Lesley Downer's Women of the pleasure quarters : The secret history of the geisha.

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