Spectacular Novels that I have read for my English Classes

Spectacular Novels that I have read for my English Classes

Hey everyone! Isn’t this wonderful weather that Chicago is having the perfect excuse to sit outside and read a book?? Oh yes it is! Because of classes, I do not have a ton of extra time to read for pleasure, but because of my English major, I do get the chance to read a lot of novels, most of which I have liked! I thought I would share some of my favorites and you can put them on your spring/summer reading list!

  1. Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston – This story narrates the life of Janie, an African-American woman who is searching for something bigger and better than what she currently has. She is seeking love. In the novel, you follow the heartbreaking story of her search and discovery of love. Beautifully written in African-American native dialect, this story is a must read!
  2. Native Son by Richard Wright – Another African-American novel, this story focuses on the life of Bigger Thomas, an African-American boy living in Chicago in the 1930s. He kills a white woman and the novel moves from the incident, to his hiding from the law, and then his capture by the law. The novel demonstrates the struggles of African Americans, the idea of Communism, and the discovery of the self. Bigger embraces the animalistic nature that he is thought to be associated with and runs with it.
  3. Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen – Who does not love Jane Austen? Being her first novel, the reader is enveloped into the life of Catherine. While pining away after Henry, she is invited to visit their house, Northanger Abbey. Here, Catherine, obsessed with gothic novels, finds herself trying to develop one at the Abbey. The reader is able to see the mature growth of Catherine as the novel continues.
  4. Breathe, Eyes, Memory by Edwidge Danticat – This story revolves around Sophie, a Haitian woman, who tries to build connections based on love. She goes on a journey to love her mother, her husband, her family, and her child. With a terrifying past filled with rape and abandonment, Sophie seeks the understanding of what can be endured and what can be forgiven.
  5. The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison – The story of Pecola, a little African-American girl living after the Great Depression, told from the eyes of other people. This novel deals with class-shaming racism, or racism within the African-American community. Pecola is longing for the blue eyes of a white child, because she has internalized the white beauty standard and feels ashamed of her own dark skin. Though dark and deeply disturbing, this novel presents the reader with a deeper understanding of the color caste system.

These are older books, but interesting reads! All had to be read for some of my English classes that dealt on the topics of shame, identity, and femininity. None of these are particularly light reads, but interesting reads for discussion with others. You can look up better summaries online, because my summaries really did not do the books justice!

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