The end of the school year is nearly here!
For most, summer promises a break from academic commitments and the opportunity to relax – and read! Reading for pleasure is a great way to spend a summer day. I plan to read many books I’ve been wanting to read but haven’t gotten around to this school year.
Because some people may not have ideas for what to read next, I interviewed four MSJ professors for recommendations and compiled their responses. Whether you are looking for a new book or are just open to suggestions, this list of summer reading ideas is for you!
Dr. Elizabeth Mason: Long Island Compromise
One of the favorite books Dr. Mason read recently, “Long Island Compromise” shows the rise and fall of a wealthy New York family. The novel was written by Taffy Brodesser-Ackner and released July of last year. For students who’ve taken Dollars & Sense with Dr. Mason, some of the themes of the book will be familiar, including considerations of money, power, materialism, hard work, and a meaningful life. The novel is interesting and scandalous, and Dr. Mason described it as “Bret Easton Ellis meets ‘Succession’.” For any readers interested in a new, shocking, exciting read, “Long Island Compromise” is a great read.
(To anyone in the Mount community who reads this book, please find Dr. Mason – she’d love to talk about it!)
Dr. Chris Davidson: A Confederacy of Dunces and The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentlemen
Dr. Davidson recommended two titles which are lighthearted and fun; both are fiction. The first is “A Confederacy of Dunces” by John Kennedy Toole. It’s a fun story about a misfit, and fraught with madcap humor. Next is “The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentlemen” by Laurence Sterne, a charming, circuitous journey with a witty narrator directly engaging the readers. The book is lengthy, but you don’t actually have to finish the entire thing to be entertained; Tristram Shandy is a series of humorous vignettes, not told in sequential order. The book begins with the narrator promising to tell the story of his birth but proceeds to offer other anecdotes, ultimately sharing the tale of his birth at the very end of the text. These two novels are enjoyable and light, perfect for enjoying this summer.
Dr. Buffy Barkley: Dandelion Wine
Dr. Barkley recommends “Dandelion Wine” by Ray Bradbury, a book which has had an enduring impact on her despite having last read it a long while ago. ”Dandelion Wine” is a collection of stories which are all interconnected. The narrator is a young boy in a small town, and this character provides the common thread that unites the various stories in the text; this boy likely stands in for Bradbury’s own experiences growing up in a small town. Through these short stories, Bradbury accurately grasps the life and charm of life in a small town. The novel is lighthearted overall and offers a compelling escape through fiction. In it, Bradbury delves into different genres, infusing elements of science fiction and fantasy. “Dandelion Wine” is great for summer, a satisfying, lighter novel that can hold your attention.
Dr. Drew Shannon: City on Fire and Imajica
Dr. Shannon offered two titles–both lengthy, but valuable. The first is “City on Fire” by Garth Risk Hallberg. It is a 900+ page book set in New York City in the 1970s. The novel incorporates a number of notable events from that period, including the punk music scene, the summer of Sam serial killings, and the blackout of 1977. “City on Fire” involves a murder, making it an exciting read. The book is easy to get immersed in, for those willing to take on a longer text. The second novel is Clive Barker’s “Imajica.” It is an epic, dark fantasy book. Barker is also a horror writer, reflected in the violence in the text. The violence and other content make this a distinctly adult book. In “Imajica,” Earth is in one of five “dominions” and is the only one separate from the others. All the attempts at magic in Earth’s history (including witches, wizards, etc.) were attempts to try to “reconcile” Earth with the other four dominions. While some characters are vying to achieve this, others work to suppress this attempt. The beginning paragraph of the very first chapter is an excellent, engaging glimpse at what the rest of the book holds.
Hopefully this list has whetted your appetite for reading this summer and provided a few suggestions for those wondering what to read next. Happy summer! Happy reading!