Greetings SHC! We have finally reached our favorite genre, literary fiction. Literary fiction is an array of literature. Instead of grappling onto a particular, predictable plot line like a dystopian novel or romantic comedy would, literary fiction focuses on character development, style, and underlying themes. It is our favorite genre, not only because it encapsulates so many incredible books, but because it allows us to explore life’s deeper questions. Many profound and thought-provoking ideas are conveyed through the numerous character, thematic, and stylistic complexities of a literacy fiction book. Due to the fact that there are so many literary fiction novels we love, this month’s recommendations are going to be short, yet delectably sweet:
Book Recommendations by Simone Cohen & Lily Cardenas:
Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom – Tuesdays with Morrie is for anyone prepared to question death. The moving and deeply emotional story helps readers see how life’s inevitable end influences the way we live. Saying goodbye is not easy for Mitch, yet he endures the agony of watching his professor, Morrie, reach the end of his life while spending his Tuesdays with him. A simple few hour meeting that originates as something so simple and innocent begins to claw at Mitch’s heart more and more until there are no Tuesdays left to spend with Morrie. Brace yourselves for the joy, sadness, and pain of watching a great life come to an end by the time you reach the final pages of this heart-wrenching novel.
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin – For all the book lovers waiting to have their expectations of the everyday love story eclipsed, your gift has arrived. Tomorrow, Tomorrow, and Tomorrow finds a way to show how a friendship that starts so innocently can forever intertwine two souls through infatuation, acceptance, and grief.
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman – I have never read a book that hit me so hard. By illuminating the ever-growing disposition of loneliness, Fredrik Backman reminds us how important it is to live a life full of love, support, and joy. Through immersion into a once lonely world now brimming with life, A Man Called Ove changes your definition of what it means to be alive.
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett – The Vanishing Half is a nostalgic and emotional read. It captures the essence of one of the most fragile relationships on Earth, the bond between two twins. Desiree and Estelle might look different and think that they’re destined for different paths in life, but they’re sisters, so they’ll find their way back together, right? Brit Bennett uses this book to explore how race, trauma, greed, and love can break even the tightest of bonds.
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury – Ray Bradbury thrusts readers into a dystopian void of all forms of literature. Freedom, imagination, creativity, and love disappear with each passing day. When left without books, the world loses its meaning. In regards to censorship and its consequences on the human spirit, Alejandra Taylor ‘25 thought that “the whole idea of Fahrenheit 451 still pertains to today and is an eerie representation of a very possible future.” It is an eye-opening book that gives you a glimpse of what our world could become.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee – To Kill A Mockingbird is one of the most famous books of this genre for good reason. Harper Lee is a master of the simple coming-of-age story that brings you to the roots of human nature. She perfectly encapsulates innocence, kindness, and discovery through Scout the protagonist’s adventures. The stories’ dual perspective of child and adult allows readers to understand the full extent of the story for all its cruelty and kindness. This mastery of literature is a must-read for anyone looking to get into the genre.
Simone and Lily’s Standout Reads:
The Alchemist by Paul Coelho – The Alchemist is a mystical, magical, and quick read that will leave you staring at the page. It follows the adventures of a young boy’s journey across two continents to experience self-discovery. Swept up in the adventure of Santiago, Paul Coelho expertly interweaves lessons and questions that will make you look again at how you want to live your life. This book is an excellent combination of fantasy-like ideas and real-world problems and consequences. Filled with beautiful writing and even more beautiful lessons, this is a must-read.
The Swimmers by Julie Otsuka – Stunningly raw and realistic, The Swimmers is by far one of the most life-changing books I have ever read. Julie Otsuka’s mesmerizingly ethereal writing immerses readers into a whole other universe. Dementia is one of the most difficult and life-altering brain disorders in our world, yet to go into the mind and life of someone experiencing it is almost unheard of. The Swimmer’s unique perspective allows readers to see how the mind’s capacity to hold and create memories affects us. Otsuka showcases how this capacity alters the way in which we see the world, and the quality of our lives, and forces us to confront what life becomes when our minds finally give out.
Teacher Recommendations by Lily Cardenas:
The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner – Recommended by Mr. Barnes, this is the epitome of Faulkner’s writing and by far the most challenging read. However, it is also one of the most rewarding. This coming-of-age story of four siblings brings you into the minds of different members and their unique challenges. Faulkner “attempts to have you place yourself into their shoes, … some you do relate to and others are very different.” The book centralizes on each of the brothers’ relationships with their sister, Caddy. If you are looking for a unique writing style, a twisting narrative, and a challenge, this book is for you.
The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Juantoiz Diaz – Recommended by Ms. Reese, this is the story of a Dominican-American teenage boy who carries a generational curse. Dreaming of love and a “Dominican-American J.R.R Tolkien,” he faces the challenges of life & romance. According to Ms. Reese, this book is a “marriage of history and literature,” perfectly drawing out the realities of the Dominican-American experience. It will “make you laugh and break your heart simultaneously,” so if you are looking for a real and raw roller coaster of emotion, this is your book.
The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride – Recommended by Ms. O’Neill, this is a future classic. The book begins as a mystery but turns into a masterpiece of connections. “[It’s] amazing, musical, and engaging. He creates intelligible characters by showing compassion to all characters and stories, while also analyzing them.” The story takes place in a small neighborhood where Jews and African Americans live together and build a community with unlikely people. This is a book all about community that will break your heart and put it back together.
Happy November everyone! We hope you enjoyed learning about some of our favorite literary fiction books and carve out time to read at least one this month. Our quote this month is one that almost perfectly encapsulates our love of reading.
“Reading is escape, and the opposite of escape; it’s a way to make contact with reality after a day of making things up, and it’s a way of making contact with someone else’s imagination after a day that’s all too real.” – Nora Ephron
