Keep coming back each month to find something new to read. It won't always be a novel. Look for plays, poems, short stories and more!
May: The Things They Carried
In time for Memorial Day, here is a collection of linked short stories about the Vietnam War. If you wanted a clear picture of what happened in Vietnam and what happened in the the minds of the soldiers that fought there, this is the book for you.
Take time to read the entire book, or just read a few of the stories. Either way, you have an experience ahead for you.
If you end up liking the linked short story style, you can also try James A. Michener's Tales of the South Pacific.
In time for Memorial Day, here is a collection of linked short stories about the Vietnam War. If you wanted a clear picture of what happened in Vietnam and what happened in the the minds of the soldiers that fought there, this is the book for you.
Take time to read the entire book, or just read a few of the stories. Either way, you have an experience ahead for you.
If you end up liking the linked short story style, you can also try James A. Michener's Tales of the South Pacific.
April: The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. LeGuin
What does this science fiction book have to do with Oregon? It's author, Ursula K. LeGuin is an Oregonian (she just recently passed away). If you have never read this seminal science fiction novel, you should.
It won both the Hugo Award (determined by SF fans) and the Nebula Award (given by the Science Fiction Writers of America). The science-fiction and fantasy magazine Locus ranked it as number two on their list of All-Time Best SF Novels. It has also been seen as an important piece of literature dealing with feminism.
If you read it, find you like, then you are in luck. LeGuin wrote many novels and short stories that take place in what is known as her Hainish Cycle. In short, you can keep reading, and keep enjoying the words of a well-respected Oregon author.
What does this science fiction book have to do with Oregon? It's author, Ursula K. LeGuin is an Oregonian (she just recently passed away). If you have never read this seminal science fiction novel, you should.
It won both the Hugo Award (determined by SF fans) and the Nebula Award (given by the Science Fiction Writers of America). The science-fiction and fantasy magazine Locus ranked it as number two on their list of All-Time Best SF Novels. It has also been seen as an important piece of literature dealing with feminism.
If you read it, find you like, then you are in luck. LeGuin wrote many novels and short stories that take place in what is known as her Hainish Cycle. In short, you can keep reading, and keep enjoying the words of a well-respected Oregon author.
March: 1916 by Morgan Llywelyn
Llywelyn has written four novels that help to sum up Ireland in the 20th century, and this was the first. Yes, it is historical fiction, but the level in reality brings the characters directly in tune with the events that led to the Easter Uprising of 1916.
In the midst of World War I, a section of Ireland decides it is time to declare its independence from the United Kingdom. What's interesting is that many of the movers and shakers of this rebellion were poets and teachers. Shows you how tough we can be when needed.
It is not a small book, nor is it a fast read. What you do get, though, is a detailed look into a group of people standing up for their rights and freedom. The Irish weren't successful with this uprising, but it paved the way for the success they had further down the road, which can be read about in Llywelyn's next book in the series 1921.
Llywelyn has written four novels that help to sum up Ireland in the 20th century, and this was the first. Yes, it is historical fiction, but the level in reality brings the characters directly in tune with the events that led to the Easter Uprising of 1916.
In the midst of World War I, a section of Ireland decides it is time to declare its independence from the United Kingdom. What's interesting is that many of the movers and shakers of this rebellion were poets and teachers. Shows you how tough we can be when needed.
It is not a small book, nor is it a fast read. What you do get, though, is a detailed look into a group of people standing up for their rights and freedom. The Irish weren't successful with this uprising, but it paved the way for the success they had further down the road, which can be read about in Llywelyn's next book in the series 1921.
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February: The Alienist by Caleb Carr
Some of you might know of this title from the popular TNT series that began airing a year ago (the second season is coming soon, I hear). What you should be doing is picking up a copy of this mystery that takes place during the Gilded Age. If you are interested in lifelike crime and/or forensics this is a book that gives plenty of both. You get the crimes and the detection. You get a look at early pioneers (albeit fictional) of forensic techniques that are still used today. Once you work through this novel, you can read the others put out by Caleb Carr (there aren't too many), but each has it's own merit--even his novel that delves into science fiction. He even takes on the legend of Sherlock Holmes in The Italian Secretary. Enjoy the reading. |
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January: Weird Oregon by Al Eufrasio & Jeff Davis
So, not everything I will offer you on these recommendations will be deep, thought-provoking literature. Sometimes, like this month, it is simply something to educate and/or entertain. Weird Oregon covers both of those items.
This book, which can be found in our school library, puts together a wonderful collection of local legends, unexplained phenomena, roadside oddities, beasts from our state, haunted places and more.
If you simply want to learn about some of the weirdness that makes up Oregon, then this is the book for you. You can read it straight through, or you can pick and choose depending on your interests. And, if you feel inspired to go further, you could move on to Weird Washington or even Weird U.S. Enjoy getting your weird on.
So, not everything I will offer you on these recommendations will be deep, thought-provoking literature. Sometimes, like this month, it is simply something to educate and/or entertain. Weird Oregon covers both of those items.
This book, which can be found in our school library, puts together a wonderful collection of local legends, unexplained phenomena, roadside oddities, beasts from our state, haunted places and more.
If you simply want to learn about some of the weirdness that makes up Oregon, then this is the book for you. You can read it straight through, or you can pick and choose depending on your interests. And, if you feel inspired to go further, you could move on to Weird Washington or even Weird U.S. Enjoy getting your weird on.
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December: "The Wreck of the Golden Mary" by Charles Dickens
During the holiday season, Charles Dickens is usually remembered for his Ebenezer Scrooge starring A Christmas Carol. What many of today’s audiences don’t realise is that Dickens made sure he had a least one Christmas story published during the season for years. Many of those stories were ghost stories (just like A Christmas Carol), some focused on the season, and some seemed to simply focus on life. Dickens story from 1856, “The Wreck of the Golden Mary” was one of those stories that centred on life. Well, okay, it also focused on a ship that sinks at sea. A ship that sinks in nearly the same way the Titanic did more than sixty years later. A very poignant story, I recommend you work through the twenty-six page story. It can be read here. |
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November: Relic by Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child
Looking for a little post-Halloween thrill? Looking for something that contains a hint of real life and a hint of the supernatural? Looking for a book that could be a gateway into a whole series? Then Relic is for you.
Something is terrorising a New York museum, and the dead bodies keep piling up. Is it a man? A wild animal? Or something supernatural? Join police lieutenant D’Agosta and FBI Special Agent Pendgergast as they try to figure out the mystery, before it’s too late.
The book inspired the film of the same name—sure, you can watch the movie, but it’s not as good as the book. The book is also the first to feature Agent Pendergast (the authors now have seventeen books that feature the character).
So, pull up a good book, have a cup of tea, and read long into the night…though, if you let yourself get sucked in to the book, you may want to keep all the lights on.
Looking for a little post-Halloween thrill? Looking for something that contains a hint of real life and a hint of the supernatural? Looking for a book that could be a gateway into a whole series? Then Relic is for you.
Something is terrorising a New York museum, and the dead bodies keep piling up. Is it a man? A wild animal? Or something supernatural? Join police lieutenant D’Agosta and FBI Special Agent Pendgergast as they try to figure out the mystery, before it’s too late.
The book inspired the film of the same name—sure, you can watch the movie, but it’s not as good as the book. The book is also the first to feature Agent Pendergast (the authors now have seventeen books that feature the character).
So, pull up a good book, have a cup of tea, and read long into the night…though, if you let yourself get sucked in to the book, you may want to keep all the lights on.
October: The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson
If you thought you had issues, you need to take a look at Dr. Jekyll. This man is so messed up that his inner evil rises to the surface and becomes Mr. Hyde.
You may know the idea of the story, but now is the time to read this novella. Stevenson’s tale delves into the world of horror and psychology as his Jekyll tries to cope with his inner demon who is constantly coming out to play.
If you want a bump-in-the-night story for your scary month of Halloween, try The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde…in the dark with naught but a booklight…while a storm is raging outside…and your pets are softly padding in front of your doorway. Sleep well.
If you thought you had issues, you need to take a look at Dr. Jekyll. This man is so messed up that his inner evil rises to the surface and becomes Mr. Hyde.
You may know the idea of the story, but now is the time to read this novella. Stevenson’s tale delves into the world of horror and psychology as his Jekyll tries to cope with his inner demon who is constantly coming out to play.
If you want a bump-in-the-night story for your scary month of Halloween, try The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde…in the dark with naught but a booklight…while a storm is raging outside…and your pets are softly padding in front of your doorway. Sleep well.
September: Anthem by Ayn Rand
A short classic to start your school year. If you have never read this novella, give it a try. From start to finish it barely covers 100 pages.
In her dystopian story, Rand builds a society in which the individual no longer exists. There is no “I,” there is only “we.” Well, like any good dystopian story, what happens when someone starts to think differently? Take the time to read this story to find out. In doing so, you will be reading a novella by one of the most influential authors of the 20th century.
A short classic to start your school year. If you have never read this novella, give it a try. From start to finish it barely covers 100 pages.
In her dystopian story, Rand builds a society in which the individual no longer exists. There is no “I,” there is only “we.” Well, like any good dystopian story, what happens when someone starts to think differently? Take the time to read this story to find out. In doing so, you will be reading a novella by one of the most influential authors of the 20th century.
