1 Animal Farm by George Orwell
2. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
This is another dystopian novel that criticizes the government. Knowledge and speech are tools of power and change, which this novel reminds the audience of. I feel like it'll help provide guidance for me as I advance in my future endeavors that'll require being outspoken and going outside of my comfort zone.
3. The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
Three of my friends have been raving over this book series and its movie adaptation. It's sort of nostalgic, as I had that adoration for Harry Potter and the movies in elementary school. This will be a more mature version of that fantasy phase. I honestly miss being part of a fantasy fandom and will reignite my love for reading the way Harry Potter did.
4. Frankenstein by Mary Shelly
This is one of the classics. No further explanation. JK. I've always heard of this book when I was younger, but never knew what it's about. For the longest time, I thought Frankenstein is the monster, but that's actually the scientist??? It's honestly insane that a female author from the 1800s was able to gain so much traction in the gothic genre. I want to pay homage to those who paved the way for other women.
5. Yellowface by R.F. Kuang
This book includes catharsis, which is something we focused a lot on in the works we've analyzed in 12 AP. I'm really interested in philosophy, so seeing a take on it from a modern perspective in comparison to what we've read in class would be refreshing. This book has sparked a variety of opinions, with the employee at Barnes & Noble stating how she liked it and doesn't agree with the controversy, to a Booktuber stating where Yellowface went wrong. Now I'm intrigued and want to decide for myself,
6. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
I watched this movie for the first time with my friend last Christmas. It genuinely altered my brain chemistry because it showed how confusing and surprising life can be. I've seen people criticize it due to not condemning the non-progressive values, however, art doesn't always need to have a stance. It can simply represent one person's human experience without making a statement. I want to understand the creation of this movie by seeing where it all started.
7. The Color Purple by Alice Walker
I've noticed that the majority of the books I've read are either by marginalized White groups or other POC, but not that many Black people, especially Black women. 2 years ago, during the craze of the Little Mermaid, I saw that Halle Bailey played a role in the movie, which piqued my interest. The author Alice Walker is someone I recognize, as I did some research on her for the midterm project. She's a complicated woman due to her "extreme" views, so I want to see how that plays out in her work.
8. Life of Pi by Yann Martel
This novel follows the story of Pi, an Indian boy who is stranded at sea. I became interested after my friend recommended it to me when we were in the library sophomore year. It's genuinely cool to have an Indian protagonist in a book that's mainstream and delves into philosophy, so I want to support that. I have seen some clips of the movie, and they've resonated with me, especially as a Hindu.
9. The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
Everyone knows what this diary is about. It's incredible that despite the atrocities Anne Frank had to endure at such a young age, she still expressed her voice and created a huge impact on the world. With another ongoing genocide happening, I feel it's important to learn the perspectives of those in the past, so we stop repeating these atrocities and behaviors for the sake of future generations.
10. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Some people might wonder why I included a book from freshman year in here, however, I've actually never read it. People around me always reference it, and I every time I feel slightly left out because of the gaps in my knowledge. I want to read this book as my freshman year feels incomplete without it, and to see what the hype is all about.
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