The g-7: g’s College Book Bucket List

by on August 11, 2010

  1. Everything Bad is Good for You: How Today’s Popular Culture is Actually Making Us Smarter by Steven Johnson
    Who knew that all work and no play could really make us dull? Everything Bad is Good for You debunks the notion that learning is limited to books and schoolwork. The basis of Johnson’s assertions is the Sleeper Curve— pop culture’s evolution has made it more thought-provoking over time. And yes, that means games and TV actually “stimulate” thinking. How’s that for a good read?Why it’s on the g-7: Despite its loopholes, Everything Bad is Good for You is a convincing read that offers a new standpoint on the pop culture debate. Besides, it carries a lot of love for today’s generation— our addiction Facebook and The Simpsons isn’t really as harmful as we think.
    Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆ 
  2. Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
    The Hailsham House is a strange, isolated boarding school for children with a special purpose. Kathy H., a 31-year-old carer reminisces about her years at Hailsham. She recalls the school’s emphasis on their students’ artwork, frequent medical check-ups and seclusion from society. Years later, she reunites with childhood friends, Tommy and Ruth, to discover the horrifying truth about their lives.Why it’s on the g-7: Ishiguro masterfully writes his novel by employing euphemisms and keeping his readers in as much obscurity as his characters. However, beneath the story’s grim facade is a compelling message. Never Let Me Go doesn’t just keep us intrigued— it teaches us what it means to be human, encouraging us to live our lives to the fullest.
    Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆ 
  3. The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand
    In the 1940’s, Rand’s novel was repeatedly rejected by publishers for being too controversial and intellectual. Fast forward several years, and The Fountainhead is now a classic. Ironically, the story’s protagonist Howard Roark shares a similar experience— as a modern, individualistic architect, he is shunned by the public and his colleagues for his radical ideas. Roark chooses suffering over conformity, earning him a triumphant victory in the end.Why it’s on the g-7: Rand’s novel is filled with philosophical ideas we can relate to. Such as its characters who embody our strengths and flaws: Roark being the individualistic man we should strive to be and Keating, Roark’s rival, who represents our submissiveness to pressure.
    Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆ 
  4. Blankets by Craig Thompson
    When Craig Thompson was a child, he and his younger brother would pretend that their bed was a ship in a stormy sea. The struggle was no different as he grew up: he dealt with bullies, loneliness and sexual abuse while living in a Christian household. Blankets is his coming of age graphic novel describing teen hardships and finding a first love.Why it’s on the g-7: Blankets deviates from the dark, cryptic storytelling most graphic novels are based on. Thompson uses his illustrations to tell a poignant tale of growing up and facing reality, making this particular trip down memory lane a lot lighter than it looks on the outside.
    Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆ 
  5. Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch AlbomMorrie Schwartz held an unusual class in his home every Tuesday. There weren’t any books or grades and only one student was present. Though the subject was simple, no other teacher could’ve taught it better. In the memoir Tuesdays with Morrie, Albom shares with us the wisdom of a fearless man who faces death. To Schwartz, living isn’t about satisfying our cravings for success— it’s appreciating the little things that make life worth living.Why it’s on the g-7: Despite its simplicity, Tuesdays with Morrie conveys a valuable message. Even as we get carried away fulfilling our needs, there’s always a need to take a step back and re-evaluate. Albom captures this point perfectly through his unforgettable experiences with Morrie.
    Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆ 

Pages: 1 2

blog comments powered by Disqus