This was another request from the ‘25s, but it applies to anyone wanting to expand their summer reading list. Just in case you had some free time this summer, we thought we would put together a list of books we recommend. These books offer perspectives from a diverse group of authors spanning different time periods.
- The Catcher in the Rye, J.D. Salinger
A classic coming-of-age story, the Catcher in the Rye tells the story of Holden Caulfield as he transitions into adulthood. Holden navigates New York City on his own after he leaves his prep school. His honesty and conviction appeal to readers all over the world. The classic explores themes of angst, alienation, and the painfulness of growing older. In my time at Dartmouth, this has been one of the most referenced novels by both students and professors.
- Normal People, Sally Rooney
This novel was written by Sally Rooney and has been turned into a series on Hulu. The book has garnered massive praise since its release. Connell and Marianne pretend to not know each other at school. Connell is popular and the star of a soccer team while Marianne is socially isolated. Outside of school, a romance sparks. They reunite at Trinity College, Dublin a year later, but this time it is Marianne who is at the center of the social scene. The novel explores class subtleties and the complexities of family and friendships.
- One Hundred Years of Solitude, Gabriel Garcia Marquez
This is a classic written by Colombian author Gabriel Garcia Marquez. It tells the story of the town of Macondo through the perspective of the Buendia family who founded the town. The magic realist style and themes of this novel have established it as an icon of the Latin American Boom of the 1960s and 1970s.
- The Vanishing Half, Brit Bennet
President Obama remarked that this was one of his favorite reads of 2020. The Vanishing Half tells the story of two twins who grow up together. After disappearing from their small town at age 16, their paths diverge. One of the twins comes back to the town where she grew up with her black daughter. The other marries a white man and passes as white. The novel explores issues of race and the desire to belong. It showcases the history of passing in the US, and the implications and consequences associated with passing. It also explores how the past shapes our future choices and expectations.
- The House on Mango Street, Sandra Cisneros
Sandra Cisneros wrote this story in a series of vignettes. The book tells the story of Esperanza Cordero, a 12-year old Chicana growing up in Chicago. The novel is based partly on Cisneros’s experiences, and it follows Esperanza during one year of her life. Esperanza navigates issues of race, poverty, and machismo among many others. The Mexican-American perspective is not often written about, and this book explores the nuances of navigating race, gender, and sexuality through the experiences of a Mexican-American girl.
We hope this summer reading list inspires you to keep reading. Let us know what you think about those books if you decide to read them. If you have further book recommendations, please share them with us via our Instagram @dartmouthacademicskills. Happy reading!