Seven books I wish I had been assigned at school
Seven books I wish I had read at school
Dear reader,
Today marks 5 days
before I am officially back to work.
The thought of this
coming year, and all it entails makes my insides want to scrunch up into shriveled
origami bird and fly fly fly away. In preparation for this horrible event I
read a set text called An inspector calls which, we will be studying this year-
my god was I bored. Could it have been worse? Yes, yes it could. I could have
had to read a 700 page auto-biography disguised as a philosophy book written a
hundred years ago by a white man for my religious studies class- oh wait! God I
love education.
Whilst I was reading
this relatively short play, I thought to myself, why this? Why out of all the
books, did they pick this? I was lost for an answer, even after extensive research
into the author in an effort to find some context. This then got me thinking,
what would I assign a Modern-literature class in the 21st century?
This would be an opportunity
to enlighten a generation, maybe even spark a love for reading, exhibit the
depths of genre, showcase the greatest works! Obviously with this thought
process I instantly realised my first pick.
Scythe by Neil Shusterman should replace any attempt at dystopian that has ever been taught in schools. It demonstrates such complexity in both narrative and world building. If you haven’t got much context of this book, I will link at the end a synopsis and place to purchase! In short, its set in a perfect world where mortality is defeated, and people (scythes) are recruited to glean (MURDER) a small percent of the population so we don’t overpopulate the earth. Sounds insane? You have no idea. This book presents so many questions about humanity and challenges our strive for perfection. Not only would this be perfect for an English Lit class but for a religious studies elective or theology and philosophy- it’s a work of genius and not enough people have read it. It is so current! And it will be for many generations.
In terms of classics, which I would rather get out the way since I would rather pick books that are just more current, I would have Perks of being a Wallflower, The Bell Jar and To Kill a Mockingbird. Though these books are taught in schools, they rarely make exam board set lists, despite being such great works of literature and tackling issues Austen couldn’t dream of. I have a short essay on The bell jar which I will also link below, it goes into Plath as a writer and really sums up why she is an author that should be taught in schools.
The next book that is very close to my heart, is Celeste Ng’s novel; Everything I never told you. From the author of Little Fires everywhere this book brings a beautiful story of a Chinese-American family living in 1970s small-town Ohio, who’s daughters body is found in a local-lake. It’s an extremely touching story, one that may be too much for a classroom but I would definitely be setting as homework. For me this has always been a book that everyone should read once in their life. It’s such a compassionate novel, you’ll carry this one with you into adulthood and all through life, which is why I think it would be amazing for younger readers. Think we were liars but more tears.
My sixth book is one I
have in a very teacher-like manor made all my friends read with the promise of an
extremely cute romance with a sexy man called Ocean James- but that is the tip
of the iceberg in relation to everything this book dives into. How this hasn’t
been adapted to TV or film yet, I will never know. Most likely the fear of
ruining a truly perfect book. A very large expanse of sea by Taherah Mafi
(Author of the shatter me series, yes YA fans she does have another book and yes,
it is just as good) won my heart. It tells the story of a young Muslim girl
living in America post 9/11, starting a new high school. A story I had not read
before, that provides an unseen insight into a viewpoint I previously hadn’t
considered. And it is so important for that exact reason. It is a romance,
which is why is probably hasn’t been taught in schools before- but if I had it
my way, every single one of those youths would be in love with Ocean and Shirin
by the time is takes them to say Tomi Adeyemi. Author of Children of blood and
bone, Adeyemi blurbed the novel; ‘Tahereh Mafi’s beautiful story touched my heart
and taught me so much” and I couldn’t have said it any better. I will leave an
amazon link to a very large expanse of sea down below! Get ready to collect
your broken heart of the floor.
This list wouldn’t be
complete without a historical fiction for all my history nerds, which is why of
course, A song of Achilles by Madeline Miller had to make the list. When I studied
Mythology at school, this was the book that I wanted in my hands.
The most heart-warming,
downright enchanting love story between Achilles and Patroclus, the novel also
recounts events such as the battle of Troy in a previously unseen, behind the
line view. By far the best historical fiction I have ever read, I love this book
with my whole heart, and its characters. I have an excellent review for this
book up on this blog which I will link! Please check it out, I am highly persuasive
in it.
What a glorious set
list, I would have loved to have me as a teacher! If you enjoyed this blog and
would like a follow up of plays, I would love for you to let me know! I have a very
exciting blog tour coming soon for the most adorable book- I am so excited for
you guys to read this, its peak cozy autumn vibes. Also, I am on a hunt for
more historical fiction, you are all the best as recommending quality books- I
will share all my findings! Email in; ignorethetyposblog@gmail.com or
tag me on my twitter @issyreadsabunch
Here are all the links
good people, do your homework and pick up one of these wonderful novels, you
deserve it.
Until next time,
Izz.
An inspector calls (in
case you’re intrigued)
The Song of Achilles by
Madeline Miller
Review (bloody good, if
I do say so myself): The
Song of Achilles - review and discussion (ignorethetypos.blogspot.com)
Scythe by Neil Shusterman
Review for the second
novel in the series: Thunderhead
by Neil Shusterman (review, probably extremely spoiler-y, probably extremely
explicit) (ignorethetypos.blogspot.com)
Synopsis: Scythe
(Arc of a Scythe, #1) by Neal Shusterman | Goodreads
The Bell Jar by Sylvia
Plath
Short essay written by
me: So
you've heard of the Bell Jar (ignorethetypos.blogspot.com)
Poetry by Sylvia Plath (I recommend): https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sylvia-Plath-Poems-Chosen-Carol/dp/0571348513/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=sylvia+plath+poetry+carol+ann&qid=1630521251&sr=8-1
Perks of being a wallflower
by Stephen Chbosky
Film (in case your
super lazy, it’s amazing): https://www.amazon.co.uk/Perks-Being-Wallflower-Logan-Lerman/dp/B08CNHY4ZY/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=perks+of+being+a+wallflower&qid=1630521378&sr=8-4
To kill a mockingbird by
Harper Lee
Film link (No really, I
must insist, read the book): https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kill-Mockingbird/dp/B00I954I56/ref=sr_1_2?crid=AQ66ISJLMCBO&dchild=1&keywords=to+kill+a+mockingbird&qid=1630521431&sprefix=to+kill+%2Caps%2C184&sr=8-2
Everything I never told
you by Celeste Ng
Amazon link to little fires everywhere (also brilliant): https://www.amazon.co.uk/Little-Fires-Everywhere-Celeste-Ng/dp/0349144338/ref=sr_1_1?crid=132XM74TP8IA6&keywords=little+fires+everywhere+book&qid=1630521566&sprefix=little+fi%2Caps%2C188&sr=8-1
A very large expanse of
sea by Tahereh Mafi
Review (rather spoilery): A very large exspanse of sea
by Tahereh Mafi (book review) (ignorethetypos.blogspot.com)
