Book Proposal

Below are the books we will be reading throughout the semester in chronological order.

Rachel

Coraline by Neil Gaiman

I’ve read other books by Neil Gaiman and I’ve enjoyed all of them. Although even his YA work contains many themes that are relevant to adults, a lot of readers simply write them off as children’s literature. I think that we as readers should always question what we are told is appropriate or right for us to read. Furthermore, we as adult readers should investigate what messages YA material is presenting to young readers. Also, I think it is always interesting to read the book/original text for a movie and see how things vary or hold true.

 

Versace

Kindred by Octavia E. Butler

This book is science fiction. It centers around a black woman who can time travel and is drawn back repeatedly through time to the slave quarters, and each time gets more challenging and dangerous for her. This author is commonly known for fantasy. Usually, she use an underlining subtext in her novels that stress equality, feminist, and racism. It isn’t as blunt as I may be making it sound at the moment. I read one of her other novels, “Fledgling” last semester, which is a vampire book that doesn’t really go the same route as other notorious vampire novels or have the vampires abide by the same rules. It was very layered and really felt like it’s own franchise. Yes, it still had those themes I mentioned earlier, but it used it’s concept to let the reader see it from a different point of view. This author is also known for surprising the reader or making them feel uncomfortable to the point where the reader will put the book down and think “What the F did I just read?”

 

Lizedly

The Shack by William P. Young

This story is  fiction. It about a father who takes his children on a camping trip and two of his children are drowning. He leaves his youngest child sitting at a table near by where he could see her. While he was saving his other two children, his youngest child was abducted, by a serial killer who leaves a lady bug where ever he steals his victims. Mack Phillips the main character spirals into depression that causes him to question his beliefs. Facing a crisis of faith, he receives a letter telling him to go to the abandoned shack in the Oregon wilderness where police found traces of his daughter bloody clothes. Despite his doubts, he journeys to the shack and encounters three strangers. Through this meeting, Mack finds important truths that will transform his understanding of his tragedy and change his life forever.

Sofia

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

I am used to reading books with no deeper meaning. What I mean by that is, I usually read books strictly for enjoyment.I like books that are constantly keeping me on my toes as I race to figure out the ending. These books usually have no purpose besides telling you a story, and getting you interested enough in the story to want to continue reading until the end. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou is much more than that, and the whole point of this class is about challenging ourselves as readers and stepping out of our comfort zones. So I decided to take a giant leap out of mine, and tackle on Maya Angelou’s well talked about novel. Maya Angelou brings up issues on race, prejudice, identity and rape. These are all issues which are not openly talked about, which I believe to still be prominent in today’s society. I am excited to finally read this novel, and document my thought process throughout the whole experience.