Question Home

Position:Home>Books & Authors> Need to read a book for class -- any recommendations (see details)?


Question: Need to read a book for class -- any recommendations (see details)!?
For my English class, I need to read what my teacher describes as a "contemporary book of literary merit!."

She did hand out a list of about 20 recommendations and briefly described each book to us, and some of them interested me:
- Bel Canto by Ann Patchett
- Chronicle of a Death Foretold by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
- Life of Pi by Yann Martel
- Nectar in a Sieve by Kamala Markandaya

So, I guess my first question is - What are your opinions of any of those 4 books!? Would you recommend one of them in particular!?

And then, if anyone has any suggestions for a different book - remember, contemporary and "of literary merit" - I'd love to hear them!. If you don't mind, if you do have another suggestion, can you give me a brief synopsis of the book!?

Oh, and I'm supposed to pick a book that I haven't read before, but I'm not going to sit here and list every book I've read - if someone recommends something that I've already read, I'll just add something to the question here so that everyone knows it's not an option!.

Thanks in advance!. =)Www@QuestionHome@Com


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
Bel Canto is a beautifully written and conceived book which I would recommend to anyone!. You would do well to read it, no matter what the reason!. You really need look no further!.
Marquez is always worth reading too!. I like Chronicle well enough, though it is not my favorite of his!. I have not yet read the other two!.
That being said, here are a couple of other books which fit your criteria (at least in my opinion)!.

The House of Sand and Fog ~ Andre Dubus III
Full of unsympathetic characters who are all wrongheaded but somehow manage to break your heart anyway, this book is not quite like any other!. Well worth reading!.

Cold Mountain ~ Charles Frazier
A retelling of the Odyssey with a somewhat subtle antiwar philosophy, set during the Civil War!. Beautifully written!.

The Sparrow ~ Mary Doria Russell
Life is discovered on a faraway planet!. A diverse crew is selected for their individual talents to serve as ambassadors!. How things can go wrong when everyone is trying to do right, among other things!. Powerful and intense!.

Russell's A Thread Of Grace would also be appropriate for your purpose!. It is a story of the Resistance on the Italian front during WW II!. Unsparing and relentless!.

Empire Falls ~ Richard Russo
I don't really know how to summarize this one!. Russo is a superb writer of contemporary lit, and this book is a slice of life piece with much to offer a discerning mind!. All I can say is look it up, I doubt you would be disappointed by it!.

There are more, but these are a good and challenging start!. Amazon will have them all for reviews and further information!.

***Edit) As you may have noticed, I can never stop!. Here are a few more suggestions!.

Anything by Tim O'Brien!. Perfect post-modern explorations of perception versus reality!.

White Noise by Don DeLillo ~ Media as character, plus a whole lot more!.

The Milagro Beanfield War by John Nichols ~ An updated Grapes Of Wrath, with a little magic realism thrown in for good measure!.

Sometimes A Great Notion by Ken Kesey ~ Individuality in the face of adversity!. Plus the whole world on top of that!.

In Country by Bobbie Ann Mason ~ The effects of the Vietnam War on both those who fought and those who came after!.

Fifth Business by Robertson Davies ~ Jungian philosophy couched in a mysterious story encompassing scandal, war and magic!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

How about "The Secret Life of Bees!." It is a really good book, with strong characters and lots of symbolism -- I think you would thoroughly enjoy it (and it's not too long!)!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Life of Pi was GREAT!. I loved it! You should definitely read that one!. Www@QuestionHome@Com

Well I am not sure what grade you are in or what books would be considered "contemporary book of literary merit!." books but here are some of my suggestions:

Ann Frank - A great book about a young girl name Ann who is forced to go into hiding during World War II!.

Zlata's Diary - Similar to Ann Frank

The Freedom Writers Diary - Its about a new teacher who gets a job in the worst school in Cali!. and how she uses writing to turn the kids from gang member to high school graduates

Gulliver's Travels - Its kind of a boring book but its about a guy who first finds himself in the land of Lilliput where he is a giant, then he finds himself in a land where everyone else is giant!.!.!.

Little Women - Its about some sisters!.!.!.

Of mice and men - Its about relationships and its centered around George and Lenny!.!.!.

Huckleberry Finn - Its about Huck and a run away slave!.!.!.

The crucible - I have never read this book but I guess its about the Salem Witch trials

Sorry if I didn't describe the books very good, these are mostly books I have read in school (I am in 11th grade)!!Www@QuestionHome@Com