When it comes to reading, most of us divide our literary experiences into two rigid categories: reading for school and reading for pleasure. The former is often a necessary chore, while the latter is a leisure activity, an escape into the worlds of our own choosing. However, every once in a while, a rare and valiant book from the syllabus defies these rigid boundaries and dares to be pleasurable. These are the books we read for class that unexpectedly captivate us, the books that become as enjoyable as the novels we pick up for fun—reminding us that, occasionally, reading for class curriculums can also be an experience of literary delight.
Salt Houses by Hala Alyan
In her 2017 debut novel Salt Houses, Hala Alyan weaves the intricate tale of the fictional Palestinian middle-class family, the Yacoubs. Spanning four generations and crossing continents, the novel delves into profound themes of displacement, belonging and family. The Yacoub family’s journey through place and time provokes poignant questions about history and heritage, identity and diaspora and pain and privilege.
Why it was assigned: Alyan highlights key historical events such as the Six-Day War (1967), the First Intifada (1987), the Gulf War (1990), the Second Intifada (2000), 9/11 (2001) and the 2006 Lebanon War. Through the Yacoub family, the story captures the ripple effects of war, forced migration and cultural dislocation, revealing how these experiences not only fracture a sense of home but also reverberate through generations.
Why I adored it: Alyan’s poetic sensibilities truly shine in this novel. The prose pulses with an insistent poetic rhythm. The writing is at once beautiful and forceful, with richly drawn and deeply resonant characters and a strong sense of mood and atmosphere. The issues this novel concerns itself with are important, made all the more pressing and urgent by her powerful writing.
Emma by Jane Austen
In her 1815 novel Emma, Jane Austen has created a sharp, opinionated protagonist who constantly declares her unconditional disinterest in marriage, who also finds herself falling in love with her friend George Knightley. I adored Emma from the first page. She is intelligent and witty, though deeply flawed: haughty and meddlesome, possessing the “disposition to think a little too well of herself” (Austen 1-2). Considered by some to be Austen’s masterpiece, Emma is expertly crafted with a meticulously planned plot, witty dialogue and a colorful array of eccentric supporting characters. The novel also highlights Austen’s playful side as a writer, filled with riddles, word games and literary references that add layers of humor and depth.
Why it was assigned: We were assigned to read all six of Austen’s novels, each of which offers a nuanced interpretation, critique and commentary on the British landed gentry at the close of the 18th century. At the same time, they explore women’s dependence on marriage for social and economic security and raise important questions about the nature of love.
Why I adored: It is romantic, funny and thoroughly entertaining, blending playful moments with sensual ones. It captures the absurdity and hilarity of love; how it can be confusing, unpredictable and surprising—but ultimately, involves patience, humility and a willingness to reflect on one’s own faults.
Weather by Jenny Offill
Weather (2020) by Jenny Offill is set in the tense months surrounding Donald Trump’s inauguration as president, a period marked by uncertainty and anxiety. The novel operates on two interwoven levels: the intimate, day-to-day life of Lizzie, a librarian juggling her roles as mother, wife, and sister and the looming existential threat of climate catastrophe. Offill expertly crafts a narrative that moves between the banalities of everyday existence and the unsettling dread of global disaster, creating a work that is at once darkly humorous and deeply honest.
Why it was assigned: Weather breaks conventional narrative rules through its fragmented structure, eschewing linear storytelling for a collage-like approach. This experimental form reflects the disjointed and often chaotic way we absorb information in today’s world, making it an important work for understanding modern literary trends and how authors can break literary forms in exciting and relevant ways.
Why I adored: Weather is an exceptionally intelligent novel, brimming with seemingly disjointed facts, obscure references and anecdotes that Offill masterfully threads together into a narrative where every piece feels essential. Despite the fragmented structure, nothing in the book feels random, unnecessary or out of place. Offill’s skill in collaging the chaotic elements of life into a cohesive whole is astounding. Her ability to convey deep emotional truths through such a splintered structure demonstrates her brilliance, particularly in the realm of emotional understanding. A personal highlight for me was when Jenny Offill visited Bates as part of the Literary Arts Live program and gave a talk about Weather. Hearing her speak about her process and insights enriched my appreciation for her work even further.
Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead by Olga Tokarczuk
In Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead by Olga Tokarczuk (translated from Polish by Antonia Lloyd-Jones), we follow Mrs. Duszejko, an eccentric elderly woman living in a remote Polish village. One day, a fellow villager knocks on her door, asking for help after discovering the body of their reclusive neighbor. Mrs. Duszejko becomes convinced that he was killed by animals in revenge for his poaching. As the body count rises and suspicions grow, the line between predator and prey blurs, unraveling the village in a chilling, relentless mystery.
Why it was assigned: Olga Tokarczuk is one of the most critically acclaimed and successful authors of this generation. This novel was nominated for the Man Booker International Prize and the National Book Award for translated fiction. Moreover, Tokarczuk was awarded the 2018 Nobel Prize in Literature, making this novel an essential work from one of today’s most influential literary voices.
Why I adored: This novel intimately explores themes of justice, morality and humanity’s connection with nature, weaving them into a dark and deeply thought-provoking mystery. It pushes readers to question their relationship with the natural world. I fell in love with the whimsical narrator, Mrs. Duszejko, whose profound empathy for animals and vibrant, curious inner monologues wrapped their spindly fingers around my heart, drawing me deeply into her narrative. This novel also features the most jaw-dropping plot twist I’ve ever encountered, elevating the book to one of my all-time favorites.
