You Should Read....: 2020 Fiction

Katherine Vieck, Class of 2021
Austenland is about Jane Hayes, a seemingly normal young New Yorker with a secret obsession with Mr. Darcy, as played by Colin Firth in the BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. She goes on a trip to an English resort in which you can roleplay as an Austen character. The result is absolutely hilarious! Shannon Hale does a marvelous job at capturing the stream-of-consciousness thoughts of Jane while maintaining a vivid description of the world around her. I read it in one night because it was so addictive! It’s a relatable fantasy for anyone who has read Jane Austen, watched Downton Abbey, or read historical fiction. If you’re a fan of any of these things, this might be a book to try! It also has a hilarious movie adaptation, but the book is slightly different (and a whole lot better, too).

Ashley Puzzo
Philosophy
This Spring Break treat yourself to a non-technical delight: Alexandre Dumas' classic The Count of Monte Cristo. This high adventure page turner is set against the backdrop of Napolean-era France and has it all: Intrigue, romance, balls, betrayal, duels, treasure hunts, a prison break from iconic island prison Chateau d'If, and above all, revenge. All the while you get exposed to a classic of French literature as well as some French history and culture. Pick it up, you won't put it down.

Alec Pipkin, Class of 2021
The author of this epic poem, Dante Alighieri, was condemned to exile by Pope Boniface and his trusted political allies. In a time of war and shifts in power, Dante experienced first hand the tragedies of betrayal, and hypocrisy that riddled the political world. In his exile Dante drafts “Dante’s Inferno” where all levels of Hell are explored, each of which having specific punishments for the sins he believed his enemies committed in their political schemes. The real life impact and history this epic poem has is what makes it a great read.

Annette Muyumba, Libraries
1890, Atlanta. By day, seventeen-year-old Jo Kuan works as a lady's maid for the cruel Caroline Payne, the daughter of one of the wealthiest men in Atlanta. But by night, Jo moonlights as the pseudonymous author of a newspaper advice column for 'the genteel Southern lady

Noah Boyce
Class of 2020
East of Eden has been my favorite book for years. The prose is simple and compelling which is important because words matter in this book. The plot is a bittersweet display of semantic's power to shape our lives and our identities. I recommend to anyone who is interested in a heavy multi-generational tragedy that guarantees philosophical headscratching and familial heartache. A book for those who like when it hurts so good.

Sarah Ryan
Student Academic Life
A funny, poignant short story told from the perspective of a fox that has learned English while navigating human development in its natural habitat. The story reads quickly and is over too soon.

Cheyanne Maddox, Prindle
A diabolical thriller that held me captive until the last page. It begs the question 'how far would you go to make your dreams come true?'

Lydia Marshall
Anthropology
Originally published in 1854, Elizabeth Gaskell's North and South follows young Margaret Hale's journey to northern England in the midst of the industrial revolution. The novel includes both Margaret's social awakening to the plight of mill workers and her clashes (and, eventually, complicated romance) with cotton mill owner John Thorton. A lovely and satisfying book. Perfect for the Jane Austen fan. I've read it three times.

Betsy Demings, President's Office

I LOVE this novel and believe it so timely with what we are going through with the pandemic. How we deal with loneliness and a powerful lesson in how to be self sufficient in the midst of incredible hardship.

Kayla Flegal, Libraries
If you read (and loved) "The Wedding Date" then the follow-up is a must! I enjoy romance books -- and Guillory plays to my tendencies well with a diverse cast dealing with the issues of interracial dating while also writing beautifully about two people that don't want to, but do, fall in love.

Linda Clute, Prindle
It's about the life of a young girl who lives in the swamp and is abandoned one by one by first her mother, then her siblings, and finally her father. I enjoyed her connection with nature and how she learns survival skills. There is a parallel storyline about the death of of a local "hero." The two stories go back and forth through time and finally become the same story in the end. I could not put the book down and have recommended it to all of my family and friends, all who have also enjoyed it.

Erika Marchant, Class of 2022
Verjee’s story centers on a group of interconnected characters living in contemporary Kenya, navigating the complex social, cultural, and political dimensions of a country in turmoil. The experience of Indian protagonists Jai and Leena - stratified by their wealth and foreignness - provide a distinctive and colorful perspective into life in East Africa. Verjee’s inquiry into the many facets of human nature is enriched by the a non-linear progression. The way in which the story unfolds and explores what it means to be human makes Who Will Catch Us As We Fall an immersive and powerful read!

Sudha Anand, Libraries
I recently read this series and really enjoyed it. I loved how they have envisioned technology which in all aspects is a boon to humans turning into a deadly enemy. I really enjoyed the fact that they have not placed the events that unfold in a certain area, but have included the entire globe. The book had an excellent pace and the various cliff hangers kept me reading through the night.