Giovanni’s Room is a story about homesickness – and it makes you feel right at home

The time when I read Giovanni’s Room, an extraordinary novella by the even more extraordinary James Baldwin, could have been the worst possible moment – but, surprisingly, it might have turned out to be the best. I was living through my very first real winter – all the previous eighteen had been a collection of only slightly chillier and less rainy summer days, as every winter is in Rio de Janeiro.

What We’re NOT Reading: The English Department’s TBR Lists

The Scholars of Sturges are obviously book lovers, but life–especially this time of the semester–is busy and our aspirations can outstrip our realities.  So today, instead of a “What We’re Reading Post,” we’re going to tell you what we’re NOT reading. A  TBR (“To Be Read”) pile is a stack of books that you’ve been meaning to read, but haven’t had time for yet.…

Lily Callander: The Book of Salt by Monique Truong

The Book of Salt, written by Monique Truong, is one of the reasons that I became an English major. We read this in Professor Comorau’s English 145 class, “Reading the Global Kitchen,” and I continually find myself recommending it to anyone who will listen. Truong’s work fascinated me due to its ability to excellently pose the question of how we, as readers, take narrators at their word, often not ruminating upon the idea that this character may be untruthful and unreliable.

Maddie Marusek: I Was Anastasia by Ariel Lawhon

This summer, I was strolling through the book section of the Costco near my house when a book titled I Was Anastasia caught my eye. I decided to buy the book, which was undoubtedly the best thing I have ever bought from Costco. Ariel Lawhon tells the story of  Anastasia Romanav, the youngest daughter of the last Russain tsar, and her best known impersonator, Anna Anderson, compellingly enough to create the illusion of possibility that Anna is the real Anastasia.

What We’re Reading: The World We Found by Thrity Umrigar

Although I read this book for Professor Allison’s ENG 150: Intro to Literary Study class, I found that I could never stop myself just at the assigned pages for the week. I was so consumed by the story that I struggled to put the book down. The World We Found takes place primarily in India, and follows four women who were once best friends during university.…

What We’re Reading: The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery

“As the end of senior year approaches (…I’m not counting or anything), I was reminded of a book that I have grown up reading called “The Little Prince.” It is a story that can take on many meanings and themes, but one that I feel is fitting for us seniors is to not let go of your childhood, as well as the theme of friendships and how they are one of the most important relationships you can have.…