A College Student's Literary Canon

This is easily one of the most haunting memoirs I've ever read. The author's story unfolds of a sexual attack at her university, the reactions of family, herself, and the police, and her struggle to identify and prosecute the rapist while developing as a person after being assaulted. I feel like sexual violence is difficult for any woman to imagine, let alone most men, and this book artfully gives the reader a glimpse into the fears that accompany being female in our present society. On a larger level, reading any person's tale of tragedy enhances our capacity for empathy, something seemingly lacking in today's society of cruelty and exploitation.
A Long Way Home by Ishmael Beah

Another personal memoir, this one follows a 13 year old boy living in Sierra Leone, Africa as he becomes a child soldier, loses humanity, and regains it again only to tell his story to the world. It's easy to ignore the statistics and reports on global issues, but reading a personal story reinvigorates the need for global consciousness and action for every American who is privileged enough to grow up and be a child instead of a child soldier. The writing is stark and crisp, painting the gruesome pictures unfalteringly yet leaving room for hope at the end. In reading this, one not only rethinks their appreciation of life but also must wonder at the human capacity to heal and transform after trauma- Beah is remarkable person and reading his story is inspirational.

Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne

The onset into adulthood seems to often intertwine with a loss of whimsy, something Winnie the Pooh has an abundance of. The lighthearted stories touch on moral themes of loyalty and honesty, while providing lovable and enchanting characters who all share true friendship. Reading this book is important in sparking gratitude for family and friends as well as cultivating imagination and simple happiness through genuinely pleasant stories.

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

This novel is widely read, and justly so. It tackles issues that are still present in modern America such as prejudice, racism, justice, and growing up. Better yet, it does so without being pedantic through vivid, engaging characters. The "coming of age" novel is an overpopulated genre but reading Jem and Scout grow up is uniquely situated and written. This book is an American classic and should continue to be read, discussed, and thought about inside and outside of the classroom.

Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes

This is a particularly moving book about a young mentally disabled man who participates in a study to "fix" him, creating a temporary normal brain function that deserts him in the end. Charlie, the main character, narrates the novel and his simple prose depicts deep messages about fitting in and how society views anyone who deviates from the norm. I think that anyone could benefit from reading this book and hopefully bolstering their inner strength to embrace and explore difference rather than exploit or shun it.

Personal Finance for Dummies by Eric Tyson

I think it's ridiculous that neither high school nor college requires or even promotes any type of personal finance class. I wish that I had known more about investing back when I was in high school and had no bills to pay, but I'm glad that I do know now about saving and avoiding credit card debt. I think all Americans would benefit from taking the time to read about simple financial options that would hopefully decrease the reliance on debt and ignorance of saving in our culture.

The Crimson Petal and the White by Michael Faber

While this novel is set in historic England, a lot of the deeper themes about class and gender
translate easily into modern America. The characters are unprecedented and three-dimensional, the book itself is long but reads quickly with engaging plot twists. America prides itself on being a country where upward mobility is attainable, and I think this novel helps question that myth and highlights some of the class barriers present then that are easily found here, and now. In addition to all of that, it is a masterpiece of prose and should be read for aesthetic value as well.

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

I think science fiction has fallen out of favor in popular literature, yet revisiting this classic demonstrates how the realm of fantasy can easily illustrate modern social problems and concerns. The society depicted in Fahrenheit 451 is broadly censored and devoid of literature, leading to the peoples' ignorance. I think we often take for granted the mass of literature and knowledge that is at our fingertips online and at the library for free, and reading this novel is not only enjoyable but brings up those things that we take for granted today.

On Civil Disobedience by Henry David Thoreau

Many influential leaders have recognized this essay as deeply moving and inspiring them, so it is no surprise that I think it should be read by everyone. Apathy is often cited as a growing evil in America in regards to politics and personal accountability, and Thoreau would inject a strong dose of moral action into those problems. His main points about standing up to injustice and evil transcend his time period and are valuable lessons for anyone to learn.

Killing Rage: Ending Racism by bell hooks

A collection of essays from a feminist perspective, this work tackles issues of race and gender in America. hooks chooses pieces that confront the future head on instead of focusing how far we haven't come or what still needs to be ameliorated. She is an academic author but writes with clarity and crispness, offering a look at how we can change race and gender relations for the better without blaming everything on patriarchy and society in broad terms. I think reading this book is important because it offers a fresh look at some of the volatile issues that are still important, but that people have become tired of hearing about.

Cut from the list:
-Death Be Not Proud by John Gunther
This is one of the books I first thought to put on because it is one of my favorites, but I can't think of any compelling, deeper reasons for people to read it beyond it is well-written and the boy who is memorialized in the memoir is heartbreakingly sincere and endearing in his short life. So, I would recommend it to anyone for an excellent read but not necessarily consider it a canonical work for my list.

In Conclusion

I found myself drawn to personal stories, memoirs or novels, which delve into the issues that lie under much of the tension and conflict within our country, such as racism, sexism, poverty, and global problems. I feel like people become inundated with graphic images and jarring statistics and retreat from caring or informing themselves. Personal narratives reconnect readers with larger issues, sparking interest and awareness in a unique way. For that reason, I chose these 10 literary works with a few others thrown in with more conventional qualities and positive influences like creativity and elegant writing.