Appearance Versus Reality

Can we ever fully trust our senses, or are they too unreliable to perceive the world as it is? In this collection, we gather texts that explore the idea of appearance versus reality, from classics such as Aristotle's On the Soul to contemporary bestsellers like Jia Tolentino's Trick Mirror.

Sunburn

by Chloe Michelle Howarth

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Fear, Forgiveness, Guilt, Loneliness, Shame & Pride, Gender Identity, Sexual Identity, Coming of Age, Appearance & Reality, Mothers, Self Discovery, Community, Loyalty & Betrayal, Truth & Lies

Tags Romance, LGBTQ+

... Read Sunburn Summary

The Acorn People

by Ron Jones

Publication year 1976

Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction

Themes Friendship, Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Fear, Gratitude, Hope, Joy, Loneliness, Love, Shame & Pride, Disability, Mental Health, Childhood & Youth, Appearance & Reality, Nature Versus Nurture, Place, Teamwork, Self Discovery, Community, Education, Politics & Government, Equality, Justice, Loyalty & Betrayal, Safety & Danger, Science & Technology, Trust & Doubt

Tags Memoir & Autobiography, Children`s Literature, Disability

... Read The Acorn People Summary

Theaetetus

by Plato

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Truth & Lies, Appearance & Reality

Tags Philosophy, Ancient Greece, Education, Education, Science & Nature, Philosophy, World History, Classical Period, Classic Fiction

Theaetetus is a philosophical work written by Ancient Greek philosopher Plato (427-347 BCEE). Written in 369 BCEE, it is an account of a dialogue between the Greek philosopher Socrates (470-399 BCEE) and a young geometry student, Theaetetus, about the nature of knowledge. Socrates asks Theaetetus questions that lead them to discuss, and assess, several theories and definitions of knowledge. These are, first, that knowledge is perception, that knowledge is true judgment, and that knowledge is... Read Theaetetus Summary

The Alchemyst

by Michael Scott

Publication year 2007

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Good & Evil, Siblings, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Coming of Age, Appearance & Reality

Tags Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Mythology, Action & Adventure, Fairy Tale & Folklore, Children`s Literature

Irish author Michael Scott’s The Alchemyst, published in 2007, is the first installment in his six-part series The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel. This guide refers to the 2007 Kindle edition. The following books are The Magician (2008), The Sorceress (2009), The Necromancer (2010), The Warlock (2011), and The Enchantress (2012). The Alchemyst was included in Time Magazine’s 100 Best Young Adult Books of All Time in 2015 and earned multiple awards internationally, including... Read The Alchemyst Summary

The Atlas Paradox

by Olivie Blake

Publication year 2022

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Equality, Friendship, Death, Future, The Past, Appearance & Reality, New Age, Religion & Spirituality, Order & Chaos, Power & Greed, Trust & Doubt, Loyalty & Betrayal, Fate, Good & Evil

Tags Fantasy, LGBTQ+, Science Fiction, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Relationships, Science & Nature, Social Justice, Education, Philosophy

... Read The Atlas Paradox Summary

The Bear and the Nightingale

by Katherine Arden

Publication year 2017

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Femininity, Coming of Age, The Past, Animals, Appearance & Reality, Family, Order & Chaos, Religion & Spirituality, Safety & Danger

Tags Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Fairy Tale & Folklore, Coming of Age

The Bear and the Nightingale (2017) is a historical fantasy novel by Katherine Arden. The story is set in medieval Russia and was heavily inspired by the country’s folklore and history. It follows Vasilisa “Vasya” Petrovna, a girl who lives in an isolated village at the edge of a forest and can communicate with household spirits and other supernatural beings that others cannot see. Her life is upended when her father marries a pious woman... Read The Bear and the Nightingale Summary