Books & Literature

The Dutch philosopher Erasmus said, “When I have a little money, I buy books; and if I have any left, I buy food and clothes.” Why do we value books and literature so highly? This thematic collection gathers books that offer unique insights into the power, energy, and appeal of, well, books!

Ariadne

by Jennifer Saint

Publication year 2021

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Gender Identity, Mothers, Fame, Literature

Tags Fantasy, Mythology, Historical Fiction, Romance, World History

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A Room of One's Own

by Virginia Woolf

Publication year 1929

Genre Essay / Speech, Nonfiction

Themes Femininity, Literature, Sexual Identity

Tags Gender & Feminism, Philosophy

A Room of One’s Own by Virginia Woolf, first published in 1929, is a book-length essay that Woolf modeled after a series of her at the University of Cambridge. A Room of One’s Own is considered a classic and exemplary piece of modernist criticism that questions traditional values. It examines the topic of “women and fiction”–women characters in fiction; the great women authors in English history who wrote fiction; and, more abstractly, “the fiction that... Read A Room of One's Own Summary

As A Man Thinketh

by James Allen

Publication year 1902

Genre Essay / Speech, Nonfiction

Themes Perseverance, Fear, Joy, Love, Mental Health, Future, The Past, Environment, Nature Versus Nurture, Place, Self Discovery, Community, Education, Art, Beauty, Fate, Good & Evil, Literature, New Age, Order & Chaos, Religion & Spirituality, Truth & Lies

Tags Self-Improvement, Philosophy, Psychology, Religion & Spirituality, Inspirational

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Aspects of the Novel

by E. M. Forster

Publication year 1927

Genre Reference/Text Book, Nonfiction

Themes Art, Literature, Conflict, Language

Tags The Bloomsbury Group, Arts & Culture, Literary Criticism, Classic Fiction

Aspects of the Novel by E.M. Forster is considered a seminal work of literary criticism that demystifies the form of the novel as it was understood in the early 20th century. The book is adapted from a series of informal lectures Forster delivered in 1927 at Trinity College at the University of Cambridge. Forster was an accomplished novelist as well as a critic, known for the novels Howard’s End and Passage to India, among others... Read Aspects of the Novel Summary

A Study in Drowning

by Ava Reid

Publication year 2023

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Femininity, Gender Identity, The Past, Environment, War, Literature

Tags Fantasy, Romance, Gothic Literature, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Horror & Suspense, Fairy Tale & Folklore

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A Supermarket in California

by Allen Ginsberg

Publication year 1956

Genre Poem, Fiction

Themes Nation, Sexual Identity, Globalization, Politics & Government, Literature, Nostalgia

Tags Lyric Poem, Love & Sexuality, Arts & Culture, The Beat Generation, LGBTQ+, Classic Fiction

“A Supermarket in California” is a prose poem by the American poet Allen Ginsberg. Written in 1955, it appears alongside Ginsberg’s most well-known work, “Howl,” in his book Howl and Other Poems. Published November 1, 1956 by Lawrence Ferlinghetti’s City Lights Books as part of their Pocket Poets Series, Howl and Other Poems was subject to an obscenity trial in 1957 due to its use of sexually explicit language. The trial eventually ruled in the... Read A Supermarket in California Summary

A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again

by David Foster Wallace

Publication year 1997

Genre Essay Collection, Nonfiction

Themes Apathy, Loneliness, Self Discovery, Community, Education, Nation, Art, Fate, Literature, Power & Greed, Truth & Lies

Tags Humor, Philosophy, Postmodernism, American Literature

A Supposedly Fun Thing I’ll Never Do Again is a 1997 essay collection by David Foster Wallace. The seven essays explore 1990s US social issues through subjects such as television, tennis, and (in the most famous essay) a Caribbean cruise. The essays have been referenced many times in popular culture, particularly the title essay, which recounts Wallace’s experiences on a cruise.This guide references the 1998 Abacus edition of the collection.SummaryIn the first essay, “Derivative Sport... Read A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again Summary

At Swim-Two-Birds

by Flann O'Brien

Publication year 1939

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Literature, Social Class, Fate, The Past, Power & Greed, Good & Evil, Trust & Doubt, Conflict

Tags Irish Literature, Humor, Fantasy, Magical Realism, Fairy Tale & Folklore, Satirical Literature, Arts & Culture, Social Class, British Literature, World History, Classic Fiction

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Attack Of The Black Rectangles

by A.S King

Publication year 2022

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Fear, Grief, Hate & Anger, Guilt, Appearance & Reality, Equality, Justice, Literature, Safety & Danger, Truth & Lies, Family, Fathers, Grandparents, Friendship, Daughters & Sons, Mothers, Childhood & Youth, Coming of Age, Community, Education, Trust & Doubt

Tags Realistic Fiction, Children`s Literature, Coming of Age, Education

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A Vision

by William Butler Yeats

Publication year 1925

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Literature, Religion & Spirituality, Self Discovery, Art

Tags Philosophy, Classic Fiction, Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy, Irish Literature

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Awake

by Jen Hatmaker

Publication year 2025

Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction

Themes Marriage, Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Grief, Hate & Anger, Hope, Joy, Loneliness, Love, Memory, Femininity, Midlife, Future, The Past, Daughters & Sons, Family, Friendship, Self Discovery, Colonialism, Community, Equality, Justice, Literature, Loyalty & Betrayal, Music, Order & Chaos, Religion & Spirituality, Trust & Doubt, Truth & Lies

Tags Memoir & Autobiography, Relationships

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Babylon's Ashes

by James S. A. Corey

Publication year 2016

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Space, Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Hate & Anger, Hope, Revenge, Death, Future, Appearance & Reality, Environment, Objects & Materials, Place, Family, Friendship, Teamwork, Self Discovery, Social Class, Colonialism, Community, Economics, Globalization, Nation, Politics & Government, War, Fate, Good & Evil, Justice, Literature, Loyalty & Betrayal, Order & Chaos, Power & Greed, Religion & Spirituality, Safety & Danger, Science & Technology, Trust & Doubt, Truth & Lies, Wins & Losses

Tags Science Fiction, Fantasy, Action & Adventure

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