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!

Bad Feminist

by Roxane Gay

Publication year 2014

Genre Essay Collection, Nonfiction

Themes Race, Femininity, Literature, Justice, Equality

Tags Gender & Feminism, Women`s Studies, Race & Racism, Social Justice, Politics & Government

Bad Feminist is a collection of essays from writer, scholar, and social critic Roxane Gay. Published in 2014 by Harper Perennial, the New York Times best seller draws together an array of topics, from pop culture to literary discourse to political legislation to personal recollections, in an analysis of society, culture, and politics. Gay tackles modern patriarchy and racism in ways that emphasize the humanity of marginalized people and how those systems of oppression deny... Read Bad Feminist Summary

Bag of Bones

by Stephen King

Publication year 1998

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Grief, The Past, Place, Literature, Truth & Lies

Tags Horror & Suspense, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Fantasy

Bag of Bones (1998) is a gothic horror novel by American author Stephen King. The novel follows Mike Noonan, a recently widowed author who has an overwhelming case of writer’s block. After experiencing several haunting dreams about his summer house, named Sara Laughs, Mike visits the house to attempt writing one last time. He soon gets embroiled in a legal battle between a local woman named Mattie Devore and her father-in-law, computer tycoon Max Devore... Read Bag of Bones Summary

Ballet Shoes

by Noel Streatfeild

Publication year 1936

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Perseverance, Hope, Joy, Childhood & Youth, Future, Family, Siblings, Self Discovery, Community, Economics, Art, Beauty, Fate, Literature, Education, Social Class

Tags Classic Fiction, Children`s Literature, Historical Fiction, British Literature

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Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress

by Dai Sijie, Transl. Ina Rilke

Publication year 2000

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Literature, Memory, Coming of Age, Politics & Government, Art, Safety & Danger

Tags Historical Fiction, Education, Education, Asian Literature, World History, Classic Fiction, Life-Inspired Fiction, Chinese Literature

Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress (2000) is a short, semi-autobiographical novel by Dai Sijie. The narrative is set during the Chinese Cultural Revolution and follows two teenage boys who are sent to a remote mountain village for re-education. The boys become close with the local tailor’s daughter and uncover a hidden stash of forbidden Western literature. The books introduce them to ideas, emotions, and freedoms they have never known, and awaken in the Little... Read Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress Summary

Ban This Book

by Alan Gratz

Publication year 2017

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Literature, Friendship, Community, Siblings, Childhood & Youth, Family, Education, Guilt, Fear, Trust & Doubt, Politics & Government, Perseverance, Conflict

Tags Realistic Fiction, Children`s Literature, Education, Education, Modern Classic Fiction

... Read Ban This Book Summary

Barbarian Days: A Surfing Life

by William Finnegan

Publication year 2015

Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction

Themes Coming of Age, Friendship, Perseverance, Self Discovery, Environment, Appearance & Reality, Social Class, Politics & Government, Safety & Danger, Community, Literature

Tags Sports, Travel Literature, Action & Adventure, Bullying, Arts & Culture, Social Class, Race & Racism, Relationships, Poverty, Politics & Government, Science & Nature, Social Justice, World History, Biography

Barbarian Days: A Surfing Life is a 2015 memoir by William Finnegan, a writer for The New Yorker and the author of several social journalism books such as A Complicated War: The Harrowing of Mozambique and Dateline Soweto: Travels with Black South African Reporters. In Barbarian Days, Finnegan reflects on his upbringing in California and Hawaii, as well as his coming of age in the late 1960s. He relays his experience of the surfing counterculture... Read Barbarian Days: A Surfing Life Summary

Before Night Falls

by Reinaldo Arenas

Publication year 1993

Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction

Themes Sexual Identity, The Past, Politics & Government, Loyalty & Betrayal, Literature

Tags Latin American Literature, LGBTQ+, World History, Biography

The autobiography of Cuban novelist and poet Reinaldo Arenas, Before Night Falls, details his life as a gay man under Fidel Castro’s regime and the consequences of his dissidence. It was published posthumously in 1993. Immediately named one of the best books of the year by The New York Times, it has since been adapted into a movie and, later, an opera. Before Night Falls tells the story of Arenas’s life growing up in a... Read Before Night Falls Summary

Being Henry David

by Cal Armistead

Publication year 2013

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Fear, Forgiveness, Loneliness, Regret, Mental Health, Coming of Age, Environment, Place, Family, Friendship, Self Discovery, Literature, Music, Truth & Lies

Tags Mystery & Crime Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction, Romance, Action & Adventure

... Read Being Henry David Summary

Bird By Bird

by Anne Lamott

Publication year 1994

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Literature, Perseverance, Grief, Language

Tags Self-Improvement, Humor, Arts & Culture, Biography

Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott was originally published in 1994. Many of Lamott’s books have been on the New York Times bestsellers list, which qualifies her to offer advice about how to write. She also taught at writing conferences and at UC Davis, received a Guggenheim Fellowship, and was inducted into the California Hall of Fame. Bird by Bird is a combination of memoir, self-help book, and writing... Read Bird By Bird Summary

Bob

by Wendy Mass, Rebecca Stead

Publication year 2018

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Friendship, Conflict, Perseverance, Loneliness, Fear, Guilt, Hope, Joy, Love, Memory, Gratitude, Childhood & Youth, The Past, Appearance & Reality, Climate, Environment, Food, Family, Grandparents, Mothers, Literature, Safety & Danger

Tags Fantasy, Magical Realism, Children`s Literature, Mystery & Crime Fiction

... Read Bob Summary

Bonk

by Mary Roach

Publication year 2008

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Fear, Gratitude, Love, Shame & Pride, Disability, Femininity, Gender Identity, Masculinity, Mental Health, Sexual Identity, Self Discovery, Community, Education, Politics & Government, Justice, Literature, Order & Chaos, Science & Technology, Truth & Lies

Tags Science & Nature, Love & Sexuality, Health, Psychology, Humor

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Borges and I

by Jorge Luis Borges

Publication year 1960

Genre Short Story, Fiction

Themes Literature, Loneliness, Fame

Tags Magical Realism, Life-Inspired Fiction, Latin American Literature, Education, Education, Philosophy, Philosophy, Classic Fiction

... Read Borges and I Summary