Community

A community can come together for the common good or be torn apart by disagreement and strife. This collection explores what makes a community and how individuals struggle or succeed in finding their place within it.

The Land of Open Graves

by Jason De León

Publication year 2015

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Community

Tags Anthropology, Education, Education, Anthropology, Grief & Death, World History, Politics & Government

The Land of Open Graves: Living and Dying on the Migrant Trail is a 2015 work of nonfiction and the winner of four awards, including the J.J. Staley Book Prize in 2018. Drawing on his expertise in anthropology, ethnography and archeology, author Jason De León, Executive Director of the Undocumented Migration Project and current Professor of Anthropology and Chicanx Studies at the University of California, Los Angeles, critiques the federal border enforcement policy known as... Read The Land of Open Graves Summary

The Language of Flowers

by Vanessa Diffenbaugh

Publication year 2011

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Love, Family, Forgiveness, Community, Childhood & Youth, Guilt

Tags Parenting, Coming of Age, Realistic Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction, Romance

The Language of Flowers (2011) is the debut novel of Vanessa Diffenbaugh. This fictional story follows Victoria Jones, a foster care child who is legally emancipated at the age of 18 and communicates primarily through the language of flowers. Diffenbaugh was inspired by the informational text Language of Flowers by Kate Greenaway, which outlined the use of secret messages delivered via bouquet during the Victorian Era. Diffenbaugh studied creative writing and education at Stanford University... Read The Language of Flowers Summary

The Laws of Human Nature

by Robert Greene

Publication year 2018

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Conflict, Forgiveness, Hate & Anger, Femininity, Gender Identity, Masculinity, Mental Health, Appearance & Reality, Family, Self Discovery, Community, Power & Greed, Science & Technology

Tags Psychology, Self-Improvement, Philosophy, Business & Economics, Leadership, Sociology

... Read The Laws of Human Nature Summary

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

by Washington Irving

Publication year 1820

Genre Short Story, Fiction

Themes Colonialism, Community

Tags Horror & Suspense, Classic Fiction, Gothic Literature, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Historical Fiction, Fantasy

American author Washington Irving published “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” in 1820 as part of his short story collection The Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent while living abroad in England. “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” is a ghost story, an example of American gothic fiction that evokes horror, folklore, and the supernatural. “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” has become a classic Halloween tale for its spectral villain, the Headless Horseman, and its hapless hero, Ichabod... Read The Legend of Sleepy Hollow Summary

The Lies of Locke Lamora

by Scott Lynch

Publication year 2006

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Fear, Grief, Hate & Anger, Guilt, Memory, Revenge, Shame & Pride, Good & Evil, Justice, Loyalty & Betrayal, Power & Greed, Safety & Danger, Order & Chaos, Trust & Doubt, Truth & Lies, Religion & Spirituality, Death, Childhood & Youth, The Past, Coming of Age, Language, Family, Teamwork, Social Class, Community, Politics & Government, Nation

Tags Fantasy, Action & Adventure, Mystery & Crime Fiction

The Lies of Locke Lamora, written by Scott Lynch and published in 2006, is the first entry in the Gentleman Bastards series. These novels mix caper stories and fantasy stories and include adventure, violence, dark humor, and intimate friendships. The Lies of Locke Lamora is an international best seller and was nominated for multiple awards. The other entries in the series are Red Seas Under Red Skies, The Republic of Thieves, and The Thorn of... Read The Lies of Locke Lamora Summary

The Life You Can Save

by Peter Singer

Publication year 2009

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Power & Greed, Justice, Economics, Community

Tags Philosophy, Poverty, Social Justice, Business & Economics, Sociology, Philosophy, Politics & Government

In 2009, Peter Singer, philosopher and ethicist at Princeton University, published The Life You Can Save, a short treatise on the obligations of affluent persons to alleviate the suffering of those experiencing extreme poverty on a global scale. By this time in his career, Singer had spent several decades on ethical questions related to global poverty. In 1972, he produced a seminal essay in the field, “Famine, Affluence, and Morality.” After a much more recent... Read The Life You Can Save Summary

The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven

by Sherman Alexie

Publication year 1993

Genre Short Story Collection, Fiction

Themes Community, Race, Memory, Indigenous Identity, Language, Future

Tags American Literature, Modern Classic Fiction, Humor, Relationships

The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven is a collection of 24 loosely connected short stories by writer Sherman Alexie; all are set on or near the Spokane Reservation in Washington state. As a Salish descendant (his mother was of Spokane heritage and his father of Coeur d’Alene) and celebrated author, Alexie has become a mouthpiece for Northwestern American Indigenous tribes. Two stories cut from the original 1993 publication have been reinserted in the... Read The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven Summary

The Long Call

by Ann Cleeves

Publication year 2019

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Forgiveness, Guilt, Sexual Identity, Family, Community, Justice, Religion & Spirituality

Tags Mystery & Crime Fiction, Horror & Suspense, British Literature, Modern Classic Fiction

... Read The Long Call Summary

The Lost Heir

by Tui T. Sutherland

Publication year 2013

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Forgiveness, Memory, Regret, Language, Coming of Age, Appearance & Reality, Mothers, Teamwork, Self Discovery, Community, War, Equality, Justice, Loyalty & Betrayal, Power & Greed, Safety & Danger

Tags Fantasy, Animals, Action & Adventure, Science Fiction

... Read The Lost Heir Summary