Memory

In many ways, who we are is shaped by what we remember, yet our recollections aren't always a reliable account of the past. This collection gathers texts that explore the ideas, theories, and challenges conjured by memory.

Only If You're Lucky

by Stacy Willingham

Publication year 2024

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Fear, Grief, Guilt, Memory, Revenge, Femininity, Coming of Age, Death, Friendship, Self Discovery, Community, Loyalty & Betrayal, Safety & Danger, Trust & Doubt, Truth & Lies

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

... Read Only If You're Lucky Summary

Open City

by Teju Cole

Publication year 2011

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Race, Self Discovery, Memory, The Past, Friendship, Colonialism, Immigration

Tags American Literature, Psychological Fiction, Immigration & Refugeeism, Race & Racism, 9/11, Modern Classic Fiction

Teju Cole’s first full-length novel, Open City was published in 2011 to widespread acclaim, winning the PEN/Hemingway Award, The New York City Book Award, and the Rosenthal Foundation Award. Open City made many lists of the best books of the year, including at the New York Times Book Review, the Los Angeles Times, and NPR. Cole was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan to Nigerian parents and spent most of his childhood in Lagos, Nigeria before returning... Read Open City Summary

Open Veins of Latin America

by Eduardo Galeano

Publication year 1971

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Economics, Memory

Tags Latin American Literature, Business & Economics, World History, Philosophy, Philosophy, Politics & Government

Open Veins of Latin America (1997) by Uruguayan journalist, writer, and poet Eduardo Galeano is a historical nonfiction book about the political and economic development of Latin America. The book celebrated its 25th year anniversary in 1997 by issuing a new edition; it features additional writing from Galeano reflecting on the book and the state of Latin American politics seven years after the book’s first release. This study guide refers to the 25th year anniversary... Read Open Veins of Latin America Summary

Operation Bounce House

by Matt Dinniman

Publication year 2026

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Perseverance, Hate & Anger, Memory, Indigenous Identity, Future, Appearance & Reality, Place, Space, Friendship, Teamwork, Colonialism, Community, War, Good & Evil, Power & Greed, Science & Technology

Tags Science Fiction, Fantasy, Humor

... Read Operation Bounce House Summary

Ophie's Ghosts

by Justina Ireland

Publication year 2021

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Memory, Femininity, Race, Coming of Age, Death, The Past, Family, Social Class, Economics, Equality, Justice, Power & Greed, Religion & Spirituality

Tags Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery & Crime Fiction, African American Literature

... Read Ophie's Ghosts Summary

Other Birds

by Sarah Addison Allen

Publication year 2022

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Truth & Lies, Literature, Daughters & Sons, Family, Mothers, Animals, Place, Grief, Memory

Tags Magical Realism, Coming of Age, Grief & Death, Relationships, Science Fiction, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction, Romance, Fantasy, Religion & Spirituality

... Read Other Birds Summary

Our Evenings

by Alan Hollinghurst

Publication year 2024

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Hate & Anger, Hope, Joy, Love, Memory, Shame & Pride, Masculinity, Race, Sexual Identity, The Past, Fathers, Marriage, Mothers, Self Discovery, Social Class, Colonialism, Politics & Government, Equality, Fame, Literature

... Read Our Evenings Summary

Out of My Heart

by Sharon M. Draper

Publication year 2021

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Fear, Joy, Loneliness, Memory, Disability, Coming of Age, Childhood & Youth, Music, Trust & Doubt, Safety & Danger, Art, Animals, Appearance & Reality

Tags Realistic Fiction, Disability, Coming of Age, Children`s Literature, Modern Classic Fiction

... Read Out of My Heart Summary

Out Stealing Horses

by Per Petterson, Transl. Anne Born

Publication year 2003

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Memory, Coming of Age, Death, Loneliness, Guilt, Fathers

Tags Historical Fiction, Scandinavian Literature, Modern Classic Fiction

Out Stealing Horses, by Norwegian author Per Petterson, was first published in 2003; the English-language translation by Anne Born was published in 2005. Told in the first person, the novel follows Trond Sander’s meditations on key events in his life and his acceptance of his advancing age and future death. Set in a remote forested area of eastern Norway, the novel moves back and forth in time between its present-tense setting in 1999 and Trond’s... Read Out Stealing Horses Summary

Paint the Wind

by Pam Muñoz Ryan

Publication year 2007

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Grief, Memory, Coming of Age, Death, The Past, Animals, Environment

Tags Animals, Realistic Fiction, Action & Adventure, Children`s Literature, Contemporary Literature

... Read Paint the Wind Summary

Pedro Paramo

by Juan Rulfo

Publication year 1955

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Memory, Community, Religion & Spirituality, Grief, Justice, Power & Greed

Tags Latin American Literature, Classic Fiction, Magical Realism, Trauma & Abuse, Education, Education, World History, Fantasy

Pedro Paramo is a 1955 novel by Mexican author Juan Rulfo. In the novel, Juan Preciado returns to his mother’s hometown after her death to seek out his father. Rather than his father, he discovers a town populated by ghosts and traumatic memories. Pedro Paramo has been hailed as one of the most important novels of the 20th century and a vital foundation stone in the genre of magical realism. This guide uses the 2014... Read Pedro Paramo Summary

Penpal

by Dathan Auerbach

Publication year 2012

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Fear, Guilt, Hope, Love, Memory, Childhood & Youth, Daughters & Sons, Family, Mothers, Community, Fate, Good & Evil, Justice, Safety & Danger, Trust & Doubt, Truth & Lies

Tags Mystery & Crime Fiction, Horror & Suspense

... Read Penpal Summary

Perfume: The Story of a Murderer

by Patrick Süskind

Publication year 1985

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Loneliness, Memory, Good & Evil

Tags Historical Fiction, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Horror & Suspense, German Literature, World History, Classic Fiction

Perfume: The Story of a Murderer is a 1985 historical fiction novel by German author Patrick Suskind, originally published under the name Das Parfum. Patrick Suskind is an author and screenwriter who works primarily in the magical realism genre. He is best known for Perfume: The Story of a Murderer (published in English a year later in 1986), which is also his only full-length novel. He has published three novellas, a collection of short stories... Read Perfume: The Story of a Murderer Summary