Popular Study Guides

The Popular Study Guides Collection brings together a selection of our most-visited Guides in one convenient place. Featuring titles ranging from classic literature with enduring appeal to popular book club picks, this Collection represents a diverse array of literature readers can't get enough of.

Alone

by Megan E. Freeman

Publication year 2021

Genre Novel/Book in Verse, Fiction

Themes Family, Self Discovery, Place, Loneliness

Tags Action & Adventure, Survival Fiction, Science Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Children`s Literature

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A Man For All Seasons

by Robert Bolt

Publication year 1960

Genre Play, Fiction

Themes Religion & Spirituality, Social Class, Politics & Government

Tags Drama, Historical Drama, Education, Education, World History, Dramatic Literature, Historical Fiction, Classic Fiction, Religion & Spirituality

A Man for All Seasons is a 1960 play by English playwright Robert Bolt. Though it was published in its completed form in 1960, it was originally written for radio in 1954. It was then adapted for television in 1957 before finally being rewritten for the stage. The original runs of the show in London and later New York attained critical and commercial success. In 1966, the play was adapted into an Academy Award-winning film... Read A Man For All Seasons Summary

A Map of Home

by Randa Jarrar

Publication year 2008

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Sexual Identity, Coming of Age

Tags Historical Fiction, Coming of Age, LGBTQ+, Modern Classic Fiction, World History, Religion & Spirituality

A Map of Home is a 2008 coming-of-age novel by Randa Jarrar. The novel follows the life of Nidali, a girl of Palestinian, Greek, and Egyptian descent who grows up between Kuwait, Egypt, and the United States. The novel contains three parts, each of which correspond to Nidali’s time in these three different countries. During her childhood, Nidali navigates extreme circumstances, grappling with violence, family conflict, and the backdrop of war, all while exploring her... Read A Map of Home Summary

Amusing Ourselves to Death

by Neil Postman

Publication year 1985

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Community, Education, Science & Technology, Politics & Government, Religion & Spirituality

Tags Sociology, Education, Science & Nature, World History, Psychology, Psychology, Philosophy, Arts & Culture, Politics & Government, Philosophy, Technology, Information Age, Education

Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business is a nonfiction book by Neil Postman, published in 1985. Postman was a professor of education and communication at New York University with a special interest in the role of technology and media in society. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York in Fredonia and a master’s degree and doctorate from the Teachers College of Columbia University. In... Read Amusing Ourselves to Death Summary

And Then There Were None

by Agatha Christie

Publication year 1939

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Death, Fate, Safety & Danger, Memory, The Past, Guilt, Conflict, Justice, Fear, Gender Identity, Masculinity, Femininity, Truth & Lies, Appearance & Reality, Apathy, Colonialism

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

Published in 1939, And Then There Were None is a mystery novel by Agatha Christie, best-selling novelist of all time, outsold only by the Bible and Shakespeare. With over 100 million copies sold, And Then There Were None is the world’s best-selling crime novel as well as one of the best-selling books of all time. It has had more adaptations than any other work by Agatha Christie, including television programs, films, radio broadcasts, and most... Read And Then There Were None Summary

Anne Of Green Gables

by Lucy Maud Montgomery

Publication year 1908

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Family, Friendship

Tags Classic Fiction, Historical Fiction, Coming of Age

Anne of Green Gables is a world-renowned classic children’s novel first published in 1908 by Canadian author L. M. Montgomery. Set in the latter part of the 19th century in fictional Avonlea, a small town on Prince Edward Island, Canada, the story follows the accidental arrival of a precocious 11-year-old orphan girl, Anne Shirley, at Green Gables, the family homestead of middle-aged siblings Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert. Many mishaps, adventures, and ultimate successes follow Anne... Read Anne Of Green Gables Summary

Another Country

by James Baldwin

Publication year 1962

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Friendship, Sexual Identity, Race, Love

Tags LGBTQ+, Race & Racism, Love & Sexuality, Depression & Suicide, Relationships, Grief & Death, Trauma & Abuse, Social Justice, American Literature, Classic Fiction

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Antifragile

by Nassim Nicholas Taleb

Publication year 2012

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Economics, Science & Technology, Nation

Tags Philosophy, Business & Economics, Psychology, Science & Nature, Finance, Leadership, Psychology, Philosophy, Self-Improvement

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A River in Darkness

by Masaji Ishikawa, Transl. Martin Brown, Transl. Risa Kobayashi

Publication year 2000

Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction

Themes Family, Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Grief, Guilt, Loneliness, Regret, Shame & Pride, Masculinity, Mental Health, Race, Childhood & Youth, Fathers, Social Class, Colonialism, Immigration, Politics & Government, Safety & Danger

Tags World History, Japanese Literature, Biography, Asian History, Politics & Government, Inspirational

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