How to Read Literature Like a Professor, by Thomas C. Foster

How to Read Literature Like a Professor, by Thomas C. Foster, is a guide to understanding the basic day to day literature and classics that we read in schools and universities or simply at home in our own pleasure. A contemporary fiction and drama professor, Foster takes us on a journey of reading and analyzing famous books throughout the centuries. This book contains a number of practical guides and outlines to break down and comprehend stories piece by piece in order to not only successfully understand the gist of the story but to also identify hidden gems.

Although Foster provides a number of helpful outlines to convert old literature into something that a mind of the twenty-first century would understand, his methods and teachings remain quite vague. How to Read Literature Like a Professor definitely does not live up to the hopes that the title promises. Instead it makes the average readers even more confused and it can even possibly send the wrong message to the struggling readers as they might misunderstand that literature really wasn’t meant for them. This book was anything but an enjoyable read, therefore I would not recommend it anyone.

Scorch Trials, by James Dashner

The book, " The Scorch Trials" by James Dashner is a book that follows the maze runner. After the group escaped the maze, they have to finish a trek through a barren wasteland to get to safety. They fight wastelanders, treacherous weather, and each other.

I like this book a lot. It made me think of how different the world could be if one little thing went wrong and how catastrophic things could have been if our history was even slightly altered. I would recommend this book to any teens that enjoy science fiction.

Reviewed by Kevin N., Grade 9

Grandview Library

Crime and Punishment, by Fyodor Dostoyevsky

Raskolnikov is a poor student that struggles to make it by in Saint Petersburg. Too proud to ask for help, he is drawn to committing a murder fueled by the notion that he is doing the world a favor by getting rid of the old pawnbroker lady he frequently visits to pawn his things for money. The book- appropriately named Crime and Punishment- details the build up to the crime itself and the subsequent punishment and the seeking of redemption. I have picked up Crime and Punishment, by Fyodor Dostoyevsky, many times, starting from the beginning and then losing interest after the murder where Raskolnikov is stuck in a feverish state of mind that can be confusing and frankly, boring. I definitely recommend this book. However, it is extremely helpful if you have a secondary resource (Sparknotes, Shmoop, et cetera...) to keep track of the characters (similar names are used for many different characters and each character will be addressed in a different name at least once). I definitely recommend to any high schooners who are willing to engage with this book- even re-reading chapters to catch what they missed- it is very rewarding to read and get swept up in the characters and their contribution to the story. This is not for the quick reader. You will not appreciate it if you're a quick reader or generally not willing to put in some time into understanding the novel. I disliked the novel until I utilized character lists and re read the chapters. Not for the faint of heart and easily distracted. Reviewed by J.L., Grade 12

Ivy Chronicles ,by Karen Quinn

The Ivy Chronicles, creatively and humorously written by Karen Quinn, details the struggle of Ivy Ames, a New Yorker living the extravagant life - until she gets fired from her well-paying corporate job and finds out that her husband has been cheating on her with a colleague's wife. Ivy scrambles to piece her life back and tries to downscale her luxurious life. Trying to pull her life together - and her kids - she dreams up the business of arranging clients' little kids into exclusive and first choice kindergartens of their liking, with the help of her new neighbors, Philip and Michael, and her best friend, Faith. In this hilarious take on the difficulties of dealing with over-demanding parents and a new perspective on top-tier schools, Ivy is the unnatural but good-natured heroine with possibly more than a few tricks up her sleeve.

At first glance, it may seem as if Ivy is an annoying, stuck-up woman who should take more time to appreciate the world around her and how worse she could be living. Soon, however, you grow to love her antics and quirks as she faces the world with her courage and determination. I admired those two specific qualities of her and made me root for her all the way through. I unquestionably had my moments when I cringed at her behavior and controversial judgment. Nevertheless, it was difficult to not burst out laughing at when she got herself into an unlucky situation. At times, there were a few mature themes that were presented, but it wasn't incorporated often. All in all, I amazed myself by looking up to none other than Ivy Ames, the woman who could single-handedly take care of her kids' lives - and hers too - through all the hardships she was presented with.To conclude, I really enjoyed reading this novel. If you're looking for an entertaining and comical read, this is it. It kept me on my toes, and I'd be lying if I said that the plot didn't surprise me with its twists. There are slightly mature themes throughout Ivy Chronicles ,by Karen Quinn, but it is lighthearted enough that it really didn't bother me. I would wholeheartedly recommend this story to any one of my friends.

Reviewed by Alena, Grade 9
Downtown Central Library

The Yellow Wall Paper and Other Stories, by Charlotte Perkins Gilman

The Yellow Wall Paper and Other Stories published during the 19th century by the author Charlotte Perkins Gilman. The Yellow Wallpaper particularly is one of the most chilling and mystifying short stories of Gilman. Specifically written from a feminist pint of view, the story follows the doings of one typical housewife’s climatic turn to madness. Another story “Turned” is about the sardonic tale of a husband seducing and ending up impregnating a maid. Through this and the stories Gilman tries to prove to the readers of the inferior role of women in society and the neglects that they receive.

The Yellow Wall Paper and Other Stories by Charlotte Perkins Gilman is quite an interesting compilation of feminist short stories. The stories are not only out of the ordinary but they also made me very ambivalent about my reaction afterwards. Even though these works of Gilman are highly praised among the feminist realm, I still found it hard to adjust to this odd type of stories which are no doubt depressing. Despite how true they may be it is still hard to actually admire and connect to them.

Reviewed from Anonymous, Grade 12

Glendale Central Library

One Punch Man, by One

After saving a child from a monster, the then-unemployed Saitama, realized his calling. He wanted to be a hero! After three years of intense training, Saitama became strong enough to defeat any enemy with only one punch as well as lost all his hair. But with such overwhelming power, fighting villains is no longer exciting and he has become emotionally numb. It is only until Saitama met the rash cyborg, Genos, that his life started to become interesting again.

This is probably one of my favorite manga of all time! 

All of the characters are so well created, coming packaged with creative backstories, amazing designs, and a very unique quirkiness. There wasn't a single character that was alike, and that includes all of the hundreds of villains. The monsters that appear are so amusingly silly and interesting, unlike those from more "intense" manga that trade memorability for a darker tone. 

One Punch Man, by One, obviously doesn't take it's self too seriously, which lets it break away from cliché tropes in the genre. It is very different spin on an Shonen manga.

Reviewed by Matty, Grade 12

Montrose Library

Assassination Classroom (Volume 1), by Yusei Matsui

Assassination Classroom, by Yusei Matsui, is a manga that tells a unique story of students in Kunugigaoka Junior High school. These are no ordinary students and they certainly have no ordinary teachers. The story centers around the class 3-E (E as in End) meaning that these students are the outcast of the school either because of their failing grades or their brazen behaviors. On top of being inflicted with dragging problems, class 3-E receives an offer from the Ministry of Defense which consists of 10 billion yen if they succeed in killing their new teacher. Their new teacher, Koro sensi, is anything but ordinary, he flies at the speed of mach 20 and is an extraterrestrial yellow octopus who has threatened to destroy the earth after class 3-E graduates in March.

Once again I have to admit that the publications of Shonen Jump ceaselessly amaze me every time because I am just absolutely enthralled by this fantastic manga. The very plot of Assassination Classroom captures the reader’s attention from the start, and the comical yet unique characters keep the readers interest kindled. The artwork of the manga is stunning and it is impossible to not get attached to the hilarious but mysterious Koro sensi. I am looking forward to moving on to the next volume and I would definitely recommend this to anyone and everyone.

Reviewed by Anonymous, Grade 12

Glendale Central Library 

Gulliver’s Travels, by Jonathan Swift

Gulliver’s Travels is a satirical novel published in 1726 by the author Jonathan Swift. The story is illustrated through the detailed travel diary of Lemuel Gulliver who is shipwrecked in different islands where he is introduced to peculiar inhabitants. Gullible Gulliver meets absurd Lilliputs, crude Brobdingnag, intelligent Houyhnhnms, and selfish Yahoos. Swift’s brilliantly savage satire unveils the boorish nature of human behavior through these strange creatures. This book magnifies our flawed characteristics and makes us pause to reflect over our vacuous behaviors.

After reading Gulliver’s travels, I must admit that the snarky satire of Jonathan Swift has made me recognize him as one of the cleverest author. Swift does a marvelous job in exposing the flaws of our society which sadly is just as relevant as it was during the 18th century as today. His parodies and satires are not only scholarly germane but it also is terrifically humorous. The fictional worlds in this series of adventures of Gulliver is fantastically well crafted and it really stands out from majority of the other books which is why I would highly recommend everyone to give this book a read.

Reviewed by Anonymous, Grade 12

Glendale Central Library