Athens has no shortage of places to start new literary adventures. Alden Library offers students the ability to check out novels and books for free, and the staple Little Professor Book Store has a wide variety of new finds and classic stories for customers.
What are the Human Interest staff’s favorite reads and why?
“My favorite book is ‘Slaughterhouse-Five: A Novel’ by Kurt Vonnegut Jr.,” Maia LeClair, a senior studying Journalism, said. “I first read it sometime in middle school, and its depiction of aliens, war and existentialism has stuck with me ever since. I recommend it to others who are looking for non-linear narratives and anti-war messages. It’s not your typical sci-fi book.”
Paperback and hardcover versions of "Slaughterhouse-Five" can be purchased for $7 or $16 on Amazon. Little Professor Book Center on 65 S Court St., plans to restock a paperback edition of "Slaughterhouse-Five" next week for $18.
“My favorite book is either ‘Valley of the Dolls’ by Jacqueline Susann or ‘Little Women’ by Louisa May Alcott,” Mary Kate McNamee, a senior studying English, said. “I read ‘Valley of the Dolls’ a summer or two ago and did a book project on it for a class. I would recommend it to others because it’s a controversial book about fame and success. ‘Little Women’ is another book I would recommend because it is an all-time classic. The relationships between the sisters and seeing them grow into adulthood during and after the Civil War is immensely impactful.”
Paperback and hardcover editions of "Valley of the Dolls" can be purchased for $12 or $29 on Amazon. Multiple cover designs of "Little Women," both paperback and hardcover, can be purchased on Amazon too. Prices range between $8 and $20.
Little Professor plans to restock a paperback edition of "Valley of The Dolls" next week for $20. A paperback edition of "Little Women" can be purchased now for $17.
“I don’t think I necessarily have a favorite, but it would either be ‘Pet Sematary: A Novel’ by Stephen King or ‘Beaverland: How One Weird Rodent Made America’ by Leila Philip,” Ethan Herx, a junior studying photojournalism, said. “I like ‘Pet Sematary’ because I’m a huge horror fan and in my opinion it’s one of King’s most unsettling books. I like ‘Beaverland’ because I’m a big fan of natural history and this book really explores how important beavers are to the overall history of North America.”
Paperback and hardcover versions of "Pet Sematary" can be purchased for $11 or $17.66 on Amazon. Copies of "Beaverland" range between $17 and $18 on Amazon. Little Professor plans to restock a paperback edition of "Pet Sematary" next week for $19.99. A paperback edition of "Beaverland” can be purchased now for $19.99.
“My favorite book is ‘One Day’ by David Nicholls,” Ella Moler, a freshman studying journalism, said. “I read it last year and I recommend it because it really made me realize the importance of time and living life to the fullest. Also, I cried my eyes out and I love a book that makes me feel something.”
"One Day" paperback and hardcover versions can be purchased for $8 or $36 on Amazon. Little Professor plans to restock a paperback edition of "One Day" next week for $18.
“My favorite book of all time is 'Mexican Gothic' by Silvia Moreno-Garcia,” Jackson McCoy, a junior studying journalism and environmental studies, said. “It's a retelling of Edgar Allen Poe's 'The Fall of the House of Usher' set in mid-century Mexico, covering themes surrounding colonialism, generational trauma and exploitation of resources. Moreno-Garcia's novel is highly stylistic and has just as much flash as it does meaning.”
Paperback and hardcover versions of "Mexican Gothic" can be purchased for $17 or $15 on Amazon. Little Professor currently has a paperback edition of "Mexican Gothic” for $17.
“My favorite book is ‘The Alchemist’ by Paulo Coelho,” Emma Snyder-Lovera, a senior studying media arts production, said. “I read it for the first time in eighth grade, but I've read it twice since then. I always recommend it to other people because no matter where you are in your life, this book will find you and change your outlook. It's incredibly hopeful and magical; I have a new experience every time I read it.”
"The Alchemist” can be purchased on Amazon, with prices ranging between $10 and $14. Little Professor plans to restock a paperback edition of "The Alchemist” next week for $17.99.
“My favorite book is ‘The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo’ by Taylor Jenkins Reid,” Caitlyn Vance, a sophomore studying journalism, said. “I first read it in my sophomore year of high school. Reid takes readers through the story in a way I have never experienced, her storytelling is unmatched, and Evelyn Hugo’s character is complex and makes readers attach to her. It is just an amazing story.”
Paperback and hardcover versions of "The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo" can be purchased on Amazon for $9 or $18. Little Professor plans to restock a paperback edition of "The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo" next week for $17.
“My favorite book is ‘The Secret History’ by Donna Tartt,” Jen Fosnaught, a sophomore studying journalism, said. “I read it in the fall of last year. I'd recommend it to others due to its mystery and allure. It follows a pretentious group of Greek students, and a common man who becomes obsessed with them. It's the perfect blend of dark academia, an unreliable narrator, obsession, secrets, mysteries and drama.”
“The Secret History" prices range between $10 and $27 on Amazon. Little Professor currently has a paperback edition of "The Secret History" for $17.
“My favorite book ever is ‘Looking for Alaska’ by John Green,” Fiona Petticrew, a sophomore studying journalism, said. “John Green is just an incredible author, and he's one of the only authors that makes me cry every time I read his stories. ‘Looking for Alaska’ is a heart wrenching story about a group of friends trying to feel whole again after their friend Alaska died. It's a must read, and it really isn't too long of a book.”
"Looking for Alaska” prices range between $8 and $11 on Amazon. Little Professor plans to restock a paperback edition of "Looking for Alaska” next week for $14.99.
