Book recommendations based on the works I have read in my Barnard classes!

As an English major, but also a self-proclaimed avid reader and Goodreads user, I came to college very excited for every book I would be able to read in my classes. From my First Year Seminar to my English classes, I have compiled a list of my favorite books and essays I have read throughout my time at Barnard in no particular order. 

Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin

Set in Paris, a young American man finds himself caught between his romantic desires and American societal norms.

James Baldwin’s novel, Giovanni’s Room, is probably my favorite novel I have read at Barnard so far. The story is less than 200 pages long, but its impact lasts long after the pages end. Baldwin’s writing is captivating, and the brilliant narrative he creates is extremely moving. David and Giovanni’s relationship is one that brought tears to my eyes, and I think of them often. I would truly recommend this book to anyone, but especially those who want beautiful prose, a heartbreaking story, and an interesting story of American values. 

Favorite Quote: “You are the one who keeps talking about what I want. But I have only been talking about who I want.” 

In Cold Blood by Truman Capote

Based on a true story, Capote captures the tale of the Clutter family’s murder in the small town of Holcomb, Kansas, and the capture, trial, and execution of the killers. 

I had the pleasure of taking True Crime with Penelope Usher my first semester, and this was one the last texts we read in the class, and it blew me away. Learning about the making of the story, in which Capote spent months in the town of Holcomb interviewing anyone who wanted to share the events before, during, and after the murders, as well as befriending the murderers. The latter clearly influenced the writing of the story. with Capote becoming quite close with one of the murderers, Perry, skewing bias towards him writing the book. This novel really made me think about bias in true crime reporting and the morality of making a profit off of tragic events that you did not live through. 

How To Tame A Wild Tongue by Gloria Anzaldúa

In this essay, Anzaldúa explores how language and identity are intertwined. 

Gloria Anzaldúa paints a beautiful picture of what it means to be a multilingual speaker and speak Chicano Spanish in this essay. The essay discusses the harm of forcing multilingual speakers in the United States to only speak English and how that erases identity and creates linguistic oppression. Anzaldúa’s prose is stunning, and the way that she switches between English and Spanish within the essay creates a great impact on the reader. 

Favorite Quote: “Ethnic identity is twin skin to linguistic identity—I am my language.” 

The Secret History by Donna Tartt

A group of elite New England college students, influenced by their classics professor and ancient Greek practices, commit a murder.

The novel lived up to the hype. I had the chance to read this novel in my first-year seminar, Cults, and I could not put it down. Tartt strategically crafts this novel to draw the reader in, telling the reader that a murder has been committed, and as we read, we find out why and how it occurred through the point of view of an outsider to the close-knit group, named Richard. I particularly like the discussion around the boundaries of morality and obsession, and the way reality becomes skewed for multiple characters. Also, my whole class agreed that Judy Poovey is just an unbothered queen. 

Passing by Nella Larsen

The story follows two African American women, Clare Kendry and Irene Redfield, who reunite after years apart and explores the conflict between American racism and assimilation during the Harlem Renaissance. 

Passing is not only an interesting story but also allows for even more interesting conversations around race. Specifically, the novel explores how certain Black Americans, who were born into one marginalized racial category, are able to move into another racial category for privilege and security. I thoroughly enjoyed Larsen’s writing, and how the end of the book (no spoilers) led to a very interesting debate in my class. 

Favorite Quote: “It’s funny about ‘passing.’ We disapprove of it and at the same time condone it. It excites our contempt and yet we rather admire it. We shy away from it with an odd kind of revulsion, but we protect it.”

Jane: A Murder by Maggie Nelson

In this book, Nelson explores the murder of her aunt, Jane Mixer.

I had personally never heard of Maggie Nelson before reading this book, and it really turned me into a fan of her writing. The book is a compilation of poetry, prose, newspaper clippings, documentary sources, and entries from Jane’s diary. This structure allowed us to grapple with Jane’s death while Nelson also worked through her connection to Jane and the mystery surrounding the unsolved crime. Nelson bends the genres of true crime, poetry, and memoir in such a delicate way. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in the long-term effects of a murder on the victim’s family and those who enjoy beautiful writing. 

Image via Bwog Archives