Given the fact that you are currently reading your school’s newspaper, I will presume you like to read. I shall further assumptuate that you, like all your fellow poor souls, have difficulty trying to find the time to read during the school year. Trapped in this institution of higher learning, we fill our minds with useful things instead of what we truly desire. This is a great shame, and it is why, with this reading list for fall semester, I have chosen pieces you can fit amidst your busy college-student life. In that regard, I hereby present to you four readings you will (hopefully) be able to squeeze into fall semester!
“The Anthropocene Reviewed” by John Green
Non-fiction Book
“The Anthropocene Reviewed” began in 2018 as a podcast written and narrated by one half of the Green brothers, and this book, published in (earlier) 2021, is a sort-of culmination of that. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the word “anthropocene” refers to “the epoch of geological time during which human activity is considered to be the dominant influence on the environment, climate, and ecology of the earth,” and the book’s subtitle, “Essays on a Human-Centered Planet,” alludes to that. It is a series of essays examining facets of human life on Earth–Canada Geese, the Penguins of Madagascar Movie, even the book’s own font–and rating each on a five-star scale.
To be honest, I haven’t finished this one yet, but I’m very much looking forward to continuing it. The book manages to be fascinating and humorous and poignant all at the same time. And because it’s a series of essays, each can be enjoyed individually at one’s own pace. Also, if you’re a part of the audiobook master race, the audiobook is marvelously narrated by John Green himself.
“Autobiography” by Dustin Pearson
Poem
This is one you should certainly be able to make time for, as it is just a single poem. From Pearson’s collection, “A Family is a House,” “Autobiography” is a fascinatingly rich and unique piece. Pearson says of it: “It's special to me because, as a marginalized ethnic writer writing under the umbrella of identity politics, sometimes you get questions or there's an expectation that everything in your life is up for grabs . . . and I think this is one of those poems that subverts your expectations, being called "Autobiography" but operating in a land of almost entirely fantasy.”
This poem was voluntold for this list by Nora Martin (sophomore, English and psychology). She recommended it, saying, “I love literature that revels in the absurd, especially the dark absurd. I love especially how Pearson straddles the aesthetic line between muddy dreamlike realism and gray fantasy.”
Definitely give this one a look.
“The Emperor’s Soul” by Brandon Sanderson
Novella
Anyone who knows me is probably groaning internally at my mention of Brandon Sanderson, because I bring up his books . . . often, let’s say. This is, I would argue, completely warranted, because everything that man writes is amazing. “The Emperor’s Soul” is one of his novellas, differing from his usual long, epic series, though of no less quality.
The novella tells the story of Shai, an expert forger who uses the world’s magic to steal and counterfeit artworks. On one job, she is caught by an empire that considers her magic an abomination. The empire, however, has recently encountered a problem; their emperor was wounded in an assasination attempt, leaving him brain-dead. They therefore seize the opportunity and, instead of simply executing her, offer her a deal: her freedom in exchange for creating a forgery of the emperor’s very soul.
It’s a beautiful commentary on the nature of art, as well as a compelling story and wonderfully intriguing magic system, winning the Hugo award for best novella after being published in 2012. And as a novella, it’s a shorter read than a full fantasy novel, which is why it’s on this list.
“The Lord of the Rings” trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien, read by Andy Serkis
Audiobook
Ok, ok, relax. I know what you’re saying, and yes, “The Lord of the Rings” is famously not a short, light read. But here I’m specifically recommending the audiobooks, and even more specifically the new editions released last month, narrated by Andy Serkis. Yes, that’s correct, Gollum himself reads these books (also of fame for a myriad of other roles, more recently including Klaw, from “Black Panther”).
Whether you’ve seen the movies and have been meaning to read the books, you read them a while ago and want a refresher, or you’re just looking to see what all the fuss is about, I 100% endorse these new editions; they’ve been very enjoyable in my listening so far.
And, since they’re audiobooks, they’re perfect for fitting in between things, such as while walking to class, waiting in line at the cafe, doing laundry, or running other errands.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.