This year I reached out to five teachers, asking them for their favorite books, with the intention of ranking them first to last. I considered the following when determining the rankings: Readability; was it a slow read? Was the pacing too fast? Was the narrative difficult to follow? Personal preference; how did I enjoy it as a reader? And audience; would most people enjoy reading this book? All of these novels were amazing and have the potential to be number one for
any other reader. So without further ado, here are my rankings out of five.
1. The Secret History
Donna Tartt’s The Secret History recommended by Jake Donohoe earns the top spot as an exciting blend of murder mystery within the captivating world of Classics students at Hampton College, an elite school in Vermont. For readers who enjoy fiction and a little suspense, this book is for you. The unique plotline and characters navigating moral ambiguity gave the novel the defining aspect of a winning novel. The book follows the narrative of these students whose experiments with ancient Greek rituals lead to a shocking murder. Years later, graduated Richard Papen reflects on the horrific events which led to the murder of his friend, Bunny. Tartt masterfully blends suspense and characters grappling moral complexities into the compelling and haunting narrative of a first place book!
2. Lathe of Heaven
Lathe of Heaven: In second place, The Lathe of Heaven, by Ursula K. Le Guin, recommended by Tom Duffy, opens in the distant future of Portland, Oregon, from the perspective of troubled George Orr, whose dreams possess the ability to alter reality. While the concept is undeniably interesting and thought provoking, the book felt slow to read, – getting it placed in second. However, for those who enjoy Sci-Fi that tackles profound questions of consciousness and the nature of existence, this book offers a unique and gratifying experience.
3. Cold Mountain
Cold Mountain: In third place, Charles Frazier’s Cold Mountain, recommended by Lauren Henson, is a classic love story that takes place during the Civil War. The novel opens from the perspective of Inman, a wounded soldier who embarks on a perilous journey through Cold Mountain to return to the woman he loves, Ada Monroe. Although beautifully written, it may not strike readers as unique in its portrayal of a tragic love during wartime. So while the story was heartbreaking and touching, it did not have the unicorn point to push it into the top two ranking. Readers who enjoy romance with a historical element will find it compelling, but it may not offer novelty and others might look for a more unconventional narrative, earning a respectable third place.
4. How the World is Passed
How the Word is Passed: Clint Smith’s How the Word is Passed, recommended by Shannon Sieckert, dives deeper into the history of American slavery through an exploration of historical sites. It placed fourth because while the information was presented in an impactful and thought-provoking way, the shifting focus on each historical site potentially decreased the novel’s ability to engage readers despite the importance of its subject matter. However, for those interested in understanding the enduring legacy of slavery and willing to power through more monotonous sections, the book offers many educational and insightful rewards and should not be disregarded for being in the lower ranks.
5. Sapiens: A Brief History of Human-kind
Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind: Last but not least, Yuval Noah Harari’s Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, recommended by Chuck Woolridge, discusses the history of mankind, tracing our species’ journey from its ancient origins to the modern day. While the book delves into a wealth of knowledge spanning across millions of years, its scope and focus may appeal primarily to major history buffs looking to read about rock caves and glorified monkeys. The book is one relevant to all human beings, but will find the most popularity among readers with a specific interest in human evolution, placing fifth on the list.
Overall, I had an amazing time reading and ranking these books and reading about diverse topics of romance, the human race, a classical murder, a powerful dreamer, and the persisting impact of slavery in America. Reading should not be something that stops when you stop being a student, as shown by the adults who shared their favorite books with us.
I recommend these books to all fellow readers and hope it leads you to pick up a book or ask your teacher what their favorite book is.
