10 Books in 1 Decade
10 Books in 10 Decades
“The Iliad” by Homer
This novel is one of the required readings for my freshmen Lit Hum class, and it’s the one I’m most excited to read. Hearing Mr. Gibbons talk about how parts of the Iliad and Odyssey are potentially true has further captivated my interest. Moreover, as a former avid reader of the Percy Jackson series, I can’t wait to rewatch the story of Greek gods unfolding in front of me.
“The Odyssey” by Homer
The Odyssey comes right after the Iliad, making it the perfect book to read next. This novel follows the story of a king traveling around the world in 10 years trying to find his home after the Trojan War. Since this novel formed the foundation for countless modern adventures, I would love to see how fantasy stories have shifted through time.
“Alexander Hamilton” by Ron Chernow
When the musical Hamilton came out in middle school, I was instantly hooked—watching the musical countless times and memorizing all the lyrics. During one of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s interviews, I learned that Alexander Hamilton, by Ron Chernow, was the inspiration behind the play. Since then, this novel has been on the top of my reading list; I haven’t been able to find time to read it.
“The Divine Comedy” by Dante
The Divine Comedy is another story that I learned in history. The novel is narrated by Dante as he travels from hell to purgatory to heaven. I’ve always been interested in reading theological pieces, especially one written during the Renaissance—the peak of humanism in European history. I’m sure this book will consider both mortality and humanity through a different lens.
“The Prince” by Niccolo Machiavelli
“Cunning like a fox and ferocious like a lion” is one of the most famous quotes from The Prince. This singular quote captures the teaching that transformed numerous monarchs, forever altering the course of history. I would love to read this book and challenge both my perception of the world and gain a deeper understanding of politics.
“Dune” by Frank Herbert
I read a part of Dune, however, I was never able to get far into it due to its generous use of conlang, which required the reader to constantly flip between current pages and the dictionary. Nevertheless, I love reading fantasy novels and would love to pick this novel again. The recent film adaptation of this book has also been critically acclaimed, so I would like to watch the movie after reading the novel first.
“Never Let Me Go” by Kazuo Ishiguro
This was a novel recommended to me by my sister. I remember watching the movie as a child and losing sleep over it. The story revolves around a group of kids that are created as organ donors—their purpose was to have their organs harvested. Although my first experience with the novel has not been pleasant, I really want to read a modern dystopian science fiction novel.
“Crime and Punishment” by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Crime and Punishment was a book recommended by Sparsh. I am drawn to this book's subject of alienation and how one’s pride can ostracize one from society. The main message of this book seems to center around how narcissism and a superiority complex can make it hard for one to relate with others. Through this novel, I hope to learn more about the human psyche and social relationships.
“Don Quixote” by Miguel de Cervantes
Often cited as the first modern novel, Don Quixote captures the voices of the people. This story revolves around the fewest members of the nobility and tells their story of battling corruption. I’m drawn to the classical theme of this novel and the unique perspective the story is told from
“Leaves of Grass” by Walt Whitman
This poetry collection marked the downfall of Walter White from Breaking Bad. I’ve always loved reading Walt Whitman’s poetry, yet I’ve never read his most famous collection. These poems would be the perfect inspiration for my poetry over the next few years.
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