book recommendationss
Background Information on Interviewee: She likes to volunteer, read frequently, and write. She likes reading all sorts of genres, especially romance and mysteries.
Book Recommendation: Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton
1. What makes this book stand out from the others?
It was very realistic and incredibly easy to relate to, especially for me. It had to do with losing your one true love for society obligations
2. What do you mean when you say “especially for me”?
Well, it hit me deep, because I’m dating a Muslim and I’m Jewish. My family would look down on me if they knew. The main character, Newland Archer was in love with Ellen Olenska and she was a divorced woman, which was looked down upon, but he was engaged to her cousin May. He had to marry May though because of family obligations and society standards
3. What type of people do you think will enjoy it?
I think anybody can enjoy the book actually because it’s very easy to read and once you start reading, it’s almost like you become entranced. I just couldn’t stop reading.
4. Do you think it’s more geared towards romantic readers?
There’s more to it than just romance, but yeah, I think more romantic people would like it. Still, it’s very realistic too about upper class New York society.
5. If you were to turn this book into a movie, who would you cast to play the main characters & important supporting characters? Why?
I think Ellen Olenska should be someone like older but beautiful. Maybe someone like Angelina Jolie – someone with an exotic look that captures you. I think someone sweet and innocent looking should play May Welland. Maybe someone like Scarlett Johansson. And I think Newland Archer should be played by someone handsome and young. Someone like Robert Pattinson maybe?
6. At what point did you being to find the book captivating/interesting? If it took a while, why?
It didn’t take a while. I think when Ellen Olenska came in as a character; I was into it because she was so mysterious yet witty and clever. I just loved her. She’s the kind of woman men could fall in love with but never have
Background Information on Interviewee: She is a part of the Stuyvesant Theatre Community, Model UN, and the Spectator. She enjoys cooking and watching television in her spare time.
Book Recommendation: Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld
1. What makes this book stand out from the others?
This book stands out to me because it is so relatable. It follows Lee over the course of her four years at a boarding school, and though it seems removed from our experience at Stuy, the emotions and changes she experiences are all too similar to our own lives.
2. What type of people do you think will enjoy it?
I think almost anyone would enjoy this. Girls and teenagers would probably enjoy it most, since the main character is both of those things.
3. If you were to turn this book into a movie, who would you cast to play the main characters & important supporting characters? Why?
I would have Lee played by Emma Watson, because throughout the book you get the feeling that Lee has no idea how beautiful she is. Conveniently the author never really physically describes her. I also feel Watson could successfully capture Lee’s insecurity and unique outlook on her life in the context of a rich prep school.
4. At what point did you being to find the book captivating/interesting? If it took a while, why?
I was immediately captivated by Prep. I finished it within a matter of days. It really is extremely entertaining. The way the book fosters a curiosity about Lee’s life and builds up genuine concern on the part of the reader makes it have almost a gossip-y feel.
5. What was it about the character(s) that you connected with?
I think it was particularly easy for me to connect with Lee because I am currently in her stage of life. I was able to understand many of the feelings she developed, and I could relate to her sense of uncertainty about her place in the world. The book really forces you to root for Lee and want her to succeed despite her obvious flaws.
Background Information on Interviewee: She is the captain of the soccer team. She loves to read and enjoys all genres.
Book Recommendation: The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
1. What makes this book stand out from the others?
It’s about a missionary family in the Congo during the time of revolution and independence, and that’s a pretty interesting and unique topic. It’s also very historically accurate which adds to the outstanding quality of the book.
2. What type of people do you think will enjoy it?
Anyone who doesn’t mind reading about depressing and religious things. You have to be a reader who can struggle through some slow parts of the book. It’s a little long. More importantly, you need to be interested in African culture and missionaries in Africa. If that doesn’t sound interesting to you, don’t read this book.
3. What attracted you to this book?
My dad’s parents were missionaries in the Congo during the exact period that the book is written about. My dad read the book and recommended it to me. It gives me insight into more of his childhood growing up in the jungles of the Congo.
4. At what point did you being to find the book captivating/interesting? If it took a while, why?
The beginning was a little boring for me but as soon as the family was in the Congo, I was entranced with the book. Each chapter is from the perspective of a different family member so that helped keep my interest as well.
5. What was it about the character(s) that you connected with?
They are very relatable and each character has a different personality, so a reader is bound to connect with at least one. I personally connected because of my dad’s relationship with the activities and emotions described in the book. Lastly, the things that these characters do and see are interesting and new to most Americans.
Background Information on the Interviewee: She plays piano, dance, runs track, and volunteers her time with special ed children. She is currently taking Great Books.
Book Recommendation: One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
1. What makes this book stand out from the others?
The book chronicles the history of the Buendia family line. Because it’s set in South America, the culture and just their general way of looking at life is very different from the typical “Western” approach. A lot of it seems very fantastical, but it fits within the context of that culture.
2. What type of people do you think will enjoy it?
It’s a pretty long book, so anyone who enjoys really getting into a book and “living” in it a little would like it. Also, the book can be classified under several genres. There’s history, fantasy, romance, and realistic fiction. So many people would find some part of the book that appeals to them.
3. What attracted you to this book? (like did a friend recommend it, saw it at a library, etc)
I read the book in English class but I had heard about both the book and the author before.
4. At what point did you being to find the book captivating/interesting? If it took a while, why?
The book was interesting from the very beginning. There are some slow parts because the family tree and keeping track of all the names becomes confusing (and you have to keep flipping back to the family tree chart that is provided in the beginning of the book), but in general, it is an enjoyable book throughout.
5. What was it about the character(s) that you connected with?
Well, in all, there are seven generations of characters in the book. Seeing them grow up and noticing how times are changing (how their town – which could also be considered a character – is developing, how they are becoming introduced to new things, how “civilization” is invading their little world) is something that anyone could relate to, in some respect. There is so much history and so many personal stories embedded in the text that it is easy for you to feel like you really know the characters, like they are actual people.
Background Information on Interviewee: She likes to play the violin, compose music, and play tennis. She enjoys reading philosophical books.
Book Recommendation: Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
1. What makes this book stand out from the others?
You have an incredible plot and moral dilemma in one. I guess it starts from the idea “be careful for what you wish for” except the wish is something of questionable ethics. He chooses eternal beauty over having a soul so I guess in that sense, Wilde condemns man’s obsession over beauty.
2. What type of people do you think will enjoy it?
Deep people. I mean, it’s not one of those “oh look at this nice adventure” book. You have to think but it’s gripping and it’s certainly no slow read
3. At what point did you being to find the book captivating/interesting? If it took a while, why?
Instantly! It just dove into a moral conflict. I read it in a day the first time.
4. Did you realize something different after reading it a second time?
Yeah, it left more room for analysis and thought when I went through it more slowly.
5. What was it about the character(s) that you connected with?
I didn’t really connect to any of them and I’m not particularly relatable to a soulless egocentric murderer. I enjoyed experiencing his ethical dilemma but from the outside his opinions differed from. Also, the opinions of people like Lord Henry and Basil clearly affected him and while it did that, it was good input for my brain.
6. What did you think of the ending?
AMAZING! It was so intense and so like, conclusive. I was just like, WHATTTTT just happened?
Book recommendations by Stuyvesant students for Stuyvesant students and readers around the world. Also known as Stuy Bookshelf/Book Box. Submissions are open—click on register below!