Reading Recs – Eric Choi
Eric Choi Reading Recommendations
Recommender: John Kim
Book: The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
E: What book would you recommend for stuyers to read?
J: I personally liked The Grapes of Wrath but most people don’t like it.
E: Was it a school book?
J: Yeah
E: Which class?
J: Later American
E: What did you like about the book and why did people hate it?
J: I liked how it elucidated the misery of people living through the Great Depression, because, honestly, textbooks only give general facts about the time period, and not the people’s point of view. Some people might dislike the book for the simple fact that it is a lengthy book, and is tedious to read through. Admittedly, some parts of the book may be a bit dry (like the no-dialogue chapters).
E: Do you feel that literary books are more informative than textbooks? Don’t you feel a bias in books like Grapes of Wrath?
J: There is definitely bias present in books like The Grapes of Wrath, as the author is trying to convey to the reader the hardships of the poor during the Depression and placing the blame on higher authoritative figures. Literary books are not necessarily more informative than textbooks; each type of book has its own benefits and shortcomings. A textbook can convey facts and figures in an objective way, not bending to biases. A literary book can pick up where the textbook left off; a literary book, while bias may be present, can better connect the reader to the actual time and event.
E: I see. Since so few people like the book, to whom would you actually recommend it to?
J: i guess it depends on the readers’ prefences. The Grapes of Wrath is a finely written novel, presenting readers with much to analyze in terms of symbolism, plot, characters, etc. I would recommend this book to readers who are willing to “read between the lines.” The length and tediousness of this book makes it difficult to read for pleasure.
E: Compare it to a fruit and why?
J: Maybe it’s like a pomegranate? It has a tough outer shell, but once you crack that and really get into the book, it’s filled with goodness.
Recommender: Charles Choi
Book: The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
E: If you can recommend any book to stuy students what would it be?
C: let’s take a look at the few books I have. I’d say Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.
E: How many books are you comparing this with, and why is it on top?
C: I guess I’m comparing it to a few. Most are different genres so its hard to compare. Hitchhiker’s Guide has humor, science fiction, and a bit of reality and it borders on absurdness, which I like.
E: What is so absurd about it?
C: If you read the book, you’d know how it’s absurd. If you didn’t, then read it.
E: Have you watched the movie?
C: There was a movie?
E: Haha alright. Imagine it as a movie, would you recommend seeing it?
C: I’d probably read the book first. I can’t really imagine how movies could reenact it without a lot of special effects though.
E: This books sounds nerdy. Who would you recommend to and why?
C: Don’t jump to conclusions but yeah i wouldn’t expect a jock to like it.
E: Is there a close second to the book?
C: I’d say the Sherlock Holmes stories.
Recommender: Jenny Kwun
Book: The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde
E: What first lead you to read this book?
J: My favorite author is Oscar Wilde, so as I was reading through his collection, I was bound to read this book.
E: From my understanding, this is a pretty humorous book. Is it so?
J: I wouldn’t say I was “dying from laughter” but it had its humorous parts. I think that it was more cleverly and smartly constructed than most books, so that made it more entertaining.
E: Are there any downsides to this book?
J: No! But being serious, I thought some of the parts were just too ridiculous. It was almost too corny to read.
E: To whom would you recommend this book?
J: Well I think that anyone can benefit from reading Oscar Wilde. And if I had to choose any book by him, it’ll be this one. It was short, entertaining, and enjoyable.
E: Last question: Being an Oscar Wilde fan, what else would you recommend?
The Picture of Dorian Gray!
Recommender: Daniel Park
Book: The Lord of the Flies by William Golding
E: So being a freshman, you probably just came out of middle school. Is there any book from then you’d recommend to stuyers now?
D: I don’t remember many books from then. I think Lord of the Flies really stood out though.
E: What made it so unique?
D: Well the story is about the survival of kids stranded on an island. And being kids, they all reacted in different ways. It showed differences in the level of maturity and even sanity children might have in that situation.
E: So reading the book, do you think you can survive on a stranded island?
D: Hahaha! No, the book is a story, not a survival guide.
E: That’s true. So what is there to learn from reading it?
D: Different reactions of the psyche. And reading the book was enjoyable. You don’t need to learn in order to enjoy it.
E: Alright, so who would you recommend it to?
D: A lot of people probably already read it in junior high. But if they didn’t, they definitely should.
Recommender: (Chose to be Anonymous)
Book: Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka
E: So you just saw me interview these people. You know the drill. What book would you recommend?
A: I would say The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka.
E: Isn’t that a depressing book? Why do you like it?
A: I just think it says a lot about life that’s worth reading about. As in life lessons and morals.
E: What kinda lessons do you learn?
A: Stuff about being autonomous versus being uhh like a bug. That was a bad explanation. It’s better if you read it yourself and learn yourself.
E: I see. So I know it involves cockroaches. Is that any reason to be grossed out by the book?
A: No, not at all. Actually, the way the family treats the cockroach may be a bit displeasing, but nothing should keep you from reading the book and cause you to throw up.
E: Alright, so who should read this book?
A: Stuy people especially! Or at least the workaholics.
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