Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer This book details the journey of a child who lost his father during the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center. [This book] made 9/11—the biggest event in the history of my lifetime—real for me. I knew of the events, but I never felt their impact until I read this book. It’s a touching novel that we are all able to relate to.
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
The Magus by John Fowles [This] is the only mystery book I have ever read that kept me intensely involved for several hundred pages. The book takes everything you think you know about your mind, and twists all the ugliness into art and all the beauty into atrocity. It is confusing and ambiguous and tortuous, but I found it impossible to put down. Noah Berman Newton, Massachusetts
Niyati Desai Clifton, New Jersey Hathaway House
My answer hasn’t changed from the one I gave when applying to Milton. This was the book that showed me the most honesty, which changed the way I saw everything. It [is] the ultimate truth-seeker-spark. Jake Jolis Simrishamn, Sweden Forbes House
“Borges y yo” a short story by Jorge Luis Borges I first read this short work my [Class III] year in Spanish 4AP. My teacher had chosen several works that we could discuss in terms of reality. These initial conversations about reality and our ventures into the realm of the unknown marked the beginning of my interest in the study of reality in literature. I am taking Literature and the Nature of Reality now, in which I have reread “Borges y yo” in English; I found, however, that the English version had lost some of the power of the original. I encourage everyone to read this work, and if possible, to read it in Spanish, because its content is both challenging and compelling. Serena Piol New York, New York Hallowell House
“Bumping into Mr. Ravioli” an essay by Adam Gopnik I read this essay for my English class this year, Nature of Reality, and I found it poignant, energetic and absolutely hilarious. It explores the relationship between the author’s daughter and her imaginary friend, Mr. Ravioli, who is often too busy to spend time with her. Moving into a societal view, the essay discusses the evolution of New York City busyness. I was so moved by the piece that I went home and bought two of Gopnik’s books of essays. It is by far the best read I’ve discovered in a long time.
Our recommenders (clockwise from left): Daniel Kim, Noah Berman, Niyati Desai, Abby Bok, Chloe Cole, Serena Piol, Matt Daniel, Samara Oster. Missing from photo: Jake Jolis, Chris Sperandio.
Samara Oster Brookline, Massachusetts
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