ranking my top 7 books i've had to read for class
I have had SO many readings for all of my classes throughout college. Some texts have been super dry and dull. But thankfully, there's been a few that I have really enjoyed!
NUMBER SEVEN: The Crucible
📚 Class: Intro to Literature & Composition
📚 I've always found the Salem Witch Trials to be intriguing on a social and psychological basis. The play had such entertaining drama while also discussing history. Arthur Miller also has a super cool background!
NUMBER SIX: Death and the King's Horsemen
📚 Class: Questions in the Study of Religion
📚 We read this as part of our unit on African religions. I thought Soyinka did a beautiful job illustrating the conflict between traditional Yoruba practices and British colonization efforts. Definitely recommend!!!!
NUMBER FIVE: The Lucifer Effect
📚 Class: Genocide
📚 Hearing about the Stanford prison experiment from the head researcher was interesting. He included graphic details and his analysis on why the guards got such a power trip. Good if you like psychology!
NUMBER FOUR: King Alfred the Great
📚 Class: Age of Conquest (British History)
📚 At first, I didn't think I would like this book because I wasn't a big fan of the class. Once I started reading it, I liked the style and word flow. It was also fun to read a biography from 873 AD.
NUMBER THREE: Democracy and Social Ethics
📚 Class: American Religion from Jefferson to King
📚 I absolutely love Jane Addams and wish she got more recognition as an intellectual. A lot of what she discussed still applies today as people try to figure out the best methods for engaging in charity.
NUMBER TWO: Macbeth
📚 Class: British History
📚 I adore Halloween and this is about the most Halloween book anyone will read in school. I've never been super big on Shakespeare until after reading this play. Unexpected plot twist!
NUMBER ONE: King Leopold's Ghost
📚 Class: Modern African History
📚 I loved the writing style of this book more than anything. It's a history book, but reads very easily — almost like a typical novel. There are pictures which helps solidify how horrific these events are. It was clearly well researched and I wish it was known more widely!!!!!
#lemon8bookclub #rankanything #mytop5 #letschat #historymajor
Throughout my college journey, I've encountered an array of readings that have greatly enriched my education. While some texts felt tedious, a few truly stood out as insightful and engaging. 1. **The Crucible** by Arthur Miller: This play not only dramatizes the Salem Witch Trials but also explores themes of hysteria and the consequences of extremism, relevant in today's political climate. 2. **Death and the King's Horsemen** by Wole Soyinka: This poignant work highlights the clash between tradition and colonialism, encouraging readers to reflect on the complexities of cultural identity. 3. **The Lucifer Effect** by Philip Zimbardo: A compelling dive into the Stanford prison experiment, this book offers a psychological perspective on human behavior and authority, urging us to confront our moral compass in societal structures. 4. **King Alfred the Great**: A biography that transports readers back to 873 AD, shedding light on the medieval era and its impact on British history. 5. **Democracy and Social Ethics** by Jane Addams: This social commentary challenges readers to consider their roles in charitable actions and the ongoing fight for social justice. Addams' ideas remain pertinent as we engage with community issues. 6. **Macbeth** by Shakespeare: This classic play is not just a tale of ambition and fate but also serves as a reflection on human morality, making it a fitting study for anyone interested in the darker sides of human nature. 7. **King Leopold's Ghost** by Adam Hochschild: Combining narrative flair with rigorous history, this account of colonial abuses in Africa is both haunting and enlightening, necessary for understanding historical injustices that resonate today.
