Some people say college students don’t read enough outside the “required-reading texts” for their classes. We’re here to prove them wrong. This list features each FAMUAN editor’s favorites books and/or series. Do you have a favorite? Post it in the comments.
*Opinions:
Not a Day Goes By: E. Lynn Harris
The beginning of a three part series detailing the relationship of former football star John “Basil” Henderson and his fiancée Yancy Harrington-Braxton. But before they can walk down the aisle a dark secret Basil has been trying to hide arises.
Any Way the Wind Blows: E. Lynn Harris
The second book in the series, Yancy has moved to L.A. to get over her hit and miss relationship with Basil, by recording a number one song that could blow Basil’s cover and tell the world his secret. Mama Dearest: E. Lynn Harris
In the third and final installment of this series, Yancy tries to get back on top of things with her fame. However with the introduction of a hot new singer Madison B. could thwart her rise back to the top. Not to mention the antics of her evil backstabbing mother.
Harry Potter Series: J.K Rowling
This needs to explanation. The whole world knows about Harry-Freaking-Potter.
Sleeping With Strangers: Eric Jerome Dickey
The first installment of hit-man for hire Gideon and his issues with two women who greatly affect his life. Thelma, his mother who is a prostitute. And Arizona the scam artist who he feels is the love of his life. All the while being tracked own by another professional hitman.
Waking With Enemies: Eric Jerome Dickey
The second novel in the Gideon series and trust this is not the end of his troubles. Because now someone else is after him.
Dying For Revenge: Eric Jerome Dickey
The third installment in the Gideon series. He tries to leave his life of crime and murder behind him. But he is quickly dragged back in when something from his past catches up with him and he must now kill or be killed.
Resurrecting Midnight: Eric Jerome Dickey
The final (maybe) installment in the Gideon saga. When he was 7 Gideon killed someone for the first time. His father. Fast forward to the present, the man Gideon thought he killed is alive and is apart of a group of assassins known as the Four Horsemen, and they are currently looking for him.
Diary of a Mistress: Miasha
A strange and mysterious box with a diary arrives at the home of Monica and Carlos that details an extramarital affair between Carlos and a young woman named Angela. Does Monica believe her husband or the
diary of a mistress?
Total Eclipse of the Heart: Zane
A novel that details how love finds us in the strangest of ways.
Either at first sight or an accident.
*School News:
Kindred: Octavia E. Butler
Octavia E. Butler gives readers a perfect mix of history and science fiction with her captivating book Kindred. Based in the 1970s, Dana, an African American woman married to a caucasian male named Kevin, is suddenly warped back in time to the 1800–an era during slavery. *A must read: This book is a must read for anyone because Butler gives an interesting perspective on black during the 1800 and on white slave owners. Read the book and get informed.
Chronicles of Narnia: C.S. Lewis
Many people see movies before they read the book, but Narnia is a must read because it is everything a fantasy book should be: an escape from a harsh reality. Chronicles of Narnia follows a group of siblings as they depart into a mythical land called Narnia, ruled by the intrepid lion Aslan.
My Remarkable Journey: Larry King
Read about the man who has almost interviewed every influential person in America. Honestly, I believe that every passionate journalist has a story for every story and if that is in fact true, Larry King has a ton of stories to tell and his book My Remarkable Journey is proves just that.
Midnight: Sister Souljah
Sister Souljah dives into the gangster world with this epic tale of a Muslim boy nicknamed Midnight. Not your typical urban novel, Souljah explores the mindset of people who only want material things by any mean necessary, but for Midnight, its all about family and the love of his Akemi, a Japanese girl who can’t speak a lick of English but communicates with Midnight through emotion. Pick this book up and look out for the sequel that is set to come out in April.
This Perfect Day: Ira Levin
Ira Levin, the same author for Rosemary’s Baby brings to readers a fantastic journey of what the world would be like if it were in fact ran by machines. This timeless, epic, journey was a masterpiece in the 1970s but still, to this day,it remains as futuristic tale.
*Sports:
*The book of basketball: Bill Simmons
This book is basically about the growth of the NBA over the course of its existence. It has stats from past years and it also lists the 50 greatest players of all-time. The sequel to the book will be out soon.
*Lifestyles:
The Bluest Eye:Toni Morrison
This novel centers around a little dark-skinned girl named Pecola Breedlove, and is set in the small town of Lorain, Ohio, post-depression era. The book weaves in and out of Pecola’s experiences into the perspectives of people around her, and reveals how the overwhelming colorism she experiences slowly unravels Pecola’s fragile psyche.
The Giving Tree: Shel Silverstein
“The Giving Tree,” in true Hemingway-esque style, shares the beauty in selflessness and unconditional love by chronicling the ever-changing relationship between a little boy and a tree as he grows into manhood. Second Glance: Jodi Picoult. Normally I hate ghost stories, but this novel takes what seems like an everyday ghost story and transforms it into a complex web of love and loss and redemption and the thing line between life and death like only she could.
Deadline: Chris Crutcher
What if you had only one year to live and you knew it? The main character in this book, Ben Wolf, finds out he has a rare blood disease the summer before his senior year in high school. He makes the world’s craziest, most interesting bucket list, and spends his final year making the biggest splash he can in his small town.
Zora & Nicky: A Novel in Black and White: Claudia Mair Burney
Two star-crossed lovers meet in the most random way, and, in the course of a week, throw each others’ lives for a loop. Yeah, it’s Christian fiction, but it’s not overly preachy, and explores the clashes that often occur between denominations under what is supposed to be a unified religion.
*Management:
The Year of Magical Thinking: Joan Didion
Didion’s memoir of a literal year of tragedy is one of the most heart wrenching yet satisfying books I’ve ever had the opportunity to read. It’s short, to the point and at sometimes depressing, yet impossible to put down.
*A Song of Fire and Ice (Series): George R.R. Martin
Hands down, the best American fantasy fiction you will ever read, at least in my opinion. Amazing character development, plenty of political intrigue and an overall feeling of suspense fuel this excellent and epic series. Winter is coming.
*World War Z and The Zombie Survival Guide: Max Brooks
Many of you probably are not prepared for the coming zombie apocalypse. That’s fine, Max Brooks has you covered. Read the survival guide first, just to put you in the right mindset and then World War Z.
*The Shadow of the Wind: Carlos Ruiz Zafon
For some reason, students have not heard of Carlos Ruiz Zafon. This book is suspenseful, hilarious and downright amazing. And it’s cheap these days.
Halo: The Fall of Reach: Eric Nylund
Yeah I’m a video game nerd as well as a book junkie. The title kind of gives away what will happen, but the story of the rise and fall of the SPARTAN-II program is well crafted and a great entry in the overall story of Halo.