Books to Read Before College
September 23rd, 2011
Many colleges require or suggest that their incoming freshmen do some critical reading prior to arriving on campus. Among the most often suggested readings for freshmen are the following.
“The Soloist” (Steve Lopez, author). Los Angeles Times columnist Steve Lopez came upon a homeless musician one day and it changed everything about the way sees humanity. The Julliard educated Nathaniel Ayers lived on the streets as a result of his struggle with schizophrenia .
“Zeitoun” by Dave Eggers. If you think you’ve already heard the most gut-wrenching stories that resulted from the natural (and federal) disaster that was Hurricane Katrina, think again. Zeitoun was among the hearty group who remained stayed } in New Orleans to protect his home but ended up in an entirely different predicament than the others. Accused of being a member of Al-Qaeda, Zeitoun’s experence became what the venerable New York Times called a ”great narrative.”
“This I Believe” (Jay Allison and Dan Gediman, editors). The title comes from the name of an NPR program hosted by Edward R. Murrow in the 1950′s and the present-day version of it hosted by Jay Allison that inspired this essay collection. Everyday American authors share what personal credos they live by, usually by way of an anecdotes which shaped their beliefs . Contributors include Warren Christopher and Gloria Steinem .
“The Omnivore’s Dilemma” by Michael Pollan. When you sit down to dinner after reading this book, it’s entirely possible that you’ll see the food you consume in a new light . The subject of the book is the American food chain, specifically industrial farming as well as the increasing popularity of organic offerings. Also coveredin the book is the process of hunting and gathering for yourself instead of relying on the marketplace to provide sustenance for you.
“Enrique’s Journey” (Sonia Nazario, author). The incredible story of a 17-year-old illegal immigrant’s journey from Honduras to the U.S. in search of his mother gives readers a lot to think about. This Pulitzer Prize-winning book will soon become an HBO series .
Whether you educate yourself at a traditional college or earn an online degree, books like those above will be a big part of your enjoyment and intellectual growth.
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