Submitted by Amanda Maurer, Media Intern for Reading Room CLE, Summer 2019
Amanda is an avid book reader who just finished her first year of college, where she has discovered that she has an intense, sometimes all-consuming, desire to learn. She mourns all of the subjects she doesn’t have time to study, and she has hovered her mouse over the “change major” button more times than she can count.
Reader Advisory is a series in which community leaders and our staff offer their Top 5 books on any topic. To contribute, e-mail [email protected].
The Symposium by Plato
This book made me realize that philosophy is so much more than a bunch of old guys questioning the meaning of life. The Symposium is funny and entertaining, while maintaining the thought-provoking nature of philosophy. The line “Good evening, gentlemen, I'm plastered,” is all you really need to know before reading.
The Odyssey by Homer
I've always been interested in classical mythology (thank you, Percy Jackson), and this epic poem is chock full of the adventures and intensity that pique my interest. I actually did have a Classical Civilizations minor for the briefest of moments, and it was mostly thanks to Homer.
The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli
Every history class I've taken that has discussed Machiavelli has painted him as a ruthless ruler who lives by “the end justifies the means.” Reading this book made me realize that this is really only half true. I am in no way endorsing Machiavelli’s political theories, but I will say that most of them were interesting, logical, and not nearly as ruthless as I was previously made to believe.
Night by Elie Wiesel
Okay, this is kind of cheating because I read this book in high school so it didn't really make me want to change my major, but it did get me very interested in history, especially the social and political ramifications of major events, like World War II. It also sparked my interest in the historical fiction genre, which I have been making efforts to read more of since reading this powerful story.
Abbot Suger on the Abbey Church of St. Denis and Its Art Treasures by Abbot Suger
This is also kind of cheating because I didn't read this book in its entirety, and it was really the lecture series that accompanied this book that made me realize my interest in art, architecture, and art history. Nevertheless, Abbot Suger contributes a great amount of insight into the building of and history behind the beautiful St. Denis and similar gothic cathedrals.