Literature

As a Literature major, I have studied everything from early Calvinism in New England to Postmodern Americana. However, I do also enjoy works from British and French authors following the renaissance, as it helps to understand how the idea of the “West” was formed. Similarly, I also enjoy reading postcolonial tales which shed light on imperialist conquests, be it South America, Asia, or Africa. Now, let me tell you a little about my favorites! While I have several favorite books from different genres, my favorite short story is “Sonny’s Blues” by James Baldwin. Baldwin does an amazing job of painting a portrait of his transitioning Harlem neighborhood in the mid-twentieth century. However, what makes this piece even more compelling is that the story is told through the lens of his drug-addled brother, a war veteran who finds little solace upon returning home, and is now destitute and a common fixture on the local jazz scene. Baldwin discusses everything from the plight of Black Americans prior to the advent of comprehensive civil rights legislation a decade later, to the burgeoning artistic scene and spirit of his neighborhood, a vibrant mecca which has long been a home of myriad Black intellectuals, from Langston Hughes to Zora Neale Hurston, et al. My favorite poem, on the other hand, is T.S. Eliot’s “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock”. I would love to hear from you about your favorite reads!