Top 5 Books I read in High School Part 2

Alright, it is time for me to finish this two part series. If you have not, please read part one

3. To Kill A Mockingbird- it’s just a classic. You’ve read it, he’s read it, your cousin has read it, your mom has read it, your neighbor’s dog has read it, the random person I Omegled at 11:13 PM today has read it, and your descendants will probably read it. The story itself is spectacular, and it is the majority of the reason that the book is great. The characters: the Finches, Tom Robinson, the Ewells, Boo Radley, Calpurnia, Dill, and many more service the story well and are each compelling and interesting. The way the novel addresses the racial injustices in the south in the 1930s is incredibly well done and moving. Harper Lee’s writing style as is incredibly engaging, I remember enjoying every page of this novel. It is all around just a solid piece of literature.

2. In Cold Blood – it’s incredible that such an interesting story is true. In Cold Blood revolves around the murder of the Clutter family in the small town of Holcomb, Kansas. This specific case was initially fascinating because their seemed to be no plausible motives for the killings and no prime suspects. The story follows the lives of the Clutters before they are killed, the investigation into the mystery of their deaths, and the lives of their murderers Dick Hickock and Perry Smith before and after their foul deed. The author, Truman Capote spent time with both Hickock and Smith when they were behind bars, and did much research on the investigation and the Clutter family in order to better understand the full story. Using his proficient writing manner and masterful grasp of the fascinating source material, Capote was able to write a truly engrossing piece of literature.

1. Station 11– which I read in Science Fiction Literature, but is great for other reasons than for its Science Fiction genre (honestly the novel is not really Science Fiction). Station 11 is about a virus called the Georgia Flu which wipes out a majority of humanity. It is never stated exactly how many people died, but I’d guess at least 99.9% of the total human population. Wow, a scary virus, how timely. Anyways, the novel follows many different characters at times before and after the Georgian Flu’s major outbreak. Similarly to in Catch 22, Station 11 is not written in a chronological fashion, but this is to the novel’s advantage. The author, Emily St. John Mandel is able to weave together many different events from all different times into a cohesive story with a huge revelations at the end. All of the characters who are followed in the novel are united by shared relationships with one character, the famous actor Arthur Leander. Station 11‘s characters are good and its plot is captivating. I had trouble putting this novel down when I was reading it last December, and I’d recommend it to anyone.

Thanks for the read.