→ “Wuthering Heights” is the sort of book which gets better with age and, even moreso, with the maturity of the reader. I’ve heard fellow students refer to it as dry, and while at some points I must agree, I feel that overall the book will keep you engaged enough that you can work through the slower sections. If you have already been assigned this book and enjoyed it, then I would like to also recommend Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s “The Yellow Wallpaper” which touches on similar themes of mental illness and abuse, but leans more towards the horror genre. •

→ “The Awakening” is a great example of feminist literature written by a woman who devoted her life to representing the strength of women in many different situations. “The Awakening” which the title references is the awakening of the main character’s personality and desires, an awakening similar to that of a modern teenager. Society at the time of the book’s writing rejected the novel, but it is now regarded as a classic. If you loved this book and want another sort of ‘awakening,’ I would recommend James Joyce’s “Portrait of an Artist as a Young Man.” •

→ “Wise Blood” is a book that successfully satirizes the racism and empty religious convictions of the south, while also attacking the hypocrisy of the north. Every character is a terrible person in their own way, yet also undermine many of the stereotypes made of people in the south. This story does well to subvert expectations and keep you guessing until the very end. If you’ve already read “To Kill A Mockingbird” (which you certainly have) and crave a darker version of the same sentiment, I recommend this book. •