30 March 2010

Choices: How I Wuss Out and Ask for Advice

Sorry for the double post, but I need your help. Textbook choices for the Fall 2010 semester are due, and I can not decide what to use for my Introduction to Literature Course. I like to use 1 short novel, 1 long novel, 1 collection of short stories, 1 short collection of plays, and 1 graphic novel.

Currently I am using: Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut, The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins, Nocturnes by John Connolly, No Exit and Three Other Plays by Jean-Paul Sartre, and Batman: The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller.

I really would like to change Slaughterhouse Five, Nocturnes, and The Dark Knight Returns, so I'm looking for a shorter novel, a short story collection, and a graphic novel. But if you have suggestions for the longer novel and the plays, please let me know. There is just so much out there that I'm just stuck on making a decision.
Posted by Trisha at 1:15 PM
Labels:

15 comments:

  1. Let your students vote- they would love that?
    ReplyDelete
  2. For short stories I would have to recommend Flannery O'Connor. Her complete collection is huuuuuge but you could get one of her smaller collections. A Good Man is Hard to Find is AMAZING.

    Why do you want to change the Vonnegut?
    ReplyDelete
  3. I would second the O'Connor short stories or maybe Bradbury! And speaking of Bradbury, I've used Fahrenheit 451 for my short novel before. I also favor M.T. Anderson's Feed. It's YA, but it's also VERY thought provoking and controversial, and my students always love that.
    ReplyDelete
  4. I really have no idea what type of things have to be included in novels for school, if anything, but I think the Farenheit 451 is a good one too... or maybe 1984? Or is that too political?

    I haven't read these, but isn't Jumpa Lahiri's latest book short stories?
    ReplyDelete
  5. Yes! Just tagging along to Jenny there, and wanted to suggest Jumpa Lahiri's Interpreter of Maladies. That was one of my five stars last year.
    ReplyDelete
  6. But but but! *clings to Vonnegut* :P

    I don't have a short novel suggestion (though I love Andi's!), but do you think American Born Chinese would work for the graphic novel? So much to discuss there!

    And oooh, Jumpa Lahiri's short stories are brilliant indeed!
    ReplyDelete
  7. The Awakening by Kate Chopin, Edgar Allan Poe's short stories.
    ReplyDelete
  8. About Vonnegut - I love him! But after so long of teaching the same story, I just need a change. Perhaps another Vonnegut book?
    ReplyDelete
  9. Short Stories: Jhumpa Lahiri's "Unaccustomed Earth" or "Interpreter of Maladies." Why not start with the best?
    ReplyDelete
  10. For plays, what about something Pulitzer prize-winning like August: Osage County by Tracy Letts or Topdog/Underdog by Suzan-Lori Parks. A short novel: Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant by Anne Tyler. Short stories: The Book of Other People edited by Zadie Smith.It's a pretty accessible collection and students wouldn't have to second-guess themselves on what the stories are about.For graphic novel: the first volume in the Fables series by Bill Willingham.

    I hope you let us know what you end up picking!
    ReplyDelete
  11. I really love the Fables graphic novel series. I think students might get a kick out of them because of the way they explore some traditional childhood fairy tales?
    ReplyDelete
  12. Shellie - I would absolutely LOVE to let the students choose, but unfortunately we have to turn in book orders in a week, so students aren't even signed up yet.

    Bethany - O'Connor is a great idea. As for Vonnegut, I love Slaughterhouse Five, but after two semesters, I find I need to change up the books so I don't get complacent.

    Andi - I haven't read Feed yet, but I certainly will now. And kudos to the Bradbury suggestion.

    Jenny - Both 1984 and Farenheit 451 are excellent suggestions, and I love the political component. Most of my students read those in high school though. And YES to Lahiri!!! I have no idea how he slipped my mind!

    Sandy - Interpreter of Maladies would be great for the class! I can't wait to see if our publishing house has it.

    Nymeth - I know, I know! I love Vonnegut too, but if I don't change the books now and then, I find myself sort of sticking to old ideas rather than coming up with new ones. I just ordered American Born Chinese to check it out.

    Page - Oh my gosh, it's been so long since I've thought of Chopin's The Awakening. Great idea! And Poe would be great for short stories.

    Jenners - I completely agree!

    Vasilly - What wonderful suggestions...now I'm off to see if I can order them for preview. I love it when people suggest things I haven't read yet!

    Kim - OMG! I just finished the first in the Fables series like ten minutes ago. Love it, adore it, already sent an email to see if our publishing house has it.
    ReplyDelete
  13. I second the Awakening. I enjoyed it recently and was sorry I didn't read it sooner. Unfortunately, I can't think of a nomination. Sorry :(
    ReplyDelete
  14. Jenny Girl - I really should re-read The Awakening; it's been a loooong time.
    ReplyDelete
  15. Regarding the graphic novel selection (and I'm not expert, as I'm pretty much a novice here) I'm reading Epileptic by David B. It is nonfiction though--I don't know if you wanted to use fiction only. One nice thing though is that it references (mostly French) a lot of philophers and literature.

    For short book, nothing beats Heart of Darkness!
    ReplyDelete

Talk to me baby!

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)