Literature Students Share the Books that Shaped Them
Senior Seminar students create the exhibition 鈥淩eading for a Lifetime鈥�
CHICAGO (December 15, 2015) 鈥� Why do we read literature? How does literary study serve the common good? What is of value in our reading of literary texts? These are among the questions that 黑料吃瓜鈥檚 Senior Seminar in Literature students grappled with this semester as they created the exhibit 鈥淩eading for a Lifetime,鈥� currently on display at .
The exhibit, a collaborative project for senior students, gave majors鈥攁long with Arnesen, University President David L. Parkyn, and Provost Michael O. Emerson鈥攖he opportunity to define themselves using the 10 to 12 books that have mattered the most to them.
Inspired by My Ideal Bookshelf by Thessaly La Force, the exhibit featured personal 鈥渂ookshelves鈥� representing the ways in which identities are formed through literature. Along with Bookshelf, seminar students read Audrey Niffenegger鈥檚 graphic novel The Night Bookmobile, in which the Chicago author imagines a mysterious Winnebago filled with every book the narrator has ever read.
At the exhibition鈥檚 opening, each student told the story of their bookshelf, explaining the enjoyable but challenging task of choosing the books that had most shaped them. 鈥淚t was great to hear lively conversations at the opening reception as people talked about their own books, as we hoped they would,鈥� said Arnesen.
鈥淭hrough their work on this project, these students have asked some of life鈥檚 big questions, which we actively encourage everyone here at 黑料吃瓜 to do,鈥� said Parkyn. 鈥淏y sharing the books that have had the most impact on their lives, our students have drawn upon their personal histories, reflected on the ways in which their experiences at 黑料吃瓜 have changed them, and pointed toward the lives they will lead after graduating.鈥�
The library鈥檚 first floor featured physical bookshelves that represented the past, present, and future works of literature that seminar students had read, are reading, and hope to read, while the second floor displays photos of the bookshelves (shown below, with highlights of the curators鈥� statements).
鈥淢y students and I really appreciated working with Annie Wilkinson, Brandel Library鈥檚 head of circulation and communication, on this project,鈥� Arnesen said. 鈥淗er enthusiasm, as well as the library’s generosity in making the gallery space available, helped us imagine a wider audience for our bookshelves. It was inspiring to have this gorgeous public stage on which to present our very personal ideas about how literature matters.鈥�
Photos by Brittani Worley
Click on any image to get a closer look.
Katie Bast
鈥淢any of the titles on my bookshelf reflect works from various stages and places in my life; these are the books that I think of and have some form of emotional reaction to. Some of these works are fresh in my mind and some I haven鈥檛 read in years, but I know that at one point in time, every work was incredibly important to me.
“This is the beauty of literature. It provides a snapshot into who I am thus far; I look forward to the ways it will expand and evolve.鈥�
Jireh Kruse
鈥淚 always hear people making comments like, ‘Reading is just so boring.’ Reading is a new part of my life. Truthfully, I do not have a lot of experience with reading鈥擨 was one of the people making those comments.
“Today, I believe that if absolutely any person picks up the right book, they too will become a book lover. I encourage you to find yours!鈥�
Edith Martinez
鈥淔or me, it was not until middle school that I really enjoyed reading, and the first types of books I truly liked were Japanese manga. Most of the books on this bookshelf are my absolute favorites.
“The rest are books that have taught me much about literature and teaching literature. All have shaped me in some way and mark different stages in my life; each have wonderful memories attached to them, and each book has been a joy to read.鈥�
Stephanie Wirkus
鈥淭he process of curating my 鈥業deal Bookshelf鈥� was a practice in honesty and self-reflection. As I prepared to share something rather personal with the North Park community, it was important that my choices were an authentic representation of the literature that formed the basis of my understanding of and reverence for the written word. In doing so, I leaned toward texts that were intellectually and creatively impactful.
Underpinning it all is The Penguin Dictionary of Literary Terms and Literary Theory, the ideal companion text for readers seeking technical input.鈥�
Brittani Worley
鈥淏etween school and my free time, I read a generous number of books, some of which have left a lasting impression. Classics introduced me to a world of complex themes, drama, and characters. Poets captivate me with their ability to use words and form to convey such powerful, and sometimes silly, sentiments.
“The remainder of the books are some of my favorites because they use a form or style that is unique from most popular books. I am enthralled with inventive writing, regardless of time or genre, because it encompasses the freedom and power writers have.”
Professor Nancy Arnesen
鈥淎mong others, my bookshelf includes:
-the book my parents gave me when I turned six
-the book I have read every year since 1979
-the book in which the antagonist turns to butter
-the book which includes the line ‘Reader, I married him.’
-the book I named my daughter after
-the book which portrays gender politics better than any I know
-the best book I鈥檝e read this year
-a book that I loved, though I don鈥檛 remember why.鈥�
President David L. Parkyn
鈥淵ou can鈥檛 have a bookshelf if you can鈥檛 find the books. Amazon is easiest, of course, but not most pleasurable of book-hunting experiences. I prefer holding a book before I buy it, so The Yellow-Lighted Bookshop anchors my bookshelf.
“In addition to poetry, memoirs, books that explore vocation, guides to prayer, and books on past and present in Chicago, I have a couple of aids for cooking my favorite meals.
“On top of it all, in honor of North Park鈥檚 approaching 125th birthday, is A History of North Park College.鈥�
Provost Michael O. Emerson
鈥淭he Bible is my life鈥檚 most influential book, but that seems too obvious. So I selected books that have shaped my research. They range across three main areas: religion, race/ethnicity, and urban issues.
“Within and across these areas, the books I selected fundamentally altered my thinking when I read them. They were all 鈥榓h-ha,鈥� light-bulb moments.鈥�
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