Alma Mater by Rita Mae Brown—She’s back. After being a bit tame in her more recent novels, she once again let’s us experience her real views on life, love and learning. The inscription says it all:

"THIS NOVEL IS DEDICATED TO BAD GIRLS, BECAUSE
GOOD GIRLS GO TO HEAVEN, BUT BAD GIRLS GO
EVERYWHERE." (Shepherd)

Backless by Robin Sterns—Laugh, smile, ponder and weep as you read this intriguing collection of short stories written by one of our very own in the English Department. She takes us on a journey most of us are not fortunate enough to experience. She, however, provides us with that opportunity through her all-knowing eyes. (Shepherd)

Balzac & The Little Chinese Seamstress by (Sijie Dai)—The book is set during Mao's regime and the young protagonist is at a camp for "reculturization." Most books of literature were banned and burned. The young man hungry for the "stories" of his world, find a young girl (the seamstress) in another town who has a "stash" of the forbidden tales he lusts after. The author wants his readers to think about the idea of storytelling, the preservation of cultural history and identity, and the delivery of cultural messages that creates within us a desire to conform with cultural norms. A fast read full of warmth, humor, and love of the written word. (McKenna)

Body Parts by Monique Ferrell—A collection of poems written by a woman who views the world through unique eyes. She uses words that allow us to go with her as she ponders those moments in life that make us who we are. By doing so, as readers, we know better who she is. We were fortunate to have her with us this year. Look for her next collection of poems featuring Decatur. I, for one, can’t wait for her to publish them! (Shepherd)

The Bonesetter’s Daughter by Amy Tan—Amy Tan has again given us a gift that takes us through the present, the past, the future of a mother and daughter who must come to terms with who they are as individuals and who they are as mother/daughter. In the process, we have a better understanding of the importance of stories and of memories in our lives by creating eccentric, haunting and metaphorical characters. (Shepherd)

Brown: The Last Discovery of America by Richard Rodriguez, famous especially for his 1982 autobiography Hunger of Memory and occasional essayist for the News Hour with Jim Lehrer. Rodriguez's most recent book offers a wonderful perspective on America's changing demographics and notions of racial/ethnic stereotypes. It is a book of inclusiveness, asking us to welcome ethnic and racial heritage, not as Black and white or yellow or even brown cultures, but as rich reservoirs of personal and national identity. Although he makes a case for the neglect of Hispanics (brown) in the dialogue about race in this country, nevertheless the book wants to go beyond claims about racial equality and differences that may divide us. The book's last sentence is its theme: "Of every hue and caste am I." (Mihm)

A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess—This is a science fiction classic made popular by the Stanley Kubric film. It explores a dystopic Western society, drawing on cold war fears and psychological experiments gone wrong. It's also an interesting study of vernacular linguistics, and one of the few novels with which I'm familiar whose protagonist is a sympathetic anti-hero. As William Burrows has said of it, it's also darkly humorous while at the same time being deeply disturbing. (George)

The Complete Journals of Sylvia Plath, ed Ted Hughes—The unabridged journals of Plath from her adventures as a young woman working in New York for Seventeen magazine, to the discovery of her husband's infidelity, to the final breakdown that led to her suicide. The journals are witty, sardonic, insightful and honest, as well as heartbreaking. (McKenna)

Cosmopolis by Don DeLillo—A surrealistic novel about high finance in the Big Apple by the man who is usually considered a great American novelist. (Guillory)

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick—Dick is acknowledged as a pioneer of cyberpunk, a science fiction genre that places anti-heroes struggling in an overly technologized, even dehumanized, future. Although Dick's novel became the film Blade Runner, don't be fooled. While an excellent film, Blade Runner resembles Androids? less than West Side Story resembles Romeo and Juliette. The novel is an intricate study of altered states of mind, religion, TV, the definition of humanity, and our relationship to the environment. (George)

Essential Encounters by Therese Kuoh-Moukoury translated by Cheryl Toman (a Millikin faculty member)—First published in 1969, this is the first published novel written by a woman of sub-Saharan Africa. She tells the moving story of friendship, love, marriage, adultery and the struggles with and because of these. Millikin had the pleasure of hosting her visit to the United States to help promote the understanding of her native Cameroon and to share with us the need for writers to have a voice. As she says, she wrote this novel "to inspire other women to write." Luckily, she succeeded. She also succeeded in inspiring our students to give voice to their own lives. (Shepherd)

From Totems to Hip Hop by Ishmael Reed—An anthology of forgotten poems by famous writers (like Robert Frost) as well as blues lyrics and hip hop tunes—a must for all English majors. (Guillory)

Good Faith by Jane Smiley—A comic tale about real estate and greed by the famous author who wrote Moo and A Thousand Acres. (Guillory)

How the Irish Saved Civilization by Thomas Cahill—The first part in a series entitled The Hinges of History, this book is a very readable history focusing on the role of the Irish after the fall of Rome. It's a fascinating history, very well-written, and it firmly establishes the Irish as the repositories of knowledge after Rome fell. Moreover, it argues that the Irish were responsible for maintaining Western culture throughout what are typically called the "Dark Ages." It is filled with a wealth of information about Irish and Church history, Irish legends (including St. Patrick), and it will prove useful for those studying the Middle Ages and those who are just interested in things Irish. (George)

The Hundred Secret Senses by Amy Tan—We live with Olivia and her troubling family as she comes to terms with the need to accept even those family members who are most frustrating and embarrassing. In the process, we learn about Manchu China and the friction that can be caused by those who leave their country, yet don’t. Tan again educates as she delights. (Shepherd)
Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison—Perhaps one of the most insightful American novels of the 20th century, Ellison's Invisible Man probes the core of what it means to be black trapped within the American culture of the 1950s. This novel also provides an interesting context to the proposed "solutions" to racism against African Americans at the time. (O'Conner)

Life of Pi by Yann Martel, the winner of the Man Booker Prize 2002—A writer, who has never written a good book, sits in a coffee shop writing down a story told by one of the patrons. (But in reality it is his own story.) Piscine Molitor Patel, otherwise known as Pi, lives in Pondicherry, India, where his father runs and owns the city's zoo. At the age of sixteen, his parents decide to immigrate to Canada, but, on the way, the ship carrying the family and animals sinks. There are only a few animals and Pi left and they begin competing for survival. Survival takes on a whole new meaning here. This book will both delight and stun. (Dwiggins)

Longitudes and Attitudes: Exploring the World After September 13 by Thomas Friedman, foreign affairs correspondent for the New York Times and frequent visitor on the News Hour with Jim Lehrer—A collection of Friedman's columns and reflections on political and cross-cultural perspectives. Of particular value for American readers are his essays on Islamic culture, Middle Eastern perspectives on western power and values, and moments of terrorism, the Israeli-Palestinian situation, and the war on Iraq. Much of his writing emerges from his extensive travels and personal interviews. Friedman appeals to a broad audience, and he is currently booked regularly on the college lecture circuit. (Mihm)

Loot by Nadine Gordimer (her most recent book)—In stories ranging in length from 4 to 75 pages, Gordimer focuses as always on interior lives but departs from explicit political commentary in several pieces. The stories are challenging and insightful. (King Grindy)

On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King—This is a fascinating tale of King's life and opinions about being a writer. Unlike many books on writing--which are dry, sometimes poorly-written, and--in King's own words--"filled with bullshit" (11). Not this one. King offers readable guidelines for aspiring writers, guidelines based on his own experiences and pitfalls as a young writer. If you're interested in any kind of writing, this is one inspirational book to read. (George)

The Other Ariel by Lynda K. Bundtzen—Just when you thought noone could write another biography about Sylvia Plath, Bundtzen does just that. She provides yet another perspective on Plath and, yes, Hughes by reconsidering their effects on each other as artists by digging deeper than many other biographers have before into their shared creative acts. She does so in such fluid language that even the Plath initiate will enjoy the experience. (Shepherd)

Otherhood by Reginald Shepherd—Outsider poetry written by a gay African American poet, who produces a unique mix of beautiful language and classical mythology. (Guillory)

Prey by Michael Crichton—Once you pick it up, you won't put it down. Cyber-technology is applied to human physiology in a bizarre and intriguing way that propels the narrative at ever-faster speeds. One of his best reads. (Guillory)

pure by rebecca ray—A delightful read about a fourteen year old who knows everything even when she doesn’t know anything. rebecca ray left school at sixteen to write this novel and both times I’ve read it I’m amazed someone so young can write so profoundly and artistically. If you have an adolescent, read it. Because you were an adolescent, read it. If you are an adolescent, read it. (Shepherd)

The Secret History by Donna Tartt—This is a novel that combines suspense, murder, classical literature, and New England campus life in one gripping package. It grinds to its inevitable conclusions as surely as a Greek tragedy, and it provides some really great, thought-provoking reading along the way. (Gunzenhauser)

Sick Puppy by Carl Hiaasen—A very funny novel—the perfect book to take to the beach. (Guillory)
Small Wonder by Barbara Kingsolver—A collection of essays by the author of The Poisonwood Bible and Prodigal Summer written after September 11th. The essays are thoughtful, thought-provoking and beautifully written. The is no didacticism, no flag waving, no salute to heroes, just a sadness coupled with optimism that humanity is capable of finding solutions to violence and terror other than more violence and terror. (McKenna)

So Long, See You Tomorrow by William Maxwell—Written by Lincoln, IL native William Maxwell, the story of murder in a small town in the early 1900s examines the complexity of human relationships in times of community "crisis". The story is true and serves as Maxwell's apology to his best friend, who happened to be the murderer's son. The reader is privy to the meanness and "smallness" of the community as they reject the innocent victims of this crime. (McKenna)

Too Beautiful for Words by Monique W. Morris—I knew nothing about this novel until Monique W. Morris came to campus and shared her work. After listening to her, I bought it and read it immediately and will again. In this, her first novel, she tells her story in alternating voices that create a mosaic of life on the streets including a good girl turned bad and a smooth-talking pimp. She provides a glimpse into the lives of those trying to make it in a rough world and of those trying to break out of the generational pattern. Although her characters appear in a novel, they are a composite of the people she interacts with every day as a senior research associate at the National Council on Crime and Delinquency in Oakland, California. She knows what she writes. (Shepherd)

Touching Fire ed. Louise Thornton, et al—This collection of prose and poetry is subtitled Erotic Writings by Women. Writers whose works appear include Margaret Atwood, Zora Neale Hurston, Terry McMillan, and Marge Piercy as well as many others whose names may be less familiar. As erotica begins to reclaim its place in the literary world as a valued genre, this collection speaks to both the need and the importance of the availability of erotic writing. I recommend this collection for all but especially for those who need to approach this genre for the first time slowly. Relax and enjoy fine writing. (Shepherd)

Under the Feet of Jesus by Helena Maria Viramontes—This short novel examines the tragic lives of a family of migrant workers working vegetable and fruit crops in California in the mid-1990s. With echoes of Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath, Viramontes shows that things have not changed much for migrant workers since the 1930s in this country. After this read, you'll never look at the fresh produce section of your supermarket in the same way. (O'Conner)

The Way to Rainy Mountain by N. Scott Momaday—This interesting little book offers interconnected views of the history of the Kiowa tribe and the author's relationship to that history. Its nonwestern structure and refreshing ecological message make it worth the read. (O'Conner)

The Well of Loneliness by Radclyffe Hall—A fine novel considered a 1920’s classic of lesbian fiction that, unfortunately, was banned in England and was involved in a long court battle in this country. The argument against the novel was that "the characters did not apologize for their vices, but were portrayed with sympathy." Common sense won out and people worldwide now read the novel. Please read this touching portrayal of a woman who does not understand what is happening to her but only knows that she loves. Radclyffe Hall creates a woman who opens our eyes to the struggles of so many people. I can’t imagine anyone being offended by this touching story of life. (Shepherd)

Where the Girls Are by Susan J. Douglas—Subtitled Growing Up Female with Mass Media you will find within the pages a thoughtful, funny, irritating discussion of the role mass media has had in our lives and how it has directed us to think and to be certain ways. I suggest starting with the index and reading the sections which most appeal to you. Even if you think you know what is happening, I suggest you give yourself a chance to hear Douglas’ take on the impact of our exposure. This is a finely researched, accessible, eye-opening read. (Shepherd)

The Worst Years of Our Lives by Barbara Ehrenreich—Again, her subtitle lets us in on what we’re about to experience: Irreverent Notes from a Decade of Greed. Through a series of essays, she encourages (or maybe forces) us to reconsider about what that decade really was. She’s caustic, witty, incorrigible, clever and indignant about so much. And---all is fair game from the right, the left, the in-between, "wishy-washy liberals," couch potatoes, Yuppies…you get the points. Again, use the index as your guide. Relax, enjoy, laugh. I mean, not every country can claim the fame for upgrading catsup to a vegetable! You gotta’ love it. (Shepherd)

The Wounded Breast by Evelyne Accad—Accad provides us with an honest, frightening, invaluable look at the personal and the political importance of breast cancer and its increasing occurrence. She speaks from personal experience and from years of research that has not been conducted, or at least made available. Accad does not pretend to be "objective" because there is nothing objective about breast cancer. Her book takes us into areas not many do when we read about, talk about and think about breast cancer. You must read this and then, please, share it with a friend. (Shepherd)

The Hours by Michael Cunningham—While the film is well done, it's no substitute for Cunningham's Pulitzer Prize-winning prose. The life of Virginia Woolf is intricately woven into the lives of two other contemporary women, as all three struggle with self and identity in a world that demands so much of them. Much can happen in only one day, and Cunningham seamlessly moves between and finally connects the lives of these women in a reaffirming conclusion. Indeed, Cunningham reaffirms that the questions Woolf "asked about life remain urgent, and that, in spite of sorrow, pain, and the promise of death, the simplest gestures--walking out the door on a lovely morning, setting a vase of roses on a table--can be, for one shining moment, enough" (Donna Seaman, Booklist). Great summer reading, and don't be surprised if the next book you'll want to read is Woolf's Mrs. Dalloway (whose working title was The Hours). (Crowe)

Possession by A. S. Byatt—The movie doesn't begin to touch on the richness and depth of this text. Byatt weaves a combination of narrative, diaries, letters, poetry, and scholarly accounts in order to tell the story of two contemporary scholars who uncover and piece together a clandestine love affair between two Victorian poets. Part mystery and part romance, it's wonderful stuff. (Crowe)

The Pianist by Wladysaw Szpilman—What makes this book so powerful is not just the story of a Jewish concert pianist struggling to stay alive as Hitler takes over German and Poland, but the overall tone of Szpilman's first-person narrative. This is reading experience that will stay with you for awhile... (Crowe)