Monday, December 5, 2011

Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov


Call Number: Stacks: PS3527.A15 L6 1992
Recommended by: Ogerta Lala, International student from Albania

“Lolita, light of my life, fire of my loins. My sin, my soul. Lo-lee-ta”

Awesome , written by an evil inspired brain. The first part of the book is poetry, the second, is delirium and insanity. This book is the place where the perversion turns into a mythological picture, the forbidden sensual desire turns into a demonic girl. The story begins in Europe where the depressed Humbert lives his secret passions that comes from his roots. America is the magical land where he meets Dolores Haze. The protagonist has a dream: to join his young soul mate, Lolita. But the difficulties are huge: his personality, his insane passion, his tremendous jealousy and of course, the society of 1960. That’s why Humbert decides to marry Ms. Haze, the mother of Lolita, who very soon dies in a tragic car accident. Humber pretends to be the natural father of the girl and that’s how their long dangerous adventure on the highways of the U.S starts. During the reading of the book we will know the mature, the shy, the selfish Humbert and at the same time we will know his insane and unnatural love for Lolita. On the other side is the little Lolita, orphaned, alone, without a childhood and family. A little girl who knows very well her seductive power, her sensual skills while continuing to be innocent. This book is one of those books that should be read and discovered.

Andy Warhol: Prince of Pop by Jan Greenberg & Sandra Jordan


Call Number: Juvenile Young Adult Collection N6537.W28 G74 2004
Recommended by: Jiseon Yun, International student from Korea, Haggerty English Language Program

This book was written by Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan about Andy Warhol (1928-1987), the well-known pop artist. It tells his whole life from his birth to death. He was interested in art from when he was young. He has a different view of seeing things and it affected his work. He was an isolated person and he didn’t seem to have any problem with his life even when he was struggling with financial problems. He had a great enthusiasm for art. His life wasn’t extraordinary but it was enough to attract others.

Before I read this book, I just liked some of his paintings and I didn’t know much about him. After reading this book, he inspired me to have lots of interest in not only him but also in art. I could enjoy reading this book from beginning to end as I couldn’t stop turning pages until a new story started. If you have seen any of his works and want to know more about him, I highly recommend you read this book. You will find something special that you didn’t know before.

Friday, December 2, 2011

Girl, Interrupted by Susanna Kaysen


Call Number: Stacks RC464.K36 A3 1994
Recommended by: Jisoo Choi, International Student from Korea, Haggerty English Language Program


I first watched this book made as a movie and then decided to read this book because there seemed to be much more in the story than only 2 hours can capture on the screen. This author has a very unique history. She once was a mental patient. She was hospitalized for 18months for the diagnoses of borderline personality disorder. Now she is a one of America’s known authors. She wrote essays from biographies, memoirs, and fiction etc. This book is about her written thoughts when she was hospitalized. Her new friends in the hospital she observes and tries to figure out what craziness really is using witty words and sarcastic tones sometimes. The most inspiring part was where she depicts, so to speak, “crazy people”, into very understandable concepts, and blurs the line between craziness and normality. Quotes like “Crazy isn't being broken or swallowing a dark secret. It's you or me amplified. If you ever told a lie and enjoyed it. If you ever wished you could be a child forever” assured me. I suggest this book to someone who feels like you don’t fit in anywhere in the world. You might find a hint to find yourself quite secure than before.