The News of The Blake School Since 1916

The Spectrum

The News of The Blake School Since 1916

The Spectrum

The News of The Blake School Since 1916

The Spectrum

Minneapolis


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March 28
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Patchy rain nearby

Top Four Reading Recommendations

From+left+to+right%3A+%E2%80%9CInterpreter+of+Maladies%E2%80%9D+by+Jhumpa+Lahiri%2C+%E2%80%9CThe+Palace+of+Illusions%E2%80%9D+by+Chitra+Banerjee+Divakaruni%2C+%E2%80%9C2+States%E2%80%9D+by+Chetan+Bhagat%2C+and+%E2%80%9CSimon+vs.+The+Homosapiens+Agenda%E2%80%9D+by+Becky+Albertalli.%C2%A0
Bernadette Whitely
From left to right: “Interpreter of Maladies” by Jhumpa Lahiri, “The Palace of Illusions” by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, “2 States” by Chetan Bhagat, and “Simon vs. The Homosapiens Agenda” by Becky Albertalli. 

In the last year, we’ve all had an abundance of time on our hands. I, personally, spent the time combing through my father’s library. Here are some of my favorites.

The first of the four that I’ve picked is “Interpreter of Maladies” by Jhumpa Lahiri. It’s a collection of nine short stories, all based around the ideas of belonging and finding your roots. While it’s hard to pick a favorite, one story that stood out to me is the first in the collection, which is “A Temporary Matter.” Lahiri writes simplistically, pointing out even minor actions, such as the crinkling of a plastic book jacket. While I was surprised by many of the plot points, nothing detracted from the clarity of the emotions conveyed.

The second book is “The Palace of Illusions” by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni and is my favorite of the four books. It’s a contemporary novel based on the Hindu epic, the “Mahabharata,” but is a stand-alone story. The story is told from Queen Draupadi’s perspective, arguably the most important female character in the “Mahabharata,” which is heavily male-centered. The novel examines the injustices committed both by and against Draupadi. Yet, the story is told in an organic way that it feels that the book itself was the main source material, rather than the Hindu epic. 

The next book is “2 States” by Chetan Bhagat, a largely autobiographical novel about Bhagat’s marriage. It explores two undergrad students, Krish and Ananya, as they navigate college, their relationship, and their future plans. They come from different parts of India, which is a point of contention, as both of their families have to overcome their cultural preconceptions in order for the couple to be together. The book explores the intricate regional prejudices that are at the root of Indian society and how to potentially bridge those gaps.

The final novel on my list is “Simon vs. The Homosapiens Agenda” by Becky Albertalli, also known as the book that the popular movie “Love, Simon” was based on. This novel is common in the average school library and is a heartwarming read. It follows Simon Spier as he learns to accept himself and his sexuality with the help of a friend he’s made online. While it may not have the best technical writing, the book has that imperfect fumbly nature that feels charming in a young adult novel and makes for a compelling story.

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About the Contributor
Bernadette Whitely, Editor-in-Chief | Creative Director | In-Depth Editor
Hey, I’m Bernadette and I’m a senior! I'm the Editor-in-Chief and the Creative Director of The Spectrum. I also edit In-Depth pages. In the past, I have edited both Arts and Culture and Opinions sections. Last semester, I was the editor and leader for the Features section. I started Spectrum at the beginning of my freshman year and continued to be a staff writer until the end of my sophomore year. During my time as a staff writer, I wrote articles, created graphics, and took photos. Since starting Spectrum, I have always loved it. Being able to write about topics I am passionate about and interested in was an amazing experience. One of my favorite things about Spectrum is talking to and meeting new people through interviews and collaborations. 

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