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Nostalgia (n): a sentimental longing or wistful affection for the past.

Rhapsody (n): a single-movement work that is episodic, free-flowing in structure, and features a range of highly contrasting moods.

Last spring, I was given a book called 1,000 Books to Read Before You Die by James Mustich. The book is, essentially, a list of books whose purpose is to enhance the life of the reader. While looking through the list, I began thinking about the works of literature that have impacted my life both in and outside of school. What books would I have on a list like the one James Mustich made? I truly believe that the best way to understand someone is to understand the books they love. In that spirit, I conducted interviews with members of the MKA community—students, faculty, staff—about impactful literature. I asked five questions:

This wonderful project gave me the chance to talk to people about books, which have always been a staple of my life. And I got to watch peoples’ faces light up when they remembered their parents reading them Goodnight Moon or a book they read in English that stuck with them.

My first memory is this: painting the electronic flowers in the Alice in Wonderland exhibit at an exam in Philadelphia. Lewis Caroll’s masterpiece was one of the first books my dad gave me when I was little. My parents read to me every night: childrens’ books such as Stellaluna, The Dot, and The Three Questions. At some point I would take the books from them and read out loud until they fell asleep.

Books have always been a significant part of my life. I can’t consider growing up without them.

Last spring, I was given a book called 1,000 Books to Read Before You Die by James Mustich. The book is, essentially, a list of books whose purpose is to enhance the life of the reader. While looking through the list, I began thinking about the words of literature that have impacted my life both in and outside of school. What books would I have on a list like the one James Mustich made? 

Through my own childhood, I learned that the best way to understand someone is to understand the books that they love. And if that’s true, then why should that not apply to a community? In that spirit, I conducted interviews with members of the MKA community—students, faculty, staff—about impactful literature. I asked five questions:

1. What is the first book you remember reading/being read to you?
2. What is your favorite book?
3. What is the best book you have ever read?
4. If you had to recommend one book you think everyone should read, what would it be?
5. What is the worst book you have ever read/your least favorite book?

This wonderful project gave me the opportunity to talk to people about books. For me, there was no better way to spend the month of May.