Literature Students Share the Books that Shaped Them
Senior Seminar students create the exhibition “Reading for a Lifetime”
CHICAGO (December 15, 2015) — 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 North Park University’s Senior Seminar in Literature students grappled with this semester as they created the exhibit “Reading for a Lifetime,” currently on display at Brandel Library.
The exhibit, a collaborative project for Dr. Nancy Arnesen’s senior students, gave literature majors—along with Arnesen, University President David L. Parkyn, and Provost Michael O. Emerson—the 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 “bookshelves” representing the ways in which identities are formed through literature. Along with Bookshelf, seminar students read Audrey Niffenegger’s 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’s opening, each student told the story of their bookshelf, explaining the enjoyable but challenging task of choosing the books that had most shaped them. “It was great to hear lively conversations at the opening reception as people talked about their own books, as we hoped they would,” said Arnesen.
“Through their work on this project, these students have asked some of life’s big questions, which we actively encourage everyone here at North Park to do,” said Parkyn. “By 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 North Park have changed them, and pointed toward the lives they will lead after graduating.”
The library’s 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’ statements).
“My students and I really appreciated working with Annie Wilkinson, Brandel Library’s head of circulation and communication, on this project,” Arnesen said. “Her 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.”
Photos by Brittani Worley
Click on any image to get a closer look.
Katie Bast
“Many 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’t 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.”
Jireh Kruse
“I 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—I 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!”
Edith Martinez
“For 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.”
Stephanie Wirkus
“The process of curating my ‘Ideal Bookshelf’ 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.”
Brittani Worley
“Between 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
“Among 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’ve read this year
-a book that I loved, though I don’t remember why.”
President David L. Parkyn
“You can’t have a bookshelf if you can’t 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’s approaching 125th birthday, is A History of North Park College.”
Provost Michael O. Emerson
“The Bible is my life’s 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 ‘ah-ha,’ light-bulb moments.”
Use @npunews to follow North Park University News on Twitter. Learn more about North Park University.