As the school year begins and the reading-for-fun ceases, the editorial staff of The Emory Wheel share our favorite books of the 21st century so far. Inspired by the “New York Times” 100 best books, our collection includes various genres, perspectives and time periods.
Angela Chan, Copy Editor: "Let the Great World Spin" by Colum McCann
It’s difficult for me to pick my number one book. If I had to select one, it would be “Let the Great World Spin” by Colum McCann. Throughout the book, McCann weaves together a collection of heart-wrenching short stories where characters of vastly different backgrounds grapple with their feelings of love, grief and hope, all while seeking comfort in their individual ways. Each perspective has a distinct voice and story, which allows the reader to immerse themselves into the lives of different characters without ever getting bored. Initially, it seems as though the non-linear stories are completely unrelated, but they intertwine around one event: Philippe Petit’s high-wire walk between the Twin Towers in 1974. The novel ultimately culminates in a beautiful symphony that showcases the interconnectedness of human lives, and with McCann's engaging storytelling, you'll never want to put it down.
Catherine Goodman, Arts & Life Editor: “My Brilliant Friend” by Elena Ferrante
“When there is no love, not only the life of the people becomes sterile but the life of cities,” Elena Ferrante writes in her stunning work, “My Brilliant Friend.” As the first installation of Ferrante’s four-book series, “My Brilliant Friend” introduces a post-World War II neighborhood in Italy and two girls whose complicated friendship drives the plot. The adolescent years of Elena Greco and Raffaella Cerullo — known as Lenù and Lila, respectively — unfold shockingly yet sequentially, like a house of cards collapsing below the weight of a single finger. The narrator, an elderly Lenù, presents their story as a mutual epic, shifting between an unsuspecting protagonist and an unreliable narrator as she calls upon her muse Lila to guide the way.
“My Brilliant Friend” is as misleading as it is voyeuristic. The author — operating under the pseudonym Elena Ferrante — divulges and conceals in oscillating intervals. As the book explores themes such as theology and politics, or class and gender, it also delves into the psyche of a young girl reckoning with the reality of womanhood — the skin that will soon sag on her cheeks, the hips that will ache after bearing children and the mind that will always be left unsatisfied.
I have infinite things to say about this novel and each will fail to capture my sentiments. Instead, I will offer the phrase I have repeated to my friends, my family and a stranger in the airport — you must read “My Brilliant Friend.”
Sophia Peyser, Editor-in-Chief: “The Year of Magical Thinking” by Joan Didion
“The Year of Magical Thinking” is Joan Didion's brilliant account of the months following the sudden death of her husband. Her prose is unbelievably gorgeous and at times painful — she talks in painstaking detail about every aspect of the grieving process and looks back on moments in their relationship candidly. In particular, I love one line that reads, "I know why we try to keep the dead alive: we try to keep them alive in order to keep them with us." In this book, Didion keeps her husband alive by immortalizing their relationship — the good and the bad — into writing.
Alex Gerson, Arts & Life Editor: “Killers of the Flower Moon” by David Grann
“Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI” by David Grann is a masterclass in narrative non-fiction. It is a carefully told and meticulously researched story of the Osage murders in the early 20th century, but also a suspenseful, character-driven page-turner. It documents the murder of members of the Osage Nation as a sort of whodunnit, but by the end of the book, it becomes clear that the question of “Killers of the Flower Moon” is not who committed the murders, but rather how the killers were able to get away with it for so long. The final section of the novel, which documents the remaining members of the Osage Nation today, is both saddening and inspiring. There were over 20 Osage people killed in the series of murders, and their absence is still felt almost 100 years later. Yet, as Grann points out, the Osage Nation is still alive, just as dedicated to seeking justice for the murders and to passing down their traditions as they were a century ago.
Clement Lee, Managing Editor: “Never Let Me Go” by Kazuo Ishiguro
I read “Never Let Me Go” for summer reading in 10th grade and since then, the novel has had an indelible impact on how I think about the passage of time. It raises the existential questions of why we experience loss and whether we can truly shape our destinies. Through the narration from the protagonist, Kathy H., readers get a glimpse of three friends who try to navigate the pains of adolescence, love and, most importantly, their purpose in the world.
The novel introduces Kathy H., Ruth and Tommy who are raised in a boarding school that resembles a Rousseauesque childhood. Their adolescent years are idyllic as they make art, form friendships with other students and feel emotional connections towards inanimate objects without the arduousness of academic schoolwork. The reader can feel the tempest brewing — something in the plot is off. And as the book progresses, the characters face a harrowing truth. Upon learning it, the three main characters age, struggle with fatalism and ultimately what it means to live as a human being. The novel is open to many interpretations. One can interpret it as a critique on the lack of transparency in scientific experiments or the pitfalls of working in a capitalistic society. Personally, I reference the book from time to time when I ponder occurrences out of my control. That is not just limited to my own life but also situations that are simply difficult to reckon with — children who live with terminal illnesses or totalitarian leaders who encourage genocide and individuals living under the poverty line.
My top 21st century book has all the elements ranging from indescribable tragedy, an unreliable narrator, a dystopian future, the loser archetype and a remarkably horrifying plot twist. “Never Let Me Go”'s cherry on the cake is Kazuo Ishiguro’s masterful ability to seamlessly weave themes into his beautiful prose.
For a historical fiction geek like myself, “Homegoing” delivers. It is raw, powerful and transcendent — through both time and theme. Following the split stories of two half-sisters, author Yaa Gyasi charts between generations of their families, allowing readers to jump through time, seeing how the memory and legacy of colonialism in Ghana, other parts of Africa and, eventually, the United States, is imprinted on the lives of their descendants. I cannot recommend this book enough, not only for its richness, but for the vividness of its characters. In a single chapter, Gyasi introduces characters with beautiful language and purposeful detail, clearly tugging on previous stories and developing future threads. During my first read-through of this book, I never put it down. I allowed the heart-wrenching vignettes to carry me from story to story. Historical fiction can be heavy and, at times, dull. However, Gyasi's novel confronts generational trauma with seamless language and a fast pace that never loses the reader. The stunning writing, important historical context and unforgettable symbolism easily made “Homegoing” the best book I read from the 21st century, and I hope many others will have the opportunity to read it in the years to come.
Ellie Fivas, Managing Editor: “Homegoing” by Yaa Gyasi
When I was younger, I found myself hanging ornaments on our family Christmas tree just weeks after lighting diyas for Diwali. As I added Barbies and Zhu Zhu pets to my list for Santa Claus, my parents FaceTimed with relatives back home in India. I could hear my aunt asking what type of fabric she should buy for my custom-stitched lehenga to wear at a cousin’s wedding the following month. “Why do I have to wear those itchy clothes?” I thought. After all, I had my Princess Aurora dress with matching Twinkle Toes instead.
Disha Kumar, Copy Editor: “The Namesake” by Jhumpa Lahiri
In “The Namesake,” Jhumpa Lahiri highlights the not-so-unique experience of second-generation immigrants living in the United States. Through the protagonist Gogol’s coming of age, Lahiri masterfully highlights the struggle that is the balancing act of assimilating while staying true to one’s heritage. We ultimately learn that it is possible to reconcile two seemingly conflicting but inextricably linked cultures to forge one’s own path. As an Indian-American student reading this novel shortly before my matriculation at Emory University, the themes about cultural identity and young adulthood resonated with me. This book is a must-read for South Asian students seeking comfort in shared experiences, those hoping to broaden their cultural perspective or anyone wanting a colloquial, yet captivating, read.
Safa Wahidi, Opinion Editor: “Catching Fire” by Suzanne Collins
“The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins first sparked transformations in young adult literature, but the sequel “Catching Fire” solidified the series as a cultural phenomenon. Post-apocalyptic worldbuilding? Immersive dialogue? Criticisms of totalitarian government concealed as a teenage love triangle? Collins’ second novel in the dystopian trilogy has it all. “Catching Fire” captures the literary zeitgeist because it builds on the momentum that “The Hunger Games” already established, forcing protagonists Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark back into the arena for Panem’s third Quarter Quell. The stakes are higher than before, and the characters are more vivid. But perhaps the most memorable aspect of “Catching Fire” is how artfully the book highlights the youth’s reaction to war and political instability, demanding that adolescent members of society be taken seriously. With the news that the next “The Hunger Games” prequel will be released in 2025, it’s evident that Collins’ messages about corruption and inequity continue to resonate with fans today. “Catching Fire” was the first book I fell in love with, and almost 10 years later, I still feel the same way, making it my number one book of the 21st century.
Madeline Shapiro, Managing Editor: “Brooklyn” by Colm Tóibín
While making this list, I realized that the majority of the books I have read — including my favorites — are from the 20th century. Probably my favorite book of all time, “Interpreter of Maladies” by Jhumpa Lahiri, narrowly misses the 21st century deadline by one year. But Irish novelist Colm Tóibín’s books are some of my favorites, including his 2009 novel “Brooklyn.” When I read “Brooklyn” for the first time, I could not put the book down, as I was fully engrossed in the main character Eilis Lacey’s journey moving to America by herself at around 20 years old. The humor, warmth and vividness of the story all highlight Tóibín’s exceptional skills as a storyteller. Although I am yet to read the sequel “Long Island” released this year, “Brooklyn” remains one of the best books I’ve read from the 21st century and one that I am eager to read again.
Lauren Yee, News Editor: “Exit West” by Mohsin Hamid
I love the book “Exit West” because author Mohsin Hamid’s poetic writing and use of magical realism are incredible. As a religion major, I enjoy reading texts that explore humanity and our place in the world. Characters Saeed and Nadia’s authentic struggles with leaving their past lives behind really touched me as I resonated with their feelings of nostalgia and how it shaped relationships, provided comfort and influenced seemingly irrational decisions. As their lives become more challenging, the characters experience the circular nature of the past and future. Hamid’s prose captivates the reader to reflect on their own experiences.
Spencer Friedland, Managing Editor:“The President’s Club” by Michael Gibbs and Nancy Duffy
“The Presidents Club: Inside the World’s Most Exclusive Fraternity” takes readers into the role of presidential history not through politics, but personality. Co-authors Michael Duffy and Nancy Gibbs focus on how different American leaders dealt with the circumstances of an office that only a few men have ever graced. The book focuses on how 20th century presidents leaned on their predecessors for guidance in a crisis. Duffy and Gibbs show readers how leaders that were bitter political enemies put down their partisanship to do what was best for their successors and the United States.
Saanvi Nayar, Deputy Editor: “Brown Girl Dreaming” by Jacqueline Woodson
The senior quote I chose in my high school yearbook is from the novel “Brown Girl Dreaming,” referring to author Jacqueline Woodson reckoning with an innate, childhood urge to write: "I want to catch words one day,” she writes. “I want to hold them then blow gently, watch them float right out of my hands.” My books from the 21st century are driven by personal narrative. What makes “Brown Girl Dreaming” so special is that, written in free verse poetry, Woodson compiles a memoir that chronicles her family history, her relationship with her Blackness and guiding revelations from childhood to adolescence to early adulthood. This novel is universally digestible and impactful, foremost in the way that it shows how memories of pain and suffering can be reclaimed through the power of storytelling. That lesson rings true as I grow up and return to passages of this novel often. This novel played a formative role in how and why I write.
Will Peck, Sports Editor: "Back from the Dead" by Bill Walton
I reread Bill Walton’s memoir “Back from the Dead” shortly after he passed away this summer, and was quickly reminded of all of the extraordinary perspectives it has to offer. For sports fans, it offers a glimpse into the career of arguably the greatest college basketball player of all time on the greatest team of all time, who just so happened to have an NBA Hall of Fame career that was cut short due to persistent injuries. For the rest of us, “Back from the Dead” tells stories of childhood, fatherhood, hopelessness, Grateful Dead concerts, resilience and triumph through the lens of one of the most iconic sports figures in history. Luckily for us, Walton’s unique voice comes through loud and clear, and his vibrant storytelling along with the underlying theme of positivity makes this a compelling read for sports fans and non-sports fans alike.
- Will Peck, Sports Editor
Natalie Sandlow, Visual & Web Editor: “The Starless Sea” by Erin Morgenster
Ever since I read “The Starless Sea” by Erin Morgenstern, I knew that it was going to be my favorite book and would be hard to top. It's a beautiful story of finding one’s place in the world and finding out that place is surrounded by magic. The story switches between the main character’s life and stories from a book he finds. From this book, each chapter has a place within his journey and each magical aspect is woven into how the story progresses and ends. The imagery makes you feel like a part of the book and want nothing more than to be the main character. There's heartbreak, romance, adventure and mystery. I read this during a time where I hadn’t read just for the fun of it in way too long. It very much revived my love for reading and creating art through either words or with my favorite form of media, photography.
