Each spring in their Advanced Literature course, the graduating senior class reflects on the books that have shaped them up to this point in their lives. Each member of the Class of 2022 selected three formative books (apart from Scripture) and wrote about how these stories, essays, or dialogues have influenced them.

You will notice a great deal of variety in the pieces of literature that students selected: fiction and nonfiction, ancient and modern, and picture books and Socratic dialogues.

The Class of 2022: Most Formative Books

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

“It was influential for me because it shows that first impressions are important but not a deciding factor on your opinion on someone . . . These characters seem to collide and conflict with each other until they realize the love they have for each other that has been blinded because of pride and prejudice.” – Janna Baltar

The Indian in the Cupboard by Lynne Reid Banks

“As a first grader, having this read to me was one of the books that really awakened my imagination. This encouraged me to read and discover more books and use my imagination in ways I had never thought of before.” – Teni Babatunde

The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan

“I read the book on my own when I was about nine and loved it. The intriguing perils through Christian’s journey captivated. Even so, I grasped a strong message of staying on the narrow path trusting God to see you through every battle you face.” – Teni Babatunde

God Loves, Man Kills (X-Men Comic) by Chris Claremont

“I first read this comic in middle school and was immediately struck by the deep moral questions and problems that it raises. In it, we can see how people can find a spiritual basis for hatred, applying not just to the fictitious X-Men but to our own society . . . People often choose what they think or make God say rather than what He actually says or wants for us.” – Faith Hollister

The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane

“This book was influential because, as the title suggests, it focused on courage and how to face situations with bravery. After reading the book, I push myself to try and do things outside of my comfort zone, just like Henry from the novel.” – Andrew O’Connell

This Changes Everything by Jaquelle Crowe

“Jaquelle writes what the title says: how the Gospel changes EVERYTHING. It changes who we are, it changes how we think, how we feel, and it changes how we live our lives.” – Lydia Brown

Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass

“The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass is a book that everyone should read throughout their life–a book that advanced the abolition movement and showed the cruelty of man during that time.” – Janna Baltar

“Its vivid description of his life paints a gut-wrenching image of what he and as many black people had to go through. His slow rise in society is admirable, and his life and the changes he made and brought are things to be taken all the way to college.” – Richard Turley

Doraemon series by Fujiko F. Fujio

“The series is filled with so much creativity and fun. It incorporates classic Japanese values seamlessly with joys of a rural Japan.” – Richard Turley

Golf Digest

“It has fixed up my swing and taught me so much about the etiquette of golf.” – David Crossan

The Odyssey by Homer

“When we read the Odyssey in Classical Literature, I realized that ancient works still can appeal to modern readers. I also discovered my appreciation for Greek and Roman mythology.” – Kiersten Mengel

Read: Why You Should Read the Odyssey

The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver

“This has taught me to listen to others and their perspectives rather than immediately try to change them and turn them into what I want them to be.” – Faith Hollister

Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger

“Ordinary Grace is about the overturned life of a pastor. While fictional, it boldly seeks out truth. How do we remain holy in a fallen world? Where is God in the valley? It reminded me that in prayer, we can find a real miracle other than the one we maybe pray for, that miracle being a restored look at the glory and goodness of the Father.” – Delainey Gray

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis

“One of the first books I remember reading on my own was C. S. Lewis’ The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. I remember that after reading it and loving the fantastical story, I began to read more and more as I fell in love with the worlds of possibility words allow us to access.” – Kiersten Mengel

Til We Have Faces by C. S. Lewis

“We have so marred the true image of love, we have broken the idea of a good relationship, and, worse, we have lost our true identity in the image of God. C. S. Lewis’ book has better enabled me to recognize when I myself am showing greedy love rather than the sacrificial love my Savior showed me.” – Delainey Gray

“Till We Have Faces opened my eyes to the true nature of humanity–that we should strive to be like Psyche but almost always remain in the shoes of Orual–fighting the will of God.” – Kiersten Mengel

“The themes of love and hate and Orual’s relations throughout the whole book gave me many things to think about.” – Lydia Brown

Read from Memoria Press: Why Read Literature?

Hugs and Kisses by Christophe Loupy and Eve Tharlet

“I loved the innocence within this book, the motif of family, and the illustration was beautiful. It is one of the only childhood books I remember so clearly.” – Richard Turley

Heat by Mike Lupica

“I have read this book nine times, and it’s my favorite novel. The novel teaches you to never give up, no matter how hard the situation.” – Andrew O’Connell

Math Textbook

“Over the years, I have learned so much about mathematics and how it applies to the real world. Math textbooks have shown me that I want to pursue mathematics as a career.” – David Crossan

On Liberty by J. S. Mills

“This book helped form my view of government and its role in society. It has led me to become more libertarian in my views of government.” – David Crossan

A Silent Voice by Yoshitoki Oima

“It presents a touching story about learning to understand others while exploring themes of judgment, redemption, and forgiveness. It takes many current social issues such as disabilities, bullying, social anxiety, and suicide and presents them in a way that is mature and thoughtful. A Silent Voice has permanently changed my understanding of what storytelling can be.” – Joshua Walker

The Wingfeather Saga by Andrew Peterson

“The amount of beautiful biblical imagery and stories was amazing and sometimes gave me goosebumps. The ending made me cry. It’s such a beautiful series, and I will continue to reread it my whole life.” – Lydia Brown

Plato’s Gorgias

“[This] was one of the dialogues which first sparked my interest in philosophy, which I plan on studying during my time in college as well. In this dialogue, Plato was able to present important ideas in a way that remains relevant and easily digestible despite the enormous difference in time and culture.” – Joshua Walker

Read: Why Are We So Focused on Texts?

A to Z Mysteries series by Ron Roy

“These books formed my interest of problem solving and looking out for things that could be important.” – Janna Baltar

Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson

“This was one of the first books that really opened my eyes as to the problems in the justice system. It’s led me towards my goal of going into law and has been the starting point to me wanting to read more about the criminal justice system.” – Faith Hollister

The Pursuit of God by A. W. Tozer

“Our God is full of beauty and rich in grace, but my mind is always darkened by sin, and that vision of God becomes blind. This book understands that sometimes the head is won before the heart, but our Maker wants both.” – Delainey Gray

Ben-Hur by Lew Wallace

“This novel teaches and encourages you to trust in God. It also teaches you how to have good time management when reading it for a summer reading paper because the book is very big.” – Andrew O’Connell

Now Is the Time for Running by Michael Williams

“This book showed me the hardships of life and how one must persevere to pursue your dreams.” – Teni Babatunde

Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf

“[Woolf] is able to present a seemingly dull and ordinary day with intense emotion through the perspectives of multiple tragic figures. While the book is a lament of our inability to understand each other’s or even our own lives with a clear perspective, it also presents undeniable beauty in even the smallest parts of our lives.” – Joshua Walker

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