Senior Film Studies and Creative Writing major Christina Smith reads next to the Varsity Lake on Sept. 29, 2009. (CU Independent file/Lee Pruitt)
Amid the colossal textbooks and never-ending pages of required reading, it’s a wonder that many CU students are able to find the time to sit down and read just a plain, good book.
However, with the mellowness of winter break fresh on their minds, students sound off on their favorite books and authors of the moment.
Erin Wilson, 22, a junior marketing major, expressed her fervor for reading by listing off favorite books.
“I love reading!” Wilson said. “My favorite books are ‘Ishmael’ (by Daniel Quinn) and ‘The Red Tent’ (by Anita Diamant).”
Wilson said she was also eager to read Anita Diamant’s newest book “Day After Night.”
Dustin Kloempken, a 22-year-old senior environmental studies major, listed off an array of his favorite books and authors.
“I really like (Allan W.) Eckert, ‘Omeros’ by Derek Walcott and the entire J.K. Rowling series,” Kloempken said. “I also really want to read ‘Freakonomics.’ One of my friends read it and said it was really good.”
Kloempken is one of many students who agree that some of their favorite books of all time are J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series.
Similarly, the Lord of the Rings trilogy was also quite popular. Martin Sunter, a freshman astrophysics major, was one student who said Lord of the Rings was their favorite set of books.
“I know it’s not very original, but my favorite author would have to be J.R. Tolkien,” Sunter said.
Bryce Bradley, 22, a senior economics major, said nonfiction books are more appealing to him.
“I like [the author] Dambisa Moyo,” Bradley said. “I also like the book ‘Ellen Johnson Sirleaf: Biography.’”
For other students, other favorite authors of the moment include Gena Showalter, David Sedaris, Garth Nix and Michael Crichton. Further enjoyed books include: “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho, “My Horizontal Life” by Chelsea Handler, “Three Cups of Tea” by Greg Mortenson, “The Shining” by Stephen King, “Red Storm Rising” by Tom Clancy and “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” by Stieg Larsson.
Lydia Whitney, 21, a senior astronomy major, said she enjoys anything with adventure, action, fantasy, or science fiction.
“My favorite book is definitely ‘The Hobbit’ by J.R. Tolkien,” Whitney said. “I also like ‘Ender’s Game’ by Orson Scott Card and ‘Joan of Arc’ by Mark Twain.”
Some students admit that their demanding schedules make leisurely reading nothing short of far from impossible. To that Whitney replied she understood that not everyone could find the time to leisurely read a book.
“It’s not for everyone, but I believe reading is good for you,” Whitney said. “For me, it’s a good way to unwind and relax. It’s a good way to be able to hit the reset button.”
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Brooke Segerberg at Brooke.segerberg@colorado.edu.
1 comment
Lots of my own personal favorites on this list. My question is why people choose to make time for reading for fun with all the craziness we all
go through as college students. Because not everyone does.