Woefully, I am not going back to school. I have a Masters degree and enough on my plate at work, so I have to live vicariously through other people this time of year. I am a hardcore autumn fan as well. That line from 'You've Got Mail' about sending a bouquet of freshly sharpened pencils is (besides being one of the most genius things to ever come out of Nora Ephron's brain, which is saying something) deeply meaningful to me. Pumpkins, sweaters, college football, maple syrup, apples, crunchy leaves and back to school. The following is my list of the ultimate school books to get you in the mood for fall.
Several of these novels have been turned into some of my favorite movies as well, and a good movie trailer is a great way to find inspiration for your next read, so enjoy some clips as well.
The Secret History by Donna Tartt -- the ultimate liberal arts murder novel. Even if you hated The Goldfinch, you should check out this, her first novel. It's kind of an East Coast version of Less Than Zero, but less deeply disturbing.
Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh -- Effeminate British schoolboys at Oxford, eating oysters and strawberries, loudly reciting poetry in Greek costume while cruising down the river, and romping through the countryside in a jalopy a la Mr. Toad. This, in addition to be a fantastic University novel, is one of my favorites of all time. If it seems super gay, that's because it is.
Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro -- A really beautiful, haunting story about a group of extraordinary children being raised and educated in a unique British boarding school. To explain any more would be to ruin the elegant suspense of this pseudo sci-fi novel, so please just read it.
The Marriage Plot by Jeffrey Eugenides -- I've already told you to read this, but I'm going to repeat myself yet again because I love it that much and it is the ultimate collegiate novel. It feel so academic in every sense and will probably inspire lots of further reading.
Norwegian Wood Haruki Murakami -- Probably one of his most straight-forward narratives; I have plans to write about this book in greater detail, so I won't say too much, but it's the story of a Tokyo undergrad in the 60s and his coming-of-age, which, not surprisingly, involves a lot of reading of Western literature, a lot of drinking, and a love triangle.
And for good measure....