When I teach a literature class to undergraduates, one of my primary objectives is to assist my students in relearning how to engage with literature in the era of constant distractions. To achieve this, I assign them a specific exercise: set a timer for 20 minutes, put away their phones, and fully immerse themselves in a book until the alarm goes off. Interestingly, my students often remark that time seems to pass differently when they engage in this exercise. Initially, the first few minutes may feel slow and the exercise may appear daunting, but as they continue reading, they gradually become engrossed in the world depicted within the pages. By the end, they are often pleasantly surprised when the timer rings, and they become eager to continue reading.
This exercise isn’t only beneficial for my students; it can be advantageous for anyone, regardless of the book they choose. However, I have compiled a list of seven titles that are particularly adept at capturing readers’ attention through their unique form and content. Each of these books has the ability to transport you to a different experience of reading: some are concise and to the point, while others are expansive and immersive. Some directly address the reader using the second person perspective, while others delve deeply into a single subject, taking readers along for the journey. Nevertheless, what unites all these books is their capacity to refresh your powers of observation and transform your perspective on the real world.
Here are my recommendations:
1. Mrs. Caliban by Rachel Ingalls: If you find yourself in a reading slump, this novella is the perfect remedy. With a captivating plot and fast pacing, Mrs. Caliban spans less than 150 pages. Set in 1950s America, the story follows Dorothy, a lonely housewife who encounters Larry, an amphibious sea creature resembling a man. Despite her husband Fred’s presence, Dorothy embarks on an oddly romantic affair with Larry, finding solace in his tales of an underwater world. Hypnotic and cinematic, Ingalls’s writing captures your attention from the first page, making it an ideal choice for a single-sitting read.
2. The Fifth Season by N. K. Jemisin: This speculative-fiction masterpiece takes place in a supercontinent called the Stillness, which is at the brink of the “fifth season,” a period of catastrophic climate change. The world is inhabited by “orogenes,” individuals who possess the ability to create powerful seismic events using thermal energy. Essun, the main character, must conceal her orogene identity while embarking on a dangerous journey to rescue her kidnapped daughter. Jemisin’s richly detailed narrative immerses readers in a complex world that serves as a thought-provoking mirror to our own reality.
3. If on a Winter’s Night a Traveler by Italo Calvino: This experimental and mysterious novel casts you as a detective, unraveling not only the plot but also the unique qualities of its writing style. You, referred to as “the Reader,” embark on a quest to read a novel titled If on a Winter’s Night a Traveler by none other than Italo Calvino himself. However, you encounter various obstacles along the way, such as misprints and interruptions, which prevent you from completing any of the books you pick up. As the narrative unfolds, you meet Ludmilla, your female counterpart, who shares your struggle. Calvino’s metafictional approach, coupled with his witty and sweet tone, captures the challenges of finding the perfect book and the difficulties of maintaining focus in a distractible world.
4. Her Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado: This collection of short stories showcases a remarkable range of tones and styles that are seldom found in novels. Machado seamlessly blends humor, the bizarre, the unreal, and the haunting in her tales. From reimagining familiar stories like the girl with the green ribbon around her neck, to presenting a novella where characters from Law & Order: Special Victims Unit grapple with ghosts and doppelgängers, Machado constantly challenges readers’ perceptions of reality. With each story, she deftly explores different genres, leaving readers captivated and unsettled simultaneously.
5. Gathering Moss by Robin Wall Kimmerer: In this book, Kimmerer transcends the topic of paying attention and raises it to the level of a mode of being. Focused entirely on the moss plant, Gathering Moss is a series of intimate personal essays that reveal the profound lessons we can learn from observing this seemingly insignificant organism. Drawing on her background as a scientist and an Indigenous scholar, Kimmerer explores how moss can serve as a metaphor for life, deepen our understanding of relationships, and unveil the intricate order of the natural world. With poetic prose and personal anecdotes, she unveils the beauty and importance of the microcosmic world of moss.
6. The Rabbit Hutch by Tess Gunty: If you’re seeking a book that immerses you in a vivid sense of place, The Rabbit Hutch is the ideal choice. Set in La Lapinière, a low-income apartment complex, this multivoiced narrative follows the lives of its diverse residents. Through rich descriptions and compelling storytelling, Gunty transports readers into the heart of this community, unveiling its history, its people, and its nuances. Reading The Rabbit Hutch is akin to embarking on a journey, where you become intimately acquainted with every aspect of this captivating location.
By delving into any of these books, you’ll discover new ways of engaging with literature and enhancing your ability to observe the world around you. These titles will sharpen your attention and leave you with a fresh perspective on reality. So pick up one of these mesmerizing reads, set aside time free from distractions, and let yourself be transported to another world.
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