We're thrilled to have three summer interns in the Corporate Communications team, all of whom will be blogging right here throughout the months ahead. Here is Alanna McCatty, a rising senior at Pace University studying communications. Below, she tells us about her Bookprint: the five books that have most affected her life. Share your own in the comments!
One day, while observing my mother read The Outsiders, I noticed how her eyes traced every page carefully. She would smile, shake her head in disapproval and gasp throughout her reading sessions. At an early age, my mother made me realize how much a book can consume someone. I fell in love with reading because the activity has allowed me to exercise my imagination and feel and experience different emotions all at once.
Here are the five books that have helped shape my life.
The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman: The Yellow Wallpaper is the first work of feminist literature that I came across at an early age. The short story (which is presented in the first person) compiles the journal entries of a woman who is considered mentally ill by her husband. Her delusion and mental deterioration allows her to come to a greater and deeper truth about her oppression and the oppression of other women. I was about seven years old when I first read this short story, and it taught me the value of embracing creativity, imagination and confidence that surpasses a limited mindset. The narrator constantly envisions a life of free will, where women fight back against a patriarchal and male dominating society. Through the Narrator’s journal entries, I found that embracing, creating and owning my true identity is where my true freedom lies.
Our America by Josè Martí: In Our America, Marti elaborates on the importance of non-conformity, and staying true to one’s unique ideas. While reading his work, his demanding tone encouraged me to always advocate for cultural diversity. This reading made me understand the importance of unity and staying true to my values. One of my favorite moments throughout this reading is when Marti addresses Latin America, pushing and demanding them not to yield to European ways or conformities by stating, “but neither should we seek to conceal the obvious facts of the problem, which can, for the peace of the centuries, be resolved by timely study and the urgent, wordless union of the continental soul” (296). While Marti urges the Latino community to maintain their unique cultural identity, I admire how he also encourages every race and ethnicity to come together in order to bring about a greater sense of social change and cultural awareness.
The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros: The House on Mango Street aligns with my childhood experience because my family emigrated from Jamaica in hopes of creating and building a better life in the United States. In the midst of their transition from one country to another, my family found that finding and aligning with a new cultural identity was a difficult task. The message within this book provided insight that stuck with me, which is this idea of embracing a new life within the American society, but not losing sight of where one came from or their unique cultural qualities and values. The common theme throughout the book (which resonated with me the most) emphasizes the importance of one being vocal when it comes to claiming their culture, and not being ashamed of their cultural background, even when they have achieved a sense of belonging in an unfamiliar environment.
Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes: Year of Yes changed my life and opened my eyes to perspectives I never knew existed. I recently bought her book because I admire her creativity and her significant contribution to the world of television. Her book describes all that can be accomplished when you allow yourself to step outside of your comfort zone. Many things she says resonates with me deeply and I truly feel as if I know her, as impossible as that sounds. Reading this book brought me peace within myself knowing that I am capable of producing greatness. All we have to do is say yes to one thing that scares us and continue to ride that wave into the next chapter of our lives. Shonda Rhimes’s book made me redefine what confidence, self-love and true success truly means to me.
The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss: I believe this was the first book my mother read to me as a child. For some reason, it seemed like a fun and silly story about a crazy cat, a fish, two things and two kids. But now, as an adult, I realize how relevant it still is today in the minds of human beings. The Cat in The Hat is one of my favorite childhood stories of all time because I find myself relating to all the characters. I relate to them in a sense that they represent my different consciences. As an adult, we have to be sensible and responsible (the fish), but our inner child (the cat) often fights that side in order to reclaim our rights to carelessness, imagination and adventure. However, in the end we must find a common ground and compromise between the two sides of ourselves. Like thing 1 and thing 2, our inner child will never truly fade away, but will always wait for the right time to emerge. This book taught me that although there is a time and place for everything, imagination and reason can always work together to accomplish anything.
What books would you include in your Bookprint?
