Staff Picks: Novels Set in College

Fri, 09/13/2024 - 2:14pm by lucroe

Autumn is upon us and classes have begun. College is a hugely formative time, the setting for first romances, new friendships, and academic exploration. With that in mind, here are some interesting academia set books with mystery, drama, and action that make for perfect reading during the cooler days ahead.

The Unfortunates by J K Chukwu | Request Now
After her first year of college, Sahara, already worn out, decides to push forward with her senior thesis, aiming to shed light on the harsh realities of being Black on campus. A concerning number of Black students, referred to as "the Unfortunates" by their Black counterparts who have survived, have vanished, dropped out, or passed away. Struggling with depression, Sahara secretly dreams of becoming one of the Unfortunates before the school year concludes, often imagining how she'll put an end to her torment and quiet the inner critic she's had since she was a child. Despite her feeling worthless, she is compelled to make a difference before her life ends. She explores the psychological burden of university life, criticizes allies' support, exposes racial disparities in healthcare, and challenges white supremacy. She shares hidden truths, ultimately acknowledging her anger. The novel is like a university final project, blending visual art and surreal elements. The author uses acronyms and footnotes to chronicle Sahara’s experiences as a Black queer woman navigating US college life. The book strikes a powerful and poignant balance, addressing serious themes with insightful commentary and moments of levity.

Black Chalk by Christopher J. Yates | Request Now
Six Oxford University students create a high-stakes, psychologically challenging game called Black Chalk, with varying consequences ranging from mild to extreme. The game is not just any game, but a game of consequences, aimed at challenging students' mental and physical abilities. As the consequences become more humiliating, the dynamics in the group shift as friendships break down and betrayals are cast with the players ruthlessly exploiting their growing intimacy to find the soft spots in each other’s defenses. Named best book of the year in 2015 by NPR, this is a book for readers that like dig secret societies and dark happenings in an academic setting. If you liked Donna Tartt’s Secret History then this one is for you.

Catherine House by Elisabeth Thomas | Request Now
Catherine House feels like an elaborate dream; a university that pays for your food, clothes, and comforts. You get a first-rate education for free. The people who graduated from this school are court justices and leaders and business folks with tons of success and money. The only thing you must do is commit to three years (including summers) detached from the outside world. No TV, no Internet, no news. No calls to your family. No visits. No leaving. Nothing. At first Ines is skeptical about all this, but as the story progresses you see her change and the further you read, the further things start to spiral down a rabbit hole. And what is this exclusive course called ‘new materials’ study? This is not a thriller, nor action packed, but a literary slow burn of a gothic novel.

If We Were Villains by M. L. Rio | Request Now
Oliver Marks and his theatre classmates enter their final year at Dellecher, ready to perform Shakespearean tragedies. They soon discover that the themes of rivalry, violence, and tragedy from the plays bleed into their own lives at school. Shakespeare becomes the center of their lives as the roles they play onstage become the roles they play off stage: hero, villain, tyrant, temptress, ingénue and extra. As they delve into the world of Shakespearean tragedy, their lives take unexpected turns, leaving them all deeply affected by the events of their crucial fourth year. Years later, Marks is released from prison and relates the story of a murder he may or may not have committed during those days. A book for Shakespeare lovers but also for those that love a good whodunit. An excellently paced perfect Autumn read, cozy yet mysterious and creepy.