Subject
Universities and colleges -- Fiction Books
Best books
L. M. (Lucy Maud) Montgomery
Anne of the Island
"Anne of the Island" by L. M. Montgomery is a novel published in 1915. Anne Shirley leaves Prince Edward Island for the first time to attend Redmond College in Nova Scotia, embarking on new adventures with old and new friends. As she navigates college life, romantic proposals, and questions of true love, Anne must discover what her heart truly desires—and whether the ideal she's always imagined matches reality.
Jean Webster
Daddy-Long-Legs
"Daddy-Long-Legs" by Jean Webster is an epistolary novel published in 1912. It follows Jerusha "Judy" Abbott, a spirited orphan sent to college by a mysterious benefactor she has never met. Through monthly letters addressed to the anonymous "Mr. John Smith," Judy chronicles her journey from institutional life to higher education, discovering friendship, culture, and self-discovery. As she transforms from orphan to aspiring writer, the identity of her tall, shadowy patron—whom she playfully calls Daddy-Long-Legs—remains tantalizingly unknown.
Jean Webster
Daddy-Long-Legs
"Daddy-Long-Legs" by Jean Webster is an epistolary novel published in 1912. It follows Jerusha "Judy" Abbott, an orphan sent to college by a mysterious benefactor she has never seen. Through monthly letters addressed to the anonymous "Daddy-Long-Legs," Judy chronicles her transformation from institutionalized orphan to educated young woman. As she navigates college life, friendships, and her dreams of becoming a writer, Judy remains unaware of her benefactor's true identity—a revelation that will ultimately change everything.
Ruth M. Sprague
Wild Justice
"WILD JUSTICE" by Ruth M. Sprague is a fiction novel written in the early 1990s. The book centers on the plight of Professor Diana Trenchant, who faces an unjust termination hearing after being accused of falsifying student evaluations while the university administration appears to condone far worse offenses among its male faculty. Through a blend of humor and indignation, Sprague seeks to expose the systematic sexism ingrained in academic institutions and the often disingenuous practices that protect the status quo. At the start of the story, readers are introduced to Diana Trenchant, an experienced professor who is shocked to find herself at the center of a termination hearing instigated by the committee at Belmont University. The opening chapters set the stage for her defense, revealing the skewed dynamics between faculty and administration, as well as the petty motivations driving the accusations against her. Key administrators, such as Henry Tarbuck and Lyle Stone, are depicted as self-serving figures aiming to discredit Trenchant while maintaining their own questionable positions. Other characters, like Professor Jonathan Bambridge, serve as a reminder of the complicity often found in academia. As the hearing unfolds, it becomes increasingly clear that Diana's case is less about her actions and more about entrenched gender biases and institutional power struggles.
Katherine MacLean
The Snowball Effect
"The Snowball Effect" by Katherine MacLean is a science fiction novella written in the early 1950s. The book explores the concept of social dynamics through the lens of organizational growth, using a fictional university scenario to illustrate its themes. It probes the mechanisms by which small groups can grow exponentially and the unintended consequences that ensue from such growth. The story follows Mr. Halloway, the president of a university, as he engages with Professor Caswell, head of the Sociology Department, over the department's relevance and financial viability. Caswell's unique mathematical theories delve into the patterns of organizational growth, which he refers to as the "snowball effect." They decide to test this theory using a local sewing circle as an experimental group, instilling the elements of self-interest and recruitment to observe its expansion. As expected, the group grows rapidly and evolves into a more powerful organization, the Watashaw Mutual Trade and Civic Development Corporation, ultimately spiraling out of control and threatening to dominate society. This narrative serves as a thought-provoking examination of human motivation, ambition, and the complexities embedded in social structures.
Jean Webster
Vadertje Langbeen
"Vadertje Langbeen" by Jean Webster is a novel published in 1912. It tells the story of Jerusha "Judy" Abbott, an orphan sent to college by a mysterious benefactor she has never met. Through monthly letters to her anonymous patron—whom she nicknames Daddy-Long-Legs after glimpsing his tall shadow—Judy chronicles her journey of education, friendship, and self-discovery. As she transforms from a sheltered orphanage girl into an aspiring writer, Judy must navigate college life, new relationships, and eventually uncover the surprising identity of her generous supporter.
Zane Grey
The Young Pitcher
"The Young Pitcher" by Zane Grey is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story revolves around Ken Ward, a freshman at a large university, struggling to find his identity amid the challenges and social hierarchies of college life, particularly in the realm of athletics. The book presents themes of perseverance, self-discovery, and the intense atmosphere of college sports. At the start of the narrative, Ken faces a tumultuous initiation into university life, feeling insignificant and lost among his peers. His experience is marked by humiliation from upperclassmen and a fierce desire to prove himself, particularly in baseball, where he harbors ambitions of making the varsity team. As he grapples with loneliness and bullying, a chaotic incident results in him being chosen as the "bowl-man" for the freshmen, an honor that carries both weight and expectations. This opening section sets the stage for Ken's journey of growth, resilience, and the challenges he must overcome to earn respect and find his place on the baseball team.
L. M. (Lucy Maud) Montgomery
Annan unelmavuodet
"Annan unelmavuodet" by L. M. Montgomery is a novel in the Anne of Green Gables series. Anne Shirley leaves Prince Edward Island for the first time to attend Redmond College in Nova Scotia. Over three years of university life, she navigates new friendships, shares a cottage with fellow students, and faces romantic confusion. When she rejects Gilbert Blythe's proposal in favor of an idealized suitor, Anne must confront what her heart truly desires before it's too late.
Jean Webster
Setä Pitkäsääri
"Setä Pitkäsääri" by Jean Webster is an epistolary novel published in 1912. Jerusha "Judy" Abbott leaves her dreary orphanage life when a mysterious benefactor sends her to college. She must write monthly letters to this unseen patron—whom she nicknames Daddy-Long-Legs after glimpsing his tall shadow—but will never receive replies. Through her illustrated letters, Judy chronicles her transformation as she gains education, friendship, and independence, all while wondering about the identity of her generous, enigmatic sponsor.
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