Future So Bright: The Summer Reading List of 2069
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a blogumn by Josh Grelle
Do you all remember in high school how you had to read a lot of the classic literature: The Iliad, The Odyssey, Great Expectations, and The Count of Monte Cristo? I do, although that may be because I am still doing so. In my English class we are doing a project on classic literature, and one of the objectives that we are supposed to achieve is to know what makes a book a classic. Well this got me thinking. If I’m stuck here reading this book that has no relevance to the present, what books will some kid sixty years into the future be reading and complaining about.
I found this to be an interesting prospect as I was staring at the pages of my book without really reading them. It may just be me but It’s really hard to choose which books will become future classics, there are so many and it seems that few of them are even popular enough to become future classics.
After a long time deliberating about this I decide on my top three. The Harry Potter series of course, The Davinci Code, and The Hot Zone. I do hope that in the future I can add A Molly Ringwald Ending to this list also, if that is what it will be titled in the future (keeping my fingers crossed)
Harry Potter is the obvious choice because of its extreme popularity, it inspired a whole new generation of readers, and the fact that it’s a realistically written fantasy book, meaning that it gets to the point instead of rambling on about nothing (LOTR — although I should say that I kind of enjoyed that series) . I chose The Davinci Code because of the amount of controversy that goes along with it, and the amount of media time it has received.
I went to the local library to check it out the other day, however upon searching in the database for the book I was not able to locate it. They had Angels and Demons just not The Davinci Code. My third choice is The Hot Zone, I chose this book because of the amount of eye opening that came with it. I couldn’t get through a chapter without having to stop and think about some thing they said and going, “Like oh man what if this were to happen here?” or “omg that’s crazy!”
So now you have my top three future classics and now I’m interested in finding out what everyone else thinks. What books do you think will be on the summer reading list in the future?
I think your right about The Davinci Code I don't think the catholic church will ever be okay with it and that controversy will keep the book popular
I think your right about The Davinci Code I don't think the catholic church will ever be okay with it and that controversy will keep the book popular
How can a public library not have The Davinci Code? Because it sucks? No, that doesn't usually stop them.
I could see The Kite Runner being popular in English classes of the future, since it also offers a historical look into Afghanistan before the Russian invasion. As long as the teachers forbid students from watching the mediocre movie. The kids would laugh at the kite scenes anyway.
"Hey I think they used CGI! What is this, the 20th century? Ha ha ha."
"What's a kite?"
How can a public library not have The Davinci Code? Because it sucks? No, that doesn't usually stop them.
I could see The Kite Runner being popular in English classes of the future, since it also offers a historical look into Afghanistan before the Russian invasion. As long as the teachers forbid students from watching the mediocre movie. The kids would laugh at the kite scenes anyway.
"Hey I think they used CGI! What is this, the 20th century? Ha ha ha."
"What's a kite?"
Are you sure they don't have The DaVinci Code, Josh? Once while I was in St. Louis, I tried to check out a piece of gay lit. The library had it, but it was entered in under a special "black label" code and you had to show ID to get it. Seriously, the book wasn't dirty or anything, they just chose to put all gay lit under that code back then. And I'm sure they'd do the same with a book like The Da Vinci Code. You may just not be allowed to check it out because you're under 18. You should have your mom try w/ her card.
They really didn't have the DaVinci Code I looked under Dan Brown the DaVinci code and many other related searches, after getting tired of searching and I went to ask the librarian and she said that they didn't have any copies of it anywhere in thier system. Im almost positive our libraries don't really have "Black Code" books because i've been all over the libraries, even the back rooms and everything and it seems like theres no restricted section of books.
Are you sure they don't have The DaVinci Code, Josh? Once while I was in St. Louis, I tried to check out a piece of gay lit. The library had it, but it was entered in under a special "black label" code and you had to show ID to get it. Seriously, the book wasn't dirty or anything, they just chose to put all gay lit under that code back then. And I'm sure they'd do the same with a book like The Da Vinci Code. You may just not be allowed to check it out because you're under 18. You should have your mom try w/ her card.
They really didn't have the DaVinci Code I looked under Dan Brown the DaVinci code and many other related searches, after getting tired of searching and I went to ask the librarian and she said that they didn't have any copies of it anywhere in thier system. Im almost positive our libraries don't really have "Black Code" books because i've been all over the libraries, even the back rooms and everything and it seems like theres no restricted section of books.
I don't think The Da Vinci Code will ever make it into the curriculum, not because of the church, but b/c it's not well-written. This is why Michael Crichton will probably be forgotten 60 years from now. Throughout written history, there have often been good writers and good storytellers. Good storytellers are often more famous while they're alive. Good writers are the ones that end up in the curriculum. So Stephanie Myers, Dan Brown, John Grisham — don't expect to see them around in 60 years. Trust me, there are so many former out-of-print bestsellers from 60 years ago, it'd make your head spin.
I haven't read the Harry Potter books, so I can't say if they'll withstand the test of time.
Also, I'm not sure that reading will still be a huge requirement 60 years from now. But if it is, the summer reading list probably won't look like they do now.
I think there might be a push towards Summer Viewing Lists, where kids are required to watch certain "classics" like "Eternal Sunshine" and "Glory" and other philosophical and/or historical movies that would you'd be able to study closely and write papers on.
I think more plays will make the list as well. We're going to get sick of Shakespeare any day now, and am curious about who his successors will be. I think any non-musical play that has been made into a movie (ala "Frost/Nixon") will have a chance of making it onto the required reading list.
As for modern books, I agree that "The Kite Runner" will definitely make it on. I also think that Sherman Alexie will make it on, but not sure which of his books will be chosen. I think "The Time Travellers Wife" and "The Lovely Bones" might get in as well. Sadly, I'll most likely be dead by then and I won't be able to see if any of these predictions come true.
Well i'm assuming that you will end up reading Harry Potter either on your own or when Betty is old enough to have interest in books, I think Harry Potter is what really got me hooked on books. I also think the kite runner will definitely be in the classics category sometime in the future. As for stephanie Myers i doubt i'll even remember her name in 15 years or so, I think the Twilight trend is fading fast. Shakespear i think will be around for a lot longer though because he works are such great examples of literature from his him, and his works are also a good example of many types of figurative language. Although there are some books that i wish they would take of the required reading list like, The Great Gatsby, Great Expectations, and Tom Sawyer
"From his* time*"
I won't read Harry Potter. But it's on our shelf, so Betty can read it on her own if she wishes. Or maybe your uncle will read it to her. :)
I don't think The Da Vinci Code will ever make it into the curriculum, not because of the church, but b/c it's not well-written. This is why Michael Crichton will probably be forgotten 60 years from now. Throughout written history, there have often been good writers and good storytellers. Good storytellers are often more famous while they're alive. Good writers are the ones that end up in the curriculum. So Stephanie Myers, Dan Brown, John Grisham — don't expect to see them around in 60 years. Trust me, there are so many former out-of-print bestsellers from 60 years ago, it'd make your head spin.
I haven't read the Harry Potter books, so I can't say if they'll withstand the test of time.
Also, I'm not sure that reading will still be a huge requirement 60 years from now. But if it is, the summer reading list probably won't look like they do now.
I think there might be a push towards Summer Viewing Lists, where kids are required to watch certain "classics" like "Eternal Sunshine" and "Glory" and other philosophical and/or historical movies that would you'd be able to study closely and write papers on.
I think more plays will make the list as well. We're going to get sick of Shakespeare any day now, and am curious about who his successors will be. I think any non-musical play that has been made into a movie (ala "Frost/Nixon") will have a chance of making it onto the required reading list.
As for modern books, I agree that "The Kite Runner" will definitely make it on. I also think that Sherman Alexie will make it on, but not sure which of his books will be chosen. I think "The Time Travellers Wife" and "The Lovely Bones" might get in as well. Sadly, I'll most likely be dead by then and I won't be able to see if any of these predictions come true.
Well i'm assuming that you will end up reading Harry Potter either on your own or when Betty is old enough to have interest in books, I think Harry Potter is what really got me hooked on books. I also think the kite runner will definitely be in the classics category sometime in the future. As for stephanie Myers i doubt i'll even remember her name in 15 years or so, I think the Twilight trend is fading fast. Shakespear i think will be around for a lot longer though because he works are such great examples of literature from his him, and his works are also a good example of many types of figurative language. Although there are some books that i wish they would take of the required reading list like, The Great Gatsby, Great Expectations, and Tom Sawyer
"From his* time*"
I won't read Harry Potter. But it's on our shelf, so Betty can read it on her own if she wishes. Or maybe your uncle will read it to her. :)