Which specific novels motivate and shape the identities of the teachers who teach literature every day? The teachers in the English wing at San Dimas High School shared some of their all-time favorite reads that are available for students to indulge in over the upcoming spring break.

The English wing occupies numerous bookshelves and worn novels. Throughout the halls of San Dimas, the teachers who are home to the English wing are influenced every day by books and novels that have changed the way they think, teach, and perceive the world. These stories impact their love for literature and motivate their teaching that would be beneficial for students at San Dimas to engage in during their break to enhance their understanding of ideologies, grammar, and rhetorical devices.

As each period passes by, glimpses of these classrooms filled with posters and annotated papers could be seen. The teachers who use these rooms view English as not just an educational subject, but a passion. They’ve had a love for literature long before they had started their educational career as a teacher and these books have formed them into the person they are today.

Ms. Ingram, who teaches AP English Language and Composition, reflects back on her college days when speaking of her favorite books. “Wuthering Heights and The Awakening are my favorite books because I was able to make personal connections with those two particular stories and I felt like I understood those characters,” explains Ms. Ingram. Wuthering Heights is a novel written in 1847 by Emily Bronte that focuses on a tale of impassioned love and vengeance that is set in a social class stage. The Awakening is a 1899 novel by Kate Chopin that explores themes of female artistry and individual discovery amidst feelings of entrapment. “I think just that the books are so emotionally and deeply stirring to one’s soul,” she added.

Ingram claims that generally, most people are able to have a connection with a book because they’re able to find something to attach to within the book in a personal way and sparks a curiosity within them. One person may connect to book one way that another wouldn’t be able to because they aren’t going through the same experiences.

This has been the case with Dual Enrollment teacher Mr. Sill. “My all-time favorite book is The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky, and the beautiful thing about

the book is that it follows three brothers that represent different ideas in the world and when I first read it ten years ago, I really had a lot in common with Alyosha, but five years later I read it again and I found myself really connecting with Ivan,” stated Sill. The Brothers Karamazov is about a dysfunctional family who embody various aspects of human nature following Alyosha, a religious, kind-spirited man; Ivan, a skeptical intellectual; and Dmitri, a sensualist.

Ms. Ruiz, who teaches AP Lit, expresses that she bonded with her favorite book because it allowed her to expand her knowledge and perspectives on things in the real world. “I’m currently very obsessed with the Fourth Wing series because I like both romance and fantasy and it has a strong female character with a dystopian background. Dystopian books have impacted me as a person because it made me more aware of things going on in the government because although these books are fiction, they’re never really fake,” revealed Ruiz. Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros follows main character Violet Sorrengail, a dragon rider, as she navigates through deadly challenges.

Most of these books that are mentioned explore profound, complex themes that invoke conversations of life, death, and identity. These details convey a relation that runs much deeper than an interest of writing analysis or studies of grammar, it exemplifies how literature can be used as a light that emboldens readers to become compassionate, brave, and give them reassurance during times of hardships.

Through their statements, these teachers hope to provide the same spark of love and curiosity that is sure to reinforce lessons already taught in their English classes and offer a new sense of enjoyment in reading literature over the upcoming break, prompting personal and academic growth.