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attempting to plan out my life

I can't lie - I don't know how likely I am to really come back to this list. Regardless, here are the books I hope I read in the next ten years:


2026 - The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Malcolm X and Alex Haley


I'll be honest - my dad has been begging me to read this for the last few years, and I think it's finally time I listen. This will be my first year of college, meaning it's time to really get educated beyond just the subdued version of history I am exposed to at school. Especially because I will be spending so much time in Detroit during my freshman year, I think it is imperative that I learn about black history and its ties to the city.

2027 - American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins


I've heard a lot about the life-changing nature of this novel, and by 2027, I truly think this issue will be a prominent focus in American politics, culture, and society. When I was a freshman, I vaguely remember listening to a podcast episode featuring Cummins during a long drive, and since then, I have been determined to read the book. I think it will provide me with a window into a world I will never be able to fully understand.

2028 - The Color Purple by Alice Walker


This book has been recommended to me many times, and I think it would be a good one to read while I'm still in college. Since I'm doing an English concentration, I believe I will be reading a lot of classic books that I may not enjoy. This is a novel I will likely really enjoy, and give me a break from my classwork.

2029 - Adulting: How to Become a Grown-up in 468 Easy(ish) Steps


It's officially my college graduation! Among the many events, last-minute cramming for exams, and tears, I doubt I'll have the time to fully read a novel. Instead, I think this lighthearted book will hopefully provide me with useful tips. While I doubt a book can truly encapsulate the adult experience, perhaps it will make me feel a little more confident as I step into the real world.

2030 - The Girl I Am, Was, And Will Never Be by Shannon Gibney

By 2030, I see myself as a high school English teacher, meaning that I will constantly be on the lookout for new books I want my students to read. This novel is completely different and diverse from anything I've read in high school, and I hope it can broaden the perspectives of my students as well. 

2031 - The Hundred Years' War on Palestine: A History of Settler Colonialism and Resistance, 1917–2017 by Rashid Khalidi

At this point, unless we change our trajectory, my assumption is that Palestine will no longer exist, and countries like the US will be apologizing for the genocide and all the mistakes made. This, in my opinion, would be the right time to educate myself and remember the past, reflecting on the implications it has on the future.

2032 - Best of Friends by Kamila Shamsie


By 2032, many of the childhood friends I've had will be on the way to getting married and moving to the next phase of their lives. I want to read this book because of its focus on female friendships. As my relationships with friends continue to grow and change, I hope to look to this novel as a mirror of my experiences.

2033 - Parable of the Talents by Octavia E. Butler


In my sophomore year, I read the first book in this series, so I've always hoped to read the second one. I also think Octavia Butler would be a great author for my students to read, especially with her combination of contemporary ideas and science fiction. However, I will probably have to reread the first novel.

2034 - All American Boys by Jason Reynolds

By this time, I will likely be bored with the same titles that I will be teaching. I have been recommended this book multiple times through high school and think it would be good to introduce to my own students. Especially in my plan to teach at an underserved district, I think this title will be intriguing to the students, and I hope they can see themselves in these characters.

2035 - The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo


This is another book that I think will be good to have in my classroom. These diverse books are critical to ensuring that students are exposed to every facet of the world. Ultimately, I strive to broaden the horizons of my students through literature in the same way my high school experience has done for me.

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