Philly reads at College and Bennett halls

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One city, one book? Mayor Street has suggested that we do as the Chicagoans did and discuss a single tome. But which one? Not everyone we spoke to in College and Bennett Halls was on the same page when we asked for their choices.

Lark Hall
Professor, English
Oh, thats an interesting question. I would have to say instantly The Price of a Child by Lorene Cary. Its set in Philadelphia and its fiction. It has a range to it so it can be read by kids and adults. Its about slavery and oppression so its very relevant.

Yetza Johnson
Administrative Assistant, English
For me theres only one real book, the Bible. The only good book.

Ann Marie Potts
Administrative Assistant, English
I cant give you a title but it has to be something in the fiction line. For me, reading is for relaxation.

Marissa Greenberg
Dissertation student, English
That is one of the most problematic questions to ask in Bennett Hall. Its the one thats gonna keep me standing here the longest. Id always recommend fiction. Okay, Romola by George Eliot. Its good for two reasonsit is one of Eliots best books [which is] not talked about and it punches holes in the grand ideas about life, like power, ambition [and] religion.

Ofonedu Goodwyn
Intern, Afro-American Studies
The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield. I guarantee that if you read it you will recommend it to somebody else. You cant ask for a better book than that. Its a quasi-spiritual book about looking at life from a different perspective. But its more than that. You just have to read it.

Greg Djanikian
Director, Creative Writing
Marilyn Robinsons Housekeeping. Oh wait, can I change that? How about short stories? Ray Carvers What We Talk About When We Talk about Love.

Hanna Poole
Administrator, History
I think everyone in the city of Philadelphia should read All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten because its simple and something everybody can understand and its not religious so it can touch everyone.

Mary Ann McDonagh
Regional Director, International Admissions
It is important for everyone in Philadelphia to read Ben Franklins Autobiography because he means so much to the city. He was just such a big figure in American history and this city is where American history all began. I think it would help bring the people of Philadelphia together and make them proud of their city. I feel most people arent proud of Philadelphia, but they should be.

Malaina Freedman and Trinh Tran