Librarian Highlights Three Influential High School Reads for New School Year
Allison Hall-Murphy, Ottawa Public Library’s collection development coordinator, recommends three books that left a lasting impression during her high school years.
Allison Hall-Murphy, who oversees collection development at the Ottawa Public Library, selected three titles that shaped her teenage reading. In the Skin of a Lion by Michael Ondaatje weaves together stories of early-20th-century Toronto workers and personal drama. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë offers a Gothic romance anchored by a memorable, determined protagonist.
Ways of Seeing by John Berger explores how personal background influences the way art is perceived, including discussions of the male gaze and the difference between nakedness and nudity. Hall-Murphy suggests these books as engaging choices for students heading back to school.
Why it matters
The recommendations guide students toward literature that combines history, character depth, and critical thinking about art.
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