Some know him by his elite squash ability. Others know him by his intellectual capabilities. However, those closest to Andres Jay (Class III), also known as AJ, know him by his uncanny reading list, as Jay’s taste in books extends far beyond that of the common man.
Jay’s interest in reading came from his parents. “My parents wanted me to read when I was little,” Jay said. This prevented him from using his phone too much as a child, instead allowing him to develop a strong passion for literature. As he read and continued to develop his personal library, he found literary fiction: a genre characterized by its emphasis on thematic and character development rather than plot. “I just naturally found literary fiction. That was what I was interested in, and what I enjoyed reading the most,” Jay said. Jay also mentions that the interests and critiques of his fellow literary fiction readers gave him an opportunity to delve further into the genre. “Online, I could find communities where people talk about these books a lot,” Jay said. This interest continued beyond his childhood and allowed Jay to continue reading as he grew up.
“I just naturally found literary fiction. That was what I was interested in, and what I enjoyed reading the most.”
Literary fiction is an expansive genre, encompassing books from The Great Gatsby to To Kill a Mockingbird. However, Jay digs deeper into this genre, looking for more esoteric, unknown, and engaging books to read. The most intriguing of this bunch is Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace. “It’s a really long book. It’s more than 1000 pages, and it’s got 150 pages of footnotes,” Jay said. According to Jay, the premise of the novel is hard to detail, as the book follows the lives of various characters. However, at the heart of this novel is a lethally addictive film called Infinite Jest, created by James Incandenza. The film becomes so captivating that groups from Quebecois anti-separatist groups to U.S. government agencies seek control of it. It is also worth noting that Infinite Jest is known as one of the most unique works of literature as it has a single sentence that extends across multiple pages. “I like the book a lot because it made me rethink a lot about my addiction to entertainment. I am definitely addicted to my phone and social media,” Jay said. Perhaps more provoking than Infinite Jest is Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov. This novel details the story of a 40-year-old protagonist who writes under a pseudonym, Humbert Humbert, about his romantic obsession with a 12-year-old girl, Dolores Haze. Consequently, after becoming her stepfather, Humbert kidnaps and sexually abuses Dolores. “I think the main takeaway is the deceptive nature of language and how it has the power to shape the unforgivable. It also critiques a lot of 1950s consumerism and post-war America,” Jay said. Last is Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy. That narrative follows a teenager from Tennessee about his experiences with the Glanton Gang, a group of “scalp hunters” who violently massacred American Indians and others. “Its prose is very Homeric and biblical, but the entire novel is so violent,” Jay said, “I think the biggest takeaway from it is how brutality and violence shape history and existence. It is a historical novel taking place in the 1840s and 50s and deconstructs the traditional Western novel.” As shown by his thoughtful comments, Jay is able to find symbolism and applications to the real world in books that may not appeal to everyone.
“I like the book a lot because it made me rethink a lot about my addiction to entertainment. I am definitely addicted to my phone and social media.”
In an academic environment like Nobles, students are constantly inundated with work and extracurricular activities. Accordingly, reading may seem to be more of a distraction from Jay’s typical work. However, his time management skills enable him to make time for reading within his busy schedule. “I try to use my free periods and any open times I have efficiently,” Jay said. Moreover, when he is free, Jay also makes time to read in school. “I find it very difficult to focus in an environment where there are people talking or noise around me, so I love the Quiet Room. I spend a lot of time in the Quiet Room to read,” Jay said.
Ultimately, Jay’s reading list, albeit extraordinary, can serve to elucidate a key lesson for students at Nobles. From novels about anti-separatism to stories about pedophilia, Jay’s books showcase that Nobles students should worry less about their external perception. Rather, they should focus on what intrigues them the most, even if that may not be something that intrigues everyone. In all, for a conformist environment like Nobles, Jay’s reading list encourages students to step out of their comfort zones and tackle the norms and standards set by their peers.