Mandy and Mom start the MFA reading list.

Today, Mandy and I went to the local library to begin the borrowing of some of the books on the massive reading list we are going to complete.
Actually, that is inaccurate as the list will never be completely complete.
This blog is designed as a reading journal, for the two of us to share our thoughts on books that are on what most MFA programs consider THE ESSENTIAL LIST.
Rather than a dry, academic review we hope to offer insight and debate on what makes these books interesting other than the fact that someone decided they were important and generations have followed suit.
We both are currently second semester Juniors majoring in English, However while Mandy is currently attending UNI, I stopped attending a few years ago and have yet to go back and finish my B.A. We are both writers, and Mandy will be applying to several MFA-Creative Writing programs next year- with the hopes of getting into the Iowa Writers Workshop.

We will try hard to refrain from snarkyness. It's really easy to fall into the internet trap of verbal bullying by condemning something that you dislike or do not understand, but nothing is universally disliked and to completely insult something that someone else may love is offensive and ignorant.

So, we hope you will follow us and help us by adding your own thoughts and suggestions. You can go ahead and be mean if you want, we won't edit the comments unless they violate a tort (i.e. libelous comments).
The list is pretty big, but will start with covering this: Gotham Writers' Workshop Reading List

This week, Mandy will be reading Sherman Alexie-The Toughest Indian in the World

She has been an Alexie fan since reading The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven
 in 11th grade Honors American Lit.

I will start with Wilderness Tips by Margaret Atwood.

Have you read these? Let us know what stories you liked best.