Mensa's recommended reading list for high school students offers a diverse range of classic and contemporary literature spanning various genres and cultures. The list emphasizes challenging texts that encourage critical thinking and expose students to different perspectives. Included are works of fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and drama, from authors like Shakespeare, Austen, Orwell, and Angelou, aiming to broaden literary horizons and foster a lifelong love of reading. The list is not exhaustive, but rather a starting point for exploring the rich world of literature.
Kaguya is a new web app positioned as a modern alternative to Goodreads. It focuses on privacy, speed, and a clean interface. Users can track their reading progress, add books to their library, and discover new titles. The platform features a minimalist design, personalized recommendations, and integration with StoryGraph for importing existing libraries. Kaguya aims to provide a distraction-free reading management experience.
HN users generally praised Kaguya's clean design and mobile-first approach, contrasting it favorably with Goodreads' cluttered interface. Several expressed interest in specific features like the yearly reading challenge tracker and the ability to easily add books by scanning ISBNs. Some questioned the long-term viability of relying solely on Amazon for book data and suggested integrating with other sources like OpenLibrary. Others voiced concerns about the privacy implications of the project being closed-source and requiring an account. The developer responded actively to comments, addressing concerns and outlining plans for future development including features like import from Goodreads, personalized recommendations, and potentially open-sourcing the codebase. A recurring theme was the desire for a robust, modern alternative to Goodreads, with Kaguya seen as a promising contender.
Summary of Comments ( 52 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43601190
HN commenters generally found the Mensa reading list unimpressive, criticizing it as uninspired, Eurocentric, and lacking diversity in both authors and genres. Several suggested alternative lists or resources, such as the Harold Bloom canon, "1001 Children’s Books You Must Read Before You Grow Up," and local library recommendations. Some commenters questioned the value of prescribed reading lists altogether, advocating instead for allowing students to explore their own interests. The lack of sci-fi/fantasy and more contemporary works was also a common complaint. A few defended the list, arguing that it provides a solid foundation in classic literature.
The Hacker News post titled "The Mensa Reading List for Grades 9-12" linking to a Substack article about the same topic, generated a moderate amount of discussion with several commenters expressing skepticism and criticism of Mensa and the suggested reading list.
One of the most compelling comments questioned the value and purpose of Mensa itself, suggesting it primarily serves as a way for members to validate their intelligence rather than fostering intellectual curiosity or engagement. This comment sparked a thread discussing the potential benefits and drawbacks of belonging to such organizations.
Several commenters criticized the suggested reading list, finding it lacking in diversity and overly focused on Western literature. They argued for a more inclusive and representative selection of books that would expose students to a broader range of perspectives and cultural experiences. Specific examples of books that were deemed missing or better alternatives were offered, showcasing a desire for a more thoughtfully curated list.
Another line of discussion centered on the relevance of standardized reading lists in general. Some commenters argued that personalized reading journeys are more effective than following a prescribed list, emphasizing the importance of individual interests and learning styles. They suggested that encouraging students to explore books they find genuinely engaging is more likely to cultivate a love of reading.
There were also comments expressing concern over the lack of specific criteria used to compile the Mensa list. The absence of a clear rationale for the inclusion or exclusion of certain books left some commenters wondering about the underlying methodology and objectives of the list.
Finally, a few commenters shared their personal experiences with Mensa and offered anecdotes about the organization's activities and culture. These comments provided some insight into the community aspect of Mensa, while also acknowledging its potential shortcomings.