In this course, we will read captivating literature and spend a lot of time discussing it. There will be a heavy focus on the art of close-reading, as we investigate the different lenses through which single lines or words can be read and interpreted. We will talk about the aesthetics of what we read, and why certain lines or images are seen as beautiful. We will also investigate how authors negotiate character and dialogue. This course will span genres, styles, and authors, all the while employing the same techniques of understanding. The goal is to discover the beauty or darkness of the stories we read, interpret what is going on, and have fun doing it. Expect manageable reading assignments every week. We may read short stories, graphic novels, and/or novels. Authors may include Bret Easton Ellis, Salinger, Hemingway, Joan Didion, and James Baldwin. Sex, drugs, and/or alcohol may feature prominently in certain readings.