The Bookworm says... Absolutely. The Best American Nonrequired Reading 2015, edited by Adam Johnson and series edited by 826 National, is a collection of the best literature available. Selected by a group of high school students in San Francisco, guided by Adam Johnson, BANR is full of short stories, excerpts, and poetry. Some of my personal favorite pieces: Dynamite by Anders Carlson-Wee, "You are in the dark, in the car..." by Claudia Rankine, A Speck in the Sea by Paul Tough, An Inventory by Joan Wickersham, The Future Looks Good by Lesley Nneka Arimah, and Sky Burial by Alex Mar.
Whether or not you usually read short stories or poetry, or whether or not you like stepping out of your safety zone, you have to read this book. From articles that open your eyes to the troubles of the world to poems that open your eyes to the troubles of the soul, this collection of literary genius is sure to leave its mark on each and every person that reads it. As stated on the back cover of the paperback copy, "The writing in this book is very essential, if not required, like visiting the Louvre if you're in Paris".
"Surviving what you were never meant to survive creates a hard rock of happiness under the bones of the chest." (from Isaac Cameron Hill by Ammi Keller)