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2026 Reading Challenge

2026

READING

CHALLENGE

Gerald Jr. has read 159 books of his goal of 100!

159%

Gerald Alva Miller Jr.

Goodreads Author

Born

in West Monroe, LA, The United States

Website

http://www.geraldalvamillerjr.com

Twitter

benway79

Genre

Fiction, Science Fiction, Philosophy

Member Since

July 2011

URL

https://www.goodreads.com/drbenway79

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In 2001, I received my B.A. from the University of Louisiana at Monroe with a major in English and minors in history, philosophy, and classical studies. Then, I moved to Chapel Hill in 2002 and began my graduate studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. I received my M.A. from UNC-CH in 2004 with a major concentration in 20th-Century American Literature and a minor concentration in History of the Novel. My M.A. culminated in my thesis on Beat Generation icon William S. Burroughs, entitled "Sirens, Pasteboard Towns, and Mannish Women: Rites of 'Passing' in the 'Red Night Trilogy' of William S. Burroughs."

In 2010, I received my Ph.D. from UNC-CH with a major concentration in 20th-Century American Literature and a minor conce In 2001, I received my B.A. from the University of Louisiana at Monroe with a major in English and minors in history, philosophy, and classical studies. Then, I moved to Chapel Hill in 2002 and began my graduate studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. I received my M.A. from UNC-CH in 2004 with a major concentration in 20th-Century American Literature and a minor concentration in History of the Novel. My M.A. culminated in my thesis on Beat Generation icon William S. Burroughs, entitled "Sirens, Pasteboard Towns, and Mannish Women: Rites of 'Passing' in the 'Red Night Trilogy' of William S. Burroughs."

In 2010, I received my Ph.D. from UNC-CH with a major concentration in 20th-Century American Literature and a minor concentration in Literary and Critical Theory. My dissertation, "Variables of the Human: Theoretical Utopianisms and Heterotopian Science Fictions," focused on the intersections between science fiction and critical theory and discussed works such as Samuel R. Delany's "Trouble on Triton," Mamoru Oshii's "Ghost in the Shell," Hideaki Anno's "Neon Genesis Evangelion," Katsuhrio Otomo's "Akira," William Gibson's "Pattern Recognition," Chris Marker's "La Jetee," Shane Carruth's "Primer," and Stanley Kubrick's "2001: A Space Odyssey."

After graduating in 2010, I spent a year as a post-doctoral lecturer at UNC-CH, a semester as a visiting lecturer at UNC-Greensboro, and a semester as an adjunct instructor at Rockingham Community College. I began teaching at Alamance Community College in Graham, NC as an adjunct in the summer of 2012 and became a full-time faculty member in the 2012-2013 academic year.

I have taught a wide range of classes: Expository Writing, Argument-Based Research, Literature-Based Research, Writing and Research in the Disciplines, Professional Research and Reporting, Film Analysis, Introduction to Fiction, Major American Authors, Introduction to Gay and Lesbian Literature, Contemporary Literature, Film and Culture, Introduction to Narrative, Introduction to Shakespeare, World Literature II, and American Literature II.

I have given conference papers on Vladimir Nabokov, Marcel Proust, William S. Burroughs, Stanley Kubrick's "2001: A Space Odyssey," Hideaki Anno's "Neon Genesis Evangelion," Shane Carruth's "Primer," and Rob Zombie's "The Devil's Rejects" in addition to more theoretical presentations on science fiction and narratology. I have published one article entitled "'To Shift to a Higher Structure': Desire, Disembodiment, and Evolution in the Anime of Otomo, Oshii, and Anno" in the Spring/Fall 2008 issue of "Intertexts."

My first book "Exploring the Limits of the Human through Science Fiction" was released in December 2012 by Palgrave MacMillan. "Exploring the Limits of the Human" argues that science fiction texts, ranging from anime series to experimental fiction and films, inscribe a peculiar kind of narrative space that allows for new kinds of theoretical reflection. My second book, "Understanding William Gibson," was published in February 2016 by the University of South Carolina Press as part of their "Understanding Contemporary American Literature" series. "Understanding William Gibson" examines the cyberpunk pioneer's life, works, and legacy and positions him as a crucial figure for understanding contemporary theories of postmodernism and posthumanism. Currently, I am working on my third book (also for the "Understanding Contemporary American Literature" series) about William S. Burroughs. "Understanding William S. Burroughs" will explore the Beat Generation icon's life and works while situating him as a crucial figure for comprehending the postmodern turn in literature, art, and philosophy that began occurring in the 1950s and 1960s.

In addition to writing, research, and teaching, I am an avid horror movie fan, music lover, and video gamer, and I currently live in West Monroe, Louisiana with my wonderful daughter and our cat. ...more

Combine Editions
Gerald Alva Miller Jr.’s books

Average rating: 4.2 · 5 ratings · 1 review · 3 distinct works

	Understanding William Gibson 3.67 avg rating — 3 ratings — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Exploring the Limits of the Human Through Science Fiction it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 1 rating — published 2013 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Understanding William S. Burroughs it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 1 rating — published 2020	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

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Gerald is Currently Reading

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Fantastic Four, Vol. 1: Whatever Happened to the Fantastic Four?

by Ryan North (Goodreads Author)

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Sep 16, 2026 09:46PM

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Spirits of Vengeance: Rise of the Midnight Sons

by Howard Mackie

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Aug 11, 2026 12:18PM

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The Eternals, Vol. 1

by Jack Kirby

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Aug 09, 2026 10:46AM

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