Tuesday, August 16, 2011

top 10 :: books i should have read in school

I have a confession... I never really read all of those books that were assigned to me back in school. You see, I was an avid Cliff Notes reader... sigh, I know, I know. But don't you worry... I have big plans to read all of that great literature that I missed out on... starting with this top 10 list...

Books I should have read in school...
but didn't...
and wish I did...

1) Jane Eyre... by Charlotte Bronte


2) Treasure Island... by Robert Louis Stevenson


3) A Wrinkle in Time... by Madeleine L'Engle


4) 1984... by George Orwell


5) Fahrenheit 451... by Ray Bradbury


6) The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn... by Mark Twain


7) The Great Gatsby... by F. Scott Fitzgerald


8) Gone with the Wind... by Margaret Mitchell


9) My Antonia... by Willa Cather


10) To Kill a Mockingbird... by Harper Lee


Linking this up to Oh Amanda and It's a Crafty Life. If you are wanting to create a reading list of your own... here's a great starting point.

15 comments:

Liz said...

There are so many books I skipped reading in High School. I did read Great Gatsby and it is, to this day, one of my faves! Happy reading! :)

The enchanted home said...

I remember 1984 well and it was painful. Haha, I might look at it differently now however, read most but not My Antonia, A wrinkle in time or Farenheit. My fave is either Huck Finn and Jane Eyre. (check out the movie I am thinking its probably on dv now, it was fabulous in every way). Good list of some great classics!!

Shari said...

I definitely didn't read a bunch of these in school, but The Great Gatsby is definitely one of my favorites. I love the setting. :)

Flossie said...

I loved To Kill A Mockingbird, but not so much 1984. Sorry. If you haven't read A Tale of Two Cities, I would highly recommend trading it out for that one.

Anonymous said...

I just turned 30 & have made a list of 30 things I want to do in my 30's & catch up on all the classics is on my list. I too was a Cliff Notes junkie. Thanks for a great place to start with my reading list. Happy Reading :)

Delaney said...

Even if you don't read the others, I highly recommend To Kill a Mockingbird. It's been my favorite novel ever since 7th grade!

Keri at Growing in His Glory said...

Please read Fahrenheit 451 and Huck Finn. I had my college freshmen read Bradbury and they loved it! It's just a fascinating read, way before its time. And Huck Finn is just hilarious and fun. Happy reading!!

Kathryn said...

I had to read a Wrinkle in Time in 5th grade! And we had these computerized tests, that I failed twice because I did not understand that book. But it was so big, it counted double or something. I should go back and try again...

Anonymous said...

great list! I understood/felt/heard so much more truth to A Wrinkle in Time when I read it as an adult. I want to pick up Gone with the Wind, too, but every time I do my arm almost falls off. Because it's so big & heavy. ;) But if you do read it, let me know how it is. If you're filled with excitement, maybe that can serve as extra motivation. :)

But really - you should update & give us reviews once you've read something on this list!!
(I am a complete sucker for literary/book conversations...)

Unknown said...

Ooh, ditto Teagan on almost everything. I'm an English major...what does that tell you? :) I LOVED Jane Eyre and I can't wait to see the new movie. And I definitely appreciate A Wrinkle in Time much more now than when I was a kid. The Great Gatsby was okay...I just think the 20's in general were weird. :P Haven't read any of the others (unfortunately), but I have read a LOT of good books!!

Let us know what you think when you read these!! :)

Lindsey Brackett said...

Love this list and love most of these books. I taught Wrinkle this year and was pleasantly surprised when most of my students liked and appreciated its themes. Keep us updated on this list, especially #1--I've never read that either!

MellieButterfly said...

Yawn. The only one I am shooting for is #10. Bought a perty copy at the used book store. One day, when i have spare time (which might be never) I'll read it.

Salena said...

You've got lots of good ones on here! My favorite from this list is Jane Eyre. It really is a good read. Good luck on reading all of these!

Liberty said...

Only one I've read is JAne Eyre - and I read it last year for book club, surprised to ENJOY it! I think my boys will finish this list beofr ei will...they've already got treasure Island and huck finn under their belts...
Blessings!
http://bit.ly/oKbcqq

isaac and jenny said...

All so good except anything by Mark Twain...ugh, I hate him...