23 Books You Didn’t Read In High School But Actually Should

You probably SparkNoted these books before, but now’s your chance to read them.

1. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

A love story within a love story. It takes the American dream, amplifies it, and then tears it apart in every way possible. Read More
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2. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

It blends innocence and triumph in a way that makes you learn something without actually feeling like you’re learning. Also, you will fall in love with Atticus Finch.  Read More
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3. Night by Elie Wiesel

The Jewish author was sent to Auschwitz at 15-years-old. This is his story of personal struggle, heartbreak, and passion. At barely 100 pages, you can’t afford to not read this book. Read More
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4. Lord of the Flies by William Golding

Lord of the Flies reveals the true nature of humans and will even make you question your own morality. Read More
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5. Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad

This novel is the inspiration for Apocalypse Now. Need I say more? (The answer to that question is no.) Read More
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6. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

The protagonist’s fear for adulthood will make this one of the most relatable books you will ever read. Read More
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7. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

It gives new meaning to the American dream, focusing on power and a friendship that will enrage you with jealousy (but in a good way). Read More
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8. Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell

This novel will scare the crap out of you, and you will love it. Besides, Big Brother is watching, so it’s not like you even have a choice now… Read More
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9. Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut

It incorporates time travel and porn stars. Enough said. Read More
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10. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Mary Shelley bet her husband that she could write a better horror story than him. She did. Read More
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11. Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe

Because everyone’s in need of a good cry. Read More
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12. Animal Farm by George Orwell

This book is basically a satirical puppet show about a revolution. If anything, you should read it for this quote: “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.” Read More
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13. Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett

It’s a play about two characters who wait for something that never comes, but it’s never dull, just thought-provoking. Read More
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14. Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf

Virginia Woolf will show you how disconnected you are from society, and you will thank her for doing so. Read More
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15. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

Because you’ve always wondered what the world would be like without religion. More Infos
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16. As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner

Everyone in this novel is pretty messed up, and that’s refreshing. Also, James Franco is releasing a film adaption of the book, so you have to read it before that comes out, too. Read More
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17. Catch-22 by Joseph Heller

This is the only book that will make you feel OK about American politics. It’s basically a novel version of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. Read More
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18. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey

It uses literature’s greatest heroes and villains to make you question authority, freedom, and reality. And Ken Kesey is an LSD-tripping, counter-cultural genius. Read More
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19. The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

Its bleak honesty and dark humor will teach you to not sweat the small stuff. Read More
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20. Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller

Miller uncovers the reality of the American dream in a way that will make you question your own desire for success. Read More
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21. Beowulf by Seamus Heaney

Action, adventure, monsters, dragons, heroism, fame. Read More
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22. Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka

It will single-handedly change the way you treat people. Read More
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23. Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston

It will make you rethink everything you thought you knew about love. Read More
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