The period between completing high school and starting college might be a terrific time for students to explore something new. So it is not surprising that most of them choose to get lost in the world that books offer before embarking on a new life phase. This is not new, however, as several institutions have certain regulations of dishing out books that incoming students must read before resumption. The book can be assigned to students across the university or within specific disciplines.
The assigned literature, also called common reading programs, is frequently used in freshman-level classrooms. They provide these new students with opportunities to get together for book discussions and get a feel for what school promises to be. While some institutions require this, others only recommend it to students.
Also, reading these books ahead of time will save you time during school sessions. You only need to skim the book rather than have little time left and fall back on asking for help with dissertation writing services.
The 5 Most Essential Classics You Need to Read Before College
Below are the classics you need to read before heading for college:
J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher In The Rye
The Catcher In The Rye is an all-time classic – it is exceptional. It highlights Holden Caulfield, a character who has been ejected from school owing to his low grades. So Holden packs his belongings and boards a New York-bound train to pass the time and delay alerting his parents about his expulsion.
The book highlights that he is an average, gloomy teenager as he wanders around the city. Yet, one can sense such complexities oozing from his character as he rains curses on the people around him.
However, as the story progresses, we see a new side of him – his fondness for watching over those younger and more naïve than he ever was. This spotlights the main headline of the book – his being the “catcher in the rye” as a liberator of children from the harshness of life. The book is considered a classic because it relates to the tough life many people went through while growing up. Successfully finishing this book will encourage you to invest more into yourself and your academics. This will involve dedicating time to homework and avoiding or reducing “do my homework” searches online.
George Orwell’s 1984
If you have never read a dystopian novel before starting college, then this is probably your best choice for a first. Why? Because of how easily one can relate it to current global events time and again. One of the most recent examples was social separation caused by COVID-19 and how it resembled the realm of 1984.
Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird
This is a required book for most high schools in the United States, but if you haven’t read it yet, you must not put it off any longer!
The book offers a good exposé on the negative ideals of racial discrimination and rape in the sixties. It tries to highlight racial justice and equality also. In a British librarian survey, this book was named the must-read book of all time. The Great American Read also called it “America’s Best-Loved Novel.”
William Golding’s Lord of the Flies
Lord of the Flies portrays a cluster of schoolboys stranded on an island following an airplane disaster. This may appear to be a pleasant adventure at first. Still, the novel takes an unexpected turn, exploring the complexity of human nature in a world where civilization has lost all value. While it was controversial then, Lord of the Flies is mainly considered a fascinating read today.
Jane Austen’s Emma
The joy of Jane Austen books. While there are many other Jane Austen books, this proved the best for this list. After all, this novel has it all: daring language, a gripping storyline, and clever characters, all delivered by a writer who was decades ahead of her time.
Conclusion
We frequently choose stories that are familiar and relevant to our own lives when we read. However, books can also serve as gateways to fresh, intriguing, and diverse ideas, allowing us to approach ideas from various angles.
As you prepare to depart for college, ensure you prioritize a range of tales at the top of your reading list, as they will only make you wiser and much more open to various perspectives.
