Okay, don’t judge me, but I was the kid who loved my English classes in high school. A specified time to write, read, and think critically? Sign me up again and again! What really marked my high school experience were the books I read as a student. They made me laugh and cry, challenged me, and expanded my world. Keep reading to learn about some of my favorites 📚
"Jane Eyre"
When my English class read "Jane Eyre," I remember feeling intimidated by the book’s length. At 16, it was probably one of the longest books I’d read (outside of the "Harry Potter" series). I fell in love with Jane’s sweeping story of self-discovery, love, and incredible courage, though. Since high school, I’ve seen the movie and also the Alley Theatre’s beautiful rendition of the play last year. Definitely a classic story that’s still just as beautiful today.
"The Great Gatsby"
"The Great Gatsby" is still one of my favorite books as an adult. It has everything to keep a reader intrigued: a gripping mystery, glamorous parties, characters that jump off the page, and the iconic setting of Long Island, New York. The summer before my senior year of college, "The Great Gatsby" movie with Leonardo DiCaprio debuted, and it made me love the book even more! This scene with Daisy and Gatsby still lives rent-free in my head, specifically with Lana Del Rey’s song “Young & Beautiful" on repeat.
"Animal Farm"
George Orwell’s "Animal Farm" always stayed with me because it was unlike anything I’d ever read before. This satirical story follows a group of mistreated and overworked animals who want to create a better environment for themselves. Decades after it was originally published, this novel becomes increasingly more relevant with each passing year.
"The Bluest Eye"
I honestly can’t remember if I read "The Bluest Eye" at school or for pleasure, but this book solidified my identity as a writer. I can’t believe this was the first novel Toni Morrison ever wrote! In this haunting story, Pecola Breedlove, an 11-year-old African American girl, prays for her eyes to turn blue, so she can be considered beautiful. As a teenager struggling with my own identity at the time, Morrison named feelings that I didn’t even know existed in myself. Now, as an adult, I stand proud of who I am today, what I look like, and where I come from — and a lot of that comes from reading great Black writers like Morrison.
