Preparing for college is no easy task, and preparing for classes is by far the most difficult part. There's so many tricks of the trade that can easily get swept under the rug if you aren't on top of things from the get-go and it can be difficult having to pick up things on your own until its too late. So here is a comprehensive list made for liberal arts majors by a liberal arts major, of the Top 10 books you can't survive without...
10. "A Handbook to Literature"
I'll save you the trouble now: You can't find it online. And they're always missing in libraries. Shell out the money for one and then resell it later (before the new edition comes out, they're always making one).
9. "The Oxford English Dictionary"
Normally this wouldn't have made this list, but the lovely individuals at the OED online have decided to now charge an arm and a leg for people to use it. So, get yourself a small abridged copy or locate a library that has the full one because some Brit Lit class or Gen Ed WILL make you use it at some point.
8. "Civilization and Its Discontents"
Freud has been discredited over and over again for the most part but education people are still obsessed with him and will think you're really deep and worldly if you can comprehend the basic principles from this.
7. "A Pocket Style Manual"
Commonly referred to as "The Diana Hacker" this little guy will save your life and come in handy when it comes to citations and reference for bibliographies and what not. (Contrary to popular belief, EasyBib is NOT infallible).
6. "The Communist Manifesto"
I've never met a college kid who hasn't had to study this in some respect. Whether you like/agree with it or not, Marx will inevitably become a big part of your scholarly life.
5. "The Republic"
You will look like the smartest kid in the class GUARANTEED if you can wrap your head around the stuff in here. It's useful though honestly.
4. "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" or "A Clockwork Orange"
No reason besides the fact that you will look incredibly edgy carrying them around with you. (Bonus: They're also good conversation starters).
3. Shakespeare. Period.
Each professor will have their favorite. Know them all, be able to argue why each of them is the most progressive work ever written and you can get an A in anything.
2. "The Norton Anthologies"
You'll pay an arm and a leg for these initially, but they're incredibly useful and will make your life so much easier when it comes to finding short stories/poems/articles and what not. Plus some scrambling freshman will figure out they need one at the last minute and will bend over backwards to score your copy once you're an upperclassman. Always happens.
1. "Beowulf"
It's unavoidable. Sorry.
