As a future high school English teacher, I have been thinking about different books that I would have to teach. Many of the books that are seen in a high school classroom are largely ignored and sparknoted. Students tend to just take in the bare minimum to pass the test at the end of the unit. I have been guilty of this at times as well, but college has made me wiser and more thoughtful. So, upon further reflection, here is a list of books that we BS-ed our way through in high school, but should be revisited as adults.
1. "Animal Farm" by George Orwell
This novel takes you into the fictional lives of the animals at Manor Farm. The pigs stage a revolt and end up winning control of the farm and all of the animals within the borders. Throughout this novella of political satire, Orwell simply explains how someone can rise to power and be the beacon of hope while also taking superior control and leading a dictatorship.
Why you should reread this: With more life experience under your belt, you can more easily understand the parallels of this book to real life events. It lends itself to a more interesting read as an adult.
2. "The Catcher in the Rye" by J. D. Salinger
Holden Caulfield is, in one word, angsty. He embodies what many people would call "teen angst." Salinger takes his audience on a trip with Holden as he tries to find himself in the real world surrounded by "phonies."
Why you should reread this: Holden Caulfield is incredibly rough around the edges and adamant about not growing up. With student loans and bills and taxes, who wouldn't want to stay young forever? Rereading this book will show you that 1.) thank god you grew out of your teenage years and 2.) eventually we all have to accept defeat and grow up a little bit.
3. "Fahrenheit 451" by Ray Bradbury
Why you should reread this: Some high school students would celebrate the burning of books if it meant that they didn't have to write a book report. Adults should take the time to reread this classic book because it shows the sacrifice of a man just to preserve something as trivial as a book.
4. "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee
Scout Finch is a little girl who has a lot of love in her heart and she does as any normal girl would do, she explores and is curious about a lot. Her father, Atticus, is a lawyer and when he decides to defend an African American man in court, it sets the town against them.
Why you should reread this: First off, Harper Lee just passed away a couple of months ago, so you could just read it for nostalgia's sake. Another great reason is that Scout has to learn to deal with many civil rights issues that are also relevant now and we should be reminded of the past because those who don't are doomed to repeat it.
5. "1984" by George Orwell
George Orwell first published this novel in 1949 with the fear of 1984 becoming a dystopian society where no one is allowed to have a voice or opinion. The country is ruled by a figurehead deemed "Big Brother." We follow the life of Winston Smith and his eventual rebellion and defeat.
Why you should reread this: I have a small (huge) love of George Orwell and his political satire, but this novel has merit. Sometimes you need a book that doesn't have a happily ever after to wake you up from other fairy tale endings.
6. "Of Mice and Men" by John Steinbeck
George and Lenny are just simple migrant workers for hire to do odd jobs around to make money. I'm just going to stop my synopsis here in case someone hasn't read the book, I don't want to spoil anything for that person.
Why you should reread this: While I am on the subject of unhappy endings, this one takes the cake. This novel had the power to rip out the hearts of sophomore English students across the country. Reread "Of Mice and Men" to remind yourself of your own mortality.7. "Ordinary People" by Judith Guest
Judith Guest explores the family dynamic after the loss of a child and the attempted suicide of another in her novel, "Ordinary People."
Why you should reread this: I know that "Ordinary People" was not apart of most curriculum, but this novel does have many themes of loss that I think are still very important today.
8. "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald
New money is something that Jay Gatsby is far too familiar with as he attempts to win back the heart of his past love, Daisy. The story is told from the eyes of Nick Carraway, a New York newbie who just so happens to be Daisy's cousin and Gatsby's next door neighbor.
Why you should reread this: The pain that Gatsby endures just to become apart of Daisy's world is comparable to any twenty-something trying to find a job and live in the real world. At least Gatsby has money and we can pretend to share in the wealth for a couple of chapters.
9. "Romeo and Juliet" by William Shakespeare
I feel like everyone knows the story of Romeo and Juliet and how they were star-crossed lovers.
Why you should reread this: I'm going to be completely honest, I hate this play. Even though it is classified as a tragedy, I think it is rather humorous. Think about it, a teenage boy and girl get over dramatic because their families hate each other and they cause the destruction of like seven lives. Reread it just to reassure yourself that you were not that bad of a teenager (an added bonus is to watch the Leonardo di Caprio version to get more laughs).
10. "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" by Stephen Chbosky
The narrator is an anonymous high school boy who is writing letters to a mystery person under the pseudonym, Charlie. This coming-of-age story is centered around an outcast trying to find himself while surviving high school.
Why you should reread this: I know that little synopsis probably has a bunch of you rolling your eyes in near disgust. Bear with me here. I know that many of you will dismiss this because it takes place in high school and you might've spent a whole bunch of time and alcohol trying to forget the four years you spent in the education system, but don't let that be a deterrent. "Perks of Being a Wallflower" is more about the struggles facing a young man in his attempt to get the girl and fit in and be an expectational friend as his mental battles try to crush him. I think millennials can relate.
11. "Lord of the Flies" by William Golding
This WWII era novel takes place on a deserted island where a plane full of unsupervised, British school boys gets stranded. The audience gets to see as a power order is tried and destroyed and the group fights for survival.
Why you should reread this: Let's be real, who doesn't like a survival story, but these school boys had to survive and build a government and find food and do things that I probably never would have thought of if I was stranded on an island.
Armed with your new knowledge of life, go out and reread the books that you couldn't wait to finish back in high school. When you don't have to read for a grade, reading becomes so much more fun. I promise.
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