Like many English majors, I began my college career a wide-eyed idealist, excited to immerse myself with the greatest literary works of all time. Then my professor assigned Go Down Moses by William Faulkner. If you've never read it, don't. 400 pages about horrible people being horrible. At least I think that was what it was about. The writing style is all but incomprehensible. Of course, most of the books weren't that bad. For the most part, reading books for class was about as much fun as doing any other sort of homework. Interesting, but not what I would call fun.
Sometimes, however, there would be required reading that I would genuinely enjoy. Maybe the plot kept me guessing what would happen next. Maybe there was a character who I fell in love with. Maybe the ideas presented really spoke to me. Or maybe the writing style was just really entertaining. Whatever the reason, these books have become some of my favorites. Maybe they'll become some of yours as well.
1. Forms of Literature — "Jane Eyre" — Charlotte Brontë
You may have read this one already, but if not, do it now. I've read many, many stories about young women growing up, falling in love, and finding their way in the world, but it's rare to find one as well done as Jane Eyre. Jane and Mr. Rochester are both imperfect people, but likable none the less, and their love story is sweet and satisfying without sacrificing Jane's strength or agency. This book also has a plot twist you won't see coming; that's surprisingly rare in this sort of literature.
2. The Short Story — "Two Questions" — Lynda Barry
relate to this one. Two questions haunt cartoonist Lynda Barry as she draws: “Is this good?” and “Does this suck?” This comic is only a few pages long, but it's one of the most inspiring things I've ever read.
3. Contemporary Poetry — "What Narcissism Means to Me" — Tony Hoagland
have but don't usually say aloud (often for good reason). This could make for a pretentious volume, but the simple style and self-deprecating wit keep it down-to-earth. Read it on a day where you're feeling a little bit hipster.
4. Shakespearean Drama — "The Merchant of Venice" — William Shakespeare
I read the same four that everyone else read in high school, but, in college, I got the chance to discover so many more. Of these, I think my favorite might be The Merchant of Venice, mainly because of my love for Portia, the play's heroine. She's gutsy, ingenious, and a genuinely good person. Check out her “Quality of Mercy” speech in act IV and you'll see what I mean.
One thing to know: there is quite a bit of controversy surrounding this play thanks to its unflattering portrayal of Jews. Some believe that Shylock, the main antagonist, is an example of negative Jewish stereotypes, while others believe him to be a sympathetic victim of circumstances. It's a touchy subject, but my advice is to read the play and draw your own conclusions.
5. Major American Writers II — "Invisible Man" — Ralph Ellison
though. This bildungsroman about a young black man growing up in the early 20th century has the suspense to capture and keep your interest, and raises complex questions which will make sure you're still thinking long after you've finished reading.
6. Major American Writers I — "Wieland" — Charles Brockden Brown
7. World Literatures — "The Namesake" — Jhumpa Lahiri
their identity. Well, this is another one. As the child of Bengali immigrants, Gogol Ganguli struggles to define himself as American or Bengali over a period of 25 years. During that time, he begins to feel like a friend.
8. British Literature to 1600 — "The Canterbury Tales" — Geoffery Chaucer
The Canterbury Tales provide all sorts of critiques on medieval society. It's also a collection of tales, ranging from stories about princesses and knights (The Knight's Tale) to one that is basically an extended fart joke (The Miller's Tale). I haven't read them all yet, but I definitely plan to.
9. Heroes and Villains — "The Steel Seraglio" — Linda, Louise, and Mike Carey
critically acclaimed or both, The Steel Seraglio is relatively unknown. It shouldn't be. This story about a harem-turned-army is full of plot twists, gorgeous writing, and kick-butt female characters. My friends and I seriously considered starting a Tumblr fandom for it.
10. The Graphic Novel — "God and Science: Return of the Ti-Girls" — Jaime Hernandez
This is the superhero story feminists have been dreaming of. In a world where all women are born with superpowers, The Ti-Girls is basically the Hufflepuff House of superhero teams; the group where even the ladies who aren't pretty or tall will be welcomed. Of course, that doesn't exactly make them the most popular... This graphic novel combines wacky antics, beautiful artwork, and strong feminist themes into a thoroughly enjoyable read.
11. The Contemporary Novel — "The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao" — Junot Díaz
- He's a hopeless nerd.
- His family is literally cursed.
In any other story, the prom queen would realize at the last minute that Oscar was the one she really loved and they would ride off into the sunset together. Junot Díaz has other plans. This book has a refreshingly honest portrayal of issues related to gender, culture, and social expectations. Also, the narration is hilarious.
