During the 30 required credits needed for my English minor I have encountered these 13 books as being ones very popular among the professors as assigned readings. Why these ones, I don’t know I just read them. I’m sure you’ll recognize these as some of your past literary accomplishments.

1. Moby Dick by Herman Melville

Synopsis: A man and his whale separated after a tragic accident; the man is determined to enact his revenge.

Pros: Learn a lot about whaling….like a lot.

Cons: It’s a slow read.

Overall Thoughts: This novel goes in waves (pun intended), sometimes you’re wholeheartedly cheering along Captain Ahab and his insanity, while other times you could care less about the whaling industry. But most importantly does Ishmael really know what he’s doing?

2. The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne

Synopsis: There was an illicit affair, and now we get to watch as everyone regrets everything.

Pros: Hester Prynne screwed up, but she walks through the consequences with class.

Cons: Arthur Dimmesdale doesn’t practice what he preaches, forgiveness and grace.

Overall Thoughts: A side by side comparison of how to deal with the consequences of your actions and how to move forward. Don’t be an Arthur. Or a Chillingsworth. Or a Pearl. In fact, it’s best not to model your life after any of these characters.

3. Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf

Synopsis: A lady is throwing a party and she’s going to explain every. single. detail. of her day.

Pros: Addresses mental illness and its lack of awareness in the community.

Cons: So many unimportant details.

Overall Thoughts: Virginia Woolf touches on the realistic emotions of a human being. She also tells us the arrangements for an upper class dinner party. A mix of both authenticity and mundane...if realism is your thing then this my friend, is the book for you.

4. Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe

Synopsis: A story about people fighting to live and living to see a better future.

Pros: Christian faith portrayed with love, compassion, and empathy through the eyes of...

Cons: ...the characters you love, who die.

Overall Thoughts: I think this book should be read by everyone. Hands down a powerful story with characters crossing paths and just doing what they can to make a difference. Still relevant today.

5. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

Synopsis: Does she choose a life of passion or a life of morality - why can’t she have both?

Pros: Jane doesn’t settle for less than God’s best.

Cons: The men are the worst.

Overall Thoughts: Props to Jane for not letting the love of her life convince her that it’s okay to be together when he’s already MARRIED. Granted his wife is definitely struggling with some insanity issues. But, instead she left with her self-dignity in hand, and later was able to marry him on her terms when he wasn’t married and not an arrogant entitled jerk. It’s the little things.

6. Howards End by E.M. Forster

Synopsis: A chaotic mess of miscommunication, pride, and the question of who gets the inheritance.

Pros: I didn’t see any of the plot points coming.

Cons: The elite ended up just fine, while the poor were crushed...literally.

Overall Thoughts: After finishing this book the one thing that kept me up at night was what happened to Tibby. I mean, and also the unfair treatment of people based on class and wealth. But mostly what’s up with Tibby.

7. The Odyssey by Homer

Synopsis: A ten year adventure of a man to get home to his wife who is fighting off a bunch of intoxicated fools.

Pros: Penelope is bomb. Straight up stays faithful, keeps off gross guys, and recognizes her husband in disguise after years of not seeing him.

Cons: Odysseus takes up two lovers….I’m sorry, what?

Overall Thoughts: After getting used to the language of the great Homer, the adventure story is non-stop action and actually has a happy ending, sort of.

8.The Importance of being Earnest by Oscar Wilde

Synopsis: Basically a ridiculous game of Guess Who.

Pros: It’s not meant to be taken seriously, so there will be a little bit laughter if read correctly.

Cons: The girls are only concerned for like 2 seconds that the men in their lives have been lying about their identity.

Overall Thoughts: Have thirty minutes and in need of some wit? Read it.

9. The Awakening by Kate Chopin

Synopsis: A mid-life crisis gone bad.

Pros: Robert sounds really cute....and has a moral compass.

Cons: Edna didn’t pull it together.

Overall Thoughts: Edna struggles with her identity as a wife, as a mother, and as an artist. Nothing fulfills her and maintaining these responsibilities just doesn’t cut it. She can’t figure it out who she is or what she wants out of life. To her I say welcome to the inner workings of a college student.

10. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Synopsis: Boy meets girl, boy insults girl, girl rejects boy twice, boy and girl wed.

Pros: One of the greatest love stories with a strong-willed female.

Cons: George Wickham. ‘Nough said.

Overall Thoughts: There’s not much else I can possibly add to one of the most well known chick lit. But if you want another adaptation to retell this story in the modern day world of vlogging then you should watch The Lizzie Bennet Diaries on YouTube.

11. The Wasteland by T.S. Elliot

Synopsis: Doom and Gloom in the form of a poem.

Pros: You’ll get an idea of what a dystopian novel is based off of.

Cons: So complicated that many people have resolved to never really understanding most of the references.

Overall Thoughts: Elliot sure knows how to put a damper on things.

12. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

Synopsis: A stingy man haunted on Christmas Eve because he screwed up.

Pros: Sounds awesome when read with an English accent.

Cons: Doesn’t quite compare to The Muppets version.

Overall Thoughts: Honestly the book is nostalgic and makes me wish it was Christmas, and that I too could join Tiny Tim and family for Christmas dinner and dessert.

13. Walden by Henry David Thoreau

Synopsis: Outdoor survival guide for poor college students everywhere.

Pros: I know how to live minimalistically in the woods.

Cons: Thoreau has a sassy borderline condescending tone.

Overall Thoughts: Even with this step-by-step hermit guide I will still probably give up after four hours to go eat tacos.