Originally I was not a very good student. When I was a child I hated reading, hated books and hated having to go to school. Years later, things have turned around… a lot. I went from a stubborn child that hated books to an avid book reader who read 100 books this year! Now, not all of them were standard novels. I read a lot of graphic novels, too, but that is considered reading (don’t let anyone tell you otherwise). When I became an English major I knew I’d have to read a lot more than I had ever before. Yet, I wanted to be a creative writer; therefore, I did what I had to. I read like crazy and because of this I’ve fallen in love with reading more and more.

Here are 15 books, stories and graphic novels I’ve had to read for school that I would read again.

1. "William Wilson" by Edgar Allen Poe

Who doesn’t like a good doppelgänger story? Especially one so dark…

2. "The Importance of Being Ernest" by Oscar Wilde

The whole book is a set up for a pun, which makes it an epic read. Very clever read.

3. "The Coquette"

A book without an author. It is always interesting to see how far back slut shaming goes and compare it to our culture today where women are still the victims even after trials…

4. "Persepolis" by Marjane Satrapi

It’s a graphic novel that is told from the perspective of a young girl living during a rebellion in Iran. I haven’t read the second novel, but don’t think I won’t! This was definitely one of my favorite books and graphic novels.

5. Robert Browning’s "Porphyria’s Lover" and "My Last Duchess"

I love horror and I love the Gothic. These two are dark and revolve around possession through death.

6. Various Versions of "The Little Red Riding Hood"

My favorite being “Little Red Baseball Cap” because it’s interesting to see how Little Red may not be so innocent but is possibly an empowered woman.

7. "Beowulf"

It’s a classic. If you want to write a story about the middle ages, this is the first thing you need to read.

8. "Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley

"Frankenstein" was written in one of my favorite eras, the Romantic Era. It is a sci-fi book, yet, contradicts itself. It is a great example of a Romantic work written during the Industrial Revolution.

9. "The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman

Creepy, gothic and mind-boggling. The writer makes you question everything.

10. "Hills Like White Elephants" by Ernest Hemingway

A great classic that shows you don’t have to write a long narrative to get your story across, not to mention the story's take on point of view.

11. "Death With Interruptions" by Jose Saramago

May be my new favorite book. I had to read it this semester for class, and it's extremely different format and prospective was enchanting. The plot was interesting and kept me wanting more.

12. "Through the Woods" by Emily Carroll

I love fairy tales and these stories are definitely based on some fairy tales, but with a much darker twist than the originals. The art is beautiful and even though I’m one of those horrible people that dog-ears pages, I just couldn’t.

13. "Killing and Dying" by Adrian Tomine

Tomine has a way to express every facial expression with abstract drawings. After reading "Understanding Comics" by Scott McCloud, I felt that we connect with the facial expression because it’s drawn abstractly with not too much detail.

14. The “Lucy” Poems by Wordsworth

My husband hates this but I love Wordsworth. I love his beautiful writing style. I love his meanings and I love these poems. They are sad but show the true realities society was facing.

15. "Othello" by William Shakespeare

"Othello" is one of the few Shakespeare plays I’ve read and liked. It is interesting, sad, and though Iago is the villain, he’s a very enthralling character. I liked him best out of all the other characters. If you like Shakespeare or want to read something dramatic with a witty villain, take a peek at this one.

Every week this semester I have to read one or two stories. Therefore, I am nonstop reading every day almost all day. Though I read for school I’ve learned that it’s also fun to read for myself. I guess I’m just lucky some of those books I’ve read for school have become some of my most beloved stories.