Let's face it, not all of us actually read our assignments in high school English, leaving us wary and a little clueless about classic American literature. It's time to put down those CliffsNotes and pick up that good ol' paperback.
Here are a few of many classics you should be collecting on your nightstand:
"Walden" by Henry David Thoreau
Published in 1854, "Walden" is an autobiography that follows Thoreau's journey into the forest. Through stripping his life of everyday pleasures, one man must attempt to find simplicity and peace by living the simple life in nature. The insightful read, filled with allegorical metaphors and captivating paragraphs, takes you through the "savage delight" of the wilderness.
"Slaughterhouse-Five" by Kurt Vonnegut
Follow the life of Billy Pilgrim after being abducted by aliens for a foreign planet's zoo. The book follows the man's capture by the Tralfamaforian's as well as his time as a prisoner of war. Perhaps this contrast of fantasy and reality compares being captured as a prisoner of war to what it must be like being capture by aliens.
"The Things They Carried" by Tim O'Brien
A popular collection of connecting stories follow on platoon during the Vietnam War. Based on his own experiences, O'Brien shows the reader what it's like on the front line, seeing a friend get killed and simply being welcomed home.
"On the Road" by Jack Kerouac
A personal favorite, this novel is the tale of friends who are traveling across the country during the "Beat" culture. Kerouac's memorable writing style lets you in on the narrator's physical and spiritual journey through his experiences with friends, lovers and unforgettable adventures.
"Leaves of Grass" by Walt Whitman
Whitman spent his whole life writing and rewriting this collection of free-verse poetry, and it will leave you speechless. Through themes of what it means to be an American, Whitman's beautiful verses take you though life's journey. There are many versions of this book including just twelve poems or you can go all out and acquire the full 400-poem edition.
"The Fall of the House of Usher and Other Tales" by Edgar Allan Poe
If you enjoy thrillers, read Edgar Allan Poe's collection of Gothic tales. The Baltimore-born writer will have you curling up in bed wanting to read more as the story's climax builds with emotions that even the modern reader can relate to. Feel the horror, love and sadness spill through the pages as you read the wonderful, dark novel.
These books are only a start of the classic American literature you should add to your collection. Now, I know the John Green novels make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside, but nothing compares to the influential classics. Trust me, reading not only helps your writing (something we ALL could improve), but you will also realize what you were missing in high school.
