There isn't a college student that doesn't like reading books. Is this believable? I don't think so!
Yes, reading is fashionable and every college student is always into fashion. But there are many other reasons why books are worth reading for students and more than a trend, such as: books widen your vocabulary, books help students find new models for academic writing, books improve your cognitive skills, books help students escape a rough patch, books help students broaden their horizon.
Every college student has their own list of must-read, or at least must-check, books; but what if I told you there are some masterpieces that are worth your attention and are essential for college students to read?
1. "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald
This book should be read to feel the disillusionment many Americans felt during the Jazz Age. This is a good lesson to young people that teaches them to assess their capabilities and understand that our past can't be returned; so, it is always better to let go.
2. "Faust" by Johann von Goethe
A bet between God and Mephistopheles for the soul of Faust turns into his supernatural journey and the struggle for his will and freedom. This play teaches us to understand the difference between good and evil, learn some myths of ancient history, and master the art of dispute.
3. "The Divine Comedy" by Dante
How could you not hear about Dante and his nine circles of Inferno? This is our chance to learn them all and understand the view of afterlife Christians had in the Middle Ages. We all will have to pay for our sins, and this book teaches us not to forget about that.
4."Beowulf" by Samuel Harden Church
Beowulf provides valuable insight into the culture and values of the society in which it was composed and retold, a society that probably seems pretty foreign to a modern reader at first. Of course, modern Anglo-American culture is influenced by the culture of the ancient Anglo-Saxon people, and reading Beowulf helps readers to discover those influences.
5. "The Odyssey" by Homer
Reading “The Odyssey,” we enter a world infused by the imagination. Everything becomes fresh and new; familiar objects light up with an inner radiance, as if we were seeing the sky or smelling the grass for the first time. And we are always carried along by the steady yet constantly varying rhythms of the meter, which serves as a counterpoint to even the most horrific events, so that everything we read is lifted up into the realm of the beautiful.
6. "The Republic" by Plato
Plato designed this work to arm students for real challenges and temptations. He attempts to replicate the Socratic experience for his readers. We learn about active learning, self-examination, and an appreciation for the complexity and importance of wisdom. Then one is challenged the conflation of professional and personal excellence. Plato then aims not to transmit some prepackaged formula for success, but to teach students to learn fro themselves; which is to love and pursue wisdom. This book is full of encouragement in the weirdest way, but the goal is to receive encouragement.
7. "Candide" by Voltaire
Voltaire touches many touchy topics that most people can't have a civilized conversation about. Here we are able to see how region, government, war, slavery and common ground can become a conversation. However, without the common ground no-one is able to agree upon anything. It reminds us how we should all seek a common ground to try to see eye to eye instead of tear each other down.
8. "A Tale of Two Cities" by Charles Dickens
Here we see a comparison of two different cities and two different people. Dickens shows us the importance of non-judgement and that is very important when entering college. A valuable lesson is also taught; that most executions are not justified. Here intoxication by the power that violence can bestow on its perpetrators.
9. "Last of the Mohicans" by James Fenimore Cooper
This a great book about the French and Indian war and the importance of trust, friendship and race. Race is a huge thing to understand, everyday one is challenged about race and may not understand it too well. Here we get an idea about its importance and why it is essential to appreciate other races more than ourselves.
10. "Lord of the Rings" Trilogy by J.R.R.Tolkien
The classic fantasy books are a wonderful read. On days when you need to get away, these books are a great escape. One is taken into a new and different world to explore. One is taken to believe that being an underdog is ok and that you can become the hero if you are an underdog. This is important for a great escape and to learn the importance of faith in yourself.
Most of these books are historical and out dated, but they each teach important life lessons.
