"The Importance of Being Earnest" by Oscar Wilde

This is actually a play, but is often read as a text by many classes. Not only is it a play, it is a comedy. The title itself is a pun due to the book being about two men trying to convince others that they are being earnest, while they are both named Earnest. If you want something to lighten the mood after several old and dense texts, this is a light, quick, and enjoyable read.

"The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald

I'm sure you've probably seen the movie of this novel starring Leonardo DiCaprio, but et me tell you, the book is eons better than the movie. Not only is it glitz and glam, but it's old money vs new money, it has a romance notion to it, and so much more. Don't you want to know what the green light means? What the eyes staring at you right now from the cover are? The answers are hidden among a great story set during prohibition.

"To Kill A Mockingbird" by Harper Lee

Despite dealing with serious topics, such as racial inequality, this book is pretty comical. Let me tell you, I bet your mom would have a crush on Atticus Finch if she doesn't already. You will feel sympathy for Tom, you will want to know more about Boo Radley, and you will want to not put down this book. A unanimous favorite of many students when it comes to literary merit books.

"Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley

Let's not leave out the female representation! A classic tale that you might think you know, but you really don't. Side note: this book was originally made when Mary Shelley and her friends were coming up with ghost stories. No movie or retelling can capture the depth and interest that this text actually has. It may even 'reanimate' your love for books after class assignments.

"Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley

This is my personal favorite literary merit book of all time. This is a dystopian novel hidden utopia, the downfall of mankind being it's ability to fall prey to pleasure. George Orwell's book "1984"was published several years after, and Orwell was actually a student of Huxley. Orwell sent a copy of his book to his mentor upon publication, to which Huxley sent a letter back, where he praised Orwell on the text. Then, he promptly told him why his theory was wrong and why Brave New World was more accurate.

Cool story, huh?

"One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest" by Ken Kesey

Psychiatric hospitals, lobotomies, escape plans, and the fearsome and big Nurse Ratched all await inside this cover. This may not be for those upset by outdated and cruel depictions of the mentally ill, but it is a text that comes off as more interestingly drawing you in than disturbing. This book studies the human mind and behaviors, and leaves the reader clinging to the book, even to the last page.

"Hamlet" by Shakespeare

We started with a play, so let's also end with a play. Besides, everyone knows Shakespeare, and most people know Hamlet's great 'To Be or Not To Be' speech. But what about everything in between? Hamlet being an angsty son that hates his father-in-law, the ghost of his dead dad taking to Hamlet, a play being performed to reenact an actual murder, and many, many people accidentally killing not the people they intend to. Comedy, tragedy, and comedy again, you'll fall in love with every character.