My first summer reading list

AENeuman · 05-27-2009, 03:42 PM

I teach a sociology-philosophy high school class. Several of my graduating seniors asked for a summer reading list.

So it got me thinking, what books do you wish you could read again but experience it anew? (preferably books you read when you were 16-20).

For me Fountainhead rocked my world for a while, that was fun.
Reading Jorge Louis Borges for the first time, in a near commune off Haight Street was special.
The Plague and No Exit made for a fun few months.
I'm still getting over East of Eden. I hope I don't though.

Schmidty · 05-27-2009, 03:44 PM

Anthem - Ayn Rand

Izulde · 05-27-2009, 03:46 PM

Aldous Huxley's Brave New World is the first thing I thought of, given what you teach.

Schmidty · 05-27-2009, 03:47 PM

Oh, this one popped in my brain randomly - Black Elk Speaks.

Although, it's debated about how closely the interpreter followed the actually words of Black Elk, it's still a great book.

Ronnie Dobbs2 · 05-27-2009, 03:54 PM

American Pastoral
The Stranger

I. J. Reilly · 05-27-2009, 04:20 PM

The Power and the Glory by Graham Greene

I was assigned this book in a freshman year lit class in college, and I remember skipping the class so I could keep reading in the library.

MrDNA · 05-27-2009, 05:02 PM

Galapagos by Kurt Vonnegut. Black comedy about how humanity improves itself through de-evolution. That's the only one I can think of that would be relevant to your class, although Magnetic Field(s) by Ron Loewinsohn might also fit the bill. This is about various things, but ultimately about experience space, especially that of other people.

Comey · 05-27-2009, 05:29 PM

Vonnegut was fantastic.

Surprisingly, and since it seems to transcend different genres, I'd suggest The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. It's cleverly written, and while not serious, it had its philosophical moments that made me sit and think a bit.

rowech · 05-27-2009, 05:34 PM

1984 -- especially given today's climate.

ntndeacon · 05-27-2009, 05:41 PM

The Plague was the first one to pop in my mind
Ivanhoe was the first for fun classic I ever read.
And my introduction into the Russians...Fathers and Sons

AENeuman · 05-27-2009, 06:19 PM

Thanks all. I totally forgot about Vonnegut

Peregrine · 05-27-2009, 10:26 PM

I'd definitely recommend 1984 and Animal Farm by Orwell if they haven't read it. Another book that really opened my eyes around that age was Ursula LeGuin's The Left Hand of Darkness. I might also kick in Philip K. Dick's The Man in the High Castle - a great existential novel masquerading as sci-fi, and for me when I read it, my first exposure to the I Ching.

Schmidty · 05-27-2009, 10:29 PM

I've read 1984 3 times (glutton for depression), and while it's obviously very important literature, I still think Anthem is "better" in an enjoyability sense.

Has anyone on here actually read it? Just curious.

Subby · 05-27-2009, 10:48 PM

Maybe a cliche, but I loved Catcher in the Rye.

Faulkner's As I Lay Dying was a hard read and is something I think would be worth going back for a second try.

Cringer · 05-28-2009, 05:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schmidty

I've read 1984 3 times (glutton for depression), and while it's obviously very important literature, I still think Anthem is "better" in an enjoyability sense.

Has anyone on here actually read it? Just curious.

I have read The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged, but have never read that one. I should probably give it a try since I enjoyed both of the others I listed.

chesapeake · 05-28-2009, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schmidty

I've read 1984 3 times (glutton for depression), and while it's obviously very important literature, I still think Anthem is "better" in an enjoyability sense.

Has anyone on here actually read it? Just curious.

I have. Although I find her writing style to be enjoyable to read, her administration of her message with a very heavy club drives me nuts. Subtlety is not a tool she has in the box.

CamEdwards · 05-28-2009, 09:56 AM

It'd probably occupy their entire summer, but Jacques Barzun's "From Dawn to Decadence: 500 Years of Western Cultural Life" is an amazing book, and it would fit right in with your course.

LoneStarGirl · 05-28-2009, 05:20 PM

Taming of the Shrew and Where the Red Fern Grows are two of my favorite books of all time, and I read them in 10th grade.

terpkristin · 05-28-2009, 08:03 PM

1984 came to mind for me. Also, Kerouac's "Dharma Bums."

/tk

terpkristin · 05-28-2009, 08:04 PM

Dola,
It's kind of new age-y and some might say sappy, but I really love Paulo Coehelo's "The Alchemist." I read it for the first time in high school, I go back to it every so often. Now I have it on audio and in print.

/tk

Noop · 05-28-2009, 08:06 PM

On The Road by Kerouac

JS19 · 05-28-2009, 09:02 PM

Not much of a book type here, but I just finished One Bullet Away and found it amazing.

Ramzavail · 05-28-2009, 10:17 PM

The Invisible Man - Ralph Ellison

rowech · 05-29-2009, 04:31 AM

I thought of another one I really like for High School Kids although I'm not totally sure it fits for you...

Sophie's World

chesapeake · 05-29-2009, 08:41 AM

I think most schools have probably already taught To Kill a Mockingbird, but if not, that is the best book I remember reading at that age.

I read Les Miserables between my junior and senior years in HS and loved it. That was before the musical became ubiquitous, however. That may make it impossible for anyone to experience for the first time anymore.

05-27-2009, 03:44 PM	#2
Schmidty Coordinator Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Early, TX	Anthem - Ayn Rand __________________ Just beat the devil out of it!!! - Bob Ross

05-27-2009, 03:46 PM	#3
Izulde Head Coach Join Date: Sep 2004	Aldous Huxley's Brave New World is the first thing I thought of, given what you teach. __________________ 2006 Golden Scribe Nominee 2006 Golden Scribe Winner Best Non-Sport Dynasty: May Our Reign Be Green and Golden (CK Dynasty) Rookie Writer of the Year Dynasty of the Year: May Our Reign Be Green and Golden (CK Dynasty)

05-27-2009, 03:47 PM	#4
Schmidty Coordinator Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Early, TX	Oh, this one popped in my brain randomly - Black Elk Speaks. Although, it's debated about how closely the interpreter followed the actually words of Black Elk, it's still a great book. __________________ Just beat the devil out of it!!! - Bob Ross

05-27-2009, 03:54 PM	#5
Ronnie Dobbs2 Pro Rookie Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Bahston Mass	American Pastoral The Stranger __________________ There's no I in Teamocil, at least not where you'd think

05-27-2009, 05:02 PM	#7
MrDNA High School Varsity Join Date: Jan 2007	Galapagos by Kurt Vonnegut. Black comedy about how humanity improves itself through de-evolution. That's the only one I can think of that would be relevant to your class, although Magnetic Field(s) by Ron Loewinsohn might also fit the bill. This is about various things, but ultimately about experience space, especially that of other people. __________________ Norfolk Flame (Shiba) Jacksonville Bulls (UFL) R.I.P. *Ayr Bravehearts (FOFL)*

05-27-2009, 04:20 PM	#6
I. J. Reilly College Prospect Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: An Oregonian deep in the heart of Texas.	The Power and the Glory by Graham Greene I was assigned this book in a freshman year lit class in college, and I remember skipping the class so I could keep reading in the library.

05-27-2009, 05:29 PM	#8
Comey College Starter Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: CT via PA via CA via PA	Vonnegut was fantastic. Surprisingly, and since it seems to transcend different genres, I'd suggest The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. It's cleverly written, and while not serious, it had its philosophical moments that made me sit and think a bit. __________________

05-27-2009, 05:34 PM	#9
rowech Pro Starter Join Date: Feb 2006	1984 -- especially given today's climate.

05-27-2009, 05:41 PM	#10
ntndeacon Pro Starter Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Alabama	The Plague was the first one to pop in my mind Ivanhoe was the first for fun classic I ever read. And my introduction into the Russians...Fathers and Sons

05-27-2009, 06:19 PM	#11
AENeuman College Benchwarmer Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: SF	Thanks all. I totally forgot about Vonnegut

05-27-2009, 10:26 PM	#12
Peregrine Pro Starter Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Cary, NC	I'd definitely recommend 1984 and Animal Farm by Orwell if they haven't read it. Another book that really opened my eyes around that age was Ursula LeGuin's The Left Hand of Darkness. I might also kick in Philip K. Dick's The Man in the High Castle - a great existential novel masquerading as sci-fi, and for me when I read it, my first exposure to the I Ching.

05-27-2009, 10:29 PM	#13
Schmidty Coordinator Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Early, TX	I've read 1984 3 times (glutton for depression), and while it's obviously very important literature, I still think Anthem is "better" in an enjoyability sense. Has anyone on here actually read it? Just curious. __________________ Just beat the devil out of it!!! - Bob Ross Last edited by Schmidty : 05-27-2009 at 10:37 PM. Reason: 'an', not 'a'

05-27-2009, 10:48 PM	#14
Subby lolzcat Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: sans pants	Maybe a cliche, but I loved Catcher in the Rye. Faulkner's As I Lay Dying was a hard read and is something I think would be worth going back for a second try. __________________ Superman was flying around and saw Wonder Woman getting a tan in the nude on her balcony. Superman said I going to hit that real fast. So he flys down toward Wonder Woman to hit it and their is a loud scream. The Invincible Man scream what just hit me in the ass!!!!! I do shit, I take pictures, I write about it: chrisshue.com

05-28-2009, 09:56 AM	#17
CamEdwards Stadium Announcer Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Burke, VA	It'd probably occupy their entire summer, but Jacques Barzun's "From Dawn to Decadence: 500 Years of Western Cultural Life" is an amazing book, and it would fit right in with your course. __________________ I don't want the world. I just want your half.

05-28-2009, 05:20 PM	#18
LoneStarGirl College Starter Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Little Rock, AR	Taming of the Shrew and Where the Red Fern Grows are two of my favorite books of all time, and I read them in 10th grade.

05-28-2009, 08:03 PM	#19
terpkristin Grizzled Veteran Join Date: May 2003 Location: Ashburn, VA	1984 came to mind for me. Also, Kerouac's "Dharma Bums." /tk __________________ GO TERPS! https://www.flickr.com/photos/terpkristin https://twitter.com/terpkristin

05-28-2009, 08:04 PM	#20
terpkristin Grizzled Veteran Join Date: May 2003 Location: Ashburn, VA	Dola, It's kind of new age-y and some might say sappy, but I really love Paulo Coehelo's "The Alchemist." I read it for the first time in high school, I go back to it every so often. Now I have it on audio and in print. /tk __________________ GO TERPS! https://www.flickr.com/photos/terpkristin https://twitter.com/terpkristin

05-28-2009, 08:06 PM	#21
Noop Bonafide Seminole Fan Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Miami	On The Road by Kerouac __________________ Subby's favorite woman hater.

05-28-2009, 09:02 PM	#22
JS19 College Prospect Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: NY	Not much of a book type here, but I just finished One Bullet Away and found it amazing.

05-28-2009, 10:17 PM	#23
Ramzavail College Starter Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Strong Island, NY	The Invisible Man - Ralph Ellison

05-29-2009, 04:31 AM	#24
rowech Pro Starter Join Date: Feb 2006	I thought of another one I really like for High School Kids although I'm not totally sure it fits for you... Sophie's World

05-29-2009, 08:41 AM	#25
chesapeake College Starter Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Arlington, VA	I think most schools have probably already taught To Kill a Mockingbird, but if not, that is the best book I remember reading at that age. I read Les Miserables between my junior and senior years in HS and loved it. That was before the musical became ubiquitous, however. That may make it impossible for anyone to experience for the first time anymore.

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