High School Books You Should (re)Read
One of the most common responses I get when I tell people I was a high school English teacher is “I didn’t actually read anything in high school” usually followed by “and nothing’s changed.” And then they laugh, as if that’s something unique.
The thing is, is that writing about Ataxia every week gets kind of depressing. And when I need to distract myself, I read. Or write. In this case, both.
You see, reading really does make you smarter. No, I’m not just saying that to make my (former) job sound more important; it’s proven time and time again (and again and again and again).
I get that people don’t have time to read. That there are “better” things they can be doing.
But we make time for what we find important. And I’m going to try my hardest to convince you that reading is worth it… if only to validate how I now spend some of my days.
So, in honor of my favorite author donating $20 million to neurology research, allow me to recommend five high school books you should (re)read.
Those books that you maybe read once, long ago. Books that I – quite literally – have read at least five times each. They’re short, and all at a relatively-easy reading level, so they should be more relaxing now that you don’t have an essay to write at the end.
It doesn’t matter if you’ve already read them or not – I’m going to bet you’re a different person than you were at 16. You’re going to have a different experience now, whether you’re reading it for the first, second, or tenth time.
* This post contains affiliate links, which means if you buy any of the books through this page, I may earn a small commission, at no additional cost to you.
1) The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
MY LOVE. It’s just so overly-dramatic and wonderful.
It’s not the classic love story all these Pinterest girls are theming their weddings after. It is a classic though because even though it’s set in the 1920’s, if you think you can’t relate to someone who’s obsessed with something out of their reach, or confused about the cost of happiness, or fixated on the past, or masking an overzealous ego… well, you’re wrong.
My students once asked me if I was having them read it because it was “basically their lives” (who knew these teens were selling bootleg liquor in speakeasies while hiding from hit and runs?).
There are so many debatable concepts to uncover, like was Gatsby romantic or psychotic? Who holds responsibility for what happens at the end? Can money buy happiness?
I’ve honestly read this book at least eight times, and still can’t decide if I love or hate Daisy.
But according to John Green, “I don’t know where [people] got the idea that the quality of a novel should be judged by the likeability of its characters, but let me submit to you that Daisy Buchanan doesn’t have to be likeable to be interesting. Furthermore, most of what makes her unlikeable – her sense of entitlement, her limited empathy, her inability to make difficult choices – are the very things that make you unlikeable! That’s the pleasure and challenge of reading great novels, you get to see yourself as others see you, and you get to see others as they see themselves.”
Ah… The plot is great. The themes are better.
PS: The movie really does do it justice, but you should actually read it first to fully appreciate Leo (or Robert Redford) in his finest. And I personally like the Jay-Z soundtrack. But don’t take my word for it…
2) To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
“Timeless” is the perfect word to describe this novel. You were assigned it for a reason – it’s got a multilayered plot that makes you want to find out what happens at the end, all while teaching you valuable life lessons.
Rereading it as an adult gives you this whole new perspective on acceptance, equality, and justice – things that you’re taught in school, but you don’t really understand til later in life.
I’m going to include some quotes here, because if you like Harper Lee’s words, you should probably go and read more of them… Just don’t read Go Set a Watchman.
“You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view… Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.”
“Until I feared I would lose it, I never loved to read. One does not love breathing.”
“I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what.”
“I think there’s just one kind of folks. Folks.”
“People generally see what they look for, and hear what they listen for.”
3) Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
You probably didn’t read this in high school. It was published in 1999, so I refer to it as “modern” (though my students disagreed). It’s witty and sarcastic while addressing a super dark topic, which is why I recommend it.
Written from a 14-year-old girls’ perspective, it makes adults remember how underestimated teens can be. It’s also nice re-reading it because once you know the ending, you go into it with a whole new mindset that changes the way you interpret certain events.
Plus, the tree symbolism makes my teacher heart happy.
4) Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
Not only did this book teach me how to spell “Fahrenheit,” it also reaffirmed the importance of literature.
OK the reason you actually need to (re)read it is because this dystopian, fictional novel that was written in 1953 is becoming true.
Bradbury made up these crazy full-wall televisions and tiny earphones that connect to the radio and flying surveillance cameras to make the future sound insane and now nothing he invented sounds weird. Including the fact that books started being censored because people were getting offended over parts of them. And how none of the characters even realize there is a war going on because they’re too caught up in themselves and the technology at their fingertips.
When this was published, Motag’s world seemed absolutely far-fetched and crazy. Now, unfortunately, it’s not (but the HBO movie version is – don’t watch it).
5) Lord of the Flies, Of Mice and Men, Animal Farm
Yeah, I know, let me explain – I can’t, in good conscience, recommend reading all three of these books. You’re going to have to use your personal judgement here. For example, I’m perfectly okay with never reading Lord of the Flies again. I am glad I read it – it lead to me winning an intense round of final Jeopardy against my husband once – but this misogynistic book just isn’t my cup of tea.
On the other hand, I actually like Of Mice and Men. The twist at the end shows a level of internal conflict and morality that will never leave you. However, I had students that were legitimately angry with me for making them read this.
And Animal Farm is good if you’re into politics and conformity and that sort of thing. Historical knowledge of the Russian Revolution also helps.
So, basically, they are well-written books with strong messages that are worth (re)reading, but I would go with your gut on this one.
I really hope you end up reading at least one of these.
And if you are feening for an essay assignment afterwards, hit me up – I’ve got some ready to go.
I’ve read a few in your list meg, and am collecting a list of books to read or reread, Gatsby, to kill a mockingbird. Speak sounds interesting. Thanks for the list and your posts. You never fail to amaze me♥️
Meg,
You have me thinking about some I read and some I haven’t. Will have to revisit a few! Speak sounds interesting! Hope to see u again at book club in the future! I love reading your blogs! 😘❤️
Your blog offers us so much. The booklist reminds me to reread Fahrenheit 451 and that I need to add Speak to my list. Also, I agree with Lord of the Flies – never!