POV: It's the end of your sophomore year summer, and instead of going to the pool with your friends, you're forced to catch up on your AP summer reading list of multiple massive classic books in one month. I think we all dreaded those moments at the time, but as an adult, I've come to realize that the classics are classic for a reason.
I've always loved reading, especially authors like Jane Austen and Ernest Hemingway, but there's only so much you can absorb or relate to at such a young age. Having revisited these books as an adult, there are so many key takeaways that I missed because I was too naive to understand at the time. Now, I can say that these books have genuinely changed my life and perception of the world. So, without further ado, here are my favorite classic...because your AP English teacher really was right.
The Great Gatsbyby F. Scott Fitzgerald
This classic is set in 1922, and it depicts a classic story of yearning for a past love that is not quite the same anymore. This book is especially important to reread because of how relevant it is to today's hedonistic thirst for more even when you seemingly have it all. It shows the "American dream" as nothing but wanting more and more, yet still never achieving happiness. This book features themes of greed, love, power, and money all wrapped in one. What we can learn from Gatsby? So many things, but mostly:
- The American Dream is futile and unfulfilling.
- Sometimes it's better to let the past remain the past.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Another classic that I've revisited multiple times as an adult, because nothing tops this beloved masterpiece. Pride and Prejudice shows how you can find love and happiness when you tend to look past your initial judgements (or prejudice) against people. In this case, it was social class but it can be true of so many circumstances in our society. At the end of the day, it's a simple and timeless love story between two people who put their bias and ego aside to see the authenticity in one another. (Plus the movie's not so bad to follow this read up with! 😘)
Catcher In The Rye by J.D. Salinger
The writing in this book is absolutely transporting, and it's definitely worth a revisit as an adult, especially given the theme of losing innocence and entering into adulthood. The world is Holden's (our main character) enemy because he's struggling with the realities and artifices of everything around him. If you're struggling with the grapplings of adulthood and reminiscing on your childhood, then this book is perfect to pick up. Holden longs to hold on to youth just as much you do, if not more!
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
This one will make you feel a bit eery after a re-read — it's way too relevant to today. This story revolves around themes of a society wanting ignorance and going against opinions and individuality It answers one central question: when a government or ruling authority censors intake of its people in order to control them, what happens? It's such a good read to understand the ramifications of too much power and being able to form your own opinions outside of a controlled bias.
The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
One of my favorite re-reads as an adult are books I read as a child. They bring back such joyful emotions and always hit different emotions than when you first read them. For me, The Chronicles of Narnia series is definitely one of those. It has a lot of religious symbols, teaches us about good vs. evil, and shows the importance of being able to have courage to stand up for what you believe in. "Courage, dear heart" will always get me.
Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
Great Expectations will teach you just about everything you need to know about life. The book explores themes of friendship, loyalty, forgiveness, and knowing what's really important vs. what doesn't matter in the long run like money, wealth, or status. It's so helpful to understand that some things in life are fickle and aren't worth sacrificing our humility for as we get older.
1984 by George Orwell
Jump scare: this book will freak you out with its prescient warning for society — and that's exactly why you should re-read it. It was written in 1949, but it's honestly just as important, if not more important, to read now. This book shows a society completely devoid of individualism and free-will, where the government is manipulating information (much like Fahrenheit 451) and controlling narratives via groupthink. It's another eery read, but there's so much to takeaway.
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
This coming of age book is one of my all-time favorites, and I think it's so important to re-read in your twenties and thirties. Despite it being written in 1868, it still rings true even today. This book follows four sisters navigating their futures and friendships. Each young woman in on a different path in life, but I hold such respect for each of them in their individual ambitions. Being a woman is difficult, and being a woman navigating the transition to adulthood and crippling expectations from society is even more difficult, whether you're in 1868 or 2024. This book will definitely make you feel not as alone in your quarter life crisis!
The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway
I love Ernest Hemingway's writing, and The Old Man and the Sea was likely on everyone high school AP summer reading list that's a must re-visit! This story is allegorical, full of religious themes throughout, but the main take-away form this book is the human condition and our ability to endure suffering and hardship in order to achieve greatness. This was a direct reflection of Hemingway's life as he wrote this book, so if you're also struggling to persevere, then I'd recommend this book.
If you enjoy Hemingway and have the chance to read A Moveable Feast, I would highly recommend it!
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
This haunting gothic is such a great book to revisit for its incredible storyline and shocking twist. Rebecca has so many symbols and hidden meanings in it that make it such an interesting read to really sink your teeth into. It deals with jealousy, romance, and how sometimes our legacy can follow us even in death. This is definitely a favorite of mine!
To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Probably one of the most famous books of all time, of course To Kill a Mockingbird had to be on our list. The well-loved novel deals with prejudice toward people in general, but focuses most specifically on racial prejudice and conflict at the center of this story. I think it's a must to re-read for a better understanding of true biases and prejudices that can happen, and how to respond to those injustices.
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Yet another childhood classic that I love to pick up every now and again. This story shows Mary as she unlocks a secret garden and beings to form friendships with those around her after her parents passed. The Secret Garden is especially important because of its main message of healing and that maybe we all need to find a "secret garden" of our own to find our peace. Truly, I find this book to be so important as a reminder of how we should carry ourselves and treat others, as well as the power of positive thinking.
Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes
Caring too much about what others think? This is the novel for you! The main theme or message in this two-part novel is one of living your life for you and the power of being tenacious and a dreamer. It teaches us that despite how crazy we may seem, you should always go after what you want with fervor.
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
This French children's book was my utter obsession when I was younger. I would paint the illustrations, and re-read it constantly — and I'm honestly just as obsessed with it as an adult. It's a beautiful book about friendship, loneliness, and working to make up for your actions. This incredibly astute book will teach you so much about what it means to be a true friend and overall, a good human. One of my favorite themes of the book, though, has to be the creativity and wonder of children. As an adult, I'm trying to revisit that wonder, and reading books like this definitely help!
East of Eden by John Steinbeck
This book is crucial to those who may struggle with a more difficult family environment. It's such a good story that deals with themes of family conflict, rivalry, generational curses, and the ability to overcome evil. I've revisited this book a few times and it's definitely helped me in my own intricate family dynamic (or at least to understand it better).
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