AP Reading Lists Recommendations?

Hey guys! I'm gonna be taking some APs next year and I wanted to start getting prepared over the summer. What are some good reading lists you've used that helped you or your friends excel in AP classes? Any advice is much appreciated! Thanks!

Hi there! Preparing over the summer is a great way to get a head start on your AP courses. Here are a few recommended reading lists for some common AP classes:

1. AP English Language and Composition: To prepare for this course, consider reading a variety of essays, articles, and speeches, as the class focuses on rhetorical analysis and argumentative writing. Here are some notable works to begin with:

- "Letter from Birmingham Jail" by Martin Luther King Jr.

- "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald

- "The Declaration of Independence" by Thomas Jefferson

- Essays by George Orwell, such as "Politics and the English Language"

2. AP English Literature and Composition: This course covers literary analysis of various genres, so you'll want to read and study classics and contemporary works. Some recommendations include:

- "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee

- "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen

- "Hamlet" by William Shakespeare

- "1984" by George Orwell

3. AP U.S. History: To excel in this course, you can start by reading up on key historical periods and events. Here are some recommended books for background knowledge:

- "A People's History of the United States" by Howard Zinn

- "The Half Has Never Been Told" by Edward E. Baptist

- "The Federalist Papers" by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay

- "Lies My Teacher Told Me" by James W. Loewen

4. AP World History: This class covers global history, so focus on historical accounts and analyses from various regions. Some recommended books include:

- "Guns, Germs, and Steel" by Jared Diamond

- "A Short History of the World" by H.G. Wells

- "The Silk Roads" by Peter Frankopan

- "Why the West Rules—for Now" by Ian Morris

Of course, this is only a short list, and there are many more resources and books out there to help you prepare. Furthermore, it's important to remember that while gaining background knowledge is helpful, your AP courses will teach the necessary content, so there's no need to feel pressured to read extensively beforehand. Use this summer to explore your interests and get a feel for the topics you'll be studying next year. Good luck!