AP Lit required reading - what to expect?

Hi everyone, I'm taking AP Lit next year and was wondering what books you guys had to read as part of the class. Did you enjoy them? Were they helpful for the exam? Trying to get a sense of what to expect! Thanks.

Hey there! AP Literature classes can have different required reading lists depending on the school and the instructor. However, there are some well-known works that are frequently taught in AP Lit classes due to their literary merit and complex themes, which prepare you well for the types of texts and concepts you'll encounter on the AP Lit exam.

Some books students often read in AP Lit classes include:

1. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

2. Hamlet by William Shakespeare

3. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

4. Beloved by Toni Morrison

5. Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad

6. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

7. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

8. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

9. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

10. Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston

Your experience with these books can vary depending on your preferences and the way they're taught, but overall, they provide a strong foundation in literary analysis and critical thinking, and reading them will also make you a more cultured person overall, as they are frequently referenced in a range of contexts. Many students find these works to be insightful, engaging, and sometimes challenging, but all that effort will pay off when the exam rolls around!

Keep in mind that your teacher may assign different works, so it's a good idea to reach out to them for a definitive list and reading schedule. Happy reading, and best of luck with AP Lit!