Hi everyone! I'm a junior and I want to expand my reading list. What are some must-read books for high school students? I'm open to all genres, just looking for suggestions that can help me grow as a person and contribute to my college application. Thanks in advance!
Hi there! It's great that you're looking to expand your reading list. Reading widely can not only help you grow as a person but can also give you interesting topics to discuss in your college application essays. Here are some suggestions from various genres, both fiction and nonfiction, that you might find engaging as a high school student:
1. "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee - A classic American novel that touches on themes of race, morality, and the loss of innocence.
2. "1984" by George Orwell - A powerful and thought-provoking dystopian novel that examines the nature of totalitarian government and the impact it has on individuals.
3. "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger - It deals with themes of teenage angst, self-discovery, and alienation.
4. "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen - A timeless novel about love, relationships, and social conventions in early 19th-century England.
5. "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls - A powerful memoir about a woman who overcomes extreme adversity to become successful, with themes of resilience and the importance of family.
6. "Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind" by Yuval Noah Harari - An informative and engaging nonfiction book that discusses the history of humanity from the Stone Age to the present day.
7. "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald - A classic American novel exploring themes of love, ambition, and the pursuit of the American Dream.
8. "Beloved" by Toni Morrison - A haunting novel that delves into the legacy of slavery, family relationships, and the search for identity.
9. "Between the World and Me" by Ta-Nehisi Coates - A powerful nonfiction book written as a letter to the author's teenage son, exploring race and the black experience in America.
10. "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley - Another thought-provoking dystopian novel that explores the dangers of technological advancements and societal conformity.
Feel free to read any books that interest you and stay curious about different perspectives and ideas. Just remember that reading and discussing books can be a great way to demonstrate your intellectual curiosity and critical thinking skills, both in and outside the classroom. Enjoy your reading journey!
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