Hey everyone! I'm taking AP Lit next year, and I want to get a head start on the reading list. What are some must-read books that you guys came across in your AP Lit class? I want to be well-prepared for those in-depth discussions and essays. Thanks!
Hi! It's great that you're eager to get a head start on your AP Lit reading list. The specific books you'll encounter can vary depending on your teacher's syllabus, but there are some classics that often appear in the AP Lit curriculum. Here's a list of some must-read books:
1. "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen
2. "To Kill A Mockingbird" by Harper Lee
3. "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald
4. "Hamlet" or any Shakespeare play, such as "Macbeth," "Othello," or "King Lear"
5. "Beloved" by Toni Morrison
6. "Crime and Punishment" by Fyodor Dostoevsky
7. "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger
8. "Great Expectations" or "A Tale of Two Cities" by Charles Dickens
9. "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë
10. "Their Eyes Were Watching God" by Zora Neale Hurston
Reading these books will not only prepare you for class discussions and essays but will also provide you with a foundation for works that might appear on the AP Lit exam. Remember to use a variety of literary genres in your reading list to better familiarize yourself with different writing styles and time periods. Additionally, taking notes on main themes, symbols, and motifs can be helpful for future reference. Good luck and enjoy your reading!
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.