Hey all! I'm currently prepping for my AP English Literature and Composition course in my junior year. Looking for some book recommendations that could potentially aid in my understanding of the course. Any tried-and-true classics or unexpected picks that helped you succeed? Also, any insights on how to approach reading for this course would be super appreciated!
Hi there! That's an excellent step you're taking to gear up for your AP English Literature and Composition course. You'll find that your reading list can vary from teacher to teacher, but there are some fundamental works that often make appearances in AP English Literature study guides and past prompts.
For classics, titles like "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen, "1984" by George Orwell, "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens, "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald, "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, and plays by William Shakespeare, such as "Othello" and "Hamlet," are frequently referenced.
Contemporary novels that come up include "Beloved" by Toni Morrison, "The Things They Carried" by Tim O'Brien, and "The Road" by Cormac McCarthy.
For deeper literary analysis, you might consider reading complex works like "Heart of Darkness" by Joseph Conrad or "Crime and Punishment" by Fyodor Dostoevsky.
Regarding your approach to reading, remember the significance of close reading. Before you read, it can be helpful to familiarize yourself with the background information about the book—author, historical context, and key themes. As you read, take note of how language is used to develop characters, set a scene, or portray a theme. Pay attention to themes, symbols, and figurative language, and ask yourself why the author used these techniques and what they contribute to the overall message.
Happy reading!
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