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1. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
A love story within a love story. It takes the American dream, amplifies it,
and then tears it apart in every way possible.
2. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
It blends innocence and triumph in a way that makes you learn something
without actually feeling like you’re learning.
Also, you will fall in love with Atticus Finch.
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3. Night by Elie Wiesel
The Jewish author was sent to Auschwitz at 15-years-old.
This is his story of personal struggle, heartbreak, and passion.
At barely 100 pages, you can’t afford to not read this book.
4. Lord of the Flies by William Golding
Lord of the Flies reveals the true nature of humans and
will even make you question your own morality.
5. Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad
This novel is the
inspiration for
Apocalypse Now. Need I say more?
(The answer to that question is no.)
6. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
The protagonist’s fear for adulthood will make this one of
the most relatable books you will ever read.
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7. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
It gives new meaning to the American dream, focusing on power and a friendship that will enrage you with jealousy (but in a good way).
8. Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell
This novel will scare the crap out of you, and you will love it. Besides, Big Brother is watching, so it’s not like you even have a choice now…
9. Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut
It incorporates time travel and porn stars. Enough said.
10. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Mary Shelley bet her husband that she could write a better horror story than him. She did.
11. Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe
Because everyone’s in need of a good cry.
12. Animal Farm by George Orwell
This book is basically a satirical puppet show about a revolution. If anything, you should read it for this quote: “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.”
13. Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett
It’s a play about two characters who wait for something that never comes, but it’s never dull, just thought-provoking.
14. Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf
Virginia Woolf will show you how disconnected you are from society, and you will thank her for doing so.
15. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
Because you’ve always wondered what the world would be like without religion.
16. As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner
Everyone in this novel is pretty messed up, and that’s refreshing. Also, James Franco is releasing a film
adaption of the book, so you have to read it before that comes out, too.
17. Catch-22 by Joseph Heller
This is the only book that will make you feel OK about American politics. It’s basically a novel version of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.
18. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey
It uses literature’s greatest heroes and villains to make you question authority, freedom, and reality. And Ken Kesey is an LSD-tripping, counter-cultural genius.
19. The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
Its bleak honesty and dark humor will teach you to not sweat the small stuff.
20. Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller
Miller uncovers the reality of the American dream in a way
that will make you question your own desire for success.
21. Beowulf by Anonymous
Action, adventure, monsters, dragons, heroism, fame.
22. Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka
It will single-handedly change the way you treat people.
23. Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
It will make you rethink everything you thought you knew about love.
