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4 Classic Books To Read Before The Summer Is over

The best movies are always written first as books.

Joely Hart

Jun 15, 2018

University of Central Florida

4 Classic Books To Read Before The Summer Is over

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I know reading is probably the last thing you want to do right now, but summer is still a time for learning. Que painful flashback to middle school when the teacher forced you to read Things Fall Apart before school started. The beauty of this list is that none of these awesome books are required reading.

1. "The Lost World" by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

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In my opinion, this is the greatest work of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. It beats out his Sherlock Holmes series by a long run! Right from the first page, Doyle sets up the story with mystery and adventure. The main character is a journalist who sets off on an expedition to prove to his love that he is a man of bravery. He is tasked with verifying the account of Professor Challenger who claims to have discovered new species beyond imagination in the heart of the Amazon. The diction, despite being written in the early 1900s, flows well and is easily understood. The Lost World is my favorite classic and undoubtedly worth your time to read. Besides, Michael Crichton, author of Jurassic Park was inspired by it, so think of it as research for the upcoming movie Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom. If this book could be explained in modern terms I would say it would be most like Peter Parker and his friends exploring the wilds of Avatar's Pandora for the first time. Oh, and there's dinosaurs, too.

2. "Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley

You may think you know the plot of this book, but think again. Frankenstein isn't the name of the monster, but the name of the doctor. Shelley writes modernly, considering her work was published in 1817. At its core, it is a Gothic horror story, but it also focuses on deeper issues such as identity and the weight of having a name or a family. The main character, Victor Frankenstein, is obsessed with perfecting his method of galvanization while away at college. He creates the infamous monster and his life spirals out of control from there. If this book could be explained in modern terms I would say it would be most like Eagle Eye and iRobot because both try to control and create powers beyond human comprehension.

3. "Watership Down" by Richard Adams

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This is also fiction, but follows the format of an epic-novel hybrid. Adams chooses rabbits as the main characters, which is a bit unconventional, but very interesting to read. His diction is unique and elevated so it took me a while to get used to it, but once I did, I was completely invested in the story. His work sheds light on the impact humans have on the environment while still managing to immerse the reader with his excellent world building. The main character, Hazel, is forced out of the warren due to human construction. He and his brother meet friend and foe along the way to the Promised Land of Watership Down. If this book could be explained in modern terms I would say it would be most like Odysseus reincarnated as a rabbit dodging natural and man-made threats.

4. "Lord of the Flies" by William Golding

Lord of the Flies is a great read if you haven't read it before. A group of boys fleeing WWI are stranded on an island after their plane crashes. They attempt to survive and explore the island, but the real danger is the gradual degrading of their idea of civility. Golding writes well and keeps the tension high throughout each chapter. It is an engrossing read, but it still packs on the shock value despite being written in 1954. If this book could be explained in modern terms I would say it would be most like Swiss Family Robinson, if the cast was all teenage boys, meets Lost with the slipping sanity of Castaway.

Grab a bookmark, head to the beach, and read a classic!

25 Beatles Lyrics: Your Go-To Guide for Every Situation

The Best Lines from the Fab Four

SUNY Binghamton

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For as long as I can remember, I have been listening to The Beatles. Every year, my mom would appropriately blast “Birthday” on anyone’s birthday. I knew all of the words to “Back In The U.S.S.R” by the time I was 5 (Even though I had no idea what or where the U.S.S.R was). I grew up with John, Paul, George, and Ringo instead Justin, JC, Joey, Chris and Lance (I had to google N*SYNC to remember their names). The highlight of my short life was Paul McCartney in concert twice. I’m not someone to “fangirl” but those days I fangirled hard. The music of The Beatles has gotten me through everything. Their songs have brought me more joy, peace, and comfort. I can listen to them in any situation and find what I need. Here are the best lyrics from The Beatles for every and any occasion.

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Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Smith College

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college students waiting in a long line in the hallway

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Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

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Recommended for you

4 Classic Books To Read Before The Summer Is over

The best movies are always written first as books.

1. "The Lost World" by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

2. "Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley

3. "Watership Down" by Richard Adams

4. "Lord of the Flies" by William Golding

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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