Required reading sucked in high school, but years later, now that I'm in college, I've realized that many of these books were mandatory for a reason. For that reason, many of these novels deserve a reread, especially the ones listed below.
"The Great Gatsby"
Recommended for you
You thought you were done with this one, right? With Leonardo Dicaprio’s Gatsby still fresh in our minds, it’s easy to dismiss Fitzgerald’s novel because we all know it well already, right? But I would argue that’s reason enough to give this novel another chance. Try not to think of the questions your teacher asked you (“What does the green light symbolize?”), and go in with an open mind.
"The Catcher in the Rye"
You either love this book, or you hate it. I, personally, hated it. All I truly remember is that Holden seemed awfully whiny, and I had zero patience reading someone’s complaining. But then again, I was a teenager myself when I was reading about Holden’s angst. And if I’m willing to give this one another shot and try to see it through a young adult’s lenses, then anything is possible.
"To Kill a Mockingbird"
R.I.P. Harper Lee. There is something about "To Kill A Mockingbird" that never stops being relevant to our times, whether it be the innocence of curiosity, the injustice of racism, or the rare kindness of Atticus Finch. This book is a reread, at all times. And who knows, maybe you’ll read "Go Set A Watchman" next.
"Romeo and Juliet"
Remember when everyone in the ninth grade complained about how stupid Romeo and Juliet were? We were young, and so quick to criticize what we hadn’t gone through ourselves. But when you have a little more experience tucked into your belt and a few romantic stories of your own to tell, Romeo and Juliet becomes much more relatable, and even realistic. Does Romeo’s codependency and serial monogamy remind you of someone? Yeah, me too.
Edgar Allen Poe
There’s nothing about Edgar Allen Poe that I don’t love. Creepy, eerie, and completely fascinating, his works never disappoint. Whether you love horror or not, Poe is a treat, and deserves a reread only because his real life was absolutely miserable. We at least owe him that, right? Plus, he was the master of the short story, and his less-recognizable works are just as fantastic as his famous ones.
