Top 10 Books I Actually Enjoyed in English Class | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

Top 10 Books I Actually Enjoyed in English Class

Sometimes assigned books are the best ones

544
Top 10 Books I Actually Enjoyed in English Class
startupremarkable

I spent a majority of my time in High School in an English class. While most kids despised English, I loved it. English teachers were some of the only teachers I actually connected with (besides some of the amazing teachers I had in the social studies department) and English was one of the only classes I looked forward to every single day. It was in English class that I had learned to love reading and that you can find amazing books in an English curriculum. While yes I did not like some of the books I read in English class, here are 10 books that I read in English class that I would read again.

10. "Johnny Got His Gun" by Dalton Trumbo

I read this novel in an English class my sophomore year of high school, and we read it to go along with our WW1 unit in Social Studies. While the book is heartbreaking and leaves you to think if war is really worth it at all, it is an amazing book that makes you look at a part of war people tend to ignore.

9. "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" by Ken Kesey


This novel shows life inside of a psychiatric hospital which is run by a controlling Nurse Ratched and houses patients like Cheif Bromden, Billy Bibbit, Dale Harding, and Randle McMurphy. Like "Johnny Got His Gun" I read this book in my sophomore English class. From beginning to end this book is a wild ride and is not your typical "insane asylum" depiction.

8. "Where Are You Going Where Have You Been" by Joyce Carol Oates

Although this one is technically a short story, it is on this list because it is truly unforgettable. This short story is unsettling and left me uncomfortable after reading it in one of my English classes senior year. The story forces you to think about what you would do in Connie's situation and the ending is up to interpretation as to what happens to Connie.

7. "Othello" by William Shakespeare

Again this one isn't technically a book I did read it and enjoy it in a high school English class. "Othello" is one of my favorite Shakespeare plays. I read this play in my junior year as a part of an English class that focused on plays. I absolutely love this play and enjoyed reading it.

6. "Kiss the Girls" by James Patterson

"Kiss the Girls" is the second installment of James Patterson's Alex Cross series. In this book detective Ale Cross finds himself chasing two serial killers while trying to rescue his niece Naomi. While Alex Cross is the most annoying main character looking back at it this book was a wild ride. Another unique thing about "Kiss the Girls" is that it is the most graphic book I read in high school.

5. "Hamlet" by William Shakespeare

Hamlet is by far my favorite Shakespeare play. In short, Hamlet is about the revenge that Prince Hamlet seeks for the death of his father caused by his uncle Claudius. The play itself is one of Shakespeare's most iconic plays, more than likely caused by the infamous "to be or not to be" monologue. I loved reading this play and would actually consider reading it again.

4. "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Who hasn't read this book in high school? I feel as if I shouldn't have to summarize this one because either you read this in high school or seen either of the movie adaptations. I was waiting to read this book and enjoyed it when I finally did. It was a lot better than I expected it to be and I would not hesitate reading it again.

3. "A Thousand Splendid Suns" by Khaled Hosseini

This novel centers around the lives of two Afghan women, Mariam and Laila, as they survive in Afghanistan in the 20th and 21st century. I hold this book to a really high standard because it opened my eyes to issues that people, specifically women face in Afghanistan. I loved the characters in this book (minus Rasheed) and the plot never ceased to get boring.

2. "Dracula" by Bram Stoker

"Dracula" is by far one of my favorite books. The novel, which is written in a series of letters and journal entries, focuses on the battle between Dracula and a group of young men and one woman. I enjoyed reading this book in English and honestly who doesn't love a good monster book?

1. "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee

This American classic centers around the life of Scout Finch who lives in Maycomb Alabama. Her father, Atticus Finch, is a lawyer who later in the book defends black man Tom Robinson in a trial accusing Mr. Robinson of rape. Although the book doesn't center around the trial, it is definitely a big part of what the book is. The book reminds you of a simpler time during childhood. I loved this book so much and it remains one of the best books I read in high school.




Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

195351
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

17936
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

460213
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

27948
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments