10 Novels Everyone Should Read

I asked some LHS seniors what books a person should read to be "well-read".  I only included books that I personally have read and enjoyed, since they named some that I didn't like at all. :) Here is the list we arrived at, in no particular order:

I enjoyed Fahrenheit 451 much more than I thought I would.  It is not a long story, but there is plethora of ideas to consider. It's not just a futuristic story about loss of freedom; it shows how much little choices can matter.

If you want to read a novel by Hemingway, A Farewell to Arms is the one that will appeal to most readers.  War, romance, and tragedy are combined with the author's typical short, succinct prose.

Les Miserables is another novel that illustrates perfectly that most decisions are not simply black or white.  Sometimes our choices must be dictated by our hearts, not our minds, and if we are punished, that does not always make our choice the wrong one.

Siddhartha is the story of transcending our earthly desires, and seeking the enlightenment of the soul.  While not exactly a breezy, summer read, sometimes we need to read books that make us think.

I have read Pride and Prejudice countless times.  If you can adjust to the pace and language, it is not just a chick lit book; it is a window to a time when women did not have much control over their lives.  Marriage was a woman's main salvation.

Another glimpse into a time period, The Scarlet Letter again illustrates the bleak choices facing women (DON'T fall for the ridiculous "feminist" movie starring Demi Moore).

Okay, I am noticing a trend here... the voices of strong females surrounded by difficulties.  In this case, Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl gives hope to all of us.  Anne, at age 14, showed grace, wit, and a love for life.

When I first read Jane Eyre, I didn't understand what Jane could possibly hope to receive from Mr. Rochester besides financial security.  She had far more to give than he did.  Jane saw that spark of decency that still existed in his soul.











                                                                        The Stranger is indeed a strange novel.  The main character is a fascinating psychological study of a narcissistic man who doesn't understand why anyone cares about anyone else.  He is the prototype for all of the remorseless, unemotional TV villains we have today.
Some people would recommend The Grapes of Wrath as the best Steinbeck novel, but I have a personal prejudice against that book (Thank you, 8th grade Social Studies teacher!)  Of Mice and Men is a two-fold story; the realities of The Great Depression, combined with a simple story of friendship.  However, my viewpoint could be colored by the SNL/James Franco parody.  http://www.hulu.com/watch/35498/saturday-night-live-george-and-lenny

Other recommendations:  1984, A Christmas Carol, 2001:A Space Odyssey, The Red Badge of Courage, To Kill a Mockingbird, All Quiet on the Western Front, One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich, The Alchemist