What books did you read while in school? Were there any that you particular liked, or even hated? Did any become lifelong favourites?
I don't remember a lot of what I read in school and I think I wasn't old enough or mature enough to enjoy most of the reading that was assigned to me. I remember reading Billy Budd, Death of a Salesman and the The Sun Also Rises in 9th grade. The only books I remember from 10th grade are Sherwood, Ohio, A Raisin in the Sun and To Kill a Mockingbird. In 11th grade (British Literature), we read Beowulf, The Canterbury Tales and lots of Shakespeare. I remember absolutely loving both The Canterbury Tales and Shakespeare, even though I didn't understand all of it. I think it was the language and the "history" that I loved most of all. But that was the start of my great love of all things Shakespeare and in college I took two Shakespeare courses. Again, I didn't always understand absolutely everything, but I LOVED it just the same. Oddly enough I can't remember what I read in 12th grade. Not a single thing. Weird. Anyway, the one book I read in school (for an 8th grade book report) that became an absolute life long favorite and one of my "transcendent books" is A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith. This book stayed with me (which is very unusual) and I decided to reread it a few years ago. I was delighted to discover that it was just as good as I remembered. If you haven't read it, I highly recommend it.
How about you? Do you have any favorite books from your school days?
Posts
5 comments:
To Kill a Mockingbird has stayed with me, and my girls will read it this year. Catcher in the Rye is another I remember.
Pam, great post. I agree that To Kill a Mocking Bird and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn were "lifers." Have to also agree with Anita on Catcher in the Rye (although I may have read that on my own and not for a high school class - I can't remember; I used to sneak paperbacks from my mother's J.D. Salinger collection.) Other works from HS that were not necessarily favorites, but stayed with me for life for their sheer power: Heart of Darkness (J. Conrad), Beowulf, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, and Flannery O'Connor's A Good Man is Hard to Find. It is hard to believe that from the ages of 15-17, we could take in so much. I actually think we were shaped the better by what we were required to read!
I had a very progressive English teacher in 9th grade. I remember reading Sartre and Camus if you can believe it. I remember Ivanhoe from that year, too. In HS I remember Beowulf, Catcher in the Rye, Lord of the Flies, 1984 (which I loved and have reread), Animal Farm. In 12th grade I remember listening to Shakespeare's Twelfth Night which was far easier than reading it. I'm sure there were many more but that was a long time ago and they haven't stayed with me. But I'm sure I'll think of them later!
I read A TREE GROWS IN BROOKLYN about three years ago, for the first time- and LOVED it. I can't believe I missed it as a child but I'm so glad I finally found it! It's one of those books you just want to share with everyone.
There was one that I think made me a reader to begin with... I did not want to read in school then which is so weird because now and even right out of HS, I can't imagine not! It was called "The Grass is Greener" and I don't remember the author's name but I would love to re-read it. It was on the list in my Senior English class. We had to read a book off that list. I think I will see if I can get it at the library.
Post a Comment