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Mar 15, 2020 · Here are the best books to read before college: 1. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. This is mandatory reading by high school in most of the US public school system, but if you haven’t yet explored this 1960 classic, don’t put it off any longer!
- Jade H.
- The Last Lecture. The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch. About: After being diagnosed with terminal cancer, computer science professor Randy Pausch gives an awe-inspiring lecture on achieving your dreams.
- Daring Greatly. Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead by Brené Brown. About: After college you may feel vulnerable to the new “adult” world before you.
- 175+ Things to Do Before You Graduate College. 175+ Things to Do Before You Graduate College by Charlotte Lake. About: Whether you’re trying to make sure your four years in college are the best they can be or preparing for next steps post-graduation, you’ll learn exactly how to set yourself up for success (and fun!)
- We Are Okay. We Are Okay by Nina LaCour. About: Exploring love, loss, and family – this book is an after high school must read. Author Nina LaCour writes about Marin, a lonely freshman that moved across country with a grief-stricken past and a best friend that comes to visit, & unravel that past.
- Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. If you haven’t already read Fahrenheit 451, it’s time to pick up a copy. This book is set in a not-so-distant future where the government has outlawed books.
- The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger. Perhaps the most famous coming-of-age story, The Catcher in the Rye is a fantastic choice for students entering the next chapter of their lives.
- The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood. Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale is a dystopian novel set in the United States after a totalitarian, patriarchal society overthrows the government.
- Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell. The title of this book is certainly relevant to prospective college students, as you’ll likely be talking to many strangers as you begin your college journey!
Read what you can about building a community, being better with money, and, ultimately, succeeding in higher education. However, instead of using these books as your answers, consider them your conversation starters over the next few years. Your journey starts here! 1. Add to Bookshelf.
- editor@careeraddict.com
- The Catcher in the Rye. A renowned coming-of-age novel, JD Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye is an ultimate classic for good reason. After getting expelled from a prestigious prep school, Holden Caulfield takes the streets of New York City.
- To Kill a Mockingbird. Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird tends to imprint itself on its readers. This story is told through the eyes of Scout, a young tomboy living in the deep South.
- The Handmaid’s Tale. Dystopian novels tend to become a point of reference for modern political moments; you may have come across several articles that compare The Handmaid’s Tale to events concerning women’s rights.
- 1984. If you plan on reading one dystopian novel before heading to college, let that be 1984. George Orwell’s dystopia world has time and time again been compared to contemporary, global events.
How you respond critically, socially, and personally to what you choose to read is an opportunity for you to express your identity and values. So, rather than a list of classic, foundational books that all students “should read,” here’s a list of books to read before college that will get you excited and inspire impassioned responses.
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Essential Reads to Get Your Kid Ready for College. As your kid gears up for attending college and possibly leaving home for the first time, they may be feeling a combination of excitement and uncertainty.
