A Summer Reading List for Rising College Freshmen

Last summer, I saw this great post by author Cassandra Neace on BookRiot, and was inspired to post a version of my own on my tumblr blog, based on books that I own or that I've read. But I thought that I might update it this summer with books that have helped me immensely as I've gotten further into my studies.

One Shakespeare Play

Neace recommends something not typically read in high school literature classes, but I have to disagree - many of the plays that I read in high school are not being taught any more. Knowing Shakespeare's greatest hits is helpful, but no play has been more helpful to me as an English and history major than Hamlet. Everyone likes to allude to Hamlet, whatever field they're writing in, and the play's ability to question the deepest fears of mankind is something that I've always loved coming back to again and again. It's still probably my favorite Shakespearean tragedy. 

One Biography of a Historical Figure

Honestly, any biography will make you better and more well-rounded. Biographies will immerse you in the culture of a time from the perspective of a single figure, whether powerful or small, and increase your knowledge, not only of the person, but also of the era. That being said, I read a lot of biographies (they happen to be one of my favorite genres), and picking a single one that has been particularly helpful is difficult. There is always that one biography, though, that I enjoy going back to again and again - in fact, it got me into studying the French Revolution. That biography is Marie Antoinette: A Journey, by Antonia Fraser, which, while it has Royalist leanings, is still an excellent gateway into the story of the Revolution.

One Book About a Historical Event or a Period in History

Only one? There are so many that have been extremely influential on my studies. But my favorite so far has been a book that I read this summer - Dan Jones' The Plantagenets: The Warrior Kings and Queens who Made England. I didn't know anything about the time period or the people before cracking the spine of the book - I just knew that Richard II was the last Plantagenet, and Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine were the first. But now, I find them fascinating - I can't read enough about them.

One "Classic" Novel - Pre-1910

So many excellent options to choose from... But my go-to response here is Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen's classic novel. Not only is the novel an excellent story in and of itself, but it also provides a great starting point for anyone planning to try and analyze literature. In my very first freshman English course, we talked about Pride and Prejudice as a novel fulfilling the Marxist critical format. It also doesn't hurt that this is one of my favorite books, and I recommend it to everyone.

One "Modern Classic" Novel - Post-1910

Oh, without a question, The Great Gatsby. F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel has influenced literature so much in such a short amount of time that, despite the number of high schools that assign it for reading, it is worth reading again. Gatsby is a lot to take in as a high school student, but rereading it pays off. It truly is the great American novel.

One Dystopian Novel

Brave New World. Absolutely no question. Huxley's alternate universe, while not as instantly terrifying as Orwell's in 1984, is the one that has stuck with me. The idea of a sex-obsessed, drug-addicted society that has forgotten the true power of words and true happiness is more terrifying than any mind control from government. That being said, read 1984 for comparison and see what you think.

One Young Adult Novel

So many options to choose from. YA lit is going through a renaissance, and many of the books that you can pick up today are going to be fabulous and well-written. But for the teen starting their freshman year, nothing will ring more true than Rainbow Rowell's Fangirl. The novel follows Cath, a girl starting out her freshman year at the University of Nebraska, and her struggles to find her place away from her family. She also happens to write fanfiction (thus the title). I'm really looking forward to the companion novel, Carry On, Simon, which is Rowell's take on Cath's fanfiction, and comes out (I believe) in the next year or so.

One Non-Fiction Title (Medicine, Science, Technology, etc.)

I will stand firmly behind the work of Bill Bryson. And here I will heavily recommend his work At Home: A Short History of Private Life. Here, whether you're fascinated by history, science, technology, or just somewhat strange factoids, you'll definitely find something to enjoy. Bryson's dry, witty writing style also comes across well here, so the work is engaging as well as informative.

Something Political

So, I don't really read a lot of political works (not really my area of expertise), but classic works such as Democracy in America by Alexis de Tocqueville or The Federalist Papers will not only improve your ability to hold discussions, but they will make you a more involved citizen.

A Graphic Novel

I really am growing to love the graphic novel format. But my all-time, go-to fave is Sandman by Neil Gaiman. It encapsulates all the things that I love - driving plot, amazing characters, and smart, witty commentary that includes some fine literary references. There's even a new prequel series out now, so you can read even more Sandman when you finish the first volumes.

That's it! Anything that you think I've missed? Something that you disagree with? Leave me a comment below!

Thanks!