The Beautfiul and Damned

"It was as a concession to his hypochondriacal imagination that he formed the habit of reading in bed- it soothed him. He read until he was tired and often fell asleep with the lights still on."

-F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Beautiful and Damned

Just began reading this brilliant classic over the weekend, and so far I am in love with it. I never thought I'd say that because I have never been one for reading "the dull classics". But this, this is wonderful. 

Books I Wish I'd Read in High School

If there is one thing I hate it's required reading. I think it's a pointless assignment and tends to turn students away from reading altogether. Instead, they go out and buy the SparkNotes version of the book, just so they don't have to read that "terrible" novel that a teacher assigned them. If teachers allowed students to choose their own books to read, they would actually read.

Now that I'm past high school I look back on some of the titles that teachers assigned and actually wished that I had read the book. Perhaps it's because I'm older now and have more of an appreciation for these novels. I do remember reading Perks of Being a Wallflower and thinking that was the ONE exception to the "required reading rule". I actually thoroughly enjoyed the book and am looking forward to seeing the movie in the Fall. Although, since I read that book during my freshmen year in high school, and that was oh about eight years ago, I might need to brush up on it a bit.

With that being said, here are a list of classic, required reading novels that I wish I'd read back in the day, but am adding them to my "to-read" list now! Better late than never, right?

Pride and Prejudice 
Yikes, I hate to admit it but I have never read Pride and Prejudice. I've read bits and pieces of Jane Austen and I have it downloaded on my Kindle. But, I'm guilty of never having read this book in its entirety.

The Great Gatsby
Have you seen the trailer for the movie? Looks amazing!! I can't wait. But, I must read the book before I see the movie, because if I don't I will never end up reading it. This is one of those classics that winds up being everyone's all-time favorite book. I need to see what the hype is about!

The Beautiful and Damned 
Another F. Scott Fitzgerald that I need to read! So many people are raving fans of his, and this is another one of those books that people swear by. So I'm adding it to my book of classics that I must read (sometime soon!). 

What are some books that you wish you'd read that were required when you were in school? What required books did you read that became your favorite books?

Xo-L