Five Books You Should Read Before Coming To University

“Never trust anyone who has not brought a book with them.”  - Lemony Snicket 

As an English major (and well, nerdy) my life revolves around two things: music and books. There's honestly nothing better than settling down in your favourite chair with a great book, a record playing, and a cup of tea. (I sound old.) Despite the fact that I love to read, I have only put a small dent in my personal goal of reading the BBC's list of 100 Books You Must Read.

As show, I'm also always interested in checking out book suggestion lists. So, inspired by the BBC's list, I thought I would give you my five books that everyone should read before coming to university. The books in my list are not necessarily about university but are either classics, life changing, or were just important to me at that time in my life. I've also provided some additional reading suggestions for each book, for you to check out if you really enjoyed the recommendation.

Enough of my rambling! Behold, five books I think everyone should read before coming to university:

"The Catcher In The Rye" - J.D. Salinger

This classic novel written in 1951 by J.D. Salinger (One of my favourite authors of all time) perfectly captures the time of teenage confusion and rebellion. Based around the life of the main character Holden Caulfield, who has become somewhat of an icon of teenage rebellion, "The Catcher In The Rye" is a timeless novel, perfect for your angsty teenage years.

Additional Readings - "A Perfect Day For Bananafish," "For Esmé - with Love and Squalor" (Short stories by Salinger found in the short story collection, "Nine Stories.")


"To Kill A Mocking Bird" - Harper Lee

"To Kill A Mocking Bird" is a novel that is usually on the curriculum in most high schools but if it wasn't on yours, it's definitely worth the read. About the struggle for racial equality in the Southern States during the Great Depression, "To Kill A Mocking Bird" is narrated by six year old Scout Finch, giving the story some additional charm. Lawyer and Scout's father, Atticus Finch, I feel, is one of the great characters in American literature.  For purposes of enjoyment but also practicality, a lot of people will be referencing this book, "To Kill A Mocking Bird" is not to be passed up. The movie adaptation is really good as well!


Additional Readings - "The Help" - Kathryn Stockett (Although a new release, due to its always relevant themes, I honestly think that "The Help" will stand the test of time like many of the books on this list have.)


"Into The Wild" - John Krakauer

I do hate to admit this but I'm guilty of reading this book after watching the film. In any case, in this non-fiction book, John Krakauer (Probably known most for his book, "Into Thin Air") tells the story of Christopher McCandless aka Alexander Supertramp. A story largely based around that romantic notion of escaping to the wilderness, McCandless will make you question a lot of things in life and maybe make you think twice about bringing a wilderness survival kit before you go on your own "Great Alaskan Adventure."


Additional Readings - "The Call Of The Wild" & "White Fang" -  Jack London (Also be sure to watch the stunning film of "Into The Wild" directed by Sean Penn and featuring Emile Hirsch as Christopher McCandless.)


"1984" - George Orwell

"BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU." It's scary how truer and truer "Big Brother" or the idea of the government watching you is becoming more and more applicable with growing technology. For those interested in politics, although you don't have to be to love this book, "1984" is one of the most intriguing, politically driven, and relevant, even though it was written in 1949 (!), books that I've ever read.


Additional Readings - "Animal Farm" - George Orwell, "A Brave New World" - Aldous Huxley (I haven't read this one personally but my friend said it was amazing.)


"The Great Gatsby" - F. Scott Fitzgerald

Like "To Kill A Mocking Bird," "The Great Gatsby" is also a good to read for practical reasons as it too is often referenced in various classes. Another iconic American novel, "The Great Gatsby," among many things, critiques the upper-class society of the roaring 20's in the U.S.  For its social commentary during a critical point in American history, "The Great Gatsby's" messages, like the importance of relationships, are cross-generational. So read up old sport! P.S. If anyone would like to buy me this sweater, I would be ok with that.


Additional Readings - "A Streetcar Named Desire" - Tennessee Williams, "Tender Is The Night" - F. Scott Fitzgerald

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What Other People Said Were Their Top Five Must Read Books Before Coming To University

Juan Garrido: (Fellow eAmbassador)

"To Kill A Mocking Bird" - Harper Lee 

"Love In The Time of Cholera" - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
"The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas" - John Boyne
"Oh The Places You'll Go" - Dr. Seuss
"You Are Special"- Max Lucado

Esther Phua: (Fellow eAmbassador)
"The Odyssey"- Homer
A Shakespeare play
"Crime & Punishment" - Fyodor Dostoyevsky
A Dickens novel
"1984"- George Orwell

Toks Weah: (Glendon Student)
"A Tale of Two Cities" - Charles Dickens
"After Dark" - Haruki Murakami
"The Brother Karamazov" - Fyodor Dostoyevsky
"The Stranger" - Albert Camus
"The Importance of Being Earnest"- Oscar Wilde

Lauren Simmons: (High School English Teacher)
"Catcher in the Rye"- J.D. Salinger
"The Rules of Attraction" - Bret Easton Ellis
"The World According to Garp" - John Irving
"Complicated Kindness" - Miriam Toews
"Wuthering Heights"- Emily Bronte

Liz Bugg: (My Former High School English Teacher)
"To Kill A Mocking Bird" - Harper Lee
"The Stone Angel" - Margaret Laurence
"Cat's Eye"- Margaret Atwood
"In the Skin of a Lion" - Michael Ondaatje
A Thomas Hardy novel

Madeleine Cummings: (University Student)
"The Bell Jar" - Sylvia Plath
"Fifth Business" - Robertson Davies
"I Am Charlotte Simmons" - Tom Wolfe
"Fight Club" - Chuck Palahniuk
Who Killed Canadian History? - Jack Granastein