Poet laureate Andrew Motion says that many teenagers of today do not read because some books “have a reputation as difficult, they are put in a box and called elitist.” But despite some books being difficult to read, they “are wonderful, profoundly democratic works of art.” It’s important to get past that first hurdle when reading books. Not only will there be enjoyment to be had, but reading comprehension and a vocabulary will increase if you become a frequent reader.
Here is a short list of books of literary merit that should get your foot in the door of the literary world. These books are thought provoking, easy to read, and enjoyable.
“One Flew Over theCuckoo’s Nest”
by Ken Kesey
Not many men can write a novel that explores a man’s insecurities and reveal his suffering and torment under the hands of those who are supposed to help you, only to make you laugh out loud a few pages later. Ken Kesey does just that with this novel. Time Magazine called it “A glittering parable of good and evil…a work of genuine literary merit.” I call it the most enjoyable book I have ever read in high school.
“Catcher in the Rye”
by J.D. Salinger
This book has been dubbed as the nonconformist’s bible for teenagers. In this coming-of-age novel, Holden Caulfield, a 16-year-old prep school student, narrates his 24-hour stay in New York City after he decides to quit school. Salinger manages to perfectly portray what many teenagers can relate to; the feeling of alienation and the search for truth in a “phony” adult world.
“Flowers for Algernon”
by Daniel Keyes
This 1959 classic has the power to cause even the manliest of men to shed a tear over the plight of the main character, Charlie. “Flowers for Algernon” is the fictional diary of Charlie Gordon, a 30-something-year- old man who has an IQ of 68. He becomes chosen for an experimental operation that would supposedly turn him into a super genius. The gradual improvements in the writing style of Charlie’s diary, as well as Charlie’s changing relationships with those around him as he becomes smarter, provide an interesting depiction of real life and how we treat those who are less gifted.
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