Books you have to read before you graduate
College isn't just a time to consider your future career options - it's a time to broaden your horizons. When you go back to school, you'll meet all sorts of people from a variety of different backgrounds, and many of these individuals will introduce you to new books you may not have read before. If you love getting lost in a good book, here are some must-reads before you graduate:
• "War and Peace" by Leo Tolstoy: Sure, it's a biggie, but Tolstoy's epic story of Napoleon's invasion of Russia in 1812 stands as one of literature's all-time greats. Boasting an epic cast of characters, "War and Peace" is nothing short of a classic, and is a must-read for English students, if not everyone.
• "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald: The tale of Nick Carraway and his enigmatic neighbor Jay Gatsby remains one of the most popular of all Fitzgerald's novels. Chronicling the decadence of jazz-age New York and the perils of high society, "The Great Gatsby" should be high on anyone's list of must-reads. If you can't find the time to read the book between online classes and work, at least check out the upcoming Hollywood adaptation starring Leonardo DiCaprio.
• "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens: Probably one of the most compelling of all Dickens' novels, the story of orphan Pip and the mysterious Miss Havisham is just as thrilling today as it was in 1861 when it was first published. Some of the elements of "Great Expectations" echo Dickens' own experiences growing up in Victorian England.
• "On The Road" by Jack Kerouac: One of the most important novels to emerge from the Beat Generation of writers of the 1960s, Kerouac's tale of friendship and the rejection of authority still resonates with readers today. The book inspired a whole generation of writers to tell their own stories, and many themes within the novel remain highly relevant. An adaptation of this classic tale is also headed to the big screen this December.
• "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien: It's hard to imagine a world without Frodo Baggins and his hardy Hobbit friends. If you enjoyed the incredible visuals and epic battles of the big-screen version, the book is even better. It's probably best to read the trilogy over the holidays if you can - you might struggle to put them down once you get past the first page.
