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This is a list of the various books that will be used over the semester for outside reading
assignments. BEWARE, those in purple are available only with parental consent. Those in
orange require permission from Ms. Blea as some will be used for a unit second semester. See
Ms. Blea for more details about that. Ms. Blea does have copies available of those titles with a
smiley face next to the author.
1984 – George Orwell ☻
Written in the 1950’s, this novel was Orwell’s warning of what the future would be like if
people allowed governments to get out of control. In this novel, Big Brother watches
over everyone and individual rights have been severely restricted as one man tries to buck
the system. Will he be able to evade Big Brother and go back to the world as we know it,
or will he give in to the system?
Warnings – Not only is this book highly political, there are also some more mature
themes involved in this novel.
Bless Me Ultima – Rudolfo Anaya ☻
This tale begins in rural New Mexico in years past. This coming of age story is about a
young boy trying to find his destiny in life. He is stuck in a time and place where there is
lots of pressure to follow his family traditions, but those he is drawn towards have more
to do with the ancient methods of the curandera which are not as accepted as they used to
be.
Warnings – There are many references to religion, magic, and witches throughout the
novel. There is also use of Spanish phrases scattered throughout the novel.
Brave New World – Aldous Huxley ☻
This tale is a warning about what society will be like in the future. Set mainly in Europe,
this society has become focused on class separation.
Warning – This book contains explicit references to sexuality.
Catch-22 – Joseph Heller ☻
This character driven novel is about a war-torn protagonist who is desperate to get out of
war, but it tied to the fighting due to a vicious circle of rules (catch-22). The book is
highly political and may be difficult to follow.
Warning – The book is not plot-driven nor is it chronological, so if you need a clear plotline, this is not the book for you. Also, the book contains some mature themes as well as
difficult concepts.
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The Count of Monte Cristo – Alexandre Dumas ☻
Just before Edmund Dantes is to marry the woman of his dreams, he is imprisoned
unjustly and sent to the French version of Alcatraz. The majority of the book is about his
transformation once he escapes and his plots to avenge himself. Will he ever be the
person he once was, or will revenge consume him?
Warnings – This is a lengthy book. Do not select it if you are a slower reader. There are
also brief passages in French. There are a vast number of characters which some people
find difficult to keep track of. A good grasp of European history (regarding Napoleon)
may help.
Emma – Jane Austen
Emma, the title character of the novel, lives with her wealthy father in a situation that
excludes her from the necessity of marrying for money. Because she is free of such a
financial burden, she has time to meddle in the lives of those around her. While she tries
to aide those within her reach, she often blunders making things worse or more
complicated than they need to be. Clueless and Emma are both based on this novel.
Warning – Some people have found the language a bit difficult as it has an English flare
to the vocabulary. This is also the longest of the Austen novels.
Ethan Frome – Edith Warton
Set in the early 1900’s in New England, the story is about a young man who marries young to
Zeena, a woman with health issues. Mattie, her cousin, comes to help out Zeena. Mattie and
Ethan grow mutually fond of each other creating insurmountable problems.
Warnings
- While it looks to be short, the read can be more time consuming due to the older and
more difficult vernacular.
Frankenstein – Mary Shelley ☻
This novel is set in Europe in the 1790’s. It is framed with letters from a man to his sister
talking about his experience with Frankenstein and his monster. The story explains how
he was created and how he came to be seen as a monster. The novel questions what it
means to be human as well as having a plot revolving around trying to escape the wrath
of the monster.
Warnings
- While it looks to be short, the read can be more time consuming due to the older and
more difficult vernacular as well as a setting modern audiences may find hard to relate to.
The Good Earth – Pearl S. Buck ☻
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This fictional novel set in the turn of the century China revolves around the life of Wang
Lung, a poor farmer. The story begins with Wang Lung purchasing a slave to be his wife
to help him and his father on his farm. This family’s life shows many of the cultural
changes in China as they go through various spells of prosperity and strife.
Warning– The book does contain mention of prostitutes, slavery, and infanticide.
The Hobbit – J. R. R. Tolkien
This is the prequel to the Lord of the Rings series. In this novel, the reader learns of the
journey Bilbo Baggins takes and on which he ends up acquiring the famous Ring.
Jane Eyre – Charlotte Bronte ☻
Jane Eyre begins as an orphaned girl whose only means of supporting herself is becoming
a governess. She finds a job with a wealthy man who is mysterious and distant with
whom she begins to fall in love. However, troubles abound in this new-found love she
develops.
Warning – This is a longer novel with difficult vocabulary and may require more time to
read.
Julius Caesar – Shakespeare ☻
This Shakespearean tragedy is based on the life and death of Julius Caesar. Don’t be
fooled, the main character is Brutus and not Caesar himself. Watch as you learn why a
man would be willing to kill his best friend and how political manipulations begin.
Warning – This is still Shakespeare and there is a heavy focus on politics but not
necessarily lots of action. The movie versions don’t do justice to the play.
Little Women – Louisa May Alcott
This story focuses on the trials and tribulations of four sisters (Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy)
as they grow up in new England during the time of the Civil War. This book is more of a
coming of age story with plot lines about dreams, illness, poverty, materialism, and
courtship. While there is some action, most of the plot focuses on the emotions of the
characters.
Warnings – While the reading level is on the easier side, the book is fairly lengthy.
Much Ado About Nothing – Shakespeare
This Shakespearean comedy is about the complications involving love. Two couples are
manipulated by others into changing their relationships with certain people.
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Warnings – Don’t read this if you have problems with Shakespeare in general, but if you
decide to read this, there is a decent film adaptation of this play that may help you.
Odyssey – Homer ☻
This story begins after the end of the Trojan War and Odysseus is trapped on an island
with Calypso and wants to go home. However, much of the story is told in flashback
with Odysseus telling of how he came to be trapped on the island without his crew.
While Odysseus is telling of his voyage, his wife and son battle the suitors who are trying
to bully his wife into marrying her so they can inherit his goods and position.
Warnings – A knowledge/interest in mythology helps as there are many mythological
references and creatures throughout the book. There are also many different translations
of the story which was originally a poem. Ms. Blea can help, but please select wisely.
Out of Africa – Isak Dinesen (pseudonym of Baroness Karen von Blixen-Finecke)
Set in Africa in the early 1900’s, this book is based on Baroness Karen von BlixenFinecke’s real experiences while living there on a coffee plantation. The book focuses on
her relationships with the natives of the country and her acclimation to their traditions as
well as how they deal with her and her customs.
Warnings – This book is written as more of a series of journal-like entries. It is not
strictly plot driven. There is a main conflict as it is written in flashback, but it may be
hard to see the conflict. The movie is based on a compilation of this book and two other
pieces, which means it does not follow the book well.
Persuasion – Jane Austen
As in many of Austen’s novels, the heroine is plagued by problems stemming from her
family. In this novel, Anne Elliot was persuaded not to marry the man she loved and is
found yet pinning away for him and living the life of a spinster. However, the man she
turned away returns and she is yet again faced with a tough decision as well as a new
potential love.
Warnings – As with all of Austen’s work, there is the potential of difficult language.
Pride and Prejudice – Jane Austen
This novel is about the Bennet family and in particular the second daughter, Elizabeth.
Elizabeth and her elder sister are both intelligent and attractive young ladies in a
household of frivolity. Mrs. Bennet’s main concern in marrying off all of her daughters
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to wealthy men initiates a series of romantic turns beginning with the Bennets meeting
the Bingleys and Mr. Darcy. The title of the book comes from the misconceived notions
upon that first meeting that become clearer as the novel progresses.
Warnings - In this novel, Austen satirizes both the common ignorance of the people of
the time as well as the common practices for finding a spouse. If you read this book
without realizing the tongue in cheek notion in which the novel is being written, you may
lose out on the enjoyment and miss her intended meanings.
The Prince and the Pauper – Mark Twain
The basic plot of this novel has been used various times in books, movies, and television
shows. Two young men of the same age but of drastically different circumstances look
similar enough to be mistaken for each other. The novel progresses as each learns to
appreciate the aspects of their own lives that they miss and took for granted as they try to
get back their own lives and identities.
Warnings – The vocabulary of this novel is fairly sophisticated and the novel is set in
England of the past.
Silas Marner – George Elliot
A devastating betrayal sends a once happy Silas into a life of exile where his only love
becomes the money he begins to accumulate until a little girl is found on his doorstep.
His tie to the little girl begins to transform him, but also links him to a wealthy family
with skeletons to hide. The movie A Simple Twist of Fate with Steve Martin is roughly
based on this novel.
Warnings – The book is set in rural England in the early 1900’s as reflected in the
dialogue
Uncle Tom’s Cabin – Harriet Beecher Stowe
This controversial novel begins on a Kentucky plantation where a well-intentioned slave
owner ends up having to sell two of his slaves to free himself of a debt that he cannot
otherwise pay. The remainder of the novel follows those who were sold on their journey
to reunite with family and in hopes of one day achieving freedom. If you enjoyed Roots,
you will indubitably love this novel as well.
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Warning - The story was written by a religious woman inspired to try and illustrate the
evils of slavery. Because of the realism of the novel, some portions and language may be
considered offensive to readers.
Wuthering Heights – Emily Brontë ☻
The novel has two main narrators and begins with a gentleman visiting the Yorkshire
moors, where the novel is set, who then begins to look in to the history of his neighbors.
Through flashbacks and time shifts, the reader is exposed to the love triangle of
Heathcliff, Catherine, and Earnshaw and the effects on the present generations of the
families involved. While the novel has the element of romance, it is darker than the
traditional romance and has some of the same feel as The Count of Monte Cristo. If you
like plot twists and surprises as well as the element of suspense, this may be the perfect
choice for you.
Warnings – This book is not for the light reader. The plot twists and format can make it
difficult to follow if you do not read critically. This book is also lengthy.