The only thing I can recall for a worst list would be The Crucible. I remember hating every word of that.

As for a best list ... all the Hemingway that I read (The Old Man and the Sea, A Farewell to Arms, The Sun Also Rises), The Most Dangerous Game, The War of the Worlds, Dracula, I actually enjoyed some Shakespeare (MacBeth mostly). There was also a short story that I always refer to, even now, can't recall the title but the thing I refer to is the albatross around the neck.

Good thread

School work I remember loving
Tom Sawyer
Huck Finn
Tale of Two Cities
Count of Monte Cristo
Old Man and the Sea
Lord of the Flies
Lots of Edgar Allen Poe short stories
Red Badge of Courage
Mutiny on the Bounty


a few I hadn't seen others list
Alas Babylon
On the Beach


Stuff I read on my own about middle school age
Otto of the Silver Hand
Kazan series by James Oliver Curwood
Edgar Rice Burroughs Pellucidar and Mars series but not Tarzan
then I started Louis L'Amour


and like others i wasn't a fan of
Great Expectations
Moby Dick

Cinco Ranch Aggie said:

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The only thing I can recall for a worst list would be The Crucible. I remember hating every word of that.

As for a best list ... all the Hemingway that I read (The Old Man and the Sea, A Farewell to Arms, The Sun Also Rises), The Most Dangerous Game, The War of the Worlds, Dracula, I actually enjoyed some Shakespeare (MacBeth mostly). There was also a short story that I always refer to, even now, can't recall the title but the thing I refer to is the albatross around the neck.

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Rime of the Ancient Mariner- an epic poem

I remember reading a book in 7th grade called, "That was Then, This is Now", by S.E. Hinton, that I really enjoyed at the time. I cannot remember a thing about it, but I just remember enjoying it and being really surprised that our teacher would assign us a book that we would enjoy!

Same author as "Rumble Fish" and "The Outsiders", both of which are better known.

Thanks!

For me:

Best
The Hobbit (9th grade)
Siddhartha (12th grade)
Matilda (4th grade)

Worst
The Great Gatsby (can't remember year)
Great Expectations (9th grade)

Rex Racer said:

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I remember reading a book in 7th grade called, "That was Then, This is Now", by S.E. Hinton, that I really enjoyed at the time. I cannot remember a thing about it, but I just remember enjoying it and being really surprised that our teacher would assign us a book that we would enjoy!

Same author as "Rumble Fish" and "The Outsiders", both of which are better known.

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I read all three. After The Outsiders I wanted to read the rest. Pony Boy. Soda Pop. Motorcycle Boy. These characters are still in my memory. It's crazy when I think about it.

The books that really grabbed my neck in high school were No Exit, The Count of Monte Cristo, Death of a Salesman, and as I Lay dying. I wouldnt have been intrested in William Faulkner if my English teacher didnt push me to read his works. Also made me read Clockers.

Wrong thread

Loved The Things They Carried.

Hated Scarlet Letter, The Jungle, Grapes of Wrath, and Great Gatsby.

JoCoAg09 said:

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Best
- The Count of Monte Cristo
- The Pillars of the Earth

Worst
- The House on Mango Street

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Whoa Pillars of the Earth was required?

One of my all time favorites, but didn't know that HS kids were reading it.

Best - Animal Farm
Worst - Great Expectations

Lord of the Flies and Canterbury Tales were pretty much the worst books I remember being forced to read

Liked:
451

HATED:
Great Expectations

Never Read:
To Kill a Mockingbird
Great Gatsby
Animal Farm
1984
Lord of the Flies
Huck Finn
and much more

Walden.

I love Thoreau's philosophy, but damn that is a boring read.

FtBendTxAg said:

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Lord of the Flies and Canterbury Tales were pretty much the worst books I remember being forced to read

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You didnt read the right parts of canterbury tales

Ag 11 said:

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Liked:
451

HATED:
Great Expectations

Never Read:
To Kill a Mockingbird
Great Gatsby
Animal Farm
1984
Lord of the Flies
Huck Finn
and much more

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What crappy school did you go to that they didn't cover those books?