Top 10 Tuesday(sort of): Books You Think Should Be Required Reading

                                    

Okay, so basically this challenge(From The Broke and the Bookish) is where we have to list book we think should be required reading in schools(and remember, I'm homeschooled, so I might put books on the list that are already there for some schools). Of course, I won't add books I know for sure that actually ARE on the list that I love.
Also, I started school yesterday!! :D Senior! :D

1: The Lord of the Rings Trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien(might be on the list, might not; The Hobbit I think is)

The most epic fantasy series ever. Enough said.

2: Revenge of the Sith by Matthew Stover


While I'd love to include my favorite among Jude Watson's books, but since they're all so tangled together, I couldn't add one without adding all of them(and this has to be books, not mutli-series/novel conglomeration). Anyway, this was definitely one of the most powerful books I've had the opportunity of reading and I think readers would benefit from it, especially as a showcase of good writing.

3: Les Miserables by Victor Hugo


I know, I know it's REALLY long(the copy I read from the library was 1,222 pages and the soft cover I own has even more pages), but it's SO GOOD! :D Victor Hugo is definitely up there with J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis as favorite classic writers. Les Miserables is an amazing story with vibrant characters and a beautiful message(and some amazing writing).


4: Notre Dame-de Paris (also known as The Hunchback of Notre Dame) by Victor Hugo



I'm quite surprised Victor Hugo isn't required reading more often, since he's books are so good.
I'm currently reading this book and even though I haven't finished it, I know the story(it's GOOD) and I can already tell it's going to be good! It's shorter and gives a good idea of how Hugo writes before starting his massive work. Plus, it has some very interesting characters and it's unclear who the heroes are and who are the villains which is always a nice thing.

5: Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson


Definitely an important read- especially with the nasty rape culture about. It shows that it is NEVER the victim's fault; I just loved how it painted her in a sympathetic light, since most of the time that isn't the case

6: The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett


A favorite of mine at around 11/12, I definitely think this should be junior high required reading. It's a nice introduction to classic literature, as in it's easy to follow and is a very interested, well written story.

7: The Sound and The Fury by William Faulkner


While I understand this book will be hard for people to understand, I really do think it's book other people should read. It's very well written, nicely complex, and the second section, Quentin's section, is pure genius.

8: Sabriel by Garth Nix


One of the best dark fantasy books I've read(along with the next two books in it's trilogy); it also features a good female lead who can take care of herself which I definitely think is important to show in required reading in school

9: I, Robot by Isaac Asimov



As a sci-fi fan, I, of course, had to put Asimov on the list somewhere since he's one of the most important science fiction writers of all time. I've read several of his work and "I, Robot" was definitely the best out of the three I read. Definitely a good show case of good sci-fi.

10: Hate List by Jennifer Brown


Another book I think it would be important to read in school. School shootings are a very real danger in public schools(I know they don't happen all the time, but they can and they do). I think it would be beneficial to understand what causes people to do those terrible things and what happens to the people they leave behind(plus, the book is just plain amazing).