9 Books from High School You Should Reread as an Adult

So predictable, but stay with us. While its themes are decidedly youthful, Catcher was originally published for adults. And upon a second reading, your angsty millennial coworker just might make more sense.

We’ve luckily never been close to Willy Loman-level despair, but it’s a whole lot easier to relate to Miller’s struggling protagonist now that we have jobs and responsibilities.

As teens, we were all about the Three Stooges-like comedy. But whoaaa is there a lot of subtext and philosophical ideology that went right over our heads.

In a post-Jon Stewart, post-Iraq War era, we appreciate and understand Heller’s satire way more than we did in high school. (Don’t worry: Major Major Major Major is still funny.)

Almost 80 years later, Hurston’s beautifully lyrical novel about a woman searching for her voice is still surprisingly (and upsettingly) relevant.

Hulking and intimidating to our 17-year-old selves, this book is actually fun to read as an adult.

The opening Battle Royale scene was disturbing in high school. Today, it’s shocking, thought-provoking and all too relevant.

Makes us appreciate our in-law situation.

You know, now that you’re actually getting older…