Remember required reading? Remember how excited you were when school was over and you could finally just read whatever you wanted? Us, too. But as it turns out, we’ve returned to some of those high school classics later in life, and realized there's way more to appreciate as an adult. Here, nine books you should give another go.
9 Books from High School You Should Reread as an Adult
Because no 16-year-old really "gets" Samuel Beckett
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Published Aug 18, 2015
"the Catcher In The Rye" By J.d. Salinger
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.
"death Of A Salesman" By Arthur Miller
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.
"waiting For Godot" By Samuel Beckett
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.
"catch-22" By Joseph Heller
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.)
"their Eyes Were Watching God" By Zora Neale Hurston
Almost 80 years later, Hurston’s beautifully lyrical novel about a woman searching for her voice is still surprisingly (and upsettingly) relevant.
"crime And Punishment" By Fyodor Dostoevsky
Hulking and intimidating to our 17-year-old selves, this book is actually fun to read as an adult.
"invisible Man" By Ralph Ellison
The opening Battle Royale scene was disturbing in high school. Today, it’s shocking, thought-provoking and all too relevant.
"hamlet" By William Shakespeare
Makes us appreciate our in-law situation.
"the Picture Of Dorian Gray" By Oscar Wilde
You know, now that you’re actually getting older…
