4.06 avg rating — 144,756 ratings

"Appeared on AP Exam (95, 96, 06, 07, 08, 10, 11, 13)"

3.93 avg rating — 11,239 ratings

"Appeared on AP Exam (02, 05)"

3.68 avg rating — 12,367 ratings

"Appeared on the AP Exam (03)"

3.80 avg rating — 868,538 ratings

"This exciting novel is considered a Victorian “Bildungsroman”, or a coming-of-age story. Pip is a young and poor blacksmith’s son, who suddenly finds himself the owner of a large fortune and is whisked off to London.

One of the most versatile titles on this list, Great Expectations addresses many of the Victorian-era genres including: satire, crime, Silver Fork, Newgate, Gothic, serial fiction, romance, politics, and history."

4.15 avg rating — 656,081 ratings

3.90 avg rating — 2,015,298 ratings

"Wuthering Heights is one of the most highly regarded pieces on the College Board reading list. A strong example of Gothic Romanticism, it deals heavily with questions of emotion and violence.

The language is easier to decipher than most literary works on the AP® reading list. But, where it really shines is in its considerations of class and gender from a woman’s perspective."

3.43 avg rating — 554,782 ratings

"Heart of Darkness is celebrated on many of the AP® English Literature prep message boards as a go-to literary work for the free response section- and with good reason! It’s a relatively short novella containing mystery, psychology, and adventure.

Heart of Darkness is particularly useful for the AP® exam in answering questions about the modern world it was written in. It pointedly deals with imperialist greed, taking place in the 1890s African Congo."

4.09 avg rating — 723,456 ratings

3.80 avg rating — 3,861,893 ratings

"Appeared on the AP Exam (01, 08, 11, 13)"

4.29 avg rating — 1,062,989 ratings

"The main theme of Crime and Punishment is redeeming oneself through suffering. This is another long but worthwhile read at 545 pages.
Crime and Punishment psychologically analyzes young Raskolnikov’s crime to reveal how psychological analysis itself keeps us imprisoned. Intellectualizing events, says Dostoevsky, keeps us imprisoned.

As the name tells us, the two major themes of the story are Crime and Punishment, and their relationship to each other.

Think about questions of sacrifice when studying this piece. Nihilism, the superhero complex, alienation, and poverty are also analyzed at length."

4.12 avg rating — 118,683 ratings

4.15 avg rating — 133,168 ratings

4.16 avg rating — 2,302,307 ratings

"Jane Eyre is a highly cited Victorian Romantic novel. At its core, this is a story of a woman yearning for more than what traditional society would allow her to have.

This well-known novel centers on a strong feminist character, who fights control her own destiny. Bronte’s novel resonates deeply with current feminist movements across the globe. It focuses on themes of love, social class, and gender roles."

3.83 avg rating — 1,332,717 ratings

"Huck Finn is one of the best-known titles on this list among American students. It’s rich and complex, yet the language is accessible.

If you’re asked about the era of Slavery or Reconstruction on the exam, Huck Finn should come to mind. It relentlessly discusses slavery, racism, and the hypocrisy of civilized society.

While reading the story, think of the Mississippi River as a symbol for remaining neutral on issues of race. Use that to inform your reading of Huck Finn.
*Note to readers and parents - This book is a criticism of slavery; however, readers should know that Twain does use the language of the time period he was writing in. Readers who are uncomfortable with the use of the n-word should choose another book."

4.38 avg rating — 12,265 ratings

"Appeared on the AP Exam (99, 02, 07, 12, 21)."

4.44 avg rating — 627,105 ratings

"As you read this novel, it’s important to remember it’s a modern retelling of the Book of Genesis (the one with Adam and Eve). If you’re faced with questions on the exam about allegory, it’s a good novel to reference.

East of Eden takes place around the end of WWI in California. It revolves around themes of jealousy, love, the consequences of the absence of love."

3.65 avg rating — 195,193 ratings

3.79 avg rating — 490,484 ratings

"The Sun Also Rises represents the pinnacle of Hemmingway’s “Iceberg Theory,” also known as “theory of omission.” This style intentionally uses sparse language, to inspire curiosity in the reader.

Hemingway only shows the “tip of the iceberg” in his characterization and descriptions. He leaves it to the reader to formulate a deeper literary analysis (the part of the iceberg that’s underwater).

This novel not only represents Hemingway’s style; it represents the whole Lost Generation itself, through its stories of American expatriates in Europe."

3.99 avg rating — 383,860 ratings

"Hurston’s Their Eyes Were Watching God is a a stylistic masterwork with unique diction. Hurston juxtaposes Southern Black dialect with the voice of a literary narrator.

If you’re asked about her work, chances are that understanding her style and structure will score you points."

3.84 avg rating — 26,358 ratings

"Ceremony is a commentary on how tradition and spirituality are a source of healing.

It takes place from the point of view of a service-age Native American man. He returns from World War II with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. His mentally instability forces him to turn to alcohol to ease his mind. But, eventually, he returns to his spirituality, healing from it."

3.74 avg rating — 409,792 ratings

"Things Fall Apart chronicles the life of a Nigerian, and it comments on the effect of British colonialism and Christianity. Read this novel if you’re searching for a piece that comes from a different culture. Also, check out the work of Ngugi wa Thiong’o if you’re interested in African perspectives on fiction."

4.26 avg rating — 4,927 ratings

3.70 avg rating — 8,306 ratings

"Obason details the Japanese internment camps of World War II, an often under-represented piece of history. The story is told from the point of view of a young child.

Joy Kogawa displays her mastery of imagery in Obasan. This piece is rife with examples of figurative language. Referencing its language and/or its cultural significance can help you earn points on the exam."

3.82 avg rating — 37,444 ratings

"O’Connor’s first novel, Wise Blood, deals with the crisis of faith in those who’ve seen war. The main character, Hazel Motes, returns home wounded from World World II to an empty house. Raised as the grandson of a preacher, he grew up conflicted with religion. War has turned him into a very vocal atheist.

Consider how O’Connor’s style affects the exploration of faith in Wise Blood."

3.99 avg rating — 2,057,710 ratings

"If you enjoy dystopian science fiction, look no further! Brave New World takes place on Earth in the future where the entire planet is governed by just one government, the World State. The citizens of Earth are all genetically modified and sorted in a social hierarchy based on intelligence.

The novel has numerous allusions to Shakespeare- the title, Brave New World, is a quote from The Tempest. As you read, consider the impact of these allusions on the meaning of the story as a whole."

3.69 avg rating — 226,007 ratings

"Appeared on the AP Exam (87, 88, 91, 92, 95, 97, 99, 02, 04, 07, 09, 11, 14)"

really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 132,648 ratings

"Appeared on the AP Exam (06, 07, 16)"

4.15 avg rating — 78,938 ratings

"Appeared on the AP Exam (05)"

4.24 avg rating — 335,696 ratings

"Appeared on the AP Exam (09, 14, 17_"

3.30 avg rating — 109,716 ratings

"Appeared on the AP Exam (08, 15)"

4.28 avg rating — 747,933 ratings

"Appeared on the AP Exam (92, 94, 95, 96, 97, 05, 08, 09, 12, 13, 16))"

4.14 avg rating — 342,654 ratings

"Appeared on the AP Exam (04, 09)"

3.86 avg rating — 3,530 ratings

3.92 avg rating — 14,515 ratings

4.19 avg rating — 859,379 ratings

4.06 avg rating — 54,488 ratings

4.06 avg rating — 238,468 ratings

3.81 avg rating — 7,644 ratings

4.33 avg rating — 1,350,080 ratings

4.47 avg rating — 1,831,687 ratings

4.39 avg rating — 358,932 ratings

3.61 avg rating — 445,491 ratings

4.31 avg rating — 48 ratings

3.87 avg rating — 5,862 ratings

4.23 avg rating — 67,429 ratings

3.81 avg rating — 46,734 ratings

4.18 avg rating — 732 ratings

4.14 avg rating — 66,148 ratings

3.89 avg rating — 3,049 ratings

4.05 avg rating — 11,426 ratings

3.48 avg rating — 11,369 ratings

3.91 avg rating — 16,106 ratings

3.68 avg rating — 3,511 ratings

4.25 avg rating — 66,433 ratings

4.21 avg rating — 175,212 ratings

3.78 avg rating — 37,750 ratings

3.82 avg rating — 63,492 ratings

4.02 avg rating — 1,183,621 ratings

4.26 avg rating — 562,725 ratings

4.22 avg rating — 9,137 ratings

4.01 avg rating — 223,914 ratings

4.11 avg rating — 69,511 ratings

3.86 avg rating — 1,150 ratings

4.28 avg rating — 4,874 ratings

4.17 avg rating — 105,359 ratings

4.30 avg rating — 577,393 ratings

4.34 avg rating — 21,694 ratings

3.97 avg rating — 1,884 ratings

4.36 avg rating — 53,679 ratings

4.23 avg rating — 168,062 ratings

3.86 avg rating — 12,855 ratings

4.22 avg rating — 198,587 ratings

3.77 avg rating — 203,314 ratings

4.13 avg rating — 799,002 ratings

3.96 avg rating — 113,209 ratings

3.86 avg rating — 112,347 ratings

4.27 avg rating — 60,223 ratings

4.19 avg rating — 209,927 ratings

4.20 avg rating — 32,171 ratings

3.90 avg rating — 26,612 ratings

4.11 avg rating — 87,888 ratings

3.70 avg rating — 1,164 ratings

4.32 avg rating — 1,258,978 ratings

4.30 avg rating — 1,945,443 ratings

4.27 avg rating — 143,597 ratings

4.17 avg rating — 7,390 ratings

4.23 avg rating — 17,339 ratings

4.17 avg rating — 120,674 ratings

4.47 avg rating — 44,681 ratings

3.94 avg rating — 71,768 ratings

4.03 avg rating — 19,774 ratings

3.73 avg rating — 33,708 ratings

4.30 avg rating — 28,473 ratings

4.23 avg rating — 498 ratings

4.37 avg rating — 289,465 ratings

4.27 avg rating — 8,734 ratings

4.62 avg rating — 259,497 ratings

4.49 avg rating — 796,986 ratings

4.13 avg rating — 1,847,989 ratings