4.07 avg rating — 155,523 ratings

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

3.93 avg rating — 11,609 ratings

"Appeared on AP Exam (02, 05)"

3.67 avg rating — 12,673 ratings

"Appeared on the AP Exam (03)"

3.80 avg rating — 893,617 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."

4.16 avg rating — 668,318 ratings

3.89 avg rating — 2,285,229 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 — 574,315 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 — 753,844 ratings

3.80 avg rating — 4,003,867 ratings

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

4.29 avg rating — 1,151,664 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 — 120,645 ratings

4.16 avg rating — 136,383 ratings

4.16 avg rating — 2,407,630 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 — 1,352,528 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 — 12,434 ratings

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

4.45 avg rating — 714,968 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."

3.66 avg rating — 196,784 ratings

3.78 avg rating — 510,069 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."

really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 399,835 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 — 27,441 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."

3.75 avg rating — 425,421 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 — 5,053 ratings

3.70 avg rating — 8,539 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."

3.81 avg rating — 39,846 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."

3.98 avg rating — 2,148,180 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 — 233,224 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 — 134,358 ratings

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

4.15 avg rating — 81,983 ratings

"Appeared on the AP Exam (05)"

4.24 avg rating — 343,923 ratings

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

3.30 avg rating — 111,799 ratings

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

4.28 avg rating — 771,617 ratings

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

4.15 avg rating — 355,509 ratings

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

3.86 avg rating — 3,564 ratings

3.92 avg rating — 15,051 ratings

4.19 avg rating — 888,850 ratings

4.06 avg rating — 57,110 ratings

4.06 avg rating — 248,156 ratings

3.81 avg rating — 7,768 ratings

4.33 avg rating — 1,407,408 ratings

4.46 avg rating — 1,965,563 ratings

4.39 avg rating — 370,949 ratings

3.61 avg rating — 459,358 ratings

4.31 avg rating — 51 ratings

3.87 avg rating — 5,914 ratings

4.23 avg rating — 69,700 ratings

3.81 avg rating — 47,493 ratings

4.19 avg rating — 753 ratings

4.14 avg rating — 68,292 ratings

3.88 avg rating — 3,106 ratings

4.05 avg rating — 11,659 ratings

3.49 avg rating — 11,530 ratings

3.91 avg rating — 16,998 ratings

3.68 avg rating — 3,567 ratings

4.25 avg rating — 71,250 ratings

4.21 avg rating — 183,767 ratings

3.78 avg rating — 38,610 ratings

3.82 avg rating — 64,295 ratings

4.02 avg rating — 1,222,969 ratings

4.26 avg rating — 589,099 ratings

4.22 avg rating — 9,316 ratings

4.01 avg rating — 231,423 ratings

4.11 avg rating — 70,303 ratings

3.86 avg rating — 1,187 ratings

4.28 avg rating — 5,042 ratings

4.18 avg rating — 111,210 ratings

4.30 avg rating — 597,072 ratings

4.34 avg rating — 22,008 ratings

3.97 avg rating — 1,947 ratings

4.36 avg rating — 56,431 ratings

4.23 avg rating — 170,717 ratings

3.87 avg rating — 13,077 ratings

4.22 avg rating — 206,340 ratings

3.77 avg rating — 208,202 ratings

4.13 avg rating — 826,857 ratings

3.96 avg rating — 116,446 ratings

3.86 avg rating — 116,289 ratings

4.27 avg rating — 66,907 ratings

4.19 avg rating — 212,251 ratings

4.19 avg rating — 33,020 ratings

3.90 avg rating — 27,598 ratings

4.10 avg rating — 91,258 ratings

3.70 avg rating — 1,212 ratings

4.31 avg rating — 1,413,541 ratings

4.30 avg rating — 2,165,367 ratings

4.27 avg rating — 148,578 ratings

4.17 avg rating — 7,901 ratings

4.23 avg rating — 18,513 ratings

4.17 avg rating — 123,574 ratings

4.46 avg rating — 46,561 ratings

3.94 avg rating — 73,262 ratings

4.01 avg rating — 22,394 ratings

3.72 avg rating — 34,478 ratings

4.30 avg rating — 30,011 ratings

4.23 avg rating — 508 ratings

4.37 avg rating — 299,194 ratings

4.28 avg rating — 9,416 ratings

4.62 avg rating — 271,576 ratings

4.48 avg rating — 844,503 ratings

4.13 avg rating — 1,993,152 ratings