Best and Worst Books You Had to Read in School

[SourRoses]

it is interesting seeing the side of the old west that isn't usually brought up

Hmm... You do have a lot of curiosity, it shines through your posts. So that makes sense.

I did read a pretty interesting wild west book as a kid that featured a girl under cover as a boy so she could fulfill her mission of vengeance. She was a really good shooter. But my mother took it away before I finished because the author wasn't age appropriate (but I think that particular book was fine). The only book she ever censored, lol.

I like the wild west versions with aliens. But then I'm a bit of a Trekkie
Currently we are rewatching all the treks. And I'm reading disaster books. Perfectly Christmasy, lol. I love Christmas but this year I'm feeling lazy, haven't even decorated. We got the cats a new cat tree though, I wish I could wrap it in tinsel without them making a mess.

 

[saysfaa]

The best was Silas Marner. Most of my classmates didn't like it but I liked the historical fiction aspect.

And Shane Tate, until I had to write about what the teacher saw in it instead of what I saw in it.

One of my all time favorite books, Alas, Babylon, was often assigned according to the reviews. I wasn't assigned it; that may have something to do with why it stayed a favorite.

There were a lot of horrible books. Of Mice and Men stands out but maybe that had more to do with the teacher that assigned it than with the book itself. He didn't teach on the writing; he was all about pushing social activism and trashing capitalism. So exasperating because he wouldn't acknowledge the part about, if they had not spent all their earnings in the bars and brothels, even for just a short time, then they could have invested in the rabbits.

It is the book that finally convinced me English lit classes and lit awards aren't about reading or writing anymore, if they ever were. They are about pushing depravity in as many areas as possible and as far as society will tolerate. That one stands out for the sheer number of areas of depravity in one book with zero redeeming qualities. And for how Steinbeck was more blatant about some of the areas than earlier authors and not as much as later authors.

For those wanting a more realistic portrayal of the West than most, from a tribal perspective, you might try Don Coldsmith's Spanish Bit series.

 

[Sally PB]

One of my all time favorite books, Alas, Babylon, was often assigned according to the reviews. I wasn't assigned it; that may have something to do with why it stayed a favorite.

Yes, excellent book.