Top Ten: Books I’ve Studied

Posted on July 12, 2015

Hi guys, I thought I’d break away from my current trend of reviews and write my first top ten list! I decided to list the favourite texts I’ve studied, whether it be at university or school. I couldn’t bring myself to rank them, so they’re just in a random order, starting with…

1) Paradise Lost by John Milton
This is kind of a strange one, because I’ve never actually read Paradise Lost and I do believe that it’s doomed to sit on my “Started but Did Not Finish” pile for all eternity. I initially chose to use this epic poem for my Extended Project at A-Level and really enjoyed all the opportunities to discuss gender in relation to Milton’s portrayal of Adam and Eve. However I then ended up studying it in both my first and second years of university, for which I wrote on it in both coursework and my recent exam (in which it got me the highest mark out of all the exam questions), and yet I still haven’t managed to read it. I know I really should because I do love it and there’s so much to say about it, but if I’ve proved anything it’s that it is possible to get by studying this text and not actually reading it cover to cover. Though that’s not necessarily a good thing.

2) Hamlet by William Shakespeare
Sticking with the Early Modern theme, I studied Hamlet during AS Level English Literature. It was the first Shakespeare play I’d read properly and I loved it. I had such a feeling of accomplishment when I finally finished it and had so much fun studying it. It was so enticing and dramatic and I like the freedom for interpretation. I actually wrote my coursework on the Oedipus Complex and had a blast. Other people thought that was strange.

3) Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Once again this was for AS at sixth form and to date it’s the first and only Austen novel I’ve read. I loved the feeling of being sucked into the story. Initially I struggled with the language as I hadn’t read many classics before, but I soon raced through to the end. When I read it for the first time I actually physically reacted to shocking events in the book – I think I shouted at it at one point – which is what makes it such a great read.

4) Haroun and the Sea of Stories by Salman Rushdie
This is a less typical ‘school book’ but I actually read it in my first year of university. In a way it’s a children’s fairy story, but it’s so witty and I’m kind of a post-modernism geek so I loved the style of this text. I would really recommend it if you’re looking for something fun and not too difficult, yet still rewarding.

5) Doctor Faustus by Christopher Marlowe
This was for A2 at sixth form and I found it truly thrilling to read. I’d never heard of Faust before so it was a brand new concept to me which I found very exciting. I’m also a sucker for a villain you can sympathise with, so Mephistopheles was a dream come true. Sadly, the more I studied this the more annoyed I got with it and found myself willing Faustus to just grow a pair. It’s still a fantastic play regardless (and there’s a version with Arthur Darvill as Mephistopheles *swoon*).

6) Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
This took basically all of last summer for me to get through and I won’t pretend that it isn’t hard work. However, as with Shakespeare and Austen, there’s just something very rewarding about getting to the end of your first Dickens book. I loved the way it was written and, though it was very long and I preferred the beginning of the book to later on, it’s still a firm favourite.

7) ‘Tis Pity She’s a Whore by John Ford
I read this for my second year at uni while I was supposed to be revising for my first year exams. I think the fact that I escaped into this play is what makes me remember it so fondly. There is a lot of incest so I hope you don’t think it’s strange that I love this text, but it’s so dramatic (almost to a soap-opera level) and I just found it very fun to read. Don’t judge.

8) The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
This is the most recently read book in the list as it’s for my dissertation next year. I did choose to read this text so it wasn’t assigned, but I still think it should count for this list. It’s so beautifully tragic and brought me nearly to tears at points. There was actually one moment where I had to put it down and just leave the room because it was getting too much for me. So, yeah, it’s not a happy, easy-going read, but it’s definitely one that will stay with you.

9) An Ideal Husband by Oscar Wilde
This is one of the texts I panic-read prior to my exams just gone because I realised I hadn’t done enough reading throughout the year. Luckily it’s short and very enthralling. It absolutely drips with irony that is a joy to read. It’s also strange because it transports you back to the late nineteenth century, but at the same time it feels very relevant. I really enjoyed this.

10) Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller
Finally is a book I read, again, at AS level. I always think there’s something satisfying about adoring a character who everybody else dislikes. This happened with Linda: I wanted to give her a hug the whole time I was reading and I really supported her the whole way. However, I think I was the only one in the class who felt like this. It’s a touching story which takes you back to an interesting place and time in recent history.

I feel super grateful to have so many books I’ve loved rather than felt I’ve had to force myself through for school/uni. Have you had a similar experience? I’d love to hear what books you’ve enjoyed studying!
Much love x