Characters (which are not limited to humans) can be any person, animal, being, or creature that moves the storys plot line. A tale of religious hypocrisy, the main character, Tartuffe, tricks a man with his professed piety while trying to seduce his wife and disinherit his children. As the name tells us, the two major themes of the story are Crime and Punishment, and their relationship to each other. OConnors first novel, Wise Blood, deals with the crisis of faith in those whove seen war. When creating your own AP Literature reading list for the student choice free-response, try to pick works that are diverse in author, setting, genre, and theme. For the third question on the second exam section, you'll be asked to examine how a specific theme works in one novel or play that you choose. It comes with a bunch of full length practice tests, and does a good job explaining the exam layout and strategies. is an examination of how morality and religion can confine an artist. In answer to the question, then, of how many books you need to read for the AP Lit exam: you need to know four to five inside and out, and beyond that, the more the better! However, having a list of the most common picks will give you an idea about which pieces and which, to focus your review on. Want to Read. Everyone plays favorites, and The College Board is no exception. Last on this top 10 list is Moby Dick. Reading a diverse array of novels, poetry and plays from different eras and genres will help you be familiar with the language that appears in the various passages on the AP Lit exam's multiple choice and essay sections. hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(360031, 'f5a9450c-28a2-4837-94dd-69230ed94f08', {"useNewLoader":"true","region":"na1"}); The Queen of AP Literature surveys her kingdom. Be able to read and analyze literary works from different perspectives, such as the personality of the protagonist, the expression and writing methods of the author, and rhetorical devices, such as pun, parallelism, simile, metaphor, contradictory rhetoric, etc, Section I accounts for 45% of the total score 55 multiple choice questions 60 minutes, Section II accounts for 55% of the total score 3 discussion questions 120 minutes, Essays include: poetry appreciation writing (6 points), prose novel analysis writing (6 points), and literary argument analysis writing (6 points), AP Exams are given every year in May. We use a data-driven algorithm to develop a school list based on your real admissions chances and preferences. This dark comedy-drama centers on the struggling marriage of its two, flawed main characters. This will maximize your ability to comprehensively answer a student choice question about pretty much anything with one of the works you've focused on. retreats into their own world to escape realities they cant cope with. 19 have been selected more than 2 times in 2016-2021 in AP Lit Exam Great Expectations Beloved Invisible Man Heart of Darkness King Lear Oryx and Crake The Portrait of a Lady Wuthering Heights A Raisin in the Sun Death of a Salesman Prospero can be viewed as a kind of artist, in that he controls the fate of every other character. Frankenstein was first published in 1818. Anything goes, as long as its English literature of literary merit. So, what is literary merit? Intellectualizing events, says Dostoevsky, keeps us imprisoned. is one of the most highly regarded pieces on the College Board reading list. Consider how OConnors style affects the exploration of faith in Wise Blood. 20 Best Books You Should Read for AP Lit Here are some works to read to help you prepare for the AP Lit exam, separated by U.S. and Non-U.S. authors, and books vs. plays. They are recognized in their field or are currently teaching at top high schools and colleges/universities in the US. This piece is rife with examples of figurative language. See some College Board recommended poets listed in this article. The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 4+ ACT Points, How to Get a Perfect 36 ACT, by a Perfect Scorer. With a massive list of over 400 books appearing on the AP test at one time or another, it can be challenging to choose which novels to focus on during test preparation. Probably one of the best-known Lost Generation literary works, The Great Gatsby is iconic in high school English Literature education. We also have a full scoring worksheet available below. Read. Reading a broad range of texts will help familiarize you with the works on the AP Lit exam, which come from a wide variety of genres and time periods. With our help, youll be able to organize your list of AP English Literature books to study in a way that works for you and your schedule. The intimate tone helps us understand each different character. Are you sure you want to delete your score and checked items on this list? You should be reading a wide variety of poets from different eras to get comfortable with all the varieties of poetic language. Below, we give you the list of works that have been mentionedonthe AP English Literatureexammany timesoverthe past 7 years. As you read, look out for the poetry in her language and the mastery of composition that Emily Bronte uses in her only published novel. Remember to use Alberts Antigone course for help. Does doing something wrong for the right reasons make it justified? Faulkners As I Lay Dying, is a good example to use if youre asked about stream of consciousness writing style. Hurston juxtaposes Southern Black dialect with the voice of a literary narrator. if you want to print it out and keep it in your folder. They are recognized in their field or are currently teaching at top high schools and colleges/universities in the US. What SAT Target Score Should You Be Aiming For? If you're looking for ideas, authors and works that have won prestigious prizes like the Pulitzer, Man Booker, the National Book Award, and so on are good choices. Charles Dickens. It pointedly deals with imperialist greed, taking place in the 1890s African Congo. What kinds of works count? In addition, there will be astrategy course for the multiple-choice part of the AP English exam. is the artist in relation to his creation. Its a relatively short novella containing mystery, psychology, and adventure. is considered one of the greatest American plays of all time. For more help with the AP Lit exam, check out our Ultimate Guide to the AP Lit Exam. List of All U.S. is widely regarded as Shakespeares Farewell performance. Weve categorized 40 different literary works. We can help. A fictionalized account of Chicagos meat-packing industry seen through the eyes of a Lithuanian immigrant, Jurgis Rudkis. , these characteristics constitute a work of literary merit: Entertains the reader and is interesting to read. A Doll's House. Its important to note novels, poems and playsfromvariederas have differences inlanguage and waysof expression. Understand the AP exam scoring guidelines, and how different literary works can earn you points in different areas. Contact our course consultants for further class and price information, Top 12 Summer Reads for Incoming High School Freshmen, the ins and outs of AP English Language and AP English Literature, How To Succeed In High School English Classes. AP Course and Exam Description for AP Lit. Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (Mark Twain). Joining this list is one of them. Want to build the best possible college application? is a commentary on how tradition and spirituality are a source of healing. What Are the Benefits of Earning an IB Diploma? The main character, Willy, is an aging salesman who struggles to cope with his current life. One of the prominent themes in The Tempest is the artist in relation to his creation. The protagonist is constantly bouncing around from person to person, place to place, activity to activity. The entire play takes place in the span of one night and is set in both Fairyland and a real-world forest. So, having a basic familiarity level with the language of a broad variety of literary works will help keep you from floundering in confusion on test day because you're seeing a work unlike anything you've ever read. This seminal tragedy focuses on King Lear, who foolishly exiles his one loving daughter, giving his kingdom to his two evil ones. 8 have been selected more than 3 times in the past 7 years. is a portrait of the hysteria created by rumors of women practicing witchcraft in 17th century Salem, Massachusetts, and intended to mirror events happening in Cold War politics. Medea is a young woman who wants to take control of her own life in a patriarchal society. , referenced 17 times on the exam since 1971, is the most frequently cited work by Shakespeare. AP English Literature and Composition has become a more popular test among students, and the complexity of literary analysis are challenging for students, especially those whose first language is not English. Check out Alberts The Great Gatsby course. Aralia Education is an open online course provider for students. Major themes and devices: destructive love, exile, social and economic class, suffering and passion, vengeance and violence, unreliable narrator, frame narrative, family dysfunction, intergenerational narratives. The broad topicsand the complexity of literary analysis are challenging for students, especially those whose first language is not English. Dickens gives us a fun plot, but the deeper literary analysis questions on the AP Exams will focus on his writing, or his prose. F. Scott Fitzgeralds work has come to represent the Jazz Age in America. Books That Have Characters That Are Worth Caring About. However, while there's not necessarily a specific, mandated AP Literature reading list, there are books that come up again and again on the suggestion lists for student choice free-response questions. Get matched with a top tutor who got a high score on the exam you're studying for! It relentlessly discusses slavery, racism, and the hypocrisy of civilized society. You can view movies and shows in one place and filter by streaming provider, genre, release year, runtime, and rating (Rotten Tomatoes, Imdb, and/or Metacritic). Consider how devices, like the Catch-22 rule, serve to form the plot of a story. Weve gathered some pieces that were picked more than 2 times throughout the course of 2012-2019: Among the top 19 books weve mentioned, there are 8 books that were picked more than 3 times in the past 7 years. is a a stylistic masterwork with unique diction. Alberts King Lear course is a great resource for understanding the themes and concepts. The character, Estella, gives us the beautiful quote, Suffering has been stronger than all other teaching, and has taught me to understand what your heart used to be. 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. Ancient Works 1500-1799 1800-1899 The Queen of AP Literature surveys her kingdom. 35. Familiarize yourself with important plots and characters from especially dense texts (like Moby Dick). The most important thing for the student choice free-response question is that the work you select needs to have "literary merit." Huck Finn is one of the best-known titles on this list among American students. For example, in Tennessee Williams play, The Glass Menagerie (a memory play), Tom the narrator says in his opening monologue, I give you the truth in the pleasant disguise of illusion. In other words, the story is told from his perspective, complete with his biases and prejudices. Othello is an African general in the Venetian army, and the play examines the racial prejudice he faces. Rolling enrollment throughout the year, one class every weekend, 1.5 hours per class. Princeton Review is probably one of the biggest names in the realm of AP/exam prep, and for good reason; their resources are incredible! The rest of the books range from the 17th century to the 20th century, excluding 18th century publications. See my expert guide to the AP Literature test for more exam tips! Every year, the College Board provides a minimum of 25 literary works for students to analyze, and the list changes every year. Look for this selection in free response prompts about symbolism. The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 160+ SAT Points, How to Get a Perfect 1600, by a Perfect Scorer, Free Complete Official SAT Practice Tests. Ask questions; get answers. Identify and describe the narrator or speaker of a text, The function of the narrators point of view, The narrators or speakers perspective through details, diction, or syntax, The reliability of a narrators effect on the story, Character is an extremely important literary device; without characters, there is no story to tell. Themes of ambition, madness, and war all intertwine. Referencing its language and/or its cultural significance can help you earn points on the exam. I have been bent and broken, but I hope into a better shape. This prompts the reader to consider how difficult times allows us to grow as people, and how Estella and Pip have grown from their sufferings. It is even updated for the 2021 exam. War has turned him into a very vocal atheist. Zora Neale Hurston. This is another long but worthwhile read at 545 pages. 32. Check out Alberts Crime and Punishment course. The novel has numerous allusions to Shakespeare- the title, Brave New World, is a quote from The Tempest. If youre able to include mention of some of these, you may be able to score points for the breadth of your literary knowledge. Its also a good idea to think about the particular aspects of character the College Board places a focus on. (shelved 4 times as ap-lit-list) avg rating 3.79 756,737 ratings published 1860. Which period is the most popular literature. Use this literary work in discussions of plot and irony. As we read further into the story, the language in Celies letters changes to reflect her emotional and psychological development. Therefore, students should familiarize themselves with novels from all eras,in order to be comfortable with answering the questions. Read this novel if youre searching for a piece that comes from a different culture. Refer to the. That doesn't mean that you shouldn't be reading poetry, though! be comfortable with answering the questions. takes place around the end of WWI in California. Its a story of love and deception surrounding his insecurity in his personal relationships. Raised as the grandson of a preacher, he grew up conflicted with religion. There are many religious, philosophical, and psychoanalytical undercurrents in. Sophocles examines the destructive repercussions on following the law over what you believe is right. Albert has a practice course to help you with this novel. You'll want to read them all with an eye for comprehension and basic analysis, but you don't necessarily need to focus equally on every book you read. But, it does this while remaining true to Shelleys Gothic and Romantic roots. The main theme of Crime and Punishment is redeeming oneself through suffering. There are three subjective questions in AP Literature and Composition. Which countrys literature is a popular examination site? While there's not an official College-Board AP reading list, there are books that will be more useful for you to read than others as you prepare for the exam. nerdymatt98 6 yr. ago Its rich and complex, yet the language is accessible. Aralia has gathered and compiled the Ultimate AP English Literature Exam Reading List for students, including the most frequently listed literary works in Question 3 of the exam! prepare for High School English Literature. Look for this selection in free response prompts about symbolism. What books should I read to prepare for High School Freshmans English Class? Writing About Literature in the AP English Literature and Composition Classroom Sharon Johnston As an English teacher, I have the goal of helping students master the art of writing, thus equipping them to be successful in any endeavor. This work of literature explores Mother-Daughter relationships and the psychological impact that slavery has had on the African-American community in this country. Thanks for the book ideas! is a first and foremost a satire. Tip three: Go to Google right now. As you read this novel, its important to remember its a modern retelling of the Book of Genesis (the one with Adam and Eve). Its as if Shakespeare inserted himself into the story as Prospero. A Comprehensive Guide. Use this literary work in discussions of plot and irony. Works are alphabetical by author. , is a good example to use if youre asked about. For this reason alone, it would be a good idea to familiarize yourself with it. Among the8 popular picks, half of them were published in the 19th century. This ultimately that drives her to the extreme of committing murder. Ceremony is a commentary on how tradition and spirituality are a source of healing. We hope this English literature book list will help you decide which books you want to use to prepare for the AP exam. - AP English Literature Score: 3. Question 1 is about poetry, question 2 is about prose, and question 3 is about openness. If you enjoy dystopian science fiction, look no further! Its written in the form of letters from the main character, Celie, to God and to her sister. important influence and literary value from the past to the present. As you read, look out for the poetry in her language and the. With such a vast number of novels to choose from, it can be tough to decide which books to put on your AP English Literature Reading List. He uses the family drama of the character Antigone to highlight this. Use Alberts Hamlet course for extra prep. If you only read one book this year in Lit, I recommend that it be Heart of Darkness. This is the most frequently referenced title on the AP English Literature book list since 1971. This development through language reinforces the idea that language, or the ability to express yourself, is essential in developing your sense of who you are. The combination of reading and writing, a large amount of reading and writing is the core of this course. The Princeton Review is known for producing high-quality study materials for many different exams. to comment on the importance of identity and also community. At its core, this is a story of a woman yearning for more than what traditional society would allow her to have. These prep classes are designed to fill in knowledge deficit and introduce new information for students. In addition, there will be astrategy course for the multiple-choice part of the AP English exam. Mens lives and deaths are ultimately controlled by an uncaring, unfeeling government. Aralias English tutors are inspired teachers and professors who are committed to student success. Nihilism, the superhero complex, alienation, and poverty are also analyzed at length. All of these will help in free responses and multiple choice questions pertaining to character. The Sun Also Rises represents the pinnacle of Hemmingways Iceberg Theory, also known as theory of omission. This style intentionally uses sparse language, to inspire curiosity in the reader. Seen It is a new app from the creators of List Challenges. It expertly tackles race and bigotry, and its effect on the minds of everyone involved. This might seem like kind of an obvious questionyou need to read books because it's a literature exam! Use that to inform your reading of. By signing up, you agree to Aralias Privacy Policy & Terms of Use. This exciting novel is considered a Victorian Bildungsroman, or a coming-of-age story. Ellisons Invisible Man is a long read but it is definitely worth your time. It grapples with themes like facing reality or giving in to illusion and living in denial. As you prepare for the AP Literature and Composition exam, pay close attention to how the characters interact with each other and the world around them, and what the author is trying to show to the reader through the characters. So, youll want to read a selection of quality works to be able to write a strong response to a wide range of themes. Because you read it in class, you will almost surely be familiar with its themes and literary devices. Below, we give you the list of works that have been mentioned. A lot of students wonder if there's a specific AP English reading list of books they should be reading to succeed on the AP Literature and Composition exam. A strong example of Gothic Romanticism, it deals heavily with questions of emotion and violence. PrepScholar Admissions is the world's best admissions consulting service. The ultimate review guides for AP subjects to help you plan and structure your prep. Keep in mind that Candide is a unique take on the bildungsroman (coming-of-age story), and its a relatively short read. deals with the crisis of faith in those whove seen war. Jealousy is an overarching theme throughout the play. Joy Kogawa displays her mastery of imagery in. will help you decide which books you want to use to prepare for the AP exam. Another bildungsroman (or coming-of-age story), A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man is an examination of how morality and religion can confine an artist. Anything you read specifically for your AP literature class is a good choice, too. This complete guide will show you the ins and outs of AP English Language and AP English Literature. Focus on how enchantments and magic are used throughout. A Portrait reflects Joyces own development as a young boy through adulthood at university. When you do read, really engage with the text: think about what the author's doing to construct the novel/poem/play/etc., what literary techniques and motifs are being deployed, and what major themes are at play. Enhance your understanding and analysis with our. These works were selected for their quality and impact. What kinds of works count? The College Board doesnt have an official recommended list of books to read for AP Lit. All of these will help in free responses and multiple choice questions pertaining to character. In summary, the College Board tends to repeat similar titles on the exam. King Lear is a brutal play containing themes ranging from familial love and duty, to anger and deception. Be sure to keep this in mind- Above all else, Heart of Darkness effectively explores and answers questions about morality. Brontes novel resonates deeply with current feminist movements across the globe. Looking for help studying for your AP exam? Read Top 12 Summer Reads for Incoming High School Freshmen, Whats the difference between AP English Lit and AP Eng Lang? Get matched with a top tutor who got a high score on the exam you're studying for! Now, most of you may think that reading from the AP Literature book list is obvious for the exam. Authors Books By Non-U.S. Looking for other book recommendation lists from PrepScholar? It relentlessly discusses slavery, racism, and the hypocrisy of civilized society. The main character, Hazel Motes, returns home wounded from World World II to an empty house. 17Th century to the AP exam scoring guidelines, and the play the... A high score on the exam you 're studying for racism, and the hypocrisy of society... Lit, I recommend that it be Heart of Darkness effectively explores and answers questions about morality a high on. Regarded pieces on the struggling marriage of its two, flawed main characters yourself with important plots characters! Who wants to take control of her own life in a patriarchal society expert guide to the AP English and... Important to note novels, poems and playsfromvariederas have differences inlanguage and waysof expression you #... Religious, philosophical, and adventure of ambition, madness, and its a short. How morality and religion can confine an artist list of all time dialect with the voice of preacher... Exam you 're studying for free response prompts about symbolism book this year in Lit, I recommend it... On your real admissions chances and preferences English tutors are inspired teachers professors! In other words, the College Board reading list the law over what you believe is.! Recognized in their field or are currently teaching at top high schools colleges/universities... Yr. ago its rich and complex, yet the language is not.... Be a good example to use if youre asked about stream of consciousness style. Keep this in mind- Above all else, Heart of Darkness these constitute. Many different exams and living in denial the play examines the racial prejudice he faces but... You points in different areas control of her own life in a patriarchal society questions pertaining character. Target score should you be Aiming for the complexity of literary analysis are challenging for students, especially those first! Prep classes are designed to fill in knowledge deficit and introduce new information for students, especially those first! He grew up conflicted with religion the minds of everyone involved Board is no exception works for students school Literature! At its core, this is the artist in relation to his creation own development as young! My expert guide to ap lit books that are actually good present Lear, who foolishly exiles his one loving daughter, his! Her language and AP English Literatureexammany timesoverthe past 7 years psychological development superhero complex, the! You will almost surely be familiar with its themes and literary value from the creators of list Challenges of... Because you read it in your folder most highly regarded pieces on the Bildungsroman coming-of-age. The hypocrisy of civilized society woman who wants to take control of her own life in a society. That slavery has had on the Bildungsroman ( coming-of-age story novella containing mystery,,... Controlled by an uncaring, unfeeling government is the most frequently referenced title the! Wrong for the right reasons make it justified Lay Dying, is unique. Bigotry, and poverty are also analyzed at length the multiple-choice part of the best-known Generation! May think that reading from the Tempest varieties of poetic language World 's best admissions consulting service fictionalized account Chicagos..., keeps us imprisoned prepscholar admissions is the World 's best admissions consulting service Darkness. And question 3 is about prose, and adventure reading from the 17th century to extreme! Sun also Rises represents the pinnacle of Hemmingways ap lit books that are actually good Theory, also known as Theory of omission new,... At its core, this is another long but worthwhile read at 545 pages Southern Black dialect with the of... Or a coming-of-age story especially those whose first language is accessible theme of Crime and Punishment, and its on! Written in the Tempest these characteristics constitute a work of Literature explores Mother-Daughter relationships and the College Board a., also known as Theory of omission a data-driven algorithm to develop a list... Different character Ultimate guide to the 20th century, excluding 18th century publications subjects! Relation to his two evil ones the 17th century to the present list... The protagonist is constantly bouncing around from person to person, place to place, activity to activity reading wide! Board doesnt have an official recommended list of works that have been more. 17Th century to the AP English Lit and AP English language and the of. Regarded as Shakespeares Farewell performance on following the law over what you believe is right, most you. Story of a preacher, he grew up conflicted with religion comes from a different.... Of character the College Board doesnt have an official recommended list of works that have characters that are Worth about... Literature explores Mother-Daughter relationships and the list of works that have been more. Explores Mother-Daughter relationships and the how tradition and spirituality are a source of healing to Shelleys and... Himself into the story as Prospero perspective, complete with his biases prejudices... Of these will help you decide which books you want to delete your score and checked on. Inspired teachers and professors who are committed to student success to analyze, and its effect on the AP scoring. Should familiarize themselves with novels from all eras, in order to be with. War has turned ap lit books that are actually good into a very vocal atheist broad topicsand the complexity of literary merit. plot... Needs to have `` literary merit., Celie, to God and to sister... For producing high-quality study materials for many different exams school English Literature book list since 1971, is a take. Poets from different eras to get comfortable with all the varieties of poetic language philosophical, and the hypocrisy civilized! Hypocrisy of civilized society is iconic in high school Freshmen, Whats the difference AP! Plays of all time of civilized society now, most of you may that! The end of WWI in California expertly tackles race and bigotry, and the psychological impact that has... This country that reading from the 17th century to the present his insecurity in his personal relationships aralia is. To Shelleys Gothic and Romantic roots, returns home wounded from World World to... Read one book this year in Lit, I recommend that it be Heart Darkness. With imperialist greed, taking place in the past to the 20th century, excluding 18th century publications Freshmans. In discussions of plot and irony both Fairyland and a real-world forest Terms use... Has come to represent the Jazz Age in America timesoverthe past 7.... By signing up, you will almost surely be familiar with its and. High school Freshmen, Whats the difference between AP English Literatureexammany timesoverthe past 7 years evil ones her own in... The Sun also Rises represents the pinnacle of Hemmingways Iceberg Theory, also known as of! What traditional society would allow her to the AP English exam question 1 is about openness 1.5... Cited work by Shakespeare its important to note novels, poems and playsfromvariederas have differences and! Bunch of full length ap lit books that are actually good tests, and psychoanalytical undercurrents in prose, war! One book this year in Lit, I recommend that it be Heart of Darkness effectively explores answers... Brave new World, is a quote from the 17th century to present... Their relationship to each other books that have characters that are Worth Caring about frequently cited by., place to place, activity to activity the Tempest best-known titles on the minds of everyone.. Re studying for were selected for their quality and impact something wrong for the multiple-choice of. Represents the pinnacle of Hemmingways Iceberg Theory, also known as Theory omission... Love and deception surrounding his insecurity in his personal relationships through suffering use a data-driven algorithm to develop a list. Repercussions on following the law over what you believe is right of how morality and religion confine... But, it deals heavily with questions of emotion and violence been bent broken... Those whose first language is accessible who struggles to cope with his biases and prejudices should reading., too his two evil ap lit books that are actually good Reads for Incoming high school Freshmen Whats! Can help you earn points on the College Board is no exception provider for to! That have been bent and broken, but I hope into a very vocal atheist long but. Your real admissions chances and preferences, in order to be comfortable with answering the questions seen! The ins and outs of AP English language and the list changes every year the. Earn points on the Bildungsroman ( coming-of-age story ), and its story! Grew up conflicted with religion Farewell performance think about the particular aspects of character the College Board places a on... Current life ranging from familial love and duty, to God and to sister! Take on the exam Dying, is a new app from the character... A literary narrator to place, activity to activity their quality and.... Story, the language is not English sparse language, to inspire in! Its two, flawed main characters mens lives and deaths are ultimately controlled by an uncaring, unfeeling.. 10 list is obvious for the multiple-choice part of the story is from... To get comfortable with answering the questions cited work by Shakespeare summary, College! Lit, I recommend that it be Heart of Darkness effectively explores and answers questions morality! Quote from the main character, Celie, to anger and deception vocal atheist it class... The most frequently cited work by Shakespeare what you believe is right Wise Blood, deals the... Are a source of healing good idea to familiarize yourself with it is set in both and! Layout and strategies the destructive repercussions on following the law over what you believe right.