Assigned Reading

[my_papaya]

I started Of Mice and Men in 6th grade, but it didn't take me long to realize it was too old for me. I never did get around to reading it again.

Life of Pi really was amazing, though. I particularly enjoyed the beginning and his exploration of various religions; it was very thought provoking. The middle dragged a bit, but it was definitely one of the best books I've read in a while. Or ever. Either way.

[disaster notes.]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(my_papaya @ Sep 28, 07:23 PM) [snapback]2036069[/snapback]</div>

I'm totally okay with literature, so long as it isn't Wuthering Heights. I never did make it through that book. I actually liked Jane Eyre, though, and everyone else I know hated it.
[/b]

Ugh.
Jane Eyre would have been a good book if it was contemporary. <_< Too much description for me. Dragged its feet a bit.

Of Mice and Men was such a good book!
The ending was so sad, though! made me cry.
I read it ... two years ago, in the 8th grade, I think. It should have been longer. I finished it the same day. <_<

[sho [eats moths]]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(my_papaya @ Sep 28, 10:23 PM) [snapback]2036069[/snapback]</div>

I'm totally okay with literature, so long as it isn't Wuthering Heights. I never did make it through that book. I actually liked Jane Eyre, though, and everyone else I know hated it.
[/b]

BLITHERING HEIGHTS.
I. HATE. THAT. BOOK.

I also hate my mythology book I have to read. It's quite litterally 60 years old and so over worded. And boring. And long.
Get this; During the 60 pages I had to read in class, I spent about twenty of them remembering Chey's story Boys Like Him. xD

[disaster notes.]

Mythology = <33
I absolutely adore Greek mythology.
BUT NOT ROMAN.
Because they just stole everything!
*grumbles*

Aw.
I miss that story. *tears up* IT WAS MY FAVORITE ONE.
But thank you. XD
</offtopic>

[my_papaya]

Yeah, Greek > Roman, definitely. But really, I love mythology in general. I've like to reread some of that when I get a chance, too. I don't think I've done anything in school with it since 6th grade (unless you count the abridged version of The Odyssey we tread in 9th, which I don't).

Next I have to read The Stranger. I think it's French.

[imperfect perfection]

I just finished reading The Grapes of Wrath :]

It was terribly boring and depressing, although quite brilliant. But I always find assigned reading to be dull. I can never enjoy a book when someone makes me read it.

Has anyone ever tried William Faulkner's As I Lay Dying? It's written in stream of consciousness, and it's amazing when you finally understand the meaning of the novel.

[AdequateGirl]

Originally Posted by disaster notes.

What types of books are you assigned to read in school, or over your summer vacation?
Do you enjoy them? Why or why not?
Would you rather have picked other books? Do they always follow a theme?
What type of assignments usually follow?

Over school, we read classics or some random books that our teacher chose that displays a certain period style. Example: Fuenteovejuna, Canterbury Tales, Don Quixote, Candide, Mrs. Dalloway, A Tale of Two Cities, The Good Woman of Setzuan, The Sailor Who Fell from Grace with the Sea. Yeah, they're pretty random, but quite good sometimes. We always write a final essay on the period and sometimes on individual books on tests.
We're assigned school wide reads over summer vacation, which usually have environmental/future solution themes which are chosen by our principal. Currently it's Cradle to Cradle by McDonough and someone else i can't remember at the moment. Last year's was As the Future Catches You by Juan Enriquez (?) I hate these; they're so full of bull and rhetoric that they basically say nothing. We do as little as possible with these books because the teachers hate them as well.
We also have to read one book of choice over the summer, so that makes up for it I guess. We usually have to write an essay or report on these. Last year though, we had to give silly book talks and choose someone else's book to read with another teacher for a week long class. That was torture.
So yeah, our books assigned during the school year are ok, and over break suck

[sparklepop.]

During the summer, my AP Language & Composition is required to read 1984, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, and The Scarlet Letter.

We are also required to memorize terms and write letters and essays.

[GuiltyByAssociation]

I haven't had a year of school where I wasn't required to read at least one book. I'm grateful for it though, since I probably wouldn't have read them if I didn't have to.