12 Classics You Read In High School That You Should Re-Read As An Adult

12. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald (1925)

If you haven’t read The Great Gatsby in a while, let narrator Nick Carraway guide you through New York’s Jazz Age society of the 1920s. Jay Gatsby tries to woo Daisy Buchannan, his first love, away from her husband. Gatsby lives in West Egg, and he is drawn to the green light on Daisy’s dock, across the way in East Egg. The thing is, Gatsby is new money, and the old money world does not readily accept his kind. How many lavish parties must Gatsby throw to impress his lady love? The Great Gatsby. Price: $7.00.

11. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou (1960)

Maya Angelou’s memoir tells of her life from the age of three to 16, including incidents of personal trauma and societal racism. An adult reader may feel her words on a deeper level than a high-schooler, particularly in today’s climate of unrest and reform. Young Maya was mute for a few months following the murder of a man who had molested her, but she regained her voice, and her heartfelt prose will live on forever. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. Price: $14.21.

10. Mythology by Edith Hamilton (1942)

If you’ve forgotten the stories of Greek, Roman, and Norse mythology, including the love stories, the battles, and the fantastic adventures of gods, goddesses, and the humans at their mercy, then settle into a comfy chair with this book. You’ll be swept away by the exciting tales, plus you’ll learn the origin stories of names you’ve heard before but could not place in the proper context. You’ll be a valuable asset to your team on your next Trivia Night. Mythology. Price: $22.99.

9. Hamlet by William Shakespeare (1603)

“To be, or not to be, that is the question.” Perhaps you had to memorize Hamlet’s soliloquy somewhere along the way, but did you understand the meaning behind the words? It’s time to reread this tragic play with new eyes, now that you have experienced life beyond your teenage years. While you’re at it, reacquaint yourself with Shakespeare’s original Romeo and Juliet, which is the inspiration for many works, including movies, plays, and musicals. Hamlet. Price: $6.99. Romeo and Juliet. Price: $6.99.

8. Emma by Jane Austen (1815)

What an opening sentence, loaded with fact and foreshadowing: “Emma Woodhouse, handsome, clever, and rich, with a comfortable home and happy disposition, seemed to unite some of the best blessings of existence, and had lived nearly twenty-one years in the world with very little to distress or vex her.” Well, bring on the distress and the vexation! Misery abounds in Hartfield, in Georgian England, when Emma plays matchmaker and jumps to false conclusions. Of course, this romantic tale turns out all right in the end, and Emma learns her lesson with some help from the handsome but dour Mr. Knightley. Emma. Price: $9.00.

7. The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne (1850)

This novel explores Puritan morality that seems far removed from modern experience. Just imagine if Hester Prynne were alive today and forced to wear a scarlet A on her chest as a badge of shame because she had a child out of wedlock. Never mind that the A stands for “adultery,” an activity that requires two people—a man as well as a woman. Note that the men in Hester’s life are her lover “Dimmes”dale and her husband “Chilling”worth. Taken in a broad sense, this novel explores the human tendency to punish those whose opinions or lifestyles are different, controversial, or somehow threatening to the status quo. Just check the headlines for present-day examples. The Scarlet Letter. Price: $8.95.

6. Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain (1885)

This novel is a controversial recommendation, frequently vilified or banned because it includes the N-word, and some critics view it as an endorsement of slavery. However, a careful read reveals the opposite: Huck evolves from not caring about the morality of slavery to actively helping his companion Jim find freedom. Jim becomes a father figure to Huck. This book remains relevant because the repercussions of slavery continue to affect society in the twenty-first century. Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Price: $15.76.

5. Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes (1959, 1966)

Following experimental surgery, 32-year-old Charlie Gordon slowly transforms from a man with developmental disabilities to a genius, alongside a mouse named Algernon who underwent the same procedure. Charlie finds love and earns the respect of others as his intelligence improves, but he loses these things as his intelligence later diminishes. The story is told through the progress reports that Charlie writes. His final wish is for the reader to leave flowers on the grave of Algernon the mouse. This book has been banned from some schools due to a brief intimate scene. Also, be aware that this story was published as both a short story and a novel, with some changes along the way. Flowers for Algernon. Price: $9.99.

4. The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank (1947)

Most teenagers who read this diary naturally see her world through her eyes, but adults—particularly parents—will experience the story in surprising new ways. Along with the horrific facts of her situation, hiding with her family to avoid being killed or imprisoned in concentration camps, this diary offers a brutal take on parent-child relationships. Anne Frank’s father should be admired for his courage in sharing his daughter’s words with the world. Otto Frank lost his daughters and his wife to Nazi brutality during World War II, and he found Anne’s diary after her death. Diary of a Young Girl. Price: $21.99.

3. The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (1943)

The Little Prince is not a mere children’s book to be dismissed by sophisticated adults. It is full of wit, stark logic, and philosophical questions for the ages. If you are not charmed by the illustration that jaded grown-ups insist is a hat, then you have lost your sense of wonder. Take time to read and truly embrace this tale. Afterward, if you are so inclined, do some research to learn how this book is actually about the defeat of France during World War II. The Little Prince. Price: $10.79.

2. Great Expectations by Charles Dickens (1861)

Great Expectations is a coming-of-age story set in Victorian England. A young man, Pip Pirrip, is corrupted by his great expectations—the promise of future wealth bestowed upon him by a mysterious benefactor. Along the way, while Pip remains poor and undisciplined, he comes to think of himself as a grand gentleman, far superior to the simple folk who raised him, especially the lovable and loyal Joe Gargery. What could possibly go wrong? Great Expectations. Price: $9.90.

1. Oh, the Places You’ll Go! By Dr. Seuss (1990)

This short and simple read with charming illustrations is new compared to the other entries on this list, an instant classic. It is the last Seuss book published during his lifetime. Many copies are purchased and gifted each year in May, at graduation time. The book will inspire every receptive high-school or college graduate, promising adventures to come, punctuated with moments of failure and success. Oh, the Places You'll Go! can be inspirational for people of any age, during any life transition, from moving across the country to becoming an entrepreneur: “You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And you are the one who’ll decide where to go.” Oh, the Places You'll Go! Price: $13.49.