- lol Badge Feed
- win Badge Feed
- trending Badge Feed
Browse links
- © 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc
- Consent Preferences
- Accessibility Statement
Can You Get A 5 On This AP English Exam?
Is that a simile or metaphor?
BuzzFeed Staff
Share This Article
- Discussions
- Reading Challenge
- Kindle Notes & Highlights
- Favorite genres
- Friends’ recommendations
- Account settings
Ap English Summer Reading List Books
Welcome back. Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account.
Complete Summer Reading for AP Courses
Some AP teachers ask students to do work over the summer to prepare for their courses. For example, AP English Literature and Composition might start you off with a reading list of great novels and plays. Make sure you complete these assignments so you’re up to speed when class begins.
placeholder
Choose Your Test
Sat / act prep online guides and tips, ap literature reading list: 127 great books for your prep.
Advanced Placement (AP)
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. 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. In this article, I'll break down why you need to read books to prepare, how many you should plan on reading, and what you should read—including poetry.
Why Do You Need to Read Books for the AP Literature Test?
This might seem like kind of an obvious question—you need to read books because it's a literature exam! But actually, there are three specific reasons why you need to read novels, poems, and plays in preparation for the AP Lit Test.
To Increase Your Familiarity With Different Eras and Genres of Literature
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. If you read primarily modern works, for example, you may stumble through analyzing a Shakespeare sonnet. 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.
To Improve Your Close-Reading Skills
You'll also want to read to improve your close-reading and rhetorical analysis skills. 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. You don't necessarily need to drill down to the same degree on every text, but you should always be thinking, "Why did the author write this piece this way?"
For the Student Choice Free-Response Question
Perhaps the most critical piece in reading to prepare for the AP Lit test, however, is for the student choice free-response question. 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. The College Board does provide an example list of works, but you can choose any work you like just so long as it has adequate "literary merit." However, you need to be closely familiar with more than one work so that you can be prepared for whatever theme the College Board throws at you!
Note: Not an effective reading method.
How Many Books Do You Need to Read for the AP Exam?
That depends. In terms of reading to increase your familiarity with literature from different eras and genres and to improve your close-reading skills, the more books you have time to read, the better. 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.
For the purposes of the student choice question, however, you'll want to read books more closely, so that you could write a detailed, convincing analytical essay about any of their themes. So you should know the plot, characters, themes, and major literary devices or motifs used inside and out. Since you won't know what theme you'll be asked to write about in advance, you'll need to be prepared to write a student choice question on more than just one book.
Of the books you read for prep both in and out of class, choose four to five books that are thematically diverse to learn especially well in preparation for the exam. You may want to read these more than once, and you certainly want to take detailed notes on everything that's going on in those books to help you remember key points and themes. Discussing them with a friend or mentor who has also read the book will help you generate ideas on what's most interesting or intriguing about the work and how its themes operate in the text.
You may be doing some of these activities anyways for books you are assigned to read for class, and those books might be solid choices if you want to be as efficient as possible. Books you write essays about for school are also great choices to include in your four to five book stable since you will be becoming super-familiar with them for the writing you do in class anyways.
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!
Know the books. Love the books.
What Books Do You Need to Read for the AP Exam?
The most important thing for the student choice free-response question is that the work you select needs to have "literary merit." What does this mean? In the context of the College Board, this means you should stick with works of literary fiction. So in general, avoid mysteries, fantasies, romance novels, and so on.
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. Anything you read specifically for your AP literature class is a good choice, too. If you aren't sure if a particular work has the kind of literary merit the College Board is looking for, ask your AP teacher.
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. 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.
So, I might, for example, choose:
A Midsummer Night's Dream , Shakespeare, play, 1605
Major themes and devices: magic, dreams, transformation, foolishness, man vs. woman, play-within-a-play
Wuthering Heights , Emily Bronte, novel, 1847
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 Age of Innocence , Edith Wharton, novel, 1920
Major themes and devices: Tradition and duty, personal freedom, hypocrisy, irony, social class, family, "maintaining appearances", honor
Wide Sargasso Sea , Jean Rhys, novel, 1966
Major themes and devices: slavery, race, magic, madness, wildness, civilization vs. chaos, imperialism, gender
As you can see, while there is some thematic overlap in my chosen works, they also cover a broad swathe of themes. They are also all very different in style (although you'll just have to take my word on that one unless you go look at all of them yourself), and they span a range of time periods and genres as well.
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. When a book comes up over and over again on exams, this suggests both that it's thematically rich, so you can use it to answer lots of different kinds of questions, and that the College Board sees a lot of value in the work.
To that end, I've assembled a list, separated by time period, of all the books that have appeared on the suggested works list for student choice free-response questions at least twice since 2003. While you certainly shouldn't be aiming to read all of these books (there's way too many for that!), these are all solid choices for the student choice essay. Other books by authors from this list are also going to be strong choices. It's likely that some of your class reading will overlap with this list, too.
I've divided up the works into chunks by time period. In addition to title, each entry includes the author, whether the work is a novel, play, or something else, and when it was first published or performed. Works are alphabetical by author.
Warning: Not all works pictured included in AP Literature reading list below.
Looking for help studying for your AP exam?
Our one-on-one online AP tutoring services can help you prepare for your AP exams. Get matched with a top tutor who got a high score on the exam you're studying for!
Ancient Works
The Queen of AP Literature surveys her kingdom.
Don't get trapped in a literature vortex!
1990-Present
Don't stay in one reading position for too long, or you'll end up like this guy.
Want to build the best possible college application?
We can help. PrepScholar Admissions is the world's best admissions consulting service. We combine world-class admissions counselors with our data-driven, proprietary admissions strategies . We've overseen thousands of students get into their top choice schools , from state colleges to the Ivy League.
We know what kinds of students colleges want to admit. We want to get you admitted to your dream schools .
Learn more about PrepScholar Admissions to maximize your chance of getting in.
An Addendum on Poetry
You probably won't be writing about poetry on your student choice essay—most just aren't meaty enough in terms of action and character to merit a full-length essay on the themes when you don't actually have the poem in front of you (a major exception being The Odyssey ). That doesn't mean that you shouldn't be reading poetry, though! You should be reading a wide variety of poets from different eras to get comfortable with all the varieties of poetic language. This will make the poetry analysis essay and the multiple-choice questions about poetry much easier!
See this list of poets compiled from the list given on page 10 of the AP Course and Exam Description for AP Lit, separated out by time period. For those poets who were working during more than one of the time periods sketched out below, I tried to place them in the era in which they were more active.
I've placed an asterisk next to the most notable and important poets in the list; you should aim to read one or two poems by each of the starred poets to get familiar with a broad range of poetic styles and eras.
14th-17th Centuries
- Anne Bradstreet
- Geoffrey Chaucer
- George Herbert
- Andrew Marvell
- John Milton
- William Shakespeare*
18th-19th Centuries
- William Blake*
- Robert Browning
- Samuel Taylor Coleridge*
- Emily Dickinson*
- Paul Laurence Dunbar
- George Gordon, Lord Byron
- Gerard Manley Hopkins
- John Keats*
- Edgar Allan Poe*
- Alexander Pope*
- Percy Bysshe Shelley*
- Alfred, Lord Tennyson*
- Walt Whitman*
- William Wordsworth*
Early-Mid 20th Century
- W. H. Auden
- Elizabeth Bishop
- H. D. (Hilda Doolittle)
- T. S. Eliot*
- Robert Frost*
- Langston Hughes*
- Philip Larkin
- Robert Lowell
- Marianne Moore
- Sylvia Plath*
- Anne Sexton*
- Wallace Stevens
- William Carlos Williams
- William Butler Yeats*
Late 20th Century-Present
- Edward Kamau Brathwaite
- Gwendolyn Brooks
- Lorna Dee Cervantes
- Lucille Clifton
- Billy Collins
- Seamus Heaney
- Garrett Hongo
- Adrienne Rich
- Leslie Marmon Silko
- Derek Walcott
- Richard Wilbur
You might rather burn books than read them after the exam, but please refrain.
Key Takeaways
Why do you need to read books to prepare for AP Lit? For three reasons:
#1 : To become familiar with a variety of literary eras and genres #2 : To work on your close-reading skills #3 : To become closely familiar with four-five works for the purposes of the student choice free-response essay analyzing a theme in a work of your choice.
How many books do you need to read? Well, you definitely need to get very familiar with four-five for essay-writing purposes, and beyond that, the more the better!
Which books should you read? Check out the AP English Literature reading list in this article to see works that have appeared on two or more "suggested works" lists on free-response prompts since 2003.
And don't forget to read some poetry too! See some College Board recommended poets listed in this article.
What's Next?
See my expert guide to the AP Literature test for more exam tips!
The multiple-choice section of the AP Literature exam is a key part of your score. Learn everything you need to know about it in our complete guide to AP Lit multiple-choice questions.
Taking other APs? Check out our expert guides to the AP Chemistry exam , AP US History , AP World History , AP Psychology , and AP Biology .
Looking for other book recommendation lists from PrepScholar? We've compiled lists of the 7 books you must read if you're a pre-med and the 31 books to read before graduating high school .
Ellen has extensive education mentorship experience and is deeply committed to helping students succeed in all areas of life. She received a BA from Harvard in Folklore and Mythology and is currently pursuing graduate studies at Columbia University.
Student and Parent Forum
Our new student and parent forum, at ExpertHub.PrepScholar.com , allow you to interact with your peers and the PrepScholar staff. See how other students and parents are navigating high school, college, and the college admissions process. Ask questions; get answers.
Ask a Question Below
Have any questions about this article or other topics? Ask below and we'll reply!
Improve With Our Famous Guides
- For All Students
The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 160+ SAT Points
How to Get a Perfect 1600, by a Perfect Scorer
Series: How to Get 800 on Each SAT Section:
Score 800 on SAT Math
Score 800 on SAT Reading
Score 800 on SAT Writing
Series: How to Get to 600 on Each SAT Section:
Score 600 on SAT Math
Score 600 on SAT Reading
Score 600 on SAT Writing
Free Complete Official SAT Practice Tests
What SAT Target Score Should You Be Aiming For?
15 Strategies to Improve Your SAT Essay
The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 4+ ACT Points
How to Get a Perfect 36 ACT, by a Perfect Scorer
Series: How to Get 36 on Each ACT Section:
36 on ACT English
36 on ACT Math
36 on ACT Reading
36 on ACT Science
Series: How to Get to 24 on Each ACT Section:
24 on ACT English
24 on ACT Math
24 on ACT Reading
24 on ACT Science
What ACT target score should you be aiming for?
ACT Vocabulary You Must Know
ACT Writing: 15 Tips to Raise Your Essay Score
How to Get Into Harvard and the Ivy League
How to Get a Perfect 4.0 GPA
How to Write an Amazing College Essay
What Exactly Are Colleges Looking For?
Is the ACT easier than the SAT? A Comprehensive Guide
Should you retake your SAT or ACT?
When should you take the SAT or ACT?
Stay Informed
Get the latest articles and test prep tips!
Looking for Graduate School Test Prep?
Check out our top-rated graduate blogs here:
GRE Online Prep Blog
GMAT Online Prep Blog
TOEFL Online Prep Blog
Holly R. "I am absolutely overjoyed and cannot thank you enough for helping me!”
AP® English Literature
The ultimate ap® english literature reading list.
- The Albert Team
- Last Updated On: March 1, 2022
Introduction: How to Use this Ultimate AP® English Literature Reading List
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.
Let us help take out the guesswork! We break down exactly which books you should be studying, and why.
We’ve categorized 40 different literary works. We’ve also included a thoughtful literary analysis on their key elements. With our help, you’ll be able to organize your list of AP® English Literature books to study in a way that works for you and your schedule.
Let’s get started!
What We Review
The Top 10 AP® English Literature Reading List
Everyone plays favorites, and The College Board is no exception. For example, Invisible Man has popped up on 29 of the past 49 AP® Lit exams! Chances are, we’ll see it again this year.
We devoted this portion of the list directly to the top ten works that appeared most frequently on past exams. They should be on the top of your College Board reading list.
Do your best to gain at least some familiarity with this list of books, as it’s likely that one of these will appear somewhere on the test.
1. Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison
Ellison’s Invisible Man is a long read but it is definitely worth your time. It expertly tackles race and bigotry, and its effect on the minds of everyone involved. Themes of race, identity, ideology, and stereotypes are explored.
The story follows a marginalized character. He’s not literally invisible, but he’s invisible in a society that is unable and unwilling to recognize the individuality of the black man.
It’s as culturally relevant today as it was when published in 1954. This is the most frequently referenced title on the AP® English Literature book list since 1971.
2. Great Expectations by Charles Dicken
This exciting novel is considered a Victorian “Bildungsroman”, or a coming-of-age story. Pip is a young and poor blacksmith’s son, who suddenly finds himself the owner of a large fortune and is whisked off to London.
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.
Dickens gives us a fun plot, but the deeper literary analysis questions on the AP® Exams will focus on his writing, or his prose. Concentrate on instances of his beautiful use of language, and how they affect the novel as a whole.
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. 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.
3. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
Wuthering Heights is one of the most highly regarded pieces on the College Board reading list. A strong example of Gothic Romanticism, it deals heavily with questions of emotion and violence.
The language is easier to decipher than most literary works on the AP® reading list. But, where it really shines is in its considerations of class and gender from a woman’s perspective.
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.
4. Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad
Heart of Darkness is celebrated on many of the AP® English Literature prep message boards as a go-to literary work for the free response section- and with good reason! It’s a relatively short novella containing mystery, psychology, and adventure.
Heart of Darkness is particularly useful for the AP® exam in answering questions about the modern world it was written in. It pointedly deals with imperialist greed, taking place in the 1890s African Congo.
Be sure to keep this in mind- Above all else, Heart of Darkness effectively explores and answers questions about morality. Does doing something wrong for the right reasons make it justified?
Use Albert’s Heart of Darkness course for help understanding tough concepts.
5. King Lear by William Shakespeare
King Lear , referenced 17 times on the exam since 1971, is the most frequently cited work by Shakespeare. King Lear is a brutal play containing themes ranging from familial love and duty, to anger and deception.
This one play provides a wealth of both literary and stylistic elements for you to analyze. This seminal tragedy focuses on King Lear, who foolishly exiles his one loving daughter, giving his kingdom to his two evil ones. As you read, consider how themes of loyalty tie in with compassion and forgiveness.
Albert’s King Lear course is a great resource for understanding the themes and concepts.
6. Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky
The main theme of Crime and Punishment is redeeming oneself through suffering. This is another long but worthwhile read at 545 pages. Crime and Punishment psychologically analyzes young Raskolnikov’s crime to reveal how psychological analysis itself keeps us imprisoned. Intellectualizing events, says Dostoevsky, keeps us imprisoned.
As the name tells us, the two major themes of the story are Crime and Punishment, and their relationship to each other.
Think about questions of sacrifice when studying this piece. Nihilism, the superhero complex, alienation, and poverty are also analyzed at length.
Check out Albert’s Crime and Punishment course.
7. A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce
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.
A Portrait reflects Joyce’s own development as a young boy through adulthood at university. Read A Portrait with an eye out for Joyce’s stream of consciousness style. As Stephen, the main character, develops morally and psychologically, the style of Joyce’s writing adapts and grows, so to speak.
Utilize this title on questions of how style can inform the meaning of the development of characters.
8. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
Jane Eyre is a highly cited Victorian Romantic novel. At its core, this is a story of a woman yearning for more than what traditional society would allow her to have.
This well-known novel centers on a strong feminist character, who fights control her own destiny. Bronte’s novel resonates deeply with current feminist movements across the globe. It focuses on themes of love, social class, and gender roles.
Albert has a great Jane Eyre course to help you prepare.
9. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
Huck Finn is one of the best-known titles on this list among American students. It’s rich and complex, yet the language is accessible.
If you’re asked about the era of Slavery or Reconstruction on the exam, Huck Finn should come to mind. It relentlessly discusses slavery, racism, and the hypocrisy of civilized society.
While reading the story, think of the Mississippi River as a symbol for remaining neutral on issues of race. Use that to inform your reading of Huck Finn.
10. Moby Dick by Herman Melville
Last on this top 10 list is Moby Dick. Universally accepted as a masterful work of fiction, Melville himself described this novel as a meditation on America.
Reading this big novel might not fit into your studying time frame, but you should at least read summaries and key portions. This will help you gain an understanding of Melville’s particular use of symbolism. There are many symbols that may appear on the AP® English Literature exam, including his The Pequod, the color white, and Moby Dick (the whale itself).
In summary, the College Board tends to repeat similar titles on the exam. Studying these top 10 novels should be a priority on your list! They cover a wide range of themes, genres, and cultural time periods to help you effectively answer different varieties of exam questions.
Return to the Table of Contents
Top AP® English Literature Reading List from the Lost Generation
It could be useful to organize your reading list in terms of time period. For instance, take the Lost Generation. Many of the most frequently cited literary works on the AP® exam were written by Lost Generation, or World War I era, authors.
Not only is this an interesting time period that’s receiving more attention as the years draw on, many of the following titles from this era reflect the distinct American voice in literature in a lyrical, interesting, and unique way.
11. As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner
Faulkner’s As I Lay Dying , is a good example to use if you’re asked about stream of consciousness writing style. Consider how this style develops tone, and how this style aids in character development.
This novel alternates between 15 different character’s points of view. While this sounds intimidating, it’s actually easy to follow. The intimate tone helps us understand each different character.
Additionally, As I Lay Dying is considered part of the foundation of the Southern Renaissance.
12. East of Eden by John Steinbeck
As you read this novel, it’s important to remember it’s a modern retelling of the Book of Genesis (the one with Adam and Eve). If you’re faced with questions on the exam about allegory, it’s a good novel to reference.
East of Eden takes place around the end of WWI in California. It revolves around themes of jealousy, love, the consequences of the absence of love.
13. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Probably one of the best-known Lost Generation literary works, The Great Gatsby is iconic in high school English Literature education. F. Scott Fitzgerald’s work has come to represent the Jazz Age in America.
If you’re asked about early-20 th century American society, The Great Gatsby should be a novel you reference..
Check out Albert’s The Great Gatsby course.
14. The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner
Faulkner’s fourth novel, The Sound and the Fury , is another exercise in style. He again uses a stream of consciousness writing to tell a personal story of fear about the corruption of family values.
This is a difficult book to decipher, but, if you can get a handle on how Faulkner utilizes point of view, this piece will be valuable in both the multiple choice and free response exam sections.
15. The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway
The Sun Also Rises represents the pinnacle of Hemmingway’s “Iceberg Theory,” also known as “theory of omission.” This style intentionally uses sparse language, to inspire curiosity in the reader.
Hemingway only shows the “tip of the iceberg” in his characterization and descriptions. He leaves it to the reader to formulate a deeper literary analysis (the part of the iceberg that’s underwater).
This novel not only represents Hemingway’s style; it represents the whole Lost Generation itself, through its stories of American expatriates in Europe.
16. Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
Hurston’s Their Eyes Were Watching God is a a stylistic masterwork with unique diction. Hurston juxtaposes Southern Black dialect with the voice of a literary narrator.
If you’re asked about her work, chances are that understanding her style and structure will score you points.
Top AP® English Literature Reading List from WWI to Present
These following literary works appear on the College Board’s most frequently cited list, and they were published after WWI. These titles are useful references to this time period in particular.
17. Ceremony by Leslie Marmon Silko
Ceremony is a commentary on how tradition and spirituality are a source of healing.
It takes place from the point of view of a service-age Native American man. He returns from World War II with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. His mentally instability forces him to turn to alcohol to ease his mind. But, eventually, he returns to his spirituality, healing from it.
18. Beloved by Toni Morrison
This work of literature explores Mother-Daughter relationships and the psychological impact that slavery has had on the African-American community in this country. Use Beloved to comment on the importance of identity and also community.
As you read, also consider how the supernatural elements of the story (like ghosts) contrast with its stark realism.
19. The Color Purple by Alice Walker
The Color Purple is set in rural Georgia in the 1930s. It’s written in the form of letters from the main character, Celie, to God and to her sister.
It deals with racism and sexism, along with women’s rights. The power of language also plays an important role . As we read further into the story, the language in Celie’s letters changes to reflect her emotional and psychological development.
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.
20. The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams
Williams draws from a lot of his own personal experiences in The Glass Menagerie. This play has only four main characters, and its overarching theme is the importance of accepting reality. Each character in The Glass Menagerie retreats into their own world to escape realities they can’t cope with.
Look for this selection in free response prompts about symbolism. Laura’s array of delicate glass animals is the single strongest symbol in the play and a strong symbol in general. This Glass Menagerie comes to represent Laura herself and her escape from her own illusory world.
21. Catch-22 by Joseph Heller
Catch-22 is a first and foremost a satire. It comments on war by reducing it to a bureaucratic concern. Men’s lives and deaths are ultimately controlled by an uncaring, unfeeling government. Use this literary work in discussions of plot and irony.
Consider how devices, like the Catch-22 rule , serve to form the plot of a story.
We have a great Catch-22 course in our Albert library.
22. Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller
This play has won both the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the Tony Award for Best Play. Death of a Salesman critiques the American dream and questions its attainability. It grapples with themes like facing reality or giving in to illusion and living in denial.
The main character, Willy, is an aging salesman who struggles to cope with his current life. Much of the play is told through his own flashbacks to earlier in his career.
As you read, consider the effects of flashback on the interpretation of the themes.
Top AP® English Literature Reading List from Shakespeare
Many of William Shakespeare’s works appear on the exam’s most frequently cited list. Even though you’ve probably studied his plays all through high school, it’ll help to refresh your memory on these essential texts.
23. Othello
Othello is an African general in the Venetian army, and the play examines the racial prejudice he faces. It’s a story of love and deception surrounding his insecurity in his personal relationships. Jealousy is an overarching theme throughout the play.
Exam questions on Othello may be concerned with issues of an isolated character and what characteristics contribute to that isolation.
Enhance your understanding and analysis with our Othello Albert course .
24. The Tempest
One of the prominent themes in The Tempest is the artist in relation to his creation. Prospero can be viewed as a kind of artist, in that he controls the fate of every other character. It’s as if Shakespeare inserted himself into the story as Prospero.
The Tempest is widely regarded as Shakespeare’s “Farewell” performance.
25. The Merchant of Venice
The Merchant of Venice is important in preparing for the AP® English Literature exam because it covers a timeless debate about racial and religious supremacy.
This work could appear on either the multiple choice or free response sections, because it explores the concept of dynamic characters using a culturally-charged and well-defined example: Shylock the Moneylender.
Hamlet has been performed more than any other Shakespearean work. For this reason alone, it would be a good idea to familiarize yourself with it.
There are many religious, philosophical, and psychoanalytical undercurrents in Hamlet. All of these will help in free responses and multiple choice questions pertaining to character.
Use Albert’s Hamlet course for extra prep.
27. Macbeth
“Bubble, bubble, toil and trouble!” Macbeth is a cautionary tale warning against evil as a means of power. Themes of ambition, madness, and war all intertwine.
Studying Macbeth is a good opportunity for you to develop your critical analysis skills in tragedy.
Check out Albert’s Macbeth course here .
28. A Midsummer Night’s Dream
This one’s a classic example of a Shakespean comedy, one of his most popular works overall. This play has four separate storylines that all revolve around the marriage of two main characters, Duke Theseus and Queen Hippolyta.
The entire play takes place in the span of one night and is set in both Fairyland and a real-world forest. This play provides great opportunities for an analysis of symbolism. Focus on how enchantments and magic are used throughout. Consider how images of roses and use of love juice symbolize falling in love too quickly.
Top AP® English Literature Reading List from the Classics
The classics are also frequently cited on the AP® English Literature exam. These five classic works could appear on the multiple choice section of the test, as well as on the free response section. Be sure to familiarize yourself with them.
29. Antigone by Sophocles
Antigone addresses issues of authority, faith, and fidelity. Sophocles examines the destructive repercussions on following the law over what you believe is right. He uses the family drama of the character Antigone to highlight this.
Remember to use Albert’s Antigone course for help.
30. Candide by Voltaire
Candide is a unique coming-of-age story and a satirical novella. It asks the question, ‘With so many hardships in the world, what’s the point of trying to be optimistic?’
Keep in mind that Candide is a unique take on the bildungsroman (coming-of-age story), and it’s a relatively short read.
Though Candide was first published in 1759, it is still considered a classic literary work.
31. Oedipus Rex by Sophocles
Oedipus Rex (The King) demonstrates a unique take on the Greek Tragedy. Rather than following the sealed-fate plot that would have made sense to the audience of the time, Sophocles made Oedipus’s choices and faults contribute to his downfall.
You may have heard of Freud’s famous “Oedipus Complex” psychological theory. This play is where it gets its name.
Use Albert’s course on Oedipus Rex for additional help.
32. Medea by Euripides
Medea contains feminist undertones, which was a revolutionary occurrence for the time. Medea is a young woman who wants to take control of her own life in a patriarchal society. This ultimately that drives her to the extreme of committing murder.
Furthermore, the structure of the play is interesting in itself. In every scene, the only actors are Medea and one other person.
33. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Frankenstein represents, arguably, the first science fiction story. But, it does this while remaining true to Shelley’s Gothic and Romantic roots.
The entire novel is a study in how power can corrupt. The power of knowledge allows Victor to animate “The Beast.” The power of his hatred for his creation pushes him toward his own death. The story in itself is a study in power and its dangers.
Frankenstein was first published in 1818. Though not in the same time period as most works on this list, it’s still considered a classic. Remember to use Albert’s Frankenstein course for help.
34. The Odyssey by Homer
Chances are, you’ve already read Odysseus’s sweeping tale of adventure at some point in your high school career. But whether you have or haven’t, this epic poem is worth revisiting before you take your exam.
Taking place in ancient Greece, this story follows the epic hero Odysseus as he tries to return home after the Trojan war. On his way, Odysseus encounters a number of mythical monsters, all preventing him from reaching his wife, Penelope. Consider the use of symbolism in this play, and what each different monster represents in a relationship between a husband and wife.
Check out Albert’s The Odyssey course for additional practice.
Top AP® English Literature Reading List: Other Helpful Texts to Check Out
The list above is full of familiar titles. The list that follows contains titles referenced less often.
If you’re able to include mention of some of these, you may be able to score points for the breadth of your literary knowledge.
35. A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams
Streetcar is considered one of the greatest American plays of all time. Like The Glass Menagerie, Streetcar also deals with the interplay between reality and fantasy. It’s considered at least vaguely autobiographical.
Consider reading this piece along with Menagerie.
36. Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
Things Fall Apart chronicles the life of a Nigerian, and it comments on the effect of British colonialism and Christianity. Read this novel if you’re searching for a piece that comes from a different culture. Also, check out the work of Ngugi wa Thiong’o if you’re interested in African perspectives on fiction.
Albert has a practice course to help you with this novel.
37. Obasan by Joy Kogawa
Obason details the Japanese internment camps of World War II, an often under-represented piece of history. The story is told from the point of view of a young child.
Joy Kogawa displays her mastery of imagery in Obasan. This piece is rife with examples of figurative language. Referencing its language and/or its cultural significance can help you earn points on the exam.
38. Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? by Edward Albee
Albee challenges the traditional notions of success for both individuals and families in this play. This is one more work that comments on reality vs. fantasy.
The title itself is a reference to the “Big Bad Wolf,” and Virginia Woolf herself (though the play isn’t really about her at all.) This dark comedy-drama centers on the struggling marriage of its two, flawed main characters.
39. Wise Blood by Flannery O’Connor
O’Connor’s first novel, Wise Blood, deals with the crisis of faith in those who’ve seen war. The main character, Hazel Motes, returns home wounded from World World II to an empty house. Raised as the grandson of a preacher, he grew up conflicted with religion. War has turned him into a very vocal atheist.
Consider how O’Connor’s style affects the exploration of faith in Wise Blood.
40. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
If you enjoy dystopian science fiction, look no further! Brave New World takes place on Earth in the future where the entire planet is governed by just one government, the World State. The citizens of Earth are all genetically modified and sorted in a social hierarchy based on intelligence.
The novel has numerous allusions to Shakespeare- the title, Brave New World, is a quote from The Tempest. As you read, consider the impact of these allusions on the meaning of the story as a whole.
Wrapping Things Up: The Ultimate AP® English Literature Reading List
We hope this English literature book list will help you decide which books you want to use to prepare for the AP® exam. In beginning your study, keep these things in mind:
- You don’t need to read every book cover to cover. Familiarize yourself with important plots and characters from especially dense texts (like Moby Dick).
- Understand the AP® exam scoring guidelines, and how different literary works can earn you points in different areas.
- Choose books that interest you! You’ll have an easier time reading and remembering texts that you’re already motivated to read.
By reading and retaining as much information as possible before test day comes, you’re maximizing your odds of receiving the grades you want. Happy reading!
Remember to check out Albert’s How to Study for AP® English Literature for useful tips and skills!
Interested in a school license?
Popular posts.
AP® Score Calculators
Simulate how different MCQ and FRQ scores translate into AP® scores
AP® Review Guides
The ultimate review guides for AP® subjects to help you plan and structure your prep.
Literature Summaries
Quickly review popular literary works like The Great Gatsby and more
SAT® Score Calculator
See how scores on each section impacts your overall SAT® score
ACT® Score Calculator
See how scores on each section impacts your overall ACT® score
Grammar Review Hub
Comprehensive review of grammar skills
AP® Posters
Interested in a school license.
Bring Albert to your school and empower all teachers with the world's best question bank for: ➜ SAT® & ACT® ➜ AP® ➜ ELA, Math, Science, & Social Studies ➜ State assessments Options for teachers, schools, and districts.
IMAGES
VIDEO
COMMENTS
An AP Scholar with Distinction is a student who received an average score of 3.5 on all Advanced Placement exams taken and a score of 3 or higher on five or more exams. The AP Scholar program is a College Board recognition for high school s...
Is that a simile or metaphor? Is that a simile or metaphor? BuzzFeed Staff Can you beat your friends at this quiz? Challenge them to a trivia party!
What are the differences, and which should you take? Here's what you must know when choosing between AP English Literature and AP English Language and Composition. Advanced Placement (AP) Are you considering taking an AP English class at so...
AP SUMMER READING LIST 2020. PART 1: The lists below contain suggested titles for students taking AP Language and Composition. Over the.
Ap English Summer Reading List Books ; The Secret Sharer (Paperback) · Joseph Conrad ; Wuthering Heights (Paperback) · Emily Brontë ; The American (Mass Market
You must choose from the provided list. Write a fifteen-entry dialectical journal in response to this novel. Overall, you are required to read two books this
For example, AP English Literature and Composition might start you off with a reading list of great novels and plays. Make sure you complete these
Remember, you can choose any book you wish to read - it does not have to be on the list below.
What Books Do You Need to Read for the AP Exam? · A Midsummer Night's Dream, Shakespeare, play, 1605. Major themes and devices: magic, dreams
Classroom for summer reading. ... represented here have all appeared on the College Board's AP English Literature Exam.
Choose ONE NONFICTION book from the list at the end of the packet a. Read the article on annotation attached to this packet. b. Read and annotate, taking notes
Select and read a novel from the approved reading list. (See the end of this document) These are AP level novels that have “literary merit”. Dos and Don'
both essential for an AP English student. Your Task: -Read two books from the list below. These are all non-fiction books that explore different components
The Top 10 AP® English Literature Reading List · 1. Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison · 2. Great Expectations by Charles Dicken · 3. Wuthering Heights