Reading Bucket List

1) The Catcher in the Rye- J.D. Salinger
This book was recommended to me by three members of my family, who all said Salinger should be required reading for high school students. My uncle, who is a professor of literature at University of Louisiana Lafayette, mentioned that it is surprisingly readable for a classic book. I plan to include it on the list of books on my scholarship application.

2) Going Bovine- Libba Bray
I read Libba Bray's Great and Terrible Beauty series in junior high and really enjoyed it, so I want to check this book out. It will probably be more of an easy read, but I think it looks a little more mature than some of her other books. It's categorized as a "dark comedy" and I enjoy some dark humor.


3) The French Lieutenant's Woman- John Fowles
I started to read this book when summer started, and I was enjoying it, but I got really busy with different summer camps and quit reading it a chapter or two in. I want to start it over and read the whole way through this time, because it was very interesting until I got sidetracked.

4) Paper Towns- John Green
I've only read one John Green book, "Will Grayson, Will Grayson," and I wasn't too crazy about it. But that one was co-written with another author and I've heard several different people say they absolutely love John Green's work, so I want to give him another try with a different book.

5) It- Stephen King
I want to read a horror novel to mix things up a bit. I've never read a Stephen King book, but I've seen a few of the movies and know that he definitely creates fascinating plots. I've never seen the movie "It," so I can read the book without knowing what happens already.

6) Franny and Zooey- JD Salinger
I have a copy of Franny and Zooey already that I've been meaning to read. Basically, I just like Salinger. I read a compilation of his short stories called "Nine Stories," and really enjoyed it. Salinger stories are enjoyable because he knows how to make his writing meaningful, yet still easily understood.

7) My Life- Bill Clinton
This is definitely one I want to put down on my college application. I also started this one several months ago and stopped reading because I got busy. However, I really admire Bill Clinton and he has lived a fascinating life, so I think I will enjoy his book once I can get into it.

8) The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time- Mark Haddon
This book caught my attention when we talked about it on the first day of school because I actually have two cousins on my dad's side with autism, and an aunt on my mom's side that specializes in communication with the autistic. So, I know a lot about it already and this sounds like a really interesting perspective of autism.

9) The Kite Runner- Khaled Hosseini
I probably know a lot less than I should about the many conflicts in the middle East, involving Afghanistan and the Taliban. However, the middle East is extremely relevant and important right now, so I think this book will be an interesting way to actually learn a little bit more about it.

10) Water for Elephants- Sara Gruen
This sounds like a pretty crazy plot, but the book caught my eye on the first day of school because I have heard so many people talk about it and say they loved it, teachers and students alike. I want to see the movie as well but I want to read the book first, because you should always read the book first before watching the movie of anything.