It’s summer time, and that means it’s hot outside. If you’re looking for a way to escape the stifling heat, grabbing a good book just might be the right option for you! Whether you are interested in strengthening your English skills or learning more about American culture and history, these American classics are perfect options for your summer reading list.
The Great Gatsby
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Step out of a time machine and into the American Roaring Twenties. This novel, written in 1925 by F. Scott Fitzgerald, is considered one of the best American novels of all time. The story covers the glitter and glam of 1920s New York and exposes the dark side of wealth, love, and power. The novel follows a modest protagonist who lives next door to his mysterious and affluent neighbor, Jay Gatsby. How did Mr. Gatsby make his money? Where did he come from? And why does he throw the biggest parties New York has ever seen every weekend? Read to find out.
Intensity: This novel was written in the early 20th century, so there is advanced and outdated vocabulary in the novel. A bonus to the novel is that it is very descriptive and it gives the reader a chance to learn many new adjectives.
“So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.”
To Kill a Mockingbird
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Widely called a masterpiece of American literature, To Kill a Mockingbird was written by Harper Lee in 1960 during the rise of the Civil Rights Movement. This novel follows a young girl, nicknamed Scout, in a Southern town that is the setting for a vile crime. After a young woman accuses an African American man of the crime, it is up to Scout’s father to defend him in court. The novel explores human behavior and one’s capacity for violence and racism. While the book’s theme is heavy, it contains wonderful characters and meaningful life lessons.
Intensity: The novel is written from a child’s perspective. There are purposeful grammatical errors in the novel. For advanced English speakers, reading through the novel and being able to identify these errors would be great practice. Other than the grammatical errors, the writing is simple and would not be too intense for beginner to intermediate English speakers.
“You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view... Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.”
Of Mice and Men
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Follow the story of two farm-hands during the Great Depression as they try to make a living for themselves. This short novel, only 100 pages, was written by John Steinbeck in 1937 and became an American classic instantly. Compared to the other novels on this list, Of Mice and Men might be particularly hard to read because of its use of historical slang, but it provides good insight into life during the Great Depression in America, as well as the lingo used during that time. Take the challenge and read the short novel that is still influential for American students and readers today.
Intensity: This book, much like the previous novel, includes purposeful grammatical errors. For advanced English speakers, it might be helpful to read through and identify the errors for practice. For beginning to intermediate speakers, this novel may be hard to read. Slang is frequently used and spelling/grammatical errors are very common for historical realism.
“Maybe everybody in the whole damn world is scared of each other.”
The Old Man and the Sea
Photo: Simon & Schuster
This is another short novel (only 96 pages) that explores the story of an old man who gets lost at sea. The author, Ernest Hemingway, wrote the novel in 1952. The story follows an old Cuban man who goes out to sea one day to catch fish. One day, he manages to hook a giant Marlin that he follows for days, leading him to get lost at sea. This short story explores the themes of honor, struggle, and defeat, and serves as a short and sweet story with strong lessons.
Intensity: The intensity of the novel is low. The story is told mainly through simple sentences and with simple words. For beginning to intermediate English speakers, this novel would not be too difficult to read.
““But man is not made for defeat,” he said. “A man can be destroyed but not defeated.””
Vocabulary list:
Stifling (adj.) — unbearably hot; very hot or heavy
“Roaring Twenties” (n.) — a time period in American history from 1920-1929 where the economy was successful and people were enjoying post-war peace
“Glitter and Glam” (idiom) — a phrase used to describe something fancy
Modest (adj.) — someone or something who is reserved or doesn’t brag about what they have. It also can refer to someone who lives simply, or to something that is simple
Affluent (adj.) — wealthy or rich
Masterpiece (n.) — the perfect form or edition of something; it could not be better
Nickname (n.) — a name given to someone by another person; a pet name; usually affectionate.
Vile (adj.) — horrible or disgusting
Capacity (n.) — the ability to do something
Wonderful (adj.) — very good or pleasing
“Farm-hand” (n.) — someone who works on a farm
Insight (n.) — a look into something. A perspective
Lingo (n.) — another word for slang/word usage
Slag (n.) — unofficial and informal language or words people use
“Historical realism” (n.) — staying true to historical facts
Marlin (n.) — a type of fish characterized by its long, sharp bill
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Amber Breese is a third-year student at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida pursuing a double major in History and Political Science with a minor in Russian language. She is currently working on her post-graduation plans which include joining the Peace Corps to work with youth in Ukraine. In her free time, you can find her reading, exploring her city, or watching films. She aims to work in public diplomacy, travel far and wide, and eventually own her own sustainable farm.