It often happens that without strict guidance by the parents or someone close to a child, a fondness for reading is not often created. But Mortimer J. Adler one said, “Reading is a basic tool in the living of a good life. ” and that still holds truth today. I remember going to Europe two years ago, my mother being an English Professor my reading had extended beyond what most people can boast about and in amongst the highly educated people, I felt as though I had not read enough. I had from a young age read Tolstoy, Austen, Dickens - and yet that wasn’t enough to them. They spoke of famous Russian authors, French authors - authors I had not heard of.

It just shows that those who are truly highbrow take the time to read. Not because they have to but because it is a pleasure for them. Enriching their minds with more knowledge, more words, more stories - makes them a more qualified person.

We must therefore constantly strive to read more. Through reading we learn. If you have never picked up a book longer then 100 pages then this is the area in your life you need to improve on. Through reading (good books) you will find many situations that will help you in various aspects of your life. Being able to discuss a literary book with someone can create a connection that no other will.

So we’ve decided to give you a minimum reading list. We suggest that these books are bought (or taken out of the library) and read and during the months we’ll discuss the books with you, talking and making sense of all of these books, if you will.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy

Jane Eyre , Charlotte Brontë

Wuthering Heights , Emily Brontë

David Copperfield, Charles Dickens

The Great Gatsby, F Scott Fitzgerald

The Count of Monte Cristo, Alexandre Dumas

Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck

Anna Karenina (Oprah’s Book Club), Leo Tolstoy

And this is the minimum reading list, as we go on we’ll be giving a more advanced list of books that should have been read, what books can be read but not be accounted on for good literature. Please keep checking back to see us unravel these masterpieces!

For those of you who claim you cannot read because you cannot afford to buy the books - that is never an excuse. A few on the list are available (for free) at Project Gutenberg and if they are not, for a small fee you can borrow them from your library.