As part of becoming a well-rounded adult, educating yourself with a good book is a good starting point. I’m going to talk about some books that I think you MUST READ before entering your college years.
A Christmas Carol
This book is about a grumpy old man, Ebenezer Scrooge, who is awakened by spirits on Christmas Eve. These spirits show Scrooge, from the outside looking in, the opportunities he wasted in his youth, his cruelties and simply his miserable existence and that a terrible fate awaits him if he does not change. He faces the last question: death or redemption?
Three different ghosts throughout the night visit Scrooge: the ghost of Christmas past, the ghost of the Christmas present, and the ghost of Christmas still. The Ghost of Christmas Past shows how happy he once was until his lust for money got in his way. The ghost of the Christmas present shows people’s lives today. And finally, the ghost of Christmas shows his destiny if his ways do not change.
This is a short story written to illustrate how the Christmas spirit inspires good and moral tendencies in people rather than selfish, greedy and immoral tendencies that we may face due to other factors in our lives. It also shows that anyone can redeem themselves from their darkest hour through appreciation and love.
If you don’t have a chance to read the book, familiarize yourself with the story. It has some life lessons everyone should know about!
Kill a Mockingbird
“To Kill a Mockingbird” is a story that describes the injustice and prejudice of Alabama in the 1930s through the childhood of Scout and Jem. In the novel, the small town of Maycomb, Alabama is divided; Blacks and whites, prevailing racism, and the ignorant and those who are not. When a black man is accused of raping a white woman, hell is broken and we see how the town handles the trial. Various events in the novel shaped their character and taught them about human nature.
This book is not only a classic, but it is also intense, captivating, and absolutely worth a visit! Who doesn’t like a story full of innocence, love, sympathy and history!
Farm
“Animal Farm” is about a dream in which animals have to live together without human beings to control and oppress them. Once your dream becomes a reality, everything starts to change. At first, the farm prospered and all the animals were happy. However, before long, power and greed took over the farm, causing the humans to attempt to escape the farm. In a sense, animals were becoming more and more like humans.
“Animal Farm” illustrates how social classes with a common enemy can be divided internally when their enemy is eliminated. Simply put, Animal Farm represents human society.
This is a quick read, but a fascinating story. Good for kids and adults!