Started by brisktiger56 · · 👁 15 views · 1.1K replies
…
Jessica Kelly4 said:Heh, I was wondering who would be the first one to bring that up. 🤣
Peter Doyle2 said:This is actually brilliant!!
Maybe I'll just write a fantasy novel, bait some religious leader into attacking me in the news, and boom—huge sales and millions in my pocket. Who knows, maybe I'll end up on the bestseller lists like Meyer 🙂
Linda Price5 said:I don't know. There were plenty of times I almost threw in the towel. 😁 I eventually decided to save myself the headache by just refusing to read the required school books—because let's face it, if it's mandatory reading, it's usually garbage.
And I suspect I missed out on quite a few great stories that I would have loved if they hadn't been forced upon me by some school district curriculum. Especially back in fourth grade.
Peter Doyle2 said:Does anyone know where I can find a current list of required reading? I'm mostly looking for high school level stuff. I'm curious if there's been any changes lately—it seems like everyone still talks about the exact same books, so maybe we're all just equally traumatized by them 🤣
brightpuma said:"Quote:"
Man, I’ve always been a fan of quotations, so finishing a required reading book was usually a breeze for me. But lately? For the last two years of high school, I’ve basically dodged my assignments whenever I could get away with it. On the flip side, I actually sat down and read *The Great Gatsby* when everyone else in class skipped it... only to get a C for my trouble. Makes you wonder, doesn't it? 🤦
"brightpuma" said:Maybe we should break it down. Like the Iliad or Dante's Inferno, you just can't tackle some of these books all at once. It’s impossible to read them in their entirety. Wouldn't it be better to trim down those massive doorstoppers and make room for some actually interesting stuff?
Look, I’m not saying everything should be based on some trendy, easy-to-read bestseller. But honestly? The sheer volume of books assigned for high school reading lists is just overkill. They're often dense, confusing, and frankly, boring. Most kids are just checking boxes and getting through them to get it over with. It feels totally pointless.
It would definitely help if professors actually gave us some guidance before we dive into a book. Like someone already mentioned, why not just provide some directions? Instead of forcing us through every single page of an entire novel, why not just focus on the most interesting, essential parts?
The general culture? It hasn't gone anywhere. Still right here. 😉 Kids aren't even frustrated. Honestly? If someone actually enjoys a single excerpt, maybe they'll end up finishing the whole book. But most people just give up before they even start, opting for quick internet summaries or cheat sheets instead.
"Quotation:"Fantasy, especially when you throw in the crowns and stuff like that... it just doesn't really sit right with the folks in those priest robes.
Seriously, why on earth does HP get so much hate from churches? 😲 So it's just Fantasy then? Wait, does that mean guys like George R.R. Martin or Tolkien are on the blacklist too?
"Quotation:"
That sounds fine. Personally? I only walked away with a C for reading something like that. 🙄
Quotation:Werther is easy. Faust makes you want to lose your mind. Not sure if you've tackled that one yet, but if you have, hats off to you. 🙏
Honestly, Goethe’s coded way of writing used to drive me crazy. Just hated it. I wanted to bash Werther on almost every other page.
pa I just powered through it, spat it out during my hourly breaks 😁 and ended up with an A.
Quotation:Well, Anna Karenina was actually tolerable. Especially considering what came after. The only thing worth reading back then was the Naturalism era (Madame Bovary), but after that, everything just went downhill.
It was the exact same deal with Anna Karenina. If you have a decent professor and books that get under your skin, you'll read them—then spend your lunch break arguing about why the characters were annoying or why the book is overrated.
brightpuma said:Maybe this?
Looking at this list, it seems like some things have shifted since I was in school. We actually moved a few books from junior year to senior year.
brisktiger56 said:I have no idea who wouldn't write that 😛
For you—and honestly, a lot of other believers—there’s just a massive amount of illogical stuff 😉 contradictions...
The most logical way this "scandal" works is if the church and the author sit down and hammer out the whole deal before a single word is even typed 😬. Once the book hits shelves, then comes the religious condemnation (basically a clever marketing spotlight) which triggers massive consumer interest—book lovers who go out and BUY everything from the books themselves to the toys, games, posters, DVD adaptations, and eventually the movie soundtrack that shares the book's title...
In the end, the profits flow to the author, the publisher, the government through taxes, and finally back to the church via state channels. Just like how the USA needs global terrorism to function, the church needs heretical literature. If it doesn't exist, they'll just manufacture it themselves 😛
Then you're just a victim of prejudice, pretty much like everyone else. Someone refuses to try octopus salad or salted herring, and someone else won't even pick up a book JUST because it was put on a school syllabus. Look, those books weren't ordered by the schools and they weren't written exclusively for kids... They get added to the curriculum much later on...
So, how am I supposed to explain that to kids?
Maybe we don't even need to overexplain things—maybe we just need to give them some actual choices so they can grab the books that actually resonate with them. Is there really anything wrong with our obsession with individualism? Required reading shouldn't be a chore; it could just be an extra lens to look through... you know, to help them get a better view of their own world.
brisktiger56 said:It’s pretty obvious that assigned reading is just a way to tank everyone's GPA.😉
It feels like the grading system is totally rigged—I mean, what if you have a different perspective? What if you find a book fundamentally flawed, or you notice some subtle detail that everyone else missed... instead of the teacher saying, "Wow, that’s actually a really interesting take," they just hit you with a C because you didn't follow the script.
The whole point of these books seems to be enforcing a single viewpoint—basically smoothing out any friction and crushing dissent to make sure everyone in the classroom arrives at the exact same conclusions.😉 Is that supposed to encourage critical thinking?
Peter Doyle2 said:Whoops😁 where's Kafka? 🤣
Some parts still feel a bit off to me, but if this is actually the current reading list, I see some improvements. 🙏
Though, it feels suspiciously short for high school seniors. No Cyclops? No way, I don't think they'd ever cut that. And Anna Karenina?
I honestly doubt this is the official list approved by the Department of Education.
brightpuma said:Maybe this?
Looking at this list, it seems like some things have shifted since I was in school. We actually moved a few books from junior year to senior year.
Jeffrey Kelly said:Perhaps it comes down to older professors in these scenarios. I experienced something similar—an older instructor with that exact style of grading. Mind you, I only ever received less than an A once in a language class (I didn't finish reading F. Latinović; I found the whole Ernest Hemingway opus nauseating), but once, I wrote a brilliant critique of a Paulo Coelho book, pulling certain lines together to weave an entire narrative... it’s hard to explain, mostly influenced by the philosophy we were studying at the time. Generally, my writing was top-tier; I could write enough material for several people, and usually, only those who read what I wrote would get an A, while everyone else failed... and imagine this: since the professor was a devout Catholic and very spiritually driven in that sense, she wrote a comment on my assignment longer than the essay itself... first saying how good it was, how imaginative, blah blah blah, BUT then she goes off on Coelho, calling him a cult leader and this and that...?! I was stunned... everyone watched my paper turn red with her corrections, yet she still gave me an A...
Back then, one student wrote a brilliant essay about an imaginary life where he became a criminal and ended up in prison, only to reappear from jail and so on... the kid was a legend, and that's exactly how he wrote it... such a creative idea, and a hilarious text; we were dying of laughter. The teacher praised him for being funny, but gave him a D—otherwise, she would have given him an F...?! We were all baffled, and she just claimed it was because he wrote about becoming a criminal and such... 😂🙂🙂
If I were the teacher, I wouldn't have given him a passing grade; I would have given him a trillion!
Our younger generations certainly view things through a different lens...
rowdypanther12 said:I can't quite agree with that; I honestly think everyone should pick up at least one or two books from every literary era, especially the major ones.
then, if you really want to boost your grade—say, if your GPA isn't exactly where you want it—you could dive into something like *The Scarlet Letter*.
Personally, I used to get so frustrated with Goethe and his cryptic way of writing. It drove me crazy. I felt like I had to force my way through *The Sorrows of Young Werther* just to get past every other page.
So, I powered through it, hated every second of it while reading 😁 and still managed to pull an A.
It’s the same deal with *Anna Karenina*. If you have a decent professor and some books that just rub you the wrong way, you'll end up reading them anyway, just so you can spend class time arguing about why the characters were so annoying or why the book is overrated.
Susan James said:Actually, I've been wanting to mention this for a few days now.
I don't see any issue with books being "uninteresting." The real problem lies with bad teachers and the mindset that required reading is just a chore or a waste of time (and honestly, parents play a part in that too by encouraging that attitude instead of helping, regardless of their own "school trauma" regarding assigned books).
I think it's vital to read as much as possible, to talk about what we read, and to ensure we don't all share the exact same opinion or taste.
Or, at the very least, to stay informed about different works.
Unlike a religion class where everyone is expected to read the same thing, think the same thing, and preach the same view, an American English class should be a place where students feel free to express whether they liked or disliked what they read.
In my experience with literature (both in middle school and high school), it really was a space where I could voice my own thoughts on a book.
Whether I was in the majority or the minority, I could defend my take.
While reading might help kids fall in love with literature, it shouldn't be forced solely through assigned reading.
Definitely not just through the syllabus.
That kind of love starts early—from having books available at home, to seeing Mom, Dad, Grandma, or Grandpa picking up a book. It's about how children see adults treating books, visiting the local library, buying books for themselves or others, and talking about them with people.
No matter who puts together the reading list, they'll never satisfy everyone's taste.
But it's up to the teachers to let every student express what they truly think.
Linda Price5 said:But the purpose of the school system should be to ensure that even a kid like little Matthew—whose uncle works as a floor installer and whose mother only finished eighth grade—actually stands a chance.
A truly functional educational system is one that levels the playing field, regardless of whether your parents are intellectuals hosting salons for the literary elite or working-class folks just trying to scrape by through a grueling twenty-four-hour grind.
Jessica Kelly4 said:The Voice of the Council actually ran a totally fine, positive piece on Harry Potter.
But there's always some idiot out there. No doubt about it. 🤷
I know those types personally—I shut them down immediately. 🙂
brisktiger56 said:I have no idea who wouldn't write that 😛
For you—and honestly, a lot of other believers—there’s just a massive amount of illogical stuff 😉 contradictions...
The most logical way this "scandal" works is if the church and the author sit down and hammer out the whole deal before a single word is even typed 😬. Once the book hits shelves, then comes the religious condemnation (basically a clever marketing spotlight) which triggers massive consumer interest—book lovers who go out and BUY everything from the books themselves to the toys, games, posters, DVD adaptations, and eventually the movie soundtrack that shares the book's title...
In the end, the profits flow to the author, the publisher, the government through taxes, and finally back to the church via state channels. Just like how the USA needs global terrorism to function, the church needs heretical literature. If it doesn't exist, they'll just manufacture it themselves 😛
Then you're just a victim of prejudice, pretty much like everyone else. Someone refuses to try octopus salad or salted herring, and someone else won't even pick up a book JUST because it was put on a school syllabus. Look, those books weren't ordered by the schools and they weren't written exclusively for kids... They get added to the curriculum much later on...
So, how am I supposed to explain that to kids?
Maybe we don't even need to overexplain things—maybe we just need to give them some actual choices so they can grab the books that actually resonate with them. Is there really anything wrong with our obsession with individualism? Required reading shouldn't be a chore; it could just be an extra lens to look through... you know, to help them get a better view of their own world.
brisktiger56 said:What kind of "shot" are we talking about here?
A chance to read?
Anyone can learn to read, and books are everywhere—the real issue is the environment they’re raised in at home, isn't it?
brisktiger56 said:What kind of "shot" are we talking about here?
A chance to read?
Anyone can learn to read, and books are everywhere—the real issue is the environment they’re raised in at home, isn't it?
Anyone can read, and books are readily available to kids—the issue lies primarily within the family dynamic, doesn't it?
rowdypanther12 said:I can't quite agree with that; I honestly think everyone should pick up at least one or two books from every literary era, especially the major ones.
then, if you really want to boost your grade—say, if your GPA isn't exactly where you want it—you could dive into something like *The Scarlet Letter*.
Personally, I used to get so frustrated with Goethe and his cryptic way of writing. It drove me crazy. I felt like I had to force my way through *The Sorrows of Young Werther* just to get past every other page.
So, I powered through it, hated every second of it while reading 😁 and still managed to pull an A.
It’s the same deal with *Anna Karenina*. If you have a decent professor and some books that just rub you the wrong way, you'll end up reading them anyway, just so you can spend class time arguing about why the characters were so annoying or why the book is overrated.
brightpuma said:"Quote:"
Man, I’ve always been a fan of quotations, so finishing a required reading book was usually a breeze for me. But lately? For the last two years of high school, I’ve basically dodged my assignments whenever I could get away with it. On the flip side, I actually sat down and read *The Great Gatsby* when everyone else in class skipped it... only to get a C for my trouble. Makes you wonder, doesn't it? 🤦
"brightpuma" said:Maybe we should break it down. Like the Iliad or Dante's Inferno, you just can't tackle some of these books all at once. It’s impossible to read them in their entirety. Wouldn't it be better to trim down those massive doorstoppers and make room for some actually interesting stuff?
Look, I’m not saying everything should be based on some trendy, easy-to-read bestseller. But honestly? The sheer volume of books assigned for high school reading lists is just overkill. They're often dense, confusing, and frankly, boring. Most kids are just checking boxes and getting through them to get it over with. It feels totally pointless.
It would definitely help if professors actually gave us some guidance before we dive into a book. Like someone already mentioned, why not just provide some directions? Instead of forcing us through every single page of an entire novel, why not just focus on the most interesting, essential parts?
The general culture? It hasn't gone anywhere. Still right here. 😉 Kids aren't even frustrated. Honestly? If someone actually enjoys a single excerpt, maybe they'll end up finishing the whole book. But most people just give up before they even start, opting for quick internet summaries or cheat sheets instead.
"Quotation:"Fantasy, especially when you throw in the crowns and stuff like that... it just doesn't really sit right with the folks in those priest robes.
Seriously, why on earth does HP get so much hate from churches? 😲 So it's just Fantasy then? Wait, does that mean guys like George R.R. Martin or Tolkien are on the blacklist too?
"Quotation:"
That sounds fine. Personally? I only walked away with a C for reading something like that. 🙄
Quotation:Werther is easy. Faust makes you want to lose your mind. Not sure if you've tackled that one yet, but if you have, hats off to you. 🙏
Honestly, Goethe’s coded way of writing used to drive me crazy. Just hated it. I wanted to bash Werther on almost every other page.
pa I just powered through it, spat it out during my hourly breaks 😁 and ended up with an A.
Quotation:Well, Anna Karenina was actually tolerable. Especially considering what came after. The only thing worth reading back then was the Naturalism era (Madame Bovary), but after that, everything just went downhill.
It was the exact same deal with Anna Karenina. If you have a decent professor and books that get under your skin, you'll read them—then spend your lunch break arguing about why the characters were annoying or why the book is overrated.
brightpuma said:"Quote:"
Man, I’ve always been a fan of quotations, so finishing a required reading book was usually a breeze for me. But lately? For the last two years of high school, I’ve basically dodged my assignments whenever I could get away with it. On the flip side, I actually sat down and read *The Great Gatsby* when everyone else in class skipped it... only to get a C for my trouble. Makes you wonder, doesn't it? 🤦
"brightpuma" said:Maybe we should break it down. Like the Iliad or Dante's Inferno, you just can't tackle some of these books all at once. It’s impossible to read them in their entirety. Wouldn't it be better to trim down those massive doorstoppers and make room for some actually interesting stuff?
Look, I’m not saying everything should be based on some trendy, easy-to-read bestseller. But honestly? The sheer volume of books assigned for high school reading lists is just overkill. They're often dense, confusing, and frankly, boring. Most kids are just checking boxes and getting through them to get it over with. It feels totally pointless.
It would definitely help if professors actually gave us some guidance before we dive into a book. Like someone already mentioned, why not just provide some directions? Instead of forcing us through every single page of an entire novel, why not just focus on the most interesting, essential parts?
The general culture? It hasn't gone anywhere. Still right here. 😉 Kids aren't even frustrated. Honestly? If someone actually enjoys a single excerpt, maybe they'll end up finishing the whole book. But most people just give up before they even start, opting for quick internet summaries or cheat sheets instead.
"Quotation:"Fantasy, especially when you throw in the crowns and stuff like that... it just doesn't really sit right with the folks in those priest robes.
Seriously, why on earth does HP get so much hate from churches? 😲 So it's just Fantasy then? Wait, does that mean guys like George R.R. Martin or Tolkien are on the blacklist too?
"Quotation:"
That sounds fine. Personally? I only walked away with a C for reading something like that. 🙄
Quotation:Werther is easy. Faust makes you want to lose your mind. Not sure if you've tackled that one yet, but if you have, hats off to you. 🙏
Honestly, Goethe’s coded way of writing used to drive me crazy. Just hated it. I wanted to bash Werther on almost every other page.
pa I just powered through it, spat it out during my hourly breaks 😁 and ended up with an A.
Quotation:Well, Anna Karenina was actually tolerable. Especially considering what came after. The only thing worth reading back then was the Naturalism era (Madame Bovary), but after that, everything just went downhill.
It was the exact same deal with Anna Karenina. If you have a decent professor and books that get under your skin, you'll read them—then spend your lunch break arguing about why the characters were annoying or why the book is overrated.
Susan James said:Actually, I've been wanting to mention this for a few days now.
I don't see any issue with books being "uninteresting." The real problem lies with bad teachers and the mindset that required reading is just a chore or a waste of time (and honestly, parents play a part in that too by encouraging that attitude instead of helping, regardless of their own "school trauma" regarding assigned books).
I think it's vital to read as much as possible, to talk about what we read, and to ensure we don't all share the exact same opinion or taste.
Or, at the very least, to stay informed about different works.
Unlike a religion class where everyone is expected to read the same thing, think the same thing, and preach the same view, an American English class should be a place where students feel free to express whether they liked or disliked what they read.
In my experience with literature (both in middle school and high school), it really was a space where I could voice my own thoughts on a book.
Whether I was in the majority or the minority, I could defend my take.
While reading might help kids fall in love with literature, it shouldn't be forced solely through assigned reading.
Definitely not just through the syllabus.
That kind of love starts early—from having books available at home, to seeing Mom, Dad, Grandma, or Grandpa picking up a book. It's about how children see adults treating books, visiting the local library, buying books for themselves or others, and talking about them with people.
No matter who puts together the reading list, they'll never satisfy everyone's taste.
But it's up to the teachers to let every student express what they truly think.
Linda Price5 said:To become literate.Anyone can read, and books are readily available to kids—the issue lies primarily within the family dynamic, doesn't it?
If we assume the issue is strictly rooted in the home environment, then we might as well scrap the entire public school system. After all, they’d be largely redundant if intellectuals simply educate their own children, while carpenters do the same—just in a different direction—and call it a day. 😁
I maintain that a robust educational system should account for a student's social habitus and provide a genuine opportunity for high-quality learning. For instance, in Finland, the correlation between parental reading habits and a fifteen-year-old's literacy levels is remarkably slim; in other places, it is overwhelmingly significant. A teenager who lacks the capacity to grasp even a relatively straightforward piece of prose—a situation affecting roughly one-fifth of American fifteen-year-olds—will find virtually no value in any assigned reading material.
Our classrooms are filled with students who simply cannot read. Someone struggling through the works of družba prati kvržica at a pace of barely a hundred words per minute isn't suffering from a lack of access to books; they're suffering from a lack of fundamental skill.