Marks256 said:
It has to be an American Author, though (so that rules out a lot of good books). I know that sucks, but it is and "American Literature" class...
Are you kidding? I'm going to have to start some kind of top ten list for you, or something. Here are some great ones, in no particular order:
1.
Farenheit 451, Ray Bradbury - Literature class getting you down? Vent your frustrations by reading this sci-fi dystopia that derives its title from the temperature at which books burn.
2.
Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test, Tom Wolfe - Sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll in the 1960s. Groovy, man!
3.
The Right Stuff, Tom Wolfe - An inspiring and well-researched narrative of America's first astronauts and the Mercury missions (and much more readable than Norman Mailer's accounts on a similar subject, in my opinion).
4.
Catcher in the Rye, J.D. Salinger - The original, archetypical definition of the disenchanted American teenager.
5.
Tropic of Capricorn, Henry Miller - The dirtiest book you might ever find on your school or public library shelf. Hey, they even made a Seinfeld episode about it!
6.
Winter of Our Discontent, John Steinbeck - My favourite by this author.
Grapes of Wrath and
East of Eden are also awesome, but long. For a quicker read, you might consider
Cannery Row or
Of Mice and Men.
7.
Little Women, Louisa May Alcott - The "chick-flick" of fiction, but still a great read almost 140 years since it was written. If you can read this book without crying, you're made of stone.
8.
Catch-22, Jospeh Heller - WWII historical fiction about the surreal nature of army life. Although I think the jury's still out on this, I believe Heller coined the title phrase. Given that you'll probably want to make that reference sometime in the future, you might as well find out what it's all about.
9.
On the Road, Jack Kerouac - Drugs, driving, and be-bop. Reading this book just might inspire you to take an adventurous road trip. Or just a trip.
10.
Slaughterhouse-Five, Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. - Sadly, this great author died just last year. This book will change your life, and strangely seems to be the number one choice of most American pop-culture icons when asked to cite their favourite.
Each of those books warrants pride in American literature. The only trouble I had making this list was trying to decide who to exclude. Even then, there are plenty that didn't make the list that are of equal value and interest. Let me know what you pick - I wouldn't mind an excuse to read any of those again, and I might be able to offer some tips if you have to write a paper.