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Reading Changes your Brain, let me explain.

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Reading Changes your Brain, let me explain.

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Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson (Book Summary) - Minute Book Report

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Robinson Crusoe  | Summary & Analysis | Daniel Defoe

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Why is Reading Important for Children? | Developmental Effects

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Why is Reading Important for Children? | Developmental Effects

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Reading has numerous benefits for children, including a positive effect on development. Find out why it is important & how you can incorporate it here.

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14 Children's Books that Teach Life-Changing Lessons | True Education Partnerships

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Whether you're a parent, teacher or student, reading has been shown to have countless benefits for both the brain and the soul.

From tucking your youngsters in at night with a bedtime story, to studying literature in English class, stories are an important tool that open the door to so many other aspects of life-changing education.

We've compiled a list of some of the best children's books that teach a valuable lesson or share a profound nugget of wisdom. (Many of them were actually chosen by our very own staff at TEP!)

From toddlers to teenagers, here are the best life-changing children's books worth reading.

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14 Children's Books that Teach Life-Changing Lessons | True Education Partnerships

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Whether you're a parent, teacher or student, reading has been shown to have countless benefits for both the brain and the soul. From tucking your youngsters in at night with a bedtime story, to studying literature in English class, stories are an important tool that open the door to so many other aspects of life-changing education.

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In this English article, learn how to identify themes in a wide range of stories.

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103 Things to Do Before, During, or After Reading

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103 Things to Do Before, During, or After Reading

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This article offers a collection of interactive activities that help kids become more involved in the stories that they read.

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13 Fun Reading Activities for ANY BOOK | ANY STUDENT | OPEN ENDED

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125 Text Response ACTIVITIES, Games, Projects for ANY BOOK

This massive collection of ☀️ READING ACTIVITIES☀️ covers all essential reading skills for elementary/primary students. NO PREP REQUIRED! Works with all text and media types.

Thousands of teachers have adopted this as a GO-TO RESOURCE for independent and group tasks.

A Lifetime Tale in Pictures READING TASK

Draw the main character from a book you have recently read. Show them as a baby, middle-aged and an older person.

Underneath each picture, write what you think they might be doing at that point in their life, and explain why they may be doing so.

For example, if you drew Harry Potter as a baby, he might cast spells on his mum to feed him lots of yummy food.

Post-reading activities like this are accessible for all age groups to adapt their skill level and text style.

If you want to learn more about characters, read our complete guide here.

TEXT TO SELF-READING TASK

Based upon a book you have just read, share a story about yourself related to an event or character in the book.

It is probably best done in the form of a written recount. Link your experience to no more than four situations that occurred within the text.

Text to self is an excellent opportunity for students to become introspective about the content they read and compare it to their own life experiences.

This activity is appealing to teenagers more so than juniors.

Dear Diary, READING TASK

Place yourself in the shoes of one of the characters you have just read about and write a diary entry of a critical moment from the story.

Try to choose a moment in the story where the character has plenty of interaction and emotion to share in a diary entry.

Your diary entry should be around a page long and contain information you learned from the book when the character was in that specific place and time.

Remember, when writing a diary entry, you are writing it from a first-person perspective. It is usually but not always written in the present tense.

Diary writing has been a very popular activity throughout time, but social media tools such as Facebook and blogging have in some ways changed this.

Mapping it all out, READING TASK

How do you make reading lessons fun? This reading activity answers that question confidently.

Have a go at drawing a map of one of the places from the text you have just read. See how much detail you can include, and be sure to discuss your map with another reader so you can compare and add more if necessary.

Take some time and effort to ensure your map appeals to the same audience the book aims at.

All good maps should contain the following BOLTS elements.

B - Bolts

O - Orientation

L - Legend

T- Title

S - Scale

You're Hired READING TASK

Select a character from a book and consider what might be an excellent job for them. You can choose something entirely suitable such as a security guard job for Superman or a more oddball approach, such as a pastry chef.

Either way, you will have to write a letter from this character's perspective and apply for a position.

Be sure to explain why your character would be a great employee and what special skills they would possess to make them ideal for the role. Sell your character by explaining all the great attributes they possess.

Thinking Differently READING TASK

Choose three important events from the text and explain how you would have handled them differently from the characters in the story.

Explain how it may have changed the story's outcome in either a minor or significant way.

Be insightful here and think of the cause and effect. Sometimes your smallest action can have a significant impact on others.

A COMPLETE DIGITAL READING UNIT FOR STUDENTS

Over 30 engaging activities for students to complete BEFORE, DURING and AFTER reading ANY BOOK

Compatible with all devices and digital platforms, including GOOGLE CLASSROOM.

Fun, Engaging, Open-Ended INDEPENDENT tasks.

20+ 5-Star Ratings ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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13 Fun Reading Activities for ANY BOOK | ANY STUDENT | OPEN ENDED

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Open ended Reading activities: Awesome reading tasks and reading hands on activities for any book or age group. Fiction and Non-Fiction.

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WUTHERING HEIGHTS BY EMILY BRONTE // ANIMATED BOOK SUMMARY

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How to become 37.78 times better at anything | Atomic Habits summary (by James Clear)

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THE 5AM CLUB by Robin Sharma – Animated Book Summary

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Video SparkNotes: William Golding's Lord of the Flies summary

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the great gatsby free online study guide

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The Great Gatsby: Video Plot Summary | SparkNotes

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Need to read The Great Gatsby but only have 10 minutes? Watch our helpful video summary of The Great Gatsby here, then check out our study guide for more resources.

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Host a Classroom Book Tasting! - Teaching with a Mountain View

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I hosted my very first classroom Book Tasting yesterday, and my students were ALL IN! Book Tastings are a wonderful way to get kids engaged in reading and familiarizing them with a wide variety of genres. As an extra bonus, they get to practice Read to Self and find good fit books. At the end of the tasting, they all end up with a list of books that they can't wait to read. No more, "I don't know what to read!" excuses when we head to the library!
File this under lessons that must be repeated multiple times throughout the year!
This was BY FAR my favorite lesson that I've done so far this year!

To prepare for my book tasting, I met with our librarian and we selected 8-10 books at my students' reading levels per genre. We are so lucky to have a HUGE library with a VAST assortment of books! Then, I headed to the Dollar Tree and bought all of their blue and green placemats! I also grabbed a few snacks for the students to have a "taste" of while they took a "taste" of their books.

As I was planning my Book Tasting, the fabulous Joanne from Head Over Heels for Teaching created an amazing Book Tasting Resource! PERFECT TIMING! The Book Tasting Menus that the students recorded on as well as the genre labels came from the pack! My extra placements (Dollar Tree only had 20!) also came from her packet!

Here is how I set up my book tasting:

I set up six different tables. Each table was for a specific genre. I placed a placement, a menu, and a plate at each seat. Then, I put one book on each plate and a few extra books in the middle of the table. I put the genre sign in the middle. Than, I put on an apron, and I played some cafe music. I also put little bowls of snacks on the table, but the kids didn't get to taste those. More on the snacks later!

When the students arrived, I explained that they were now dining at Chef Montero's, and I had prepared a very special dining experience for them. They, the Distinguished Diners at Chef Montero's, would be getting a taste of all kinds of new books! I REALLY played it up, acting like I was a chef/server, and they were guests at a nice restaurant. They even had to use their manners and act like dinner guests!

Menus and Selection

They were all seated at a table and grabbed their menus. I gave them about a minute to look at the book on their plate. If they truly weren't interested in it AT ALL, they could trade out their book for one of the books in the middle of the table. Most kids did not trade.

Then, they began writing in their menus the genre, title, and first impressions of the book.

After that, they had about 3-4 minutes to "taste" their book. During this time, they were reading several pages out of their book. While they were doing this, I walked around and served tiny tastes of several of my very special creations. I got a little silly during this part, coming up with gourmet names for all of the little treats I served them. Their favorite treat was the Rainbow Beans (AKA Skittles). They got a tiny taste of something during each course at a different table. We have a strict "Safe Snack" list, so I served Fruit Snacks (2), Oreos (1), Skittles (2), Pretzel Sticks (a few), and Teddy Grahams (2). They thought it was hilarious that they were getting such small portions of their snacks, but I reminded them that this was only a tasting! 🙂 They LOVED how into my character I got.

After Their Book Tasting

Once they had done their tasting of the book, they filled out the rest of their menu, explaining whether or not they wanted to keep reading and why. They also rated each book on a scale of 1-10.

Then, they reset their tables nicely, took their menus with them, and took a seat at another genre table. I had six tables, and we made five rotations. In total, it took us about an hour to do our book tasting.

We had a BLAST doing our book tasting! They loved it so much that they begged to do another one tomorrow! I promised them that we would do another one later on this year once they have had time to read some of the new books on their "Must Read" list.

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Host a Classroom Book Tasting! - Teaching with a Mountain View

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I hosted my very first classroom Book Tasting yesterday, and my students were ALL IN! Book Tastings are a wonderful way to get kids engaged in reading and familiarizing them with a wide variety of genres. As an extra bonus, they get to practice Read to Self and find good fit books.

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Literature has depicted, commented on, and helped shape the world as we know it today. Filled with everything from classic love stories and tales of heroism to contemporary criticisms on changes in society and dystopian tales - there are a wealth of exciting and nail-biting stories to read out there. One of the most difficult decisions can be to decide which ones to read!

For students, especially those studying creative subjects, it can be hard to find the time or inspiration to read novels other than those on their syllabus. It comes as no surprise that English Literature students need to be well-read, and if you wish to study this subject at university, this is something that will be looked at during university interview questions. While it's good to discuss books you may have studied in your A-Level class, it's more important to demonstrate your initiative to have read further afield and explored some of the other prominent texts of Literature's history.

Whether you're planning to study English Literature or just want to reminisce about your days back at school, be inspired with our list of 15 classic books to read. The list is by no means exhaustive, but it should just give you the inspiration you need to start exploring some new authors. You never know, perhaps you may just find yourself a new favourite novel!

1. The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald
"In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I've been turning over in my mind ever since. 'Whenever you feel like criticizing any one,' he told me, 'just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had.'"
Published in 1925, The Great Gatsby has long been considered a classic novel to read, and often ranks among the top pieces of fiction of all time.

The tale follows Jay Gatsby, a man who lives his life in chasing for his one desire: to be reunited with his one true love, Daisy Buchanan - a love he lost five years before we meet him at the start of the novel. During his quest for love, Gatsby - unsurprisingly - faces many peaks and lows, including a journey from poverty to wealth; from love to heartache, and ultimately, to tragedy.

Capturing a cross-section of American society at the time, Fitzgerald's novel explores themes around class, gender, and unsurprisingly, of triumph and tragedy. Students will enjoy having detailed discussions and learning more about the decline of the 1920s, prohibition, and other social issues of the time, while dissecting how Fitzgerald cleverly uses recurring symbols to best reflect the characters' thoughts and feelings around these contexts.

2. The Picture of Dorian Gray, by Oscar Wilde
"Experience is merely the name men gave to their mistakes."
Set in London in the late 19th Century, The Picture of Dorian Gray is an important examination of class, perspective, and the purpose of art - which was a noticeable talking point for society at the time.

At the start of the novel, we meet three central characters: when talented painter Basil Hallward and his close friend Lord Henry Wotton are discussing the subject of Hallward's latest portrait: a charming and captivating young man named Dorian Gray. Impressed by the painting and the apparent buoyant and innocent nature of Dorian Gray, Lord Henry asks Hallward if he can meet him.

Despite his initial hesitancy, Hallward introduces Dorian to Lord Henry, who, after a few hours in his company, totally transforms his perspective on the world - instead of innocence and gratitude, he begins to see life as Lord Henry does, as a succession of pleasures, irrelevant of good and evil. What ensues is a life full of thrill-seeking and impulsive decision-making, which ultimately, leads to Dorian's downfall.

For students, The Picture of Dorian Gray offers so many interesting points of discussion, including the superficial nature of societies and the negative consequences that influence can have. As such, it's quite rightly earned itself recognition as one of the must-read books for English Literature students.

3. Wuthering Heights, by Emily Brontë
"If all else perished, and he remained, I should still continue to be; and if all else remained, and he were annihilated, the universe would turn to a mighty stranger."
It would be impossible not to include Wuthering Heights on a list of must-read books for English Literature students. In fact, it wouldn't be surprising if you have already studied or at least heard of Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights, as it's a popular text selected for those studying English Literature at GCSE and A-Level.

The story is one of love and revenge, which revolves around those who live in the desolate farmhouse, named 'Wuthering Heights.' Mainly, it centres around Heathcliff, an orphan boy, and Catherine, who are both raised at the property. Despite the difference in their social positions, they eventually fall in love. However, what follows is a story of heartache; with Catherine choosing to marry a wealthy neighbour named Edgar Linton and Heathcliff leaving Wuthering Heights.

We follow the pair over the years, including some traumatic events within the family which prompt Heathcliff to act vengeful towards those who destroyed his and Catherine's young romance.

4. 1984, by George Orwell
"Don't you see that the whole aim of Newspeak is to narrow the range of thought? In the end we shall make thoughtcrime literally impossible, because there will be no words in which to express it."
No matter who you ask, 1984 will always rank as one of the best books for English Literature students to read during their studies. Exploring themes of totalitarianism, dictatorship, and mass media control, it offers plenty of interesting themes for discussion and debate.

This dystopian novel is considered one of the greatest works of art by writer George Orwell, who is famous for other works including Animal Farm. Published in 1949, follows the life of Winston Smith - a low-ranking member of 'the Party,' a new societal group overlooked by the ruler 'Big Brother.'

In this classic, we learn that 'Big Brother' controls every aspect of people's lives. From choosing what its residents read, speak, say and do, cameras circulate everywhere to monitor the residents' every action. The language 'Newspeak' is created in an attempt to completely eliminate any possibility of political rebellion, with 'Thoughtcrimes' created as a way to stop people even thinking about things which are considered rebellious.

5. Great Expectations, by Charles Dickens
"Suffering has been stronger than all other teaching, and has taught me to understand what your heart used to be. I have been bent and broken, but - I hope - into a better shape."
As one of the greatest coming-of-age stories ever told, Charles Dickens' Great Expectations had to be the one novel of his included on our list of classic books to read, thanks to its wit, carefully crafted language, and unique tales.

The story follows the tale of Pip, an orphan who learns a valuable lesson in life after a sudden change in wealth is granted to him from a secret benefactor. However, what follows is a tale of learning and understanding our morals.

In his own greed and selfishness, Pip drives away those who have ever loved him, losing touch with the man he once was. Along the way, he meets many colourful characters, including the eccentric Miss Havisham, an old lady who had been left at the altar many years ago, and has refused to move on from the past. In a sad, but poignant message, Dickens depicts an image of her wedding cake, which still sits on the table, covered in mould, but reminds us to reflect on how our actions affect others.

6. The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini
"Not a word passes between us, not because we have nothing to say, but because we don't have to say anything."
The Kite Runner is one of the newest on our list of best books for English Literature students, but it's still considered one of the greatest classic novels.

Written in 2003, The Kite Runner is a stellar example of postcolonial literature. This important novella explores the devastating legacy which is left behind after the effects of an empire. Told from the perspective of a young Afghan boy named Amir, we begin in the year 1985, when twelve-year-old Amir is trying to win the local kite-fighting tournament with his friend Hassan.

However, the events that unfold that day are nothing that either of the boys foresee; the Soviet military invades their country and changes their lives forever. In an attempt to save their lives, Amir's family flee to America. However after a considerable amount of time in America, Amir decides that one day he must return to Afghanistan while under Taliban rule to find the one thing that his new life cannot give him: redemption.

7. Emma, by Jane Austen
"Nobody, who has not been in the interior of a family, can say what the difficulties of any individual of that family may be."
For those who have never read a Jane Austen novel before, Emma is the perfect start - a funny, romantic, and easy-to-read novel. Set in the early 19th Century, the novel centres on Emma Woodhouse, a precocious young woman whose misplaced confidence in her ability to matchmake others leads to several romantic misadventures of her own.

Jane Austen's Emma recently rose to fame once again when the blockbuster film hit our screens in 2020. However, Emma has long been hotly contested as the best work by Jane Austen and rightly earned itself on the list as one of the classic books to read for literature students. It's also starred in other adaptations, including Gwyneth Paltrow's Emma, and the 1995 film Clueless, which surrounds the lives of the 'handsome, clever, and rich," with the modernised lead character Cher Horowitz, playing matchmaker at her high school.

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

*"The board is set, the pieces are moving. We come to it at last, the great battle of our time." *

Having studied at Exeter College in Oxford, J. R. R. Tolkien was one of the original members of "The Inklings," a notable group of budding writers, including C. S. Lewis, who met for conversation, drinks, and readings from their works-in-progress. Taking inspiration from his almighty circle of companions, his works have gone on to earn him international fame and have had him considered one of the greatest writers ever.

In particular, his collection of books, The Lord of the Rings are his best-known collection of work. Not read the series? Then you must have almost certainly seen or at least heard about the epic three-part movie adaptation of the original books written by Tolkien. However, as great as movies are, they're often never as well-received as the original book.

To summarise, in the novels we follow the protagonist and Hobbit, Frodo, who has to undertake a terrifying and dangerous mission to the Dark Land of Mordor to destroy the powerful 'One Ring' - a weapon so powerful it can corrupt everyone who comes under its power. As simple as the plot may sound, you'll find yourself lost in the magnificent details of the 1137 page trilogy, with quirky characters, intricately-detailed worlds, and rich backstories immersing you in this truly fantastical world that Tolkien has created. It's a must-read for anyone wanting to understand how to master the craft of writing, including those interested in pursuing Creative Writing themselves in the future.

9. To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee
"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."
Set in the 1930s in the small and sleepy town of Maycomb, Alabama, To Kill a Mockingbird is narrated by Scout Finch, a six-year-old tomboy who lives with her ten-year-old brother, Jem, her father Atticus - who is a lawyer in the local community.

Exploring complex themes such as civil rights and racism in the segregated southern United States in the early 20th Century, we follow a case Atticus is working on, who is striving to prove the innocence of a black man who has been unjustly accused of a crime he hasn't committed. Through the eyes of Scout, we also explore traditional roles of class and gender, and how these affect judgement in our daily lives.

We also follow Scout and Jem, along with their friend Dill, as they obsess over an abandoned house which once belonged to the mysterious Boo Radley. Through courageous acts of kindness, this unique side-story offers another perspective on injustice and race at the time, encouraging you to think critically about the treatment of others under the lens of different identities.

10. The Catcher in the Rye, by J. D. Salinger
"What really knocks me out is a book that, when you're all done reading it, you wish the author that wrote it was a terrific friend of yours and you could call him up on the phone whenever you felt like it. That doesn't happen much, though."
This coming-of-age tale is a classic book to read, and one which has featured on many UK GCSE and A-Level syllabi. Written by J.D. Salinger in 1950, the novel - which is set in the same decade - follows the life of Holden Caulfield, who we don't learn much about other than that he is undergoing some mental health treatment in a hospital, which we are quickly shied away from as he recounts a previous tale.

The events Holden narrates are about his sixteen-year-old-self, after recently being expelled from Pencey Prep, a private school in the USA for fighting with his roommate, Stradlater.

Illustrating the emotional turbulence of 'growing up,' Holden chooses to spend two days exploring in New York before he returns home to his parents and admits to his expulsion. During this time, he meets and interacts with people of all different backgrounds; teachers, nuns, an old girlfriend, and even his sister along the way. The story ends with Holden about to return home. He leaves the story here, as he doesn't want to recount how he got 'sick.' Instead, we end with Holden's optimistic outlook at the prospect of starting a new school in the autumn and looking at future prospects.

11. His Dark Materials, by Philip Pullman
"It was a place of brilliant sunlight, never undappled. Shafts of lemon-gold brilliance lanced down to the forest floor between bars and pools of brown-green shade; and the light was never still, never constant, because drifting mist would often float among the treetops, filtering all the sunlight to a pearly sheen and brushing every pine cone with moisture that glistened when the mist lifted. Sometimes the wetness in the clouds condensed into tiny drops half mist and half rain, which floated downward rather than fell, making a soft rustling patter among the millions of needles."
Philip Pullman's trilogy named His Dark Materials is a compilation of three classic novels, inspired by the beautiful city of Oxford. Written in the late 1990s, Pullman's novels are a fantasy fiction collection, which follows the adventures of Lyra, a young woman who has been brought up in 'Jordan College.' During her time here, we learn that her mysterious college is undertaking lots of research into a new particle named Dust, while a secret organisation in the area seems to be kidnapping local children - there are lots of questions for the reader to journey along with.

Feeling confused? The plot elevates further throughout the trilogy and explores complex ideas on theology, physics, and philosophy. It's deeply intricate and filled with exquisite details and side-stories to keep you inspired - making it one of the best books for English Literature students to read, analyse, and enjoy falling deeply into discussion about.

12. Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley
"Nothing is so painful to the human mind as a great and sudden change."
Mary Shelley's Frankenstein is a tale almost everybody knows - thanks to films, media, and all the derivations from Halloween. But not many students have ever read the original text, unless it's featured on their English Literature syllabus.

For those who aren't familiar with the plot, Frankenstein tells the story of gifted scientist Victor Frankenstein, who succeeds in bringing to life a being of his own creation. However, what he ends up creating isn't the perfect specimen he once imagined, but instead a hideous creature that is rejected by both Victor and the wider society in which he exists.

Fans of science fiction will appreciate the novel for its inspiring themes and future-forward perspective for the time (it was written in 1817), while students with an eye for critical detail will enjoy diving into Shelley's important points for discussion; Shelley was writing at a time of great industrial change, and this Gothic novel explores a myriad of themes including humanity, robotics, and life and death.

13. The Grapes of Wrath, by John Steinbeck
"If he needs a million acres to make him feel rich, seems to me he needs it 'cause he feels awful poor inside hisself, and if he's poor in hisself, there ain't no million acres gonna make him feel rich, an' maybe he's disappointed that nothin' he can do 'll make him feel rich."
One of the best-known novels of John Steinbeck's is The Grapes of Wrath, which was published in 1939. Evoking the harshness of the Great Depression and arousing sympathy for the struggles of many migrant farmworkers of the time, it's no surprise that the novel has come to be regarded as an American classic.

The plot follows the life of Tom Joad and his family, who are forced from their family farm in the Oklahoma Dust Bowl during America's Great Depression years. Along with thousands of others in their community, the family set out in search of job opportunities, land, and hope for a brighter, more prosperous future.

As a story filled with hardship, worry, and determination, Steinbeck explores many interesting themes around humanity; of unity and love, as well as the need for collaboration across communities during difficult times. The universal shift from an emphasis on "I" to "we" teaches readers an important lesson on what it means to preserve selflessness, even in times when we may be most in need.

14. To the Lighthouse, by Virginia Woolf
"It was odd, she thought, how if one was alone, one leant to inanimate things; trees, streams, flowers; felt they expressed one; felt they became one; felt they knew one, in a sense were one; felt an irrational tenderness thus (she looked at that long steady light) as for oneself."
Vivid, impressionistic, and a novel which requires a lot of concentration, To the Lighthouse is a must-read book for English Literature students who want to explore the art of those who go against the 'rules' of writing.

This daring novel holds little regard for the traditional theories of what it means to produce a 'great' story; there's no consistent narrator, it's filled with scant dialogue, and there's almost no coherent plot - making it a really interesting book to dissect and discuss in class.

The overarching plot follows the Ramsay family, who have spent each summer in their holiday home in Scotland. Expecting summers to follow this trajectory of years to come, the integrity of the family is suddenly changed as WWI looms on them. The novel is deeply introspective, using memory and reminiscence to depict much of the plot, while giving it a deeply intimate feel for the reader.

15. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, by Lewis Carroll

"It's no use going back to yesterday, because I was a different person then."*

Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland is a timeless children's classic, and a must-read for any English Literature student. At over 150 years old, the tale has truly stood the test of time, and become a much-loved staple of British literature.

For those unfamiliar with the title, the charming tale of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland begins on an ordinary summer afternoon, when Alice tumbles down a hole and begins an extraordinary adventure. What follows is a strange world with even stranger characters; on her journey she meets a rabbit with a pocket watch, attends a Mad Hatter's Tea Party, and even plays croquet with the Queen! Alice finds her curiosity leading to even more discovery, before waking up dazed and confused, only to discover she has returned home happy with her family.

The novel is inspired by Alice Liddell, who was the daughter of the Dean of Christ Church in Oxford in the 1860s. It was here that Carroll both studied and worked as a mathematician in Oxford, where he spent much of his life dedicated to research and teaching. His passion for sharing and adapting theory for students can be traced in the novel, where numbers and complex riddles dominate much of the complexity of the text. It's a deeply unique and interesting read and demonstrates the fantastical craft of another Oxford writer.

16. Lord of the Flies, by William Golding
"Roger gathered a handful of stones and began to throw them. Yet there was a space round Henry, perhaps six yards in diameter, into which he dare not throw. Here, invisible yet strong, was the taboo of the old life. Round the squatting child was the protection of parents and school and policemen and the law."
Dating back to 1954, William Golding's Lord of the Flies tells the story of a group of schoolboys from Britain who wind up stranded on an uninhabited island after their evacuation from their war-torn hometown goes wrong.

During the course of the book, we watch the boys establish themselves as a group and as residents on the island; we see roles be delegated amongst them; we watch them learn how to forage; how to hunt; how to defend themselves, and overcome their fears. Ultimately, we watch these young boys learn the most basic elements of adulthood (in a rather historic sense) and the demands that come with this newfound responsibility.

It's a deeply fascinating fiction about the psyche of young adults and their ideas on the future world; there are themes such as morality, rationality, and groupthink explored in the book, often rather complex themes for school children to comprehend.

The story symbolises how dependent we as individuals are on social structure - in fact, it's the only thing that distinguishes us from 'savagery.' Whilst on the island, the children need to learn how to overcome their anxieties around the most basic elements of survival - of hunting and defense. We see that they're capable of doing things that can go against human nature when the threat of punishment is removed from their understanding of the world.

For anyone with an interest in philosophy, psychology and sociology, it will open up plenty of interesting discussions for future classes, especially when examined against the context of when it was written - shortly after the Second World War. A great read on this list!

17. Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson
"For thirty years," he said, "I've sailed the seas and seen good and bad, better and worse, fair weather and foul, provisions running out, knives going, and what not. Well, now I tell you, I never seen good come o' goodness yet. Him as strikes first is my fancy; dead men don't bite; them's my views-amen, so be it."
One of the oldest books on our list is Treasure Island, an 1881 tale written by Robert Louis Stevenson. Set in the days of sailing ships and active pirate expeditions, it tells of the adventures of Jim Hawkins and his search for the buried treasure of an evil old pirate, Captain Flint.

Jim, a young boy, who helps his mother and ill father run their family inn, sets on the adventure after a new guest at the inn, Bill, is descended upon by his enemy pirates in an effort to murder him and ransack his belongings. However, just before the pirates burst in, Jim and his mother are able to escape with a number of coins and a pouch which has a treasure map hidden inside.

What ensues is an exciting adventure on the sea, with Jim joined by a number of men to head the voyage to find and share the treasure. Of course, they are met with disorder, especially as they reach closer to where 'X' marks the spot to find a mini fort-like structure.

It's definitely a story that explores the satisfaction of desires, and, indeed, the motivation of greed. Everyone wants the treasure, and it's a tale of whose desires can out-play the others in a conquest for wealth.

18. Brideshead Revisited, by Evelyn Waugh
"If you asked me now who I am, the only answer I could give with any certainty would be my name. For the rest: my loves, my hates, down even to my deepest desires, I can no longer say whether these emotions are my own, or stolen from those I once so desperately wished to be."
Number eighteen on our list is one of our favourite books, featuring not only in this article, but also on our list of recommendations for students looking to read a selection of books set in Oxford.

Set between the First and Second World War, Brideshead Revisited is a tragicomedy set at the University of Oxford which explores themes of classism, wealth, and happiness.

The book tells the story of Charles Ryder - a history graduate at Hertford College - who meets the aristocratic Sebastian Flyte. Ryder becomes fascinated by Flyte and his family's freedoms and privileges - which undoubtedly leads to certain challenges.

Touching on the old preconceptions of snobbery and elitism that once circled the University of Oxford, the book stands as testament to the advances we have made to a fairer society, as well as a more accessible and inclusive educational system.

It's a great early twentieth century novel for fans of that period, capturing a quintessentially British Oxford from back in the day. But it's also an interesting insight into the class system which ruled over the country for many years. Another great read for fans of period fiction.

19. The Wind in the Willows, by Kenneth Grahame
"All this he saw, for one moment breathless and intense, vivid on the morning sky; and still, as he looked, he lived; and still, as he lived, he wondered."
Despite being primarily aimed at younger children, The Wind in the Willows rightfully earns itself a place on our list of classic literature recommendations for students.

Published in 1908, Kenneth Grahame found motivation to write the book when he retired from his position as secretary of the Bank of England and moved to Berkshire, where had lived as a child.

Spending much of his time relaxing by the River Thames, doing much as the characters in his book do - "simply messing about in boats," he took his newfound freedom to expand on the animal bedtime stories he used to tell his son Alastair and transform them into a finished manuscript.

The Wind in the Willows shares the adventures of several animal friends and neighbours in the English countryside - primarily Mole, Rat, Badger, and Toad. Although each of them are animals with their own distinctive habits and behaviours, they converse, philosophise and behave like humans with one another - even driving their own cars and eating sit-down meals - their resemblance to the human profile is quite uncanny.

On top of this, Grahame writes some beautifully descript passages about the natural area in which the novel is set. With hints to the lush green landscapes and portraits of Edwardian life here in the Britain, the incredible writing craft of Grahame is what has really allowed it to stand the test of time.

20. Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott
"I'll try and be what he loves to call me, 'a little woman,' and not be rough and wild; but do my duty here instead of wanting to be somewhere else."
Finally, for English Literature students looking for classic books to read during their A-Levels or even university studies, Little Women is a must for your list! Not only is it a great book in itself, but it's also a coming-of-age novel for four sisters on the path from childhood to adulthood - something we're sure will strike a chord with many readers.

Alcott took inspiration for the book from her own life, loosely basing the characters on the lives of herself and her three sisters, making it a semi-autobiographical read. This authenticity is perhaps what led the release of the book to have such success when first published, with Alcott immediately requested to write a part two, named Good Wives.

The book starts at the sisters' family home in Massachusetts at Christmas time. where they live at home with their mother in genteel poverty. Having lost all his money, their father is serving as a chaplain in the American Civil War, far from home. As such, the sisters struggle to support themselves and ensure the household keeps running - a process which leads them to become close friends with their wealthy neighbour, Theodore Laurence, known informally as "Laurie."

As we watch the girls grow older, each faces their own personal struggles and moral decision-making. Jo, the beloved protagonist, must learn to become more ladylike while pursuing her ambition to become a published author; Meg, the oldest, must put her yearning for wealth to one side in order to follow her heart; Beth, the shy one, must conquer her bashfulness; while Amy, the youngest, needs to overcome her aristocratic pride.

It may seem to some a simple story; four young women's development through adolescence, centred around societal obligations and personal growth. But the character tropes, small plot developments and beautiful written prose make it a popular read for many today, especially thanks to the recent film re-vamp starring A-List celebrities including Emma Watson, Saoirse Ronan, and Timothée Chalamet.

##Summary The authors and titles in this list have quite rightly, earned themselves the title of classic novels in the heart of modern English Literature. From classic love stories to unique and status-quo-questioning novels each book can teach us something new about the study and writing of Literature, and help us to unearth more insight into our own interests and writing skills.

We've seen works from some of the world's most recognised authors, many of whom have been crafted by some of the world's greatest writers here in Oxford. For more reading inspiration and discovery, why not take a look at our list of 11 must-read books set in Oxford?

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Literature has depicted, commented on, and helped shape the world as we know it today. Filled with everything from classic love stories and tales of heroism to contemporary criticisms on changes in society and dystopian tales - there are a wealth of exciting and nail-biting stories to read out there.