The objective of this course is twofold. First, you will be reading novels commonly assigned in college literature courses. Many freshmen are overwhelmed by the amount of reading they encounter in college and this "pre-reading" can help with that burden. Second, many of the themes, characters or scenes of these classical novels have become part of American culture. If you have read a number of them you won't feel left out when someone references them in class, conversation or in a Saturday Night Live skit!

1. Using the list of books provided at http://als.lib.wi.us/Collegebound.html select 10 titles you have never read before. The titles you select need to represent at least 4 of the categories on the list. Read a variety!

2. For each title, complete the following:

• Provide an accurate bibliography,

• # of pages and approximate amount of time it took to read,

• a list of main characters with brief descriptions (2-3 sentences for each),

• state the main theme, idea or lesson in the book - in 1 to 2 paragraphs discuss how the author approaches the theme and deals with it in the book,

• write a paragraph summarizing the most powerful or memorable part of the book (in your opinion),

• write a follow-up paragraph explaining why you chose that selection - use a quote if it helps,

• finally, write a paragraph explaining why the book made "the list"; in other words, what was its contribution to American culture, literature, etc.

3. You may choose to "exchange" 2 of the write-ups above for a visual representation instead. All of the above information would still need to be addressed, but you could do it with drawings or art you find elsewhere. For example: find pictures of people or characters that convey the image of the main characters, find a picture that conveys the same feelings as the book does, etc.

4. For the FINAL ASSIGNMENT you should reread a favorite book (not on the list) or find a book you want to read. You need to do the same write-up for this book as above, but for the last bullet you need to explain WHY your book should be ADDED to the list.