As part of becoming a well-rounded adult, educating yourself with a good book is a great place to start. I am going to discuss 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 missed in his youth, the cruelties of his and just how miserable his existence is and what a terrible fate awaits him if he doesn’t change. He is faced with the ultimate question: Death or redemption?

Three different ghosts throughout the night visit Scrooge: the Ghost of Christmas Past, the Ghost of Christmas Present, and the Ghost of Christmas Still. The Ghost of Christmas Past shows how happy he once was until his greed for money got in his way. The Ghost of Christmas Present shows people’s lives today. And lastly, the Ghost of Christmas still shows his fate if his ways don’t change.

This is a short story written to illustrate how the Christmas spirit inspires good moral tendencies in people instead of 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. He has some life lessons that everyone should know!

Kill a Mockingbird

“To Kill a Mockingbird” is a story depicting the injustice and prejudice of Alabama in the 1930s through Scout and Jem’s childhood. In the novel, the small town of Maycomb, Alabama, is divided; Whites and blacks, the prevailing racism, the ignorant and those who are not. When a black man is accused of raping a white woman, everything breaks loose and we see how the city 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 comes true, everything starts to change. At first the farm prospered and all the animals were happy. Before long though, power and greed took over, turning the farm into the very thing the humans were trying to escape from. In a sense, animals became more and more like humans.

“Animal Farm” illustrates how social classes with a common enemy can split internally when their enemy is eliminated. Simply put, Animal Farm represents humane society.

This is a quick read, but a fascinating story. Good for children and adults!