The Broke and the Bookish have come up with another thrilling topic for us book bloggers to conjure with. So the verb is a little strong (‘made’ would suffice), but you get the gist: this is a list of books that I had little option but to read, most of which I’m glad I did. Click on any picture to open the gallery.
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- In speech and drama examinations at a certain level, once your prepared piece has been performed the examiner hands you a book you’ve never seen before to assess your skills in spontaneous dramatic reading. I was handed The Alchemist. After I’d mangled the pronunciation of the author’s name it all went swimmingly.
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- This was the set text in sixth form. It’s deep, passionate and each character is intelligently flawed. We sat on hard benches at The Globe in the rain, and I think I cried a bit. ‘Howl, howl, howl, howl! O, you are men of stones: Had I your tongues and eyes, I’d use them so That heaven’s vault should crack. She’s gone forever! I know when one is dead, and when one lives; She’s dead as earth.’
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- This is a modern reworking of King Lear set in Iowa. I cynically imagined that it was written to just to get herself on the comparative literature exam syllabus. I really detested this book; learning quotations from it was a low point in my life.
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- Once upon a time I worked at a nursery. The children were allowed to choose which book they wanted for story time. They almost always chose this. I still recite it in my sleep.
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- Another college title. I don’t exactly enjoy Dylan Thomas’ work, but I learnt to appreciate the skill that goes into well-crafted poetry. One poem that will always have great significance for me is Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night: ‘…And you, my father, there on the sad height, Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray. Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light.’
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- In my school days, we had to read this story of kids descending into savages with a lack of authority. I expect that’s how the teachers saw us.
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- This was an essential component of the critical reading course I did earlier this year. It’s a brilliantly readable guide to key literary techniques and styles with clear examples.
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- When I chose a philosophy module as an elective in my first year of uni, I was surprised to find it came with the world’s largest text book. There’s been a lot of philosophy, I learnt. Yet the seminars were dominated by people dressed chiefly in grey denying their own existence.
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- The originals are dark, so dark. We did a play of them so I thought I’d have a read. I played Cinderella’s stepsister – I had to act hacking off my own ankle to fit into that glass slipper.
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- This is what I’m reading next at the behest of my partner. Do you have a recommendation? Leave me a comment!
What were you made to read?
Eve Proofreads 
We had to read ‘Romeo and Juliet’, like most people would have. The best part was the innuendos, as we used to pretend we couldn’t understand them so that our teacher had to explain them in detail until he blushed.
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That’s hilarious! I think we did the same with Dylan Thomas’ sexual allusions.
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The fact that you acted as Cinderella’s step sister is terrifying. BAH! Also, this list makes me feel bad as a teacher that I have to force books on my students. One day we will perfect the, “choose your own book and still learn” method. : ) PS. I was forced to read Jane Smiley by friends and I hated every minute, so I feel ya.
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I do hope so! Choose your own would be lovely. It concerns me that some children are being put off reading by books they don’t take to. I’m so glad you’re with me on the Jane Smiley!
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Wow, I actually haven’t read any of these. Lord of the Flies has been on my TBR list for years, though!
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