Books for improving in English and Literature

[Conniepickles]

Hi   Im looking for Books to read that will help both my English and Literature skills in writing essays and what not. And also improve my grammer to a sophisticated level. SUGGESTIONS WOULD REALLY BE APPRECIATED!!!

[Yitzi_K]

I don't know about any specific books for that, but I'd recommend you read the classics, they tend to have very sophisticated language.

[ben92]

I don't think you need to read any particular book to improve your essay-writing skills. Anything assigned by the school should contain enough 'depth' to write an essay about.

[lynt.br]

On Writing Well + Elements of Style?

[mba]

Definitely Elements of Style.
The book is posted on the web too, just Google 'Elements of Style W. Strunk'.

[nisha]

I would recommend books that have deep description as well as plot.
Jane Eyre
The Great Gatsby
Animal Farm
1984
A Thousand Splendid Suns
Brave new World
Wuthering Heights
To Kill a Mockingbird

Try to read all these texts, and when you come across a word you dont understand, find its meaning, write it in a small exercise book and learn to use it in sentences and in appropriate context.

[Rhettski999]

Why not look on the VCAA site or this link:
http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/correspondence/bulletins/2011/February/2011FEBSUP4.pdf

Obviously these texts, (don't limit yourself to novels, plays and poetry also improve your linguistic capabilities allowing you to forge sophisticated prose suitable for VCE English and Literature) have been deemed appropriate to read in a deeper sense.

Other notable reads include 'Imprimatur'- Monaldi and Sorti, great book. Anything Shakespeare will illuminate your inner writing spirit too.

ps. I couldn't resist some level of verbosity for this post

[tharkin]

Hmmm if I were to suggest anything, it'd have to be The Unbearable Lightness Of Being and Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance -- both are relatively (or extremely) philosophical, but if you're looking to improve your English you need as much help prompting thought chains as possible. For that, you need a book filled with enough ideas to really make you start thinking... I can promise you that these will Besides...they're damn good reads if you ask me.

[Mariammm]

I would recommend books that have deep description as well as plot.
Jane Eyre
The Great Gatsby
Animal Farm
1984
A Thousand Splendid Suns
Brave new World
Wuthering Heights
To Kill a Mockingbird

Try to read all these texts, and when you come across a word you dont understand, find its meaning, write it in a small exercise book and learn to use it in sentences and in appropriate context.

I've read all of these books and I have to agree, with the exception of A Thousand Splendid Suns - every character just gets laid and then dies ... I thought it was a letdown after The Kite Runner
But I must say two words - JANE AUSTEN - you can't go past her

[chocolatedaddy]

I would recommend books that have deep description as well as plot.
Jane Eyre
The Great Gatsby
Animal Farm
1984
A Thousand Splendid Suns
Brave new World
Wuthering Heights
To Kill a Mockingbird

Try to read all these texts, and when you come across a word you dont understand, find its meaning, write it in a small exercise book and learn to use it in sentences and in appropriate context.

I've read all of these books and I have to agree, with the exception of A Thousand Splendid Suns - every character just gets laid and then dies ... I thought it was a letdown after The Kite Runner
But I must say two words - JANE AUSTEN - you can't go past her

Lol who gets laid in Animal Farm?

[pi]

^I think that reference was to A Thousand Splendid Suns...

[Mariammm]

Yeah I was talking about A Thousand Splendid Suns - read it and you will understand

[s...]

go through the list on the VCAA site:
read all the books studies by yr12's and you'll be fine

[ggxoxo]

Pride and Prejudice- after i read it, i realised how many current plots of films/books are vaguely based upon the text (e.g. Bridget Jones Diary)

[VivaTequila]

I would recommend books that have deep description as well as plot.
Jane Eyre
The Great Gatsby
Animal Farm
1984
A Thousand Splendid Suns
Brave new World
Wuthering Heights
To Kill a Mockingbird

Try to read all these texts, and when you come across a word you dont understand, find its meaning, write it in a small exercise book and learn to use it in sentences and in appropriate context.

Is this good? I have the Murakami version 1Q84 which I have next to me on my desk (to read list) but I haven't read the original. Should I read that first?