Poll: Best book you were forced to read

[Sewer Rat]

Of Mice and Men, I was also forced to read the Great Gatsby and I hated it. I found the characters were incredibly unlikable and was disappointed that their was no sub plot with George Wilson leading a cult that worshiped the Eckelson billboard.

 

[roflchopter]

Book i was forced to read-Everyone Poops. Book that was badass-Everyone Poops.

 

[Teh Ty]

The Pigman. My favorite teacher made me read it and it was the only good book any one has forced me to read.

 

[TheColdHeart]

At secondary school it was probably Of Mice and Men

At uni either Angela Carter's The Bloody Chamber (collection of short adaptations) or Pelevin's The Helmet of Horror. (surreal story loosely based on the Greek Minotaur story...but set in a chat room)

 

[lykopis783]

Canterbury Tales. Gotta love'em.... or maybe Handmaid's Tale.

 

[KapnKerfuffle]

I don't think a poll is called for, since there are simply too many options.

I.E. Where the HELL is Lord of the Flies?

True. I can't remember if I was forced to read it or not. I think I read it for a philosophy class. Still, great read.

 

[LewsTherin]

The only book I remember actually being forced to read was Frankenstein. It was amazing.

The Alchemist comes in at a close second. Not the one by Lovecraft, mind you ;p.

 

[TwistedEllipses]

Macbeth (technically a play) is surprisingly bloody and features insanity prominently - what's not to like. No kid wants to read shakespeare and tbh not all his plays are good and he's very over-rated (e.g. As you like it), but I'm glad I read this.

It would have been nice to read more of those on the list in school than I did...

 

[Random Argument Man]

I personally thought every last book that ive ever been forced to read in school was utter shit. Mocking bird and gatsby are definityly near the bottom, right above farewell to manzanar and the diary of anne frank. Definitely "The Giver." Though the only reason I would say "The Giver" is because when you looked at from a sane standpoint it was fucking funny.
WARNING: If you haven't read the giver you won't get this
Giver: Take your shirt off Jonas.
Jonas: uh... o...kay
Giver: Lay down over there, get comfortable
Jonas: Umm... It's going to be very hard to make this situation comf...why the hell are you stroking my back?
Giver: They call me "The Giver" for a reason
Later at home*
Dad: so jonas what did you do at work today?
Jonas: *in fetal position* N-Not supposed to talk about it.
Dad: Son, are you ok?
Jonas: *trying to fight back tears* Riding a sled down a mountain. Riding a sled down a mountain. Riding a sled down a mountain!

Haha, I totally had the same thought after my second-read. I loved the Giver at the time.

I've read a few parts of To Kill a Mockingbird. However, I never finished the damn book! What's worst is the local library doesn't have the english version of the book.

 

[Mstrswrd]

I only had to read one of those books you listed.

Anyway, I really enjoyed The Odyssey. I also really enjoyed pretty much anything Shakespeare, and actually tried to get into the Shakespeare class in 11th grade, but they cancled it because only 7 (or was it 8) people applied, and they won;t have a class that small. I did enjoy The Odyssey more, though, so that.

 

[smithy1234]

I was forced to read Night, fantastic book!

 

[devildog1170]

Couldn't understand the Great Gatsby so I Wikipedia'd it and passed my class.The best book I was forced to read was The Giver.

That book was damn good. So was Hatchet.

 

[devildog1170]

I personally thought every last book that ive ever been forced to read in school was utter shit. Mocking bird and gatsby are definityly near the bottom, right above farewell to manzanar and the diary of anne frank. Definitely "The Giver." Though the only reason I would say "The Giver" is because when you looked at from a sane standpoint it was fucking funny.
WARNING: If you haven't read the giver you won't get this
Giver: Take your shirt off Jonas.
Jonas: uh... o...kay
Giver: Lay down over there, get comfortable
Jonas: Umm... It's going to be very hard to make this situation comf...why the hell are you stroking my back?
Giver: They call me "The Giver" for a reason
Later at home*
Dad: so jonas what did you do at work today?
Jonas: *in fetal position* N-Not supposed to talk about it.
Dad: Son, are you ok?
Jonas: *trying to fight back tears* Riding a sled down a mountain. Riding a sled down a mountain. Riding a sled down a mountain!

Haha, I totally had the same thought after my second-read. I loved the Giver at the time.

I've read a few parts of To Kill a Mockingbird. However, I never finished the damn book! What's worst is the local library doesn't have the english version of the book.

Ha, what about the part when he's dreaming about giving the chick a bath?

Sorry for double post

 

[captainwalrus]

Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye and Eliot's Murder in the Cathedral. I read the first in high school. It summed up my entire adolescent experience. I was assigned to read the second just this past semester in college. It was just beautiful.

 

[Hyrulian Hero]

I was forced to read, The hatchet. I'm not sure by whom. But still, The book was amazing.

Gary Paulsen... It's one of my favorite books.

Besides that, the best I was forced to read was either Watership Down or Fallen Angels. After having to read them in school, I ended up buying both, in hardcover even. Although my school was cool about reading assignments. I once was "forced" to read The Hobbit. Which I had read 7 times prior to that assignment. Easy A

 

[NeedAUserName]

Of Mice and Men, although it would have been To Kill a Mockingbird, but out teacher just showed us the movies instead (we ran out of time)