Sigh. We know that summer reading lists are not really a favorite subjects for students trying to enjoy their summer break. However, if you are trying to prepare for the AP English Literature Exam, the summer is a perfect opportunity to “know a few works well” which is what the AP English Literature exam advises.

Here are 5 great summer reads that are enjoyable, in addition to helping you prepare for the AP Exam.  Rather than having to read amidst 4-6 other classes’ worth of homework, you can take your time and make yourself an expert on these novels. Then, you can save the more, shall we say “challenging” (meaning often dry and difficult to figure out without the help of a teacher) texts for when you’re back in school.

These books are available for free from your local Boston area library and in local Boston Bookstores, like Commnwealth Books or Brattle Book Shop.

5 Fun Summer Reads Recommended For AP Test Prep

1. Dracula by Bram Stoker.  This is written in journal entries and epistles, and there are no sparkly vampires in this one. Bram Stoker is the originator of the European vampire story, and the devilishly charming but dangerous Old World noble with a secret.
2. Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry.  If you like westerns, you’ll love this book.  It’s an example of contemporary American literature and sheds a different light on the previous literary tendency to romanticize the life of the cowboy. This book exemplifies the harsh realities of western expansion and ranching.
3. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley.  This is a fast and fun read…yep. We know.  Reading required literature can be fun—it’s not that hard to believe. You will enjoy Huxley’s view of the future, and may be able to find parallels between current pop culture and the Brave New World.
4. Les Miserables by Victor Hugo (abridged).  Ooh la la! Yes. You won’t see it often but for a summer reading list, the abridged version is just fine and includes all the most important parts. War, romance, revolution, abject poverty—what more can you want in a historical novel?
5. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain.  Not only has it appeared on the AP test 12 times in the past 35 years, it’s just plain good reading.  The whole book feels like summertime.

Now, just for added intellectual benefit, we offer you these questions to keep in mind, as they appear in the AP English Language Teacher’s Guide. They’re quick to answer and good to have in your mind to get the AP Exam prep gears lubricated…

• In whose voice are we hearing the words?
• To whom is the speaker speaking?
• Where (in time, place, social context, class) is the speaker as he or she is speaking?

As students identify or begin to identify those elements, they can begin to examine the style of the piece. For example:

• What is the level of diction?
• Does the author depend upon particular details to achieve his or her effect?
• On what allusions might the piece depend?
• What kind of syntax does the author use?
• Does the syntax vary? If so, what is the effect of that variety?
• What is the effect of any repetition in the piece?
• And, perhaps most difficult for students, what is the author’s attitude toward what he or she is writing about? In other words, what is the tone of the piece?

For more help with AP Test Prep, consider hiring a Boston Tutor.  The Premier Tutors offers tutoring in Boston that works!  A Language Arts Tutor can help you get ready for the AP test and pass with flying colors.  We even offer AP tutoring online. Contact us today and ask about our affordable Boston Tutoring packages.