Patch Goes Back to School: What Books Do You Remember?

For some students, going back to school means cramming weeks’ worth of summer reading assignments into a few short days, but many people agree assigned reading still carries weight in our adult lives.

We asked the Patch staff about the assigned books they still remember, and why certain stories remain relevant. Now we want to hear from you, so tell us in the comments:

• Which assigned summer reading book made the greatest impression on you?

Here’s what we have to say.

Ryan Sartor- Assistant Managing Editor

I was assigned to read “The Giver,” and I really enjoyed reading it, and now it’s going to be a movie starring Taylor Swift, which is exciting to me because I like her music.

Sochieta Moth- Director of Finance

Mine would be “A Separate Peace,” I’d actually like to read it again as an adult. At the time of reading, I felt like I was peeping through a hole in the wall of a boy’s prep school and spying on their secret lives and inner thoughts. Gene admitted to the insecurities I think many adolescents necessarily feel but can’t always control, and his competitive frenemy-ship with Finny is a lasting literary relationship that I’ll always remember. Also, to this day, the phrase “jounce the limb” remains one of my favorites.

Kristin Costigan- National Advertising Manager

I’m not sure if it’s a summer reading list book, but my junior year of high school, we had to read “Catcher in the Rye.” I ended up loving my class that year, my teacher wrote me one of the best college recommendation letters ever, and I majored in journalism. At one point, I wanted to name one of my kids Holden (after the main character) but we already have a Hayden in the family and it was too similar for me. Oddly enough, my girl’s name when I had my first child was Harper (after the author) but I had a boy :-)

I also remember as a small child doing the reading challenges at the library. That was something that every kid in my town did growing up and something that I imagine still goes on now.

Sheryl Rose- Regional Advertising Manager

I recall “To Kill A Mockingbird” as a summer reading assignment that stuck with me for years. It taught me the powerful lesson of learning to defend and accept others who may be different from you. This is clearly seen through Atticus’ defense of Tom Robinson as well as through Scout and Jem learning to accept Boo Radley, rather than fear him.

It’s a book I still enjoy rereading to this day.

Laura Caseley- Associate Tech & Product Support Engineer

Before sixth or seventh grade, it would have been Sharon Creech’s “Walk Two Moons” and “Chasing Redbird,” which go together and whose timelines are concurrent. They were great looks at family, friendship and loss, and the style also influenced my own writing.

Matt Ford- Reporter

The summer before my junior year of high school, my teacher assigned “Jane Eyre” for AP English. While it wasn’t one of my most favorite reads, it did have an impact on my views of classic literature and personal strength. It affected the quality of my writing, and the namesake protagonist is a strong woman who places her beliefs above her personal desires. The book reinforced my admiration of classic lit. (Also, I would’ve been kicked out of the class if I failed the first-day test.)

Mike Bednarsky- Intern

The first book that comes to mind is “Frindle” by Andrew Clements. If I remember correctly, this ‘96 paperback was a big hit. I think the author came by my school for a Q&A. The book is about a fifth grader who creates a new name for a writing utensil (the word “frindle”). His classmates love the name but his English teacher and principal do not approve.

It can be argued that the story is a motif for a political regime, or something, but the book was inspiring to me ultimately because it encouraged creativity in relation to everyday tasks. Children benefit from using their imagination outside of artistic environments, too.

Feroze Dhanoa- Intern

“Holes” by Louis Sachar- This book is by far my favorite story about destiny. I don’t know if it was the writing, the story itself or both that made it such a powerful story that addressed so many different issues all the while being such a gripping tale. To date, if someone hands me a copy of “Holes,” I will read it again. It’s a beautiful story that teaches you about greed, love, being good to others and most importantly that it’s okay to be yourself.

Morgan Searles- Reporter

“The Secret Life of Bees” was one of my assigned summer reading books right before I started high school, and I remember it well because it helped me transition my taste in literature from children’s fantasy to realistic fiction. It introduced me to civil rights issues and elements of African-American culture, and the emotional ending spurred me to develop critical thinking skills.

Thompson Wall- Intern

My English class was assigned to read “Brave New World” and “1984” side-by-side during my first year of high school. Though George Orwell’s classic “1984” is often cited as the paramount depiction of a dystopian society, I always felt Aldous Huxley’s “Brave New World” hit far closer to home. Huxley’s 1932 novel explored a society that inundates consumers with a constant barrage of entertainment and amusement to drown the truth in a sea of irrelevance. Sound familiar?