As I racked my brain for the books I was assigned in school, it turns out I like a few more classics than I originally thought. Don’t get me wrong, I still stand by my previous statement, but it’s a little better than I initially believed, which makes me feel like I’m not that superficial or shallow. Just a little bit. With that said, I did stretch a little and included some college reading and a book from yoga training. I wanted a few non-classics on the list.

If You Force Me to Read It, I’ll Hate It…

• The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck: I don’t remember much about this book other than being required to read it. I do recall it was about a family’s move from the Midwest to California. The fact that it had a movie adaptation seemed to be the draw for the teacher. Not saying I had bad teachers, but I seemed to watch a lot of movies in the ’70s and ’80s. Is that still a thing in schools?
• Old Yeller by Fred Gipson & Steven Polson: I read and watched this in junior high (a.k.a. middle school). Can you say traumatized? I do not handle books or movies well where animals are harmed, no matter the reason.
• Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare : Who wasn’t tasked with reading Romeo and Juliet in high school? Did I like it? Um, no. There’s not much else to say about that.
• Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls: Yep, another one with a movie. I seem to recall the movies better than the books, but I’m sure I was forced—ahem—assigned to read it as well.
• The Yoga Sutras of Patañjali: A New Edition, Translation, and Commentary by Edwin F. Bryant: This is the book that made me realize I maybe didn’t want to be a yoga teacher after all. Need I say more?

There are Exceptions to Every Rule..

• The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain: Okay, this is a classic I admittedly like. I mean, how can you go wrong with becoming rich and getting one over on an abusive parent? Yep, that’s my kind of read. For the record, I’ve also read The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, but I just like Huck better. Also, the book is set in Missouri, and I live only a couple of hours away from Mark Twain’s home, which I’ve visited numerous times, so that always adds excitement to the read.

• The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank : I’ll admit, I can’t recall if this was mandatory or if I just read it—over and over again. The hurt and sadness here were different from Old Yeller, not just because it was a person but because it really happened. I found Anne’s bravery inspirational. The heartbreak that she didn’t make it past her fifteenth birthday is real to this day. You don’t have to know a person to feel hurt for them.

• Discover Your True North by Bill George: his is one of two books I read for some master’s courses. If you serve in a leadership role in any capacity, I highly encourage you to read this. It’s filled with interviews with leaders like Steve Jobs, Warren Buffet, Oprah Winfrey, and many others. What I love is that it shows you don’t need a perfect life or an Ivy League diploma to be an authentic leader. Honestly, it seems like it’s the opposite—you and I, we’re going to be awesome.

• The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton : Originally published in 1967, this probably wasn’t considered a classic when I read it. Gangs, boys named Ponyboy, friendship, and general teenage angst. It’s also when I realized that even if you love a book, the movie can be awful. ’80s folks, don’t hate me! The only cast member I had a crush on was Leif Garrett, and that’s only because I, too, was “made for dancing.”

• 12 The Elements of Great Managing by Gallup & James K. Harter Ph.D: This is the other book I read for those leadership classes. While I would have loved a more updated version, I think most, if not all, of the insights from Gallup’s Q12 surveys are still relevant today. It’s a must-read for anyone who manages others, even if it’s just one person. It would also make a great gift for a new supervisor or manager.

So there you have it—ten books I was assigned in school, with a nice split between those I’d rather forget and those I think are truly worth the read.

Have you ever visited Mark Twain’s home?
Who is your favorite actor in The Outsiders movie?

Thank you to The Artsy Reader Girl for hosting Top Ten Tuesday!