Senior Reading Lists
The new English syllabus places great emphasis on wide reading - that is, reading a wide variety of genres and text types. Matrix Education (please ignore their advertising!) has an excellent explanation of the new Reading to Write module and how you can improve your skills in this area. [https://www.matrix.edu.au/reading-to-write-the-year-11-common-module/]. While it is better to read something than nothing, try to find texts you enjoy that reflect your increasing intellectual development rather than something aimed at a much younger audience.
Standard Reading Lists
These lists have good suggestions for a range of different abilities - let Ms Carmyn know if there's something you really want to read that's not already in the library. If you can't find anything that interests you, come see me and we'll find something you don't find too boring.
Advanced Reading Lists
These reading lists are filled with C19th and early C20th classics guaranteed to make you look erudite. But remember it's not just about impressing your English teacher - you should pick texts that you have a personal connection to, otherwise it will be hard to write creatively about them.
These lists have good suggestions for a range of different abilities - let Ms Carmyn know if there's something you really want to read that's not already in the library. If you can't find anything that interests you, come see me and we'll find something you don't find too boring.
- King Edward VI School - GCSE Reading List [http://www.kes.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/GCSEreadinglist.pdf] has short annotations and gives clear indications of content/reading level.
- Matrix Education - Stage 5 Reading List [https://www.matrix.edu.au/year-9-10-stage-5-recommended-reading-list/] is aimed at a younger audience, but has excellent annotations and most of these books are still appropriate for stage 6. Matrix also has a some suggested 'holiday reading' texts [https://www.matrix.edu.au/the-ultimate-holiday-reading-list-for-students/] Remember this is a commercial site, so please ignore their advertising.
Advanced Reading Lists
These reading lists are filled with C19th and early C20th classics guaranteed to make you look erudite. But remember it's not just about impressing your English teacher - you should pick texts that you have a personal connection to, otherwise it will be hard to write creatively about them.
- Bailliol college, Oxford University - Undergraduate reading list for English Literature majors [https://www.balliol.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate-admissions/english-reading-list] Scroll down past the Introductory and Early/Middle English section.
- These books are all used by teachers in Masters of Fine Arts (creative Writing) courses in the US. [http://lithub.com/what-i-teach-a-back-to-school-reading-list/]. Each book includes a description of how the teacher uses it in their course.
- We are Teachers has an booklist of international novels for senior students [https://www.weareteachers.com/international-books-high-school/] including short blurbs.