There are millions of books out there worldwide across hundreds of sub-genres. Many books proclaim to be "must-reads" and undoubtedly there is probably some merit to that classification. Unfortunately, there is not enough time across several lifetimes to read every book out there that claims to be a modern classic or life-changing piece of literature.

As an English major, you have probably looked up lists of books that every English major should read so that you can get ahead and expand your literary horizons. The blessing and curse of these lists is their inconsistency. No one can pinpoint truly the best books ever written, so all the best we can hope for in these lists is to capture some thing significant and insightful that sets them apart from the average book you pull off the library shelf.

Here is a list of books you should consider adding (at least in part) to your reading list. These books won't instantly make you the smartest person out there, but these books will help you grasp the significance of certain periods, how literature has developed, and differing perspectives throughout the literary canon. In short, reading these books can only help you as you continue to earn your English degree.

Beowulf

"Let whoever can win glory before death."

If you grew up loving Percy Jackson or Greek mythology, you may feel an affinity towards this ancient poem. It is one of the most important and most often translated works of Old English literature. When we say old, we mean old. The date of composition is a matter of contention among scholars but they believe the original poem was written between 975 and 1025.

Beowulf is an epic poem about the protagonist Beowulf, a hero of the Geats, who travels to the hall of the Danes to defeat the hideous monster Grendel. Beowulf proves his strength against impossible odds by fighting against supernatural demons and beasts. Anyone familiar with epic poetry like the Iliad, Odyssey, and the Aeneid will see obvious parallels in the story structure.

Since the poem is written in parts, scholars have debated whether Beowulf was originally an oral story that was later transcribed. It would explain the dual competing pagan and Christian elements that are found in the story. Beowulf is a significant piece of literature for the complexity of its history, numerous translations, and the complexity of story structure.

If you are feeling particularly daring, you can try reading the poem in its original Old English, but I don't think you will get very far. Fantasy author, J.R. R. Tolkien, translated his own version of the book which is far more accessible to the average reader.

Hamlet

"Though this be madness, yet there is method in't."

Hamlet is considered among the "most powerful and influential tragedies in the English language", with a story capable of "seemingly endless retelling and adaptation by others". Many works could have been possible sources for Shakespeare's play, from ancient Greek tragedies to Elizabethan plays, but none have withstood the test of time as well as Shakespeare's Hamlet.

Hamlet takes place in Denmark, where the young Prince Hamlet receives a vision of his deceased father. Hamlet consequently seeks revenge against his uncle, the now King of Denmark, who killed his father and married his mother.

Analysis of the play has existed in some part since the 17th century when it heavily influenced Jacobean and Caroline drama. Analysis has continued pretty religiously from that time period varying from the gothic, feminist, religious, philosophical, to psychoanalytic. It is a play that no one can pinpoint.

Hundreds of reproductions of place exist in varying formats from Lawrence Olivier's Academy Award-winning production of the play, Kenneth Branagh's 4-hour production, and another version starring Mel Gibson as Hamlet.

Frankenstein

"It is true, we shall be monsters, cut off from all the world; but on that account, we shall be more attached to one another."

When you say 'Frankenstein' it conjures an image of a grisly green creature, dead, but reanimated by the use of lightning. No other monster is so vivid in its construction besides Dracula and vampire lore existed long before that book. Frankenstein has been called the first true science fiction novel (arguably) and is a definitive piece of early science fiction literature. Now consider that this incredible novel was drafted by an eighteen-year-old woman when women simply weren't published all that often.

Not much context is needed to set the stage for the novel, although the 'Frankenstein' monster that we associate with the book is not the same that Mary Shelley wrote in her 1818 novel. Frankenstein's monster is complex, sentient, and pitiful. The creature is compared to Adam, the first man in the Garden of Eden, but unlike Adam, the creature's maker, Dr. Frankenstein utterly rejects him. Part of Frankenstein's rejection of his creation is the fact that he does not give the creature a name.

The book is horrifying not only because it is a 'monster story', but because it sinks the reader into the recesses of human depravity, loneliness, rejection, and abandonment. Readers are left reeling with questions and disgust wondering who the real monsters of the novel are. Although it is no substitute for the power of the book, the recent movie Mary Shelley captures some of the historical and personal significance of the novel.

Pride and Prejudice

"I cannot fix on the hour, or the spot, or the look, or the words, which laid the foundation. It is too long ago. I was in the middle before I knew that I had begun"

Unlike some of the other books on this list, Pride and Prejudice lacks some of the dramatic power that other books have. There are no epic battles, dramatic twists, or scandals that shock the reader; however, that does not make it any less significant.

The book follows Elizabeth Bennet an attractive, witty, and intelligent young woman who comes from a modest English family. Elizabeth has the unfortunate tendency to form tenacious and prejudiced first impressions as she does against Mr. Darcy. As the story progresses, Elizabeth and Darcy's relationship grows when Darcy overcomes his pride, and Elizabeth overcomes her prejudice.

At first glance, people may tend to write Pride and Prejudice off as an early rom-com. Although that can be an interpretation of the book, the novel gives a fascinating early feminist reading from a female author. The book explores social constructs, marriage, and self-awareness. It is a rare glimpse into a woman's world and if you want to write it off, perhaps you should assess your own prejudices.

The Great Gatsby

"So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past."

Few books capture the American dream as well as The Great Gatsby. The book carefully plays with the fun and frivolousness of the roaring 20s while juggling unfulfilled dreams, class struggles, and relational turmoil.

The novel is told by the first-person narrator Nick Carraway and recounts his interactions with mysterious millionaire Jay Gatsby and Gatsby's obsession to reunite with his former lover, Daisy Buchanan. Unfortunately, Daisy is already married to her millionaire husband Tom Buchanan, but that does little to stop Gatsby and ultimately leads to his demise.

The Great Gatsby is a relatively short read, but don't let the novel's size deceive you. It is a short book that packs a lot of punch. When it was first released, Fitzgerald originally thought the novel was a flop, but subsequent generations seem to find affinity in its themes of disillusionment. The palpable sexual tension that is suspended through the novel is not for lewd gratification but to explore themes of identity, class permanence, and the constant grind of the American dream.

Beloved

"Was it hard? I hope she didn't die hard.' Sethe shook her head. 'Soft as cream. Being alive was the hard part."

There are many reasons why author Toni Morrison won the Nobel Peace prize for literature, and Beloved is a glimpse into why. Morrison's novels , which explore the Black experience from slavery and Reconstruction to the Great Depression to the Korean War, have been challenged for their unflinching exposition of racism, violence, and sexism. If you love supernatural stories and horror, this novel will not disappoint. This novel is even more frightening because it is based partly on true events.

Sethe is a freed slave woman who escaped with her family to Ohio years before. Reluctantly we learn that after running and joining her children in Ohio, four horsemen came to return her children and her to a life of slavery. Sethe, terrified of returning to slavery, ran to the woodshed with her children to kill them but only managed to kill her daughter, Beloved. Years later, a woman turns up on Sethe's front porch calling herself Beloved, and turmoil begins

The book is not strictly about the supernatural, however. Beloved explores the profound psychological effects of slavery, repressed trauma, family, and what true love really means. Although we can't personally relate to the scars that the characters carry, Morrison makes Beloved a painful and human story that, if we can't relate to personal experience, can profoundly sympathize with after reading.

Fences

"Some people build fences to keep people out and other people build fences to keep people in"

This play has become increasingly popular due to its fantastic movie production of the same name starring Denzel Washington. The play won the 1987 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the 1987 Tony Award for Best Play.

The focus of Wilson's attention in Fences is Troy, a 53-year-old working-class head of household who struggles with providing for his family his wife, Rose, and his teenage son, Cory. Troy is a loving and hardworking man, but he has experienced too many setbacks in his life with the racial discrimination that African Americans experience. However, Troy unknowingly divides his own family in order to protect them.

Fences explores the evolving African-American experience and examines race relations in the 1950s and beyond. Though the characters are often hard-headed and often poor at demonstrating affection, there is undeniable love and forgiveness that may not be fully deserved.

This is only a small portion of the books that English majors may consider reading. If you are looking for other books, you can check out the second part of this piece to get more interesting and noteworthy titles!