Recommended Reading Lists

Reading for enjoyment is a priceless pastime that people of all ages enjoy.  To cultivate this in our students, TF South is pleased to offer a recommended reading list to all students.  There is no required reading for any coursework; however, if you would like suggestions, feel free to peruse the list below.

These books may be found in a variety of locations and students are NOT required to purchase them.  Your public library (Lansing or Glenwood-Lynwood) is a great place to check for a copy of a book or ebook.

Suggestions for all grades

• Any titles from the Illinois State Library Read for a Lifetime list, available at 
  https://www.ilsos.gov/departments/library/center_for_the_book/pdfs/rfl-booklist-2022-2023.pdf

A few standouts on the above list: I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys; This Poison Heart by Kalynn Bayron; and If You’re Reading This by Trent Reedy

AP Language and Composition Suggested Reading

Nonfiction Options 

• Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup by John Carreyrou
• Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell
• The Road to Jonestown: Jim Jones and Peoples Temple by Jeff Guinn
• Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand
• Becoming by Michelle Obama
• Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris
• Tweak: Growing Up on Methamphetamines by Nic Sheff
• Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson
• Educated by Tara Westover
• Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance
• The Color of Water by James McBride

       Fiction Options 

• The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon
• Circe by Madeline Miller
• A Woman is No Man by Etaf Rum
• Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders
• The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead
• Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult
• The Help by Kathryn Stockett
• Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
• Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
• The Color Purple by Alice Walker