Books You Should’ve Read Before College

If you're getting ready to head off to college, it's time to create a pre-college reading bucket list. Great works of literature will prepare you for all aspects of the journey ahead, from new roommates to difficult assignments to major life decisions. Before your schedule fills up with required reading, spend some time immersing yourself in transformative novels, essays, and works of non-fiction. Not sure where to begin? Start with this list.

"The Naked Roommate," by Harlan Cohen

"The Naked Roommate" is the most obvious selection for any pre-college reading list. Harlan Cohen's exhaustive guide to every aspect of college life addresses everything from passing classes and forming good friendships to doing your laundry andcleaning your dorm room, and doesn't shy away from tough subjects like mental health and STIs. The book is full of bite-sized tips and stories from current students that emphasize the most important advice to remember. Unlike other college guidebooks, Cohen offers unvarnished truths about the college experience and writes from the perspective of an irreverent relative a few years your senior. Plus, it's a fast, funny read that you can skim in a weekend or flip through all year long. It may well become the most valuable reference book on your shelf.

"Outliers: The Story of Success," by Malcolm Gladwell

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