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AP Lit Reading List – 50 Best Books to Read

November 16, 2023

The AP English Literature and Composition exam is made up of two sections: a multiple-choice section and a free-response section. Firstly, in the multiple-choice section, students answer questions pertaining to passages of fiction, drama, or poetry. Next, in the free-response section, students analyze poetry and prose and write an argumentative essay centered on a text of their own choice or chosen from a list of 40 literary works. The problem for students preparing for the test is that there is no official AP lit reading list. Oedipus, Lady Macbeth, Madame Bovary, Mrs. Dalloway, Scout Finch , Huck Finn—all of them, plus hundreds more plucked from the pages of the literary canon, are liable to pop up on the AP Lit exam. That’s daunting.

So how exactly does one prep for this test, especially given the fact that there’s no authoritative AP Lit reading list to consult? Also, if a student wants to write their argumentative essay on a book not named on the test, how are they supposed to know which books are AP exam-worthy?

Luckily, by taking a look at AP Lit exams of years past, we can get a sense of which works are likelier than others to make an appearance. And we can get a sense for what the College Board considers exam-worthy. In other words: relax—you don’t have to slog through the entire oeuvres of Tolstoy, Dostoyevsky, Pushkin et al. Below, I’ve compiled a totally unofficial AP Lit reading list—the 50 books that appeared most frequently on the exam since 1971.

AP Lit Reading List  

1) invisible man – ralph ellison.

Ralph Ellison’s classic kicks off this unofficial AP Lit reading list. If my count is correct, it’s appeared on the AP Lit exam 28 times. And that sounds about right: I don’t think any scholar of literature—American or otherwise—would raise an eyebrow if you argued that Invisible Man is the most important American novel of the 20th century. Published in 1952, Invisible Man is a deep dive into the mind of its unnamed narrator, a Black man coming to terms with his identity in a white society that refuses to see him. I’ll always be thankful that my 11th-grade American Lit teacher assigned this book. It’s mesmerizing, violent, honest, devastating, cathartic…it wouldn’t be very difficult to keep the list of superlatives going.

2) Wuthering Heights ­ – Emily Brontë

As you go about preparing for the AP Lit exam, it’s probably productive to keep the following question(s) in mind: why has such-and-such book come up on the test so often? In other words: what makes such-and-such book a classic? It’s not an easy question to answer. And I find that to be especially true here, thinking about Wuthering Heights . Is it considered a classic today because it’s an early example of psychological realism? Because of its depiction of abuse ? Because it bucked the Victorian status quo?

The answer to all three of those questions is probably a decisive “yes, and…” What’s fascinating to me about Wuthering Heights is how emotionally turbulent the story is—and how emotionally turbulent it can be for the reader, too. Finally, Wuthering Heights has appeared on the AP Lit exam 23 times in total, making it the second most cited book in the test’s history.

3)  Great Expectations – Charles Dickens

Great Expectations has appeared on the AP Lit exam 20 times. Whenever I hear the word “Dickensian,” I don’t think of Oliver Twist or David Copperfield ; I think of Pip Pirrip, Miss Havisham and co. Great Expectations is the ultimate Dickensian drama: romance, social class, 19th century London, good versus evil—it’s all there. Additionally, two other Dickens epics are amongst the top 50 most cited books on the AP Lit exam: Bleak House and A Tale of Two Cities have appeared 5 times each.

4)  Heart of Darkness – Joseph Conrad

Drawing inspiration from his experience working for a Belgian trading company in what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness is an exploration of the hypocrisies and horrors of imperialism. The novella has been on the AP Lit exam 18 times, and for good reason—the story asks important questions about morality, power, and racial subjugation, and the book itself can be critiqued for how it objectifies and exoticizes Africans.

5)  Jane Eyre – Charlotte Brontë

Jane Eyre, the eldest Brontë sister’s classic, has made the AP Lit exam 18 times. It’s a first-person-narrated Bildungsroman in which the reader gets access to the rich inner world of the book’s eponymous narrator. We witness Jane’s moral and spiritual development, her transition from childhood to adulthood, and her budding romance with Mr. Rochester. Further, the psychological intimacy of the prose has made Jane Eyre an enduring classic.

AP Lit Reading List (Continued)

6)  king lear – william shakespeare.

Having appeared on the AP Lit exam 17 times, King Lear is the Shakespeare work most well represented on the test to date. The tragedy is set into motion when King Lear decides to split his kingdom among his three daughters and in the process disowns his youngest, Cordelia. Concurrently, the play deals with themes of betrayal, self-deception, justice, and nihilism.

King Lear is a great place to start if you want to make sure you’ve got at least one of your Shakespeare bases covered. But, let’s be real, it’d probably behoove AP Lit test takers to have read a few more of the Bard’s greatest hits. Othello has been on the test 10 times; The Tempest , 7 times; The Merchant of Venice , 6; Hamlet and Macbeth , 5 times each.

 7)  Crime and Punishment – Fyodor Dostoyevsky

Hey, it’s one of those Russian tomes I mentioned in the intro! Crime and Punishment has made the test 17 times, so if you’ve got to choose amongst the masterworks of the Russian heavy hitters, it’s not a bad bet. Published in 1866, Crime and Punishment is the inner monologue of a moral dilemma: Raskolnikov rationalizes his way to murder and then has to deal with the consequences—both legal and psychic.

8)  Moby Dick – Herman Melville

I’ll admit it: I haven’t read Moby Dick . I’ve tried, but I’ve never been able to get beyond the first 50 or so pages. It’s dense and difficult and requires a serious investment of mental energy. But I’ve never doubted that it’s worth it, and I still like to think that someday I’ll clear my schedule for a week or two and finish the thing once and for all. As much as I cringe at the label, it is one of those Great American Novels. In other words: the story of American literature is much more than Moby Dick , but you can’t tell the story of American literature without Ishmael, Ahab, and that elusive whale.

So what can readers get out of it? It’s a meditation on America. But it’s also a meditation on narrative, on how stories can be told, on style, language, allusion, symbolism, and much more. Moby Dick has been on the AP Lit exam a total of 15 times.

9)  A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man – James Joyce

The Joyce work that in some ways is the prelude to Ulysses and Finnegans Wake , A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man is the story of Joyce’s fictional alter ego Stephen Dedalus and his struggle against prevailing Catholic and Irish conventions. It’s appeared on the AP Lit exam 14 times. Consequently, this should make it a fixture of any AP Lit reading list. Further, it’s a great example of a Künstlerroman , a story about an artist’s maturation.

10)  Adventures of Huckleberry Finn – Mark Twain

Twain’s 1884 classic has appeared on the AP Lit exam 14 times and is frequently cited as one of those aforementioned Great American Novels. Why? For starters, it was one of the first examples of American Literature to be written in a slangy, regional vernacular. It’s also full of humor, and it often satirizes the antebellum South and American racism in general. But that’s not to say that Huckleberry Finn doesn’t come without baggage. Even though Huck Finn and the attitude of the book can be read as anti-racist, Twain’s use of racial stereotypes and epithets is worth questioning and criticizing.

11)  Catch-22 – Joseph Heller

Catch-22 , coming in at 14 appearances on the AP Lit exam, might be my personal favorite on this entire list. It’s known as a brutal satire of the American WWII war effort. And it certainly is a satire—a masterful satire. The caricature, the wordplay, the paradox—at a certain point in reading Catch-22 , you just have to sit back and admire Heller’s virtuosity. But the book isn’t reducible to Heller’s chops. In fact, his command of humor makes his depiction of war—the horrors of war—that much more devastating.

12)  Their Eyes Were Watching God – Zora Neale Hurston

Their Eyes Were Watching God is a classic and influential love story published in 1937. Of course, it’s much more than a love story—it’s an exploration of gender roles, the enduring effects of racism, and, above all, it’s the story of protagonist Janie Crawford’s search for her own voice and identity. In terms of how to see the novel within the context of American literature, it’s often cited as a classic of the Harlem Renaissance and African-American Literature. And while it is important to see it as a part of those lineages, Their Eyes Were Watching God is just as much a candidate for being the Great American Novel as is Moby Dick or Huck Finn . Lastly, it’s appeared on the AP Lit exam 13 times.

13)  The Scarlet Letter – Nathaniel Hawthorne (13 appearances)

14)  The Awakening – Kate Chopin (12)

15)  The Great Gatsby – F. Scott Fitzgerald (12)

16)  Billy Budd – Herman Melville (11)

17)  Ceremony – Leslie Marmon Silko (11)

18)  Light in August – William Faulkner (11)

19)  Antigone – Sophocles (10)

20)  As I Lay Dying – William Faulkner (10)

21)  Beloved – Toni Morrison (10)

22)  The Color Purple – Alice Walker (10)

23)  The Glass Menagerie – Tennessee Williams (10)

24)  Native Son – Richard Wright (10)

25)  Othello – William Shakespeare (10)

26)  A Streetcar Named Desire – Tennessee Williams (10)

27)  Death of a Salesman – Arthur Miller (9)

28)  A Passage to India – E.M. Forster (9)

29)  A Raisin in the Sun – Lorraine Hansberry (9)

30)  All the Pretty Horses – Cormac McCarthy (8)

31)  Anna Karenina – Leo Tolstoy (8)

32)  Bless Me, Ultima – Rudolfo Anaya (8)

33)  Candide – Voltaire (8)

34)  The Crucible – Arthur Miller (8)

35)  The Grapes of Wrath – John Steinbeck (8)

36)  Jude the Obscure – Thomas Hardy (8)

37)  The Jungle – Upton Sinclair (8)

38)  Portrait of a Lady – Henry James (8)

39)  Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead – Tom Stoppard (8)

40)  Sula – Toni Morrison (8)

41)  Waiting for Godot – Samuel Beckett (8)

42)  Pride and Prejudice ­ – Jane Austen (7 )

43)  Madame Bovary ­ Gustave Flaubert (7)

44) The Sun Also Rises – Ernest Hemingway (7)

45)  Things Fall Apart – Chinua Achebe (7)

46)  Age of Innocence – Edith Wharton (6)

47)  Frankenstein ­ – Mary Shelley (5)

48)  The Cherry Orchard – Anton Chekhov (5)

49)  Go Tell It on the Mountain – James Baldwin (5)

50)  Wise Blood ­ – Flannery O’Connor (5)

AP Reading List – Additional Resources

In conclusion, if you are looking for additional high school literature resources, we invite you to visit the High School Success section of the College Transitions blog. Additionally, some relevant blogs that you may find interesting include:

• The Great Gatsby Themes & Analysis 
• Great Gatsby Quotes about the American Dream
• Great Gatsby Quotes and Analysis 
• High School Success

Dane Gebauer

Dane Gebauer is a writer and teacher living in Miami, FL. He received his MFA in fiction from Columbia University, and his writing has appeared in Complex Magazine and Sinking City Review .

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20 Best AP Lit Books & Plays You Need to Read

If you’re planning to take the AP English Literature and Composition exam, one of the best things you can do to prepare is to simply hit the books. Since the whole exam is about reading and interpreting literature, it only makes sense that reading will help you sharpen the skills you’ll need to ace the exam. In this post, we’ll go over three concepts to guide your reading as you prepare for the AP Lit exam, plus 20 awesome book recommendations.

How Reading Can Improve Your AP Lit Score

Reading a broad range of texts will help familiarize you with the works on the AP Lit exam, which come from a wide variety of genres and time periods. Beyond that, you’ll be able to practice your analytical reading skills, looking out for the themes and concepts commonly tested on the AP exam (which we’ll discuss later in this post).

More specifically, reading will also help prepare you for the third free response question on the exam, which asks you to discuss a certain theme in a work of your choice. The question provides a list of works, but you’re always welcome to choose another piece of similar “literary merit” (which we’ll also discuss later). So, you’ll want to read a selection of quality works to be able to write a strong response to a wide range of themes.

Here’s an example of this kind of free response question:

What is “Literary Merit”?

The College Board doesn’t have an official recommended list of books to read for AP Lit. Anything goes, as long as it’s English literature of “literary merit.” So, what is “literary merit”? What kinds of works count? According to the College Board , these characteristics constitute a work of literary merit: 

• Entertains the reader and is interesting to read.
• Does not merely conform to the expectations of a single genre or formula
• Has been judged to have artistic quality by the literary community (teachers, students, librarians, critics, other writers, the reading public)
• Has stood the test of time in some way, regardless of the date of publication
• Shows thematic depth: The themes merit revisiting and study because they are complex and nuanced.
• Demonstrates innovation in style, voice, structure, characterization, plot and/or description.
• May have a social, political or ideological impact on society during the lifetime of the author or afterward.
• Does not fall into the traps of “pulp” fiction such as clichéd or derivative descriptions and plot devices, or sentimentality rather than “earned” emotion.
• Is intended by the author to communicate in an artistic manner.
• Is universal in its appeal (i.e., the themes and insights are not only accessible to one culture or time period)

What to Look for as You Read AP Lit Books

As you read for AP Lit, be sure to read closely and carefully, as you would on an exam. It’s also important to pay attention to certain commonly tested concepts:

Figurative Language 

Authors use literary techniques such as metaphors, similes, personification, and allusions in their writing for numerous reasons, from building imagery to elaborating on complex concepts. A powerful literary technique, figurative language provides the reader with a deeper understanding of a writer’s work and is one of the primary components of the AP English Literature and Composition exam. 

When reading in preparation for the AP Lit exam, pay close attention to the figurative language used by the author and how it affects your interpretation of the story, is used to convey information, and makes the text more engaging. Similarly, think about the particular components of figurative language focused on by the AP English Literature and Composition exam.

• Distinguish between the literal and figurative meanings of words and phrases
• The function of specific words and phrases in a text
• The function of symbols in the story
• The function of images and imagery

The function of word choice, imagery, and symbols makes up 10%-13% of the multiple-choice section of the AP English Literature and Composition exam, and was a primary component of the first free-response question on the 2018 exam. 

Here are examples of test questions on figurative language:

The answer is: A 

The narrator of a story has an enormous influence over a reader’s experience, as they control the details revealed—emphasizing some and limiting others. For example, in Tennessee Williams’ play, The Glass Menagerie (a memory play), Tom the narrator says in his opening monologue, “I give you the truth in the pleasant disguise of illusion.” In other words, the story is told from his perspective, complete with his biases and prejudices. 

When reading in preparation for the AP Literature and Composition exam, think about the perspective the story is being told from—first person, second person, limited third person, omniscient author, unreliable narrator, observer narrator—and how this perspective frames the story. Also keep in mind the particular contexts that you’re asked to understand and demonstrate the use of narration by the College Board.  

• Identify and describe the narrator or speaker of a text
• The function of the narrator’s point of view
• The narrator’s or speaker’s perspective through details, diction, or syntax
• The reliability of a narrator’s effect on the story 

Narration makes up 21%-26% of the AP Lit exam’s multiple-choice section. It’s also likely to play a large role in the free-response questions. 

Here are some sample questions:

The answer is: D

The word “character” comes from the Latin word meaning “mark, distinctive quality,” and is a literary device used by authors to allow readers to explore a range of values, beliefs, assumptions, biases, and cultural norms. Characters (which are not limited to humans) can be any person, animal, being, or creature that moves the story’s plot line. 

Character is an extremely important literary device; without characters, there is no story to tell. You’ll encounter a variety of different types of characters throughout your reading, the two primary forms being protagonists (whom the story revolves around) and antagonists (those who cause conflict for the protagonist). In addition, you’ll often be introduced to a number of different types of minor characters: foil, static, dynamic, flat, and round. 

As you prepare for the AP Literature and Composition exam, pay close attention to how the characters interact with each other and the world around them, and what the author is trying to show to the reader through the characters. It’s also a good idea to think about the particular aspects of character the College Board places a focus on.

• What is revealed about a character, their perspective, and motives through textual details
• The function of a character changing, or remaining unchanged
• The function of contrasting characters
• How the nuances and complexities in characters’ relationships are revealed through textual details
• The complexities revealed about a character through their choices, actions, and speech

Character accounts for 16%-20% of the multiple-choice section of the AP Literature and Composition exam, and will likely play a considerable role in the free-response section as well.

Here’s an example:

20 Best Books You Should Read for AP Lit

Here are some works to read to help you prepare for the AP Lit exam, separated by U.S. and Non-U.S. authors, and books vs. plays. These works were selected for their quality and impact.

Books By U.S. Authors 

Plays By U.S. Authors 

Books By Non-U.S. Authors

Plays By Non-U.S. Authors

For more help with the AP Lit exam, check out our Ultimate Guide to the AP Lit Exam .

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AP® English Literature

The ultimate ap® english literature reading list.

• The Albert Team
• Last Updated On: March 1, 2022

Introduction: How to Use this Ultimate AP® English Literature Reading List

With such a vast number of novels to choose from, it can be tough to decide which books to put on your AP® English Literature Reading List.

Let us help take out the guesswork! We break down exactly which books you should be studying, and why. 

We’ve categorized 40 different literary works. We’ve also included a thoughtful literary analysis on their key elements. With our help, you’ll be able to organize your list of AP® English Literature books to study in a way that works for you and your schedule.

Let’s get started!

What We Review

The Top 10 AP® English Literature Reading List

Everyone plays favorites, and The College Board is no exception. For example, Invisible Man has popped up on 29 of the past 49 AP® Lit exams! Chances are, we’ll see it again this year. 

We devoted this portion of the list directly to the top ten works that appeared most frequently on past exams. They should be on the top of your College Board reading list.

Do your best to gain at least some familiarity with this list of books, as it’s likely that one of these will appear somewhere on the test.

1. Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison

Ellison’s Invisible Man is a long read but it is definitely worth your time. It expertly tackles race and bigotry, and its effect on the minds of everyone involved. Themes of race, identity, ideology, and stereotypes are explored.

The story follows a marginalized character. He’s not literally invisible, but he’s invisible in a society that is unable and unwilling to recognize the individuality of the black man.

It’s as culturally relevant today as it was when published in 1954. This is the most frequently referenced title on the AP® English Literature book list since 1971.

2. Great Expectations by Charles Dicken

This exciting novel is considered a Victorian “Bildungsroman”, or a coming-of-age story. Pip is a young and poor blacksmith’s son, who suddenly finds himself the owner of a large fortune and is whisked off to London.

One of the most versatile titles on this list, Great Expectations addresses many of the Victorian-era genres including: satire, crime, Silver Fork, Newgate, Gothic, serial fiction, romance, politics, and history.

Dickens gives us a fun plot, but the deeper literary analysis questions on the AP® Exams will focus on his writing, or his prose. Concentrate on instances of his beautiful use of language, and how they affect the novel as a whole. 

The character, Estella, gives us the beautiful quote, “Suffering has been stronger than all other teaching, and has taught me to understand what your heart used to be. I have been bent and broken, but – I hope – into a better shape.” This prompts the reader to consider how difficult times allows us to grow as people, and how Estella and Pip have grown from their sufferings. 

3. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

Wuthering Heights is one of the most highly regarded pieces on the College Board reading list. A strong example of Gothic Romanticism, it deals heavily with questions of emotion and violence.

The language is easier to decipher than most literary works on the AP® reading list. But, where it really shines is in its considerations of class and gender from a woman’s perspective.

As you read, look out for the poetry in her language and the mastery of composition that Emily Bronte uses in her only published novel. 

4. Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad

Heart of Darkness is celebrated on many of the AP® English Literature prep message boards as a go-to literary work for the free response section- and with good reason! It’s a relatively short novella containing mystery, psychology, and adventure.

Heart of Darkness is particularly useful for the AP® exam in answering questions about the modern world it was written in. It pointedly deals with imperialist greed, taking place in the 1890s African Congo.

Be sure to keep this in mind- Above all else, Heart of Darkness effectively explores and answers questions about morality. Does doing something wrong for the right reasons make it justified?

Use Albert’s Heart of Darkness course for help understanding tough concepts.

5. King Lear by William Shakespeare

King Lear , referenced 17 times on the exam since 1971, is the most frequently cited work by Shakespeare. King Lear is a brutal play containing themes ranging from familial love and duty, to anger and deception.

This one play provides a wealth of both literary and stylistic elements for you to analyze. This seminal tragedy focuses on King Lear, who foolishly exiles his one loving daughter, giving his kingdom to his two evil ones. As you read, consider how themes of loyalty tie in with compassion and forgiveness.

Albert’s King Lear course is a great resource for understanding the themes and concepts.

6. Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky

The main theme of Crime and Punishment is redeeming oneself through suffering. This is another long but worthwhile read at 545 pages. Crime and Punishment psychologically analyzes young Raskolnikov’s crime to reveal how psychological analysis itself keeps us imprisoned. Intellectualizing events, says Dostoevsky, keeps us imprisoned.

As the name tells us, the two major themes of the story are Crime and Punishment, and their relationship to each other.

Think about questions of sacrifice when studying this piece. Nihilism, the superhero complex, alienation, and poverty are also analyzed at length.

Check out Albert’s Crime and Punishment course.

7. A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce

Another bildungsroman (or coming-of-age story), A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man is an examination of how morality and religion can confine an artist.

A Portrait reflects Joyce’s own development as a young boy through adulthood at university. Read A Portrait with an eye out for Joyce’s stream of consciousness style. As Stephen, the main character, develops morally and psychologically, the style of Joyce’s writing adapts and grows, so to speak.

Utilize this title on questions of how style can inform the meaning of the development of characters.

8. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

Jane Eyre is a highly cited Victorian Romantic novel. At its core, this is a story of a woman yearning for more than what traditional society would allow her to have.

This well-known novel centers on a strong feminist character, who fights control her own destiny. Bronte’s novel resonates deeply with current feminist movements across the globe. It focuses on themes of love, social class, and gender roles.

Albert has a great Jane Eyre course to help you prepare.

9. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

Huck Finn is one of the best-known titles on this list among American students. It’s rich and complex, yet the language is accessible.

If you’re asked about the era of Slavery or Reconstruction on the exam, Huck Finn should come to mind. It relentlessly discusses slavery, racism, and the hypocrisy of civilized society.

While reading the story, think of the Mississippi River as a symbol for remaining neutral on issues of race. Use that to inform your reading of Huck Finn.

10. Moby Dick by Herman Melville

Last on this top 10 list is Moby Dick. Universally accepted as a masterful work of fiction, Melville himself described this novel as a meditation on America.

Reading this big novel might not fit into your studying time frame, but you should at least read summaries and key portions. This will help you gain an understanding of Melville’s particular use of symbolism. There are many symbols that may appear on the AP® English Literature exam, including his The Pequod, the color white, and Moby Dick (the whale itself).

In summary, the College Board tends to repeat similar titles on the exam. Studying these top 10 novels should be a priority on your list! They cover a wide range of themes, genres, and cultural time periods to help you effectively answer different varieties of exam questions.

Return to the Table of Contents

Top AP® English Literature Reading List from the Lost Generation

It could be useful to organize your reading list in terms of time period. For instance, take the Lost Generation. Many of the most frequently cited literary works on the AP® exam were written by Lost Generation, or World War I era, authors.

Not only is this an interesting time period that’s receiving more attention as the years draw on, many of the following titles from this era reflect the distinct American voice in literature in a lyrical, interesting, and unique way. 

11. As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner

Faulkner’s As I Lay Dying , is a good example to use if you’re asked about stream of consciousness writing style. Consider how this style develops tone, and how this style aids in character development.

This novel alternates between 15 different character’s points of view. While this sounds intimidating, it’s actually easy to follow. The intimate tone helps us understand each different character.

Additionally, As I Lay Dying is considered part of the foundation of the Southern Renaissance.

12. East of Eden by John Steinbeck

As you read this novel, it’s important to remember it’s a modern retelling of the Book of Genesis (the one with Adam and Eve). If you’re faced with questions on the exam about allegory, it’s a good novel to reference.

East of Eden takes place around the end of WWI in California. It revolves around themes of jealousy, love, the consequences of the absence of love.

13. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Probably one of the best-known Lost Generation literary works, The Great Gatsby is iconic in high school English Literature education. F. Scott Fitzgerald’s work has come to represent the Jazz Age in America.

If you’re asked about early-20 th century American society, The Great Gatsby should be a novel you reference..

Check out Albert’s The Great Gatsby course.

14. The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner

Faulkner’s fourth novel, The Sound and the Fury , is another exercise in style. He again uses a stream of consciousness writing to tell a personal story of fear about the corruption of family values.

This is a difficult book to decipher, but, if you can get a handle on how Faulkner utilizes point of view, this piece will be valuable in both the multiple choice and free response exam sections.

15. The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway

The Sun Also Rises represents the pinnacle of Hemmingway’s “Iceberg Theory,” also known as “theory of omission.” This style intentionally uses sparse language, to inspire curiosity in the reader.

Hemingway only shows the “tip of the iceberg” in his characterization and descriptions. He leaves it to the reader to formulate a deeper literary analysis (the part of the iceberg that’s underwater).

This novel not only represents Hemingway’s style; it represents the whole Lost Generation itself, through its stories of American expatriates in Europe.

16. Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston

Hurston’s Their Eyes Were Watching God is a a stylistic masterwork with unique diction. Hurston juxtaposes Southern Black dialect with the voice of a literary narrator.

If you’re asked about her work, chances are that understanding her style and structure will score you points.

Top AP® English Literature Reading List from WWI to Present

These following literary works appear on the College Board’s most frequently cited list, and they were published after WWI. These titles are useful references to this time period in particular.

17. Ceremony by Leslie Marmon Silko

Ceremony is a commentary on how tradition and spirituality are a source of healing.

It takes place from the point of view of a service-age Native American man. He returns from World War II with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. His mentally instability forces him to turn to alcohol to ease his mind. But, eventually, he returns to his spirituality, healing from it.

18. Beloved by Toni Morrison

This work of literature explores Mother-Daughter relationships and the psychological impact that slavery has had on the African-American community in this country. Use Beloved to comment on the importance of identity and also community.

As you read, also consider how the supernatural elements of the story (like ghosts) contrast with its stark realism.

19. The Color Purple by Alice Walker

The Color Purple is set in rural Georgia in the 1930s. It’s written in the form of letters from the main character, Celie, to God and to her sister.

It deals with racism and sexism, along with women’s rights. The power of language also plays an important role . As we read further into the story, the language in Celie’s letters changes to reflect her emotional and psychological development.

This development through language reinforces the idea that language, or the ability to express yourself, is essential in developing your sense of who you are.

20. The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams

Williams draws from a lot of his own personal experiences in The Glass Menagerie. This play has only four main characters, and its overarching theme is the importance of accepting reality. Each character in The Glass Menagerie retreats into their own world to escape realities they can’t cope with.

Look for this selection in free response prompts about symbolism. Laura’s array of delicate glass animals is the single strongest symbol in the play and a strong symbol in general. This Glass Menagerie comes to represent Laura herself and her escape from her own illusory world.

21. Catch-22 by Joseph Heller

Catch-22 is a first and foremost a satire. It comments on war by reducing it to a bureaucratic concern. Men’s lives and deaths are ultimately controlled by an uncaring, unfeeling government. Use this literary work in discussions of plot and irony.

Consider how devices, like the Catch-22 rule , serve to form the plot of a story.

We have a great Catch-22 course in our Albert library.

22. Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller

This play has won both the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the Tony Award for Best Play. Death of a Salesman critiques the American dream and questions its attainability. It grapples with themes like facing reality or giving in to illusion and living in denial.

The main character, Willy, is an aging salesman who struggles to cope with his current life. Much of the play is told through his own flashbacks to earlier in his career.

As you read, consider the effects of flashback on the interpretation of the themes.

Top AP® English Literature Reading List from Shakespeare

Many of William Shakespeare’s works appear on the exam’s most frequently cited list. Even though you’ve probably studied his plays all through high school, it’ll help to refresh your memory on these essential texts.

23. Othello

Othello is an African general in the Venetian army, and the play examines the racial prejudice he faces. It’s a story of love and deception surrounding his insecurity in his personal relationships. Jealousy is an overarching theme throughout the play.

Exam questions on Othello may be concerned with issues of an isolated character and what characteristics contribute to that isolation.

Enhance your understanding and analysis with our Othello Albert course .

24. The Tempest

One of the prominent themes in The Tempest is the artist in relation to his creation. Prospero can be viewed as a kind of artist, in that he controls the fate of every other character. It’s as if Shakespeare inserted himself into the story as Prospero.

The Tempest is widely regarded as Shakespeare’s “Farewell” performance.

25. The Merchant of Venice

The Merchant of Venice is important in preparing for the AP® English Literature exam because it covers a timeless debate about racial and religious supremacy.

This work could appear on either the multiple choice or free response sections, because it explores the concept of dynamic characters using a culturally-charged and well-defined example: Shylock the Moneylender.

Hamlet has been performed more than any other Shakespearean work. For this reason alone, it would be a good idea to familiarize yourself with it.

There are many religious, philosophical, and psychoanalytical undercurrents in Hamlet. All of these will help in free responses and multiple choice questions pertaining to character.

Use Albert’s Hamlet course for extra prep.

27. Macbeth

“Bubble, bubble, toil and trouble!” Macbeth is a cautionary tale warning against evil as a means of power. Themes of ambition, madness, and war all intertwine.

Studying Macbeth is a good opportunity for you to develop your critical analysis skills in tragedy.

Check out Albert’s Macbeth course here .

28. A Midsummer Night’s Dream

This one’s a classic example of a Shakespean comedy, one of his most popular works overall. This play has four separate storylines that all revolve around the marriage of two main characters, Duke Theseus and Queen Hippolyta.

The entire play takes place in the span of one night and is set in both Fairyland and a real-world forest. This play provides great opportunities for an analysis of symbolism. Focus on how enchantments and magic are used throughout. Consider how images of roses and use of love juice symbolize falling in love too quickly.

Top AP® English Literature Reading List from the Classics

The classics are also frequently cited on the AP® English Literature exam. These five classic works could appear on the multiple choice section of the test, as well as on the free response section. Be sure to familiarize yourself with them.

29. Antigone by Sophocles

Antigone addresses issues of authority, faith, and fidelity. Sophocles examines the destructive repercussions on following the law over what you believe is right. He uses the family drama of the character Antigone to highlight this.

Remember to use Albert’s Antigone course for help.

30. Candide by Voltaire

Candide is a unique coming-of-age story and a satirical novella. It asks the question, ‘With so many hardships in the world, what’s the point of trying to be optimistic?’

Keep in mind that Candide is a unique take on the bildungsroman (coming-of-age story), and it’s a relatively short read.

Though Candide was first published in 1759, it is still considered a classic literary work.

31. Oedipus Rex by Sophocles

Oedipus Rex (The King) demonstrates a unique take on the Greek Tragedy. Rather than following the sealed-fate plot that would have made sense to the audience of the time, Sophocles made Oedipus’s choices and faults contribute to his downfall.

You may have heard of Freud’s famous “Oedipus Complex” psychological theory. This play is where it gets its name.

Use Albert’s course on Oedipus Rex for additional help.

32. Medea by Euripides

Medea contains feminist undertones, which was a revolutionary occurrence for the time. Medea is a young woman who wants to take control of her own life in a patriarchal society. This ultimately that drives her to the extreme of committing murder.

Furthermore, the structure of the play is interesting in itself. In every scene, the only actors are Medea and one other person.

33. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Frankenstein represents, arguably, the first science fiction story. But, it does this while remaining true to Shelley’s Gothic and Romantic roots.

The entire novel is a study in how power can corrupt. The power of knowledge allows Victor to animate “The Beast.” The power of his hatred for his creation pushes him toward his own death. The story in itself is a study in power and its dangers.

Frankenstein was first published in 1818. Though not in the same time period as most works on this list, it’s still considered a classic. Remember to use Albert’s Frankenstein course for help.

34. The Odyssey by Homer

Chances are, you’ve already read Odysseus’s sweeping tale of adventure at some point in your high school career. But whether you have or haven’t, this epic poem is worth revisiting before you take your exam.

Taking place in ancient Greece, this story follows the epic hero Odysseus as he tries to return home after the Trojan war. On his way, Odysseus encounters a number of mythical monsters, all preventing him from reaching his wife, Penelope. Consider the use of symbolism in this play, and what each different monster represents in a relationship between a husband and wife. 

Check out Albert’s The Odyssey course for additional practice.

Top AP® English Literature Reading List: Other Helpful Texts to Check Out

The list above is full of familiar titles. The list that follows contains titles referenced less often.

If you’re able to include mention of some of these, you may be able to score points for the breadth of your literary knowledge.

35. A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams

Streetcar is considered one of the greatest American plays of all time. Like The Glass Menagerie, Streetcar also deals with the interplay between reality and fantasy. It’s considered at least vaguely autobiographical.

Consider reading this piece along with Menagerie.

36. Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe

Things Fall Apart chronicles the life of a Nigerian, and it comments on the effect of British colonialism and Christianity. Read this novel if you’re searching for a piece that comes from a different culture. Also, check out the work of Ngugi wa Thiong’o if you’re interested in African perspectives on fiction.

Albert has a practice course to help you with this novel.

37. Obasan by Joy Kogawa

Obason details the Japanese internment camps of World War II, an often under-represented piece of history. The story is told from the point of view of a young child.

Joy Kogawa displays her mastery of imagery in Obasan. This piece is rife with examples of figurative language. Referencing its language and/or its cultural significance can help you earn points on the exam.

38. Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? by Edward Albee

Albee challenges the traditional notions of success for both individuals and families in this play. This is one more work that comments on reality vs. fantasy.

The title itself is a reference to the “Big Bad Wolf,” and Virginia Woolf herself (though the play isn’t really about her at all.) This dark comedy-drama centers on the struggling marriage of its two, flawed main characters.

39. Wise Blood by Flannery O’Connor

O’Connor’s first novel, Wise Blood, deals with the crisis of faith in those who’ve seen war. The main character, Hazel Motes, returns home wounded from World World II to an empty house. Raised as the grandson of a preacher, he grew up conflicted with religion. War has turned him into a very vocal atheist.

Consider how O’Connor’s style affects the exploration of faith in Wise Blood.

40. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

If you enjoy dystopian science fiction, look no further! Brave New World takes place on Earth in the future where the entire planet is governed by just one government, the World State. The citizens of Earth are all genetically modified and sorted in a social hierarchy based on intelligence. 

The novel has numerous allusions to Shakespeare- the title, Brave New World, is a quote from The Tempest. As you read, consider the impact of these allusions on the meaning of the story as a whole.

Wrapping Things Up: The Ultimate AP® English Literature Reading List

We hope this English literature book list will help you decide which books you want to use to prepare for the AP® exam. In beginning your study, keep these things in mind:

• You don’t need to read every book cover to cover. Familiarize yourself with important plots and characters from especially dense texts (like Moby Dick).
• Understand the AP® exam scoring guidelines, and how different literary works can earn you points in different areas.
• Choose books that interest you! You’ll have an easier time reading and remembering texts that you’re already motivated to read.

By reading and retaining as much information as possible before test day comes, you’re maximizing your odds of receiving the grades you want. Happy reading!

Remember to check out Albert’s How to Study for AP® English Literature for useful tips and skills!

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The Best AP English Literature and Composition Review Books of 2024

• Post by: Professor Conquer
• Last updated on: January 24, 2024

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Not sure what the best AP English Literature review books are? No worries. In this comprehensive guide, we breakdown our top picks for AP English Literature study aids.

Because of how wide the scope of the English language is and how there are many approaches that different colleges take in their English courses, the College Board split the subject matter into two exams. The second of the two is AP English Literature and Composition exam. It is one of the most difficult exams around given how only 47.4% of those who took the exam got a score of 3 or higher.

Given that English literature itself is as wide a subject as any other, it can be difficult to prepare yourself for the challenges of the AP English Literature and Composition especially if you do not have a guide that can help you get started ( we have 52 AP English Literature tips and test taking strategies here ). In that regard, review books are indispensable. These study aids allow you to follow a flow that usually follows the outline set by the College Board. You also gain access to useful tips, strategies, and practice questions and exams.

But because there are plenty of review books for AP English Literature and Composition, you might get confused as to which ones fit your preferences. If you want to just get back to studying, get our top choice for AP English Literature prep book here .

Last update: 2024-06-28

If you prefer looking over everything, we have put together a list of what we believe are the best AP English Literature review books for this exam:

Our Favorites (the best AP English Literature Review books)

CliffsNotes AP Literature and Composition: 2021 Exam by Allan Casson

A masterpiece by Cliffs Notes that is specifically made for the AP English Literature and Composition exam, this review book probably has everything you need to make your review worthwhile. It not only prepares your knowledge of the topics in the outline of the College Board but it also improves the way you understand the exam and the strategies needed to get the highest score possible.

The book first introduces you to the format of the AP English Literature and Composition exam and the different techniques and strategies you can opt to use to take on the multiple-choice and essay questions that will come out in the exam. It then helps you recall what you have learned in your high school and AP literature classes with a subject review that is quite comprehensive.

The best part about this top AP Lit review book are the practice exams. The material comes with six full-length practice exams to help get your mind and answering techniques in shape just in time for the AP English Literature and Composition exam. The practice exams each have their own answers and explanations to make sure you are well apprised of where you went wrong and where you need to improve.

For its price, CliffNotes AP Literature and Composition is an affordable book that is well-loved by satisfied customers on Amazon. The one thing that is most common in the reviews are the practice exams. Since the AP English Literature and Composition exam is quite a difficult test to study for, practice becomes more than a necessity. And because this review book has six practice tests, you will get all the practice you need to get the highest score possible in the exam.

What makes it unique:

• It not only covers the necessary topics you need to study for in the exam but also the details and information you need to know to perform better.
• The book has more practice tests than most other review materials on the market.

Why choose this book:

• It is quite balanced without having to sacrifice the quality of the review experience it offers.
• Choose this book if you want a review that does not merely focus on the topics but also on practice and strategies.

• Swovelin M.A., Barbara V (Author)
• English (Publication Language)
• 352 Pages - 09/08/2020 (Publication Date) - CliffsNotes (Publisher)

Last update: 2024-06-27

AP English Language and Composition Premium, 2023-2024 by George Ehrenhaft

There isn’t a lot that Barron’s cannot do when it comes to making AP exam review materials. In this case, this book contains an in-depth, well-balanced, and comprehensive preparation that will surely get you ready to ace the AP English Literature and Composition exam. Because of that, it ranks as one of the better review materials on the market.

Barron's blasts you with a comprehensive review of the test topics and of the things that you should know of such as understanding poetry, drama, and other forms of fiction and literature. It also has a section that covers the definition of the most important terms that will come out in the exam. In that sense, you will be more than prepared when it comes to substantive knowledge of the subject matter.

On top of its comprehensive review, this book also helps your answering techniques with sample questions that each all have their own answers and explanations. There are even sample student essays that have expert critiques. And because you need a lot of practice when it comes to performing well in the AP English Literature and Composition exam, this book comes with five full-length practice tests.

Positive reviews on Amazon all rave about how comprehensive and helpful this book is. It is almost an indispensable tool and study aid for anyone reviewing for the exam. And the one thing satisfied customers love about it is that the practice tests are indeed helpful when it comes to preparing them. It isn’t even that expensive as its price is on the lower to mid-end of resources we reviewed for best AP English Literature study guides.

• It not only dwells on specific topics that will come out in the exam but also focuses on improving your understanding of the exam format.
• The book improves the way you tackle certain types of questions you will be encountering in the exam.
• Go for this review material if you want to have a study aid that does well in just about any area whether it’s by equipping you with the proper knowledge of the topics covered or by helping you practice for the exam.

• Ehrenhaft Ed. D., George (Author)
• 396 Pages - 08/02/2022 (Publication Date) - Barrons Educational Services (Publisher)

AP English Language & Composition Prep, 2022 by The Princeton Review

If there is anything that’s true about The Princeton Review, it is that it does not skimp on the quality of its review materials. AP English Language & Composition Prep, 2021 is a review book of the highest quality that surely aims to help you improve your knowledge and techniques so that you will get a perfect score of 5 in the exam.

Like most of the other books by The Princeton Review, this material contains a comprehensive review of the topics in the outline of the College Board while also giving you the latest information about the upcoming AP English Literature and Composition exam. The topics also come with activities and questions that will keep you engaged and interested in the review.

This review book also equips you with tried and tested strategies and techniques are proven to work. You will also be given tips on how to tackle different questions in the exam and how to pace yourself for what seems like a very long exam. These techniques are designed to help you work both harder and smarter during the entire review process.

Known for delivering challenging questions, The Princeton Review has included two full-length practice tests that each have their own answers and explanations. These practice tests are considered more difficult than the actual AP English Literature and Composition exam. There are also poetry drills and sample essays that can help develop your skills and techniques.

It is a pretty affordable book that has gotten a lot of positive reviews online. Satisfied customers say that every detail and strategy in this book has helped them get high grades in the exam. Meanwhile, there are those that love the book because of how it has helped them improve their analytical skills.

• It gives out useful techniques and tips that improve the way you handle yourself during the exam.
• The practice tests and questions are quite challenging in such a way that you are able to fully gauge and prepare yourself for the actual test.
• As one of the best AP Lit review books, this one does not fall short in any of the areas you need to get a high score in the exam.
• While it does not have a lot of practice tests, the ones in the book are a lot more challenging than what its competitors can offer. Choose this book if you want to challenge yourself.

Enjoying this article? Get our 137-page guide to doing well in high school here.

• The Princeton Review (Author)
• 304 Pages - 08/03/2021 (Publication Date) - Princeton Review (Publisher)

The Runners-Up for Best AP English Literature Review Books (still good but a little lacking)

AP English Literature and Composition Study Guide: Exam Prep and Practice Test Questions for the AP English Literature and Composition Exam by Advanced Placement Prep Team Accepted

This review book was specifically designed by Accepted, Inc. as a study guide that will help you get the most out of your review time for the AP English Literature and Composition exam. In a sense, it delivers a quick review that does not dwell on a lot of unnecessary details while never compromising on the quality of the comprehensive topic overview it delivers.

As mentioned, the book contains a detailed review of the topics that will be covered by the exam according to the outline of the College Board. It also quickly goes through the basics of both the subject matter and of the exam to make sure you master the fundamental details and information needed for the more difficult concepts.

And like many other review books, Accepted, Inc.’s material comes with tips and strategies that can give you the edge in the upcoming exam. There are also practice tests that can develop your answering skills. These tests mirror exactly what will come out in the exam and will promise to shape your mind to perform at peak level in time for the actual thing.

If there was a knock on this review book , it is that the practice tests do not have explanations in the answer key. It never hurts to know how or why you got the wrong answer in the practice test because of how it improves the way you approach similar questions in the future. Other than that, it is quite a good book for the price.

• It was specifically designed to mirror the topics in the outline of the College Board.
• The book contains a detailed overview that seems to be easier and quicker to read than most materials.

Why choose this top AP English Literature review book:

• At about 122 pages, it is a rather quick read that does not sacrifice quality and detail. If you are in a rush, it’s the perfect choice for you.
• Accepted, Inc. Advanced Placement Exam Prep Team (Author)
• 122 Pages - 01/03/2020 (Publication Date) - Accepted, Inc. (Publisher)

Master the AP English Literature and Composition Exam by Peterson’s

Not one of the more well-known review books for the AP English Literature and Composition exam, this material by Peterson’s is actually a good choice for you if you want a book that offers a detailed review of the topics you need to know to get a 5 in the exam.

Helping you review, digest, and understand the most important concepts you need for the upcoming exam, the book contains strategies that you can make use of to get a better score. Also, the review part of the book is also well-designed enough for teenagers to easily understand.

The book contains hundreds of practice questions you can use to help you improve your critical and analytical thinking skills when it comes to literature. All of these questions have their own answers and explanations to guide you through your mistakes. It also contains three full-length practice exams that can fully test how well-prepared you already are for the actual exam.

For a book that contains a lot of questions and a thorough and comprehensive review of the AP English Literature and Composition exam, its middle of the mark price is a good one considering the quality of this book. Nevertheless, it still isn’t the most complete book on the market when you consider the overall review experience you can get out of it.

What makes it unique as an AP Lit review book:

• It focuses a lot on helping you improve your answering skills by giving you hundreds of practice questions.
• The three full-length practice tests are pretty challenging themselves.
• If you prefer mastering the skills needed for the AP English Literature and Composition exam, we highly suggest this book because of the hundreds of problems and questions it contains.

• Peterson's (Author)
• 348 Pages - 10/18/2017 (Publication Date) - Peterson's (Publisher)

The Best Value for Your Money (good and affordable)

AP English Literature & Composition Crash Course by Dawn Hogue

When it comes to affordable materials that get their job done in an efficient and high-quality manner, there probably aren’t any AP English Literature review books that can contend with Crash Course . Giving you a literal crash course, this book offers a quick review that does not waste a lot of time on things that the exam won’t even cover. It’s the perfect choice for students that don’t have the luxury of time.

The book contains a more targeted and focused type of review that does not tend to dwell on unnecessary information. In that sense, it goes straight to the point and will only contain the things you need to know for you to get a 5 in the exam. This means that it’s a book that values the time you have left before the exam.

Not focusing on the content review alone, the book also contains advice and strategies that can help give you the edge. There are expert tips that are tried and tested in previous exams and there are those that will surely improve the way you answer different types of questions you will be encountering in the AP English Literature and Composition exam.

And, to wrap everything up, you will also be given a chance to take a practice test online . The test is time-tested to make you feel like you are actually taking the real thing. After taking the practice test, you will be given the answers and explanations to each question so that you will be able to know where you went wrong and how to improve yourself.

At a price on the lower-end of the resources we reviewed, it is an affordable book that also promises to be a quick read. This is why it is a favorite among satisfied Amazon customers, who all rave about how it won’t waste your time in making you study things that won’t even make sense in the actual exam.

• It summarizes the important concepts and information in a quick and precise manner.
• The book does not tend to overwhelm you with hundreds of details, tips, and questions. Instead, it just goes straight to the point.
• It is perfect for the time-crunched student.
• You can also go for this book if you have already read all of the more detailed textbooks and review books. It can basically act as a supplementary material to be used a few days before the exam.
• Hogue, Dawn (Author)
• 288 Pages - 09/06/2019 (Publication Date) - Research & Education Association (Publisher)

Summary of the Best AP English Literature and Composition Review Books

Wrapping everything up, here are the AP English Literature and Composition review resources we went over today:

It takes time and experience to know which review books work best for you. However, since you don’t have the time and the money to try every review book on the market, it’s better for you to take note of the list we put up specifically to cater to your needs. You can never go wrong with any of those books especially if you also put in the necessary time and effort in your review.

Did you find this guide on the best AP English Literature review books helpful? If so, share it with a friend!

Looking for more reviews of AP study guides? Check out our archives for AP World Languages , AP Math & Computer Science , AP History & Social Sciences , or our general Advanced Placement section .

Or if you’re looking for AP English Literature tips and test taking strategies, check out our 52 AP English Lit tips here .

Finally, if you’re taking AP Lit, you may also benefit from the best SAT Subject Test in Literature prep books post here .

Professor Conquer

Professor Conquer started Conquer Your Exam in 2018 to help students feel more confident and better prepared for their tough tests. Prof excelled in high school, graduating top of his class and receiving admissions into several Ivy League and top 15 schools. He has helped many students through the years tutoring and mentoring K-12, consulting seniors through the college admissions process, and writing extensive how-to guides for school.

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Advanced Placement (AP)

If you're planning to take the AP English Literature and Composition exam, you'll need to get familiar with what to expect on the test. Whether the 2023 test date of Wednesday, May 3, is near or far, I'm here to help you get serious about preparing for the exam.

In this guide, I'll go over the test's format and question types, how it's graded, best practices for preparation, and test-day tips. You'll be on your way to AP English Lit success in no time!

AP English Literature: Exam Format and Question Types

The AP Literature Exam is a three-hour exam that contains two sections in this order:

• An hour-long, 55-question multiple-choice section
• A two-hour, three-question free-response section

The exam tests your ability to analyze works and excerpts of literature and cogently communicate that analysis in essay form.

Read on for a breakdown of the two different sections and their question types.

Section I: Multiple Choice

The multiple-choice section, or Section I of the AP Literature exam, is 60 minutes long and has 55 questions. It counts for 45% of your overall exam grade .

You can expect to see five excerpts of prose and poetry. You will always get at least two prose passages (fiction or drama) and two poetry passages. In general, you will not be given the author, date, or title for these works, though occasionally the title of a poem will be given. Unusual words are also sometimes defined for you.

The date ranges of these works could fall from the 16th to the 21st century. Most works will be originally written in English, but you might occasionally see a passage in translation.

There are, generally speaking, eight kinds of questions you can expect to see on the AP English Literature and Composition exam. I'll break each of them down here and give you tips on how to identify and approach them.

"Pretty flowers carried by ladies" is not one of the question types.

The 8 Multiple-Choice Question Types on the AP Literature Exam

Without further delay, here are the eight question types you can expect to see on the AP Lit exam. All questions are taken from the sample questions on the AP Course and Exam Description .

#1: Reading Comprehension

These questions test your ability to understand what the passage is saying on a pretty basic level . They don't require you to do a lot of interpretation—you just need to know what's going on.

You can identify this question type from words and phrases such as "according to," "mentioned," "asserting," and so on. You'll succeed on these questions as long as you carefully read the text . Note that you might have to go back and reread parts to make sure you understand what the passage is saying.

#2: Inference

These questions ask you to infer something—a character or narrator's opinion, an author's intention, etc.—based on what is said in the passage . It will be something that isn't stated directly or concretely but that you can assume based on what's clearly written in the passage. You can identify these questions from words such as "infer" and "imply."

The key to these questions is to not get tripped up by the fact that you are making an inference—there will be a best answer, and it will be the choice that is best supported by what is actually found in the passage .

In many ways, inference questions are like second-level reading comprehension questions: you need to know not just what a passage says, but also what it means.

#3: Identifying and Interpreting Figurative Language

These are questions for which you have to either identify what word or phrase is figurative language or provide the meaning of a figurative phrase . You can identify these as they will either explicitly mention figurative language (or a figurative device, such as a simile or metaphor ) or include a figurative phrase in the question itself.

The meaning of figurative phrases can normally be determined by that phrase's context in the passage—what is said around it? What is the phrase referring to?

Example 1: Identifying

Example 2: Interpreting

#4: Literary Technique

These questions involve identifying why an author does what they do , from using a particular phrase to repeating certain words. Basically, what techniques is the author using to construct the passage/poem, and to what effect?

You can identify these questions by words/phrases such as "serves chiefly to," "effect," "evoke," and "in order to." A good way to approach these questions is to ask yourself: so what? Why did the author use these particular words or this particular structure?

#5: Character Analysis

These questions ask you to describe something about a character . You can spot them because they will refer directly to characters' attitudes, opinions, beliefs, or relationships with other characters .

This is, in many ways, a special kind of inference question , since you are inferring the broader personality of the character based on the evidence in a passage. Also, these crop up much more commonly for prose passages than they do for poetry ones.

#6: Overall Passage Questions

Some questions ask you to identify or describe something about the passage or poem as a whole : its purpose, tone, genre, etc. You can identify these by phrases such as "in the passage" and "as a whole."

To answer these questions, you need to think about the excerpt with a bird's-eye view . What is the overall picture created by all the tiny details?

#7: Structure

Some AP Lit questions will ask you about specific structural elements of the passage: a shift in tone, a digression, the specific form of a poem, etc . Often these questions will specify a part of the passage/poem and ask you to identify what that part is accomplishing.

Being able to identify and understand the significance of any shifts —structural, tonal, in genre, and so on—will be of key importance for these questions.

#8: Grammar/Nuts & Bolts

Very occasionally you will be asked a specific grammar question , such as what word an adjective is modifying. I'd also include in this category super-specific questions such as those that ask about the meter of a poem (e.g., iambic pentameter).

These questions are less about literary artistry and more about the fairly dry technique involved in having a fluent command of the English language .

That covers the eight question types on the multiple-choice section. Now, let's take a look at the free-response section of the AP Literature exam.

Keep track of the nuts and bolts of grammar.

Section II: Free Response

The AP Literature Free Response section is two hours long and involves three free-response essay questions , so you'll have about 40 minutes per essay. That's not a lot of time considering this section of the test counts for 55% of your overall exam grade !

Note, though, that no one will prompt you to move from essay to essay, so you can theoretically divide up the time however you want. Just be sure to leave enough time for each essay! Skipping an essay, or running out of time so you have to rush through one, can really impact your final test score.

The first two essays are literary analysis essays of specific passages, with one poem and one prose excerpt. The final essay is an analysis of a given theme in a work selected by you , the student.

Essays 1 & 2: Literary Passage Analysis

For the first two essays, you'll be presented with an excerpt and directed to analyze the excerpt for a given theme, device, or development . One of the passages will be poetry, and one will be prose. You will be provided with the author of the work, the approximate date, and some orienting information (i.e., the plot context of an excerpt from a novel).

Below are some sample questions from the 2022 Free Response Questions .

Essay 3: Thematic Analysis

For the third and final essay, you'll be asked to discuss a particular theme in a work that you select . You will be provided with a list of notable works that address the given theme below the prompt, but you can also choose to discuss any "work of literary merit."

So while you do have the power to choose which work you wish to write an essay about , the key words here are "literary merit." That means no genre fiction! Stick to safe bets like authors in the list on pages 10-11 of the old 2014 AP Lit Course Description .

(I know, I know—lots of genre fiction works do have literary merit and Shakespeare actually began as low culture, and so on and so forth. Indeed, you might find academic designations of "literary merit" elitist and problematic, but the time to rage against the literary establishment is not your AP Lit test! Save it for a really, really good college admissions essay instead .)

Here's a sample question from 2022:

As you can see, the list of works provided spans many time periods and countries : there are ancient Greek plays ( Antigone ), modern literary works (such as Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale ), Shakespeare plays ( The Tempest ), 19th-century English plays ( The Importance of Being Earnest ), etc. So you have a lot to work with!

Also note that you can choose a work of "comparable literary merit." That means you can select a work not on this list as long as it's as difficult and meaningful as the example titles you've been given. So for example, Jane Eyre or East of Eden would be great choices, but Twilight or The Hunger Games would not.

Our advice? If you're not sure what a work of "comparable literary merit" is, stick to the titles on the provided list .

You might even see something by this guy.

How Is the AP Literature Test Graded?

The multiple-choice section of the exam comprises 45% of your total exam score; the three essays, or free-response section, comprise the other 55%. Each essay, then, is worth about 18% of your grade.

As on other AP exams, your raw score will be converted to a score from 1-5 . You don't have to get every point possible to get a 5 by any means. In 2022, 16.9% of students received 5s on the AP English Literature test, the 14th highest 5 score out of the 38 different AP exams.

So, how do you calculate your raw scores?

Multiple-Choice Scoring

For the multiple-choice section, you receive 1 point for each question you answer correctly . There's no guessing penalty, so you should answer every question—but guess only after you're able to eliminate any answer you know is wrong to up your chances of choosing the right one.

Free-Response Scoring

Scoring for multiple choice is pretty straightforward; however, essay scoring is a little more complicated.

Each of your essays will receive a score from 0 to 6 based on the College Board rubric , which also includes question-specific rubrics. All the rubrics are very similar, with only minor differences between them.

Each essay rubric has three elements you'll be graded on:

• Thesis (0-1 points)
• Evidence and Commentary (0-4 points)
• Sophistication (0-1 points)

We'll be looking at the current rubric for the AP Lit exam , which was released in September 2019, and what every score means for each of the three elements above:

To get a high-scoring essay in the 5-6 point range, you'll need to not only come up with an original and intriguing argument that you thoroughly support with textual evidence, but you’ll also need to stay focused, organized, and clear. And all in just 40 minutes per essay!

If getting a high score on this section sounds like a tall order, that's because it is.

Practice makes perfect!

Skill-Building for Success on the AP Literature Exam

There are several things you can do to hone your skills and best prepare for the AP Lit exam.

Read Some Books, Maybe More Than Once

One of the most important steps you can take to prepare for the AP Literature and Composition exam is to read a lot and read well . You'll be reading a wide variety of notable literary works in your AP English Literature course, but additional reading will help you further develop your analytical reading skills .

I suggest checking out this list of notable authors in the 2014 AP Lit Course Description (pages 10-11).

In addition to reading broadly, you'll want to become especially familiar with the details of four to five books with different themes so you'll be prepared to write a strong student-choice essay. You should know the plot, themes, characters, and structural details of these books inside and out.

See my AP English Literature Reading List for more guidance.

Read (and Interpret) Poetry

One thing students might not do very much on their own time but that will help a lot with AP Lit exam prep is to read poetry. Try to read poems from a lot of eras and authors to get familiar with the language.

We know that poetry can be intimidating. That's why we've put together a bunch of guides to help you crack the poetry code (so to speak). You can learn more about poetic devices —like imagery and i ambic pentameter —in our comprehensive guide. Then you can see those analytical skills in action in our expert analysis of " Do not go gentle into that good night " by Dylan Thomas.

When you think you have a grip on basic comprehension, you can then move on to close reading (see below).

Hone Your Close Reading and Analysis Skills

Your AP class will likely focus heavily on close reading and analysis of prose and poetry, but extra practice won't hurt you. Close reading is the ability to identify which techniques the author is using and why. You'll need to be able to do this both to gather evidence for original arguments on the free-response questions and to answer analytical multiple-choice questions.

Here are some helpful close reading resources for prose :

• University of Wisconsin-Madison Writing Center's guide to close reading
• Harvard College Writing Center's close reading guide
• Purdue OWL's article on steering clear of close reading "pitfalls"

And here are some for poetry :

• University of Wisconsin-Madison's poetry-reading guide
• This guide to reading poetry at Poets.org (complete with two poetry close readings)
• Our own expert analyses of famous poems, such as " Ozymandias ", and the 10 famous sonnets you should know

Learn Literary and Poetic Devices

You'll want to be familiar with literary terms so that any test questions that ask about them will make sense to you. Again, you'll probably learn most of these in class, but it doesn't hurt to brush up on them.

Here are some comprehensive lists of literary terms with definitions :

• The 31 Literary Devices You Must Know
• The 20 Poetic Devices You Must Know
• The 9 Literary Elements You'll Find In Every Story
• What Is Imagery?
• Understanding Assonance
• What Is Iambic Pentameter in Poetry?
• Simile vs Metaphor: The 1 Big Difference
• 10 Personification Examples in Poetry, Literature, and More

Practice Writing Essays

The majority of your grade on the AP English Lit exam comes from essays, so it's critical that you practice your timed essay-writing skills . You of course should use the College Board's released free-response questions to practice writing complete timed essays of each type, but you can also practice quickly outlining thorough essays that are well supported with textual evidence.

Take Practice Tests

Taking practice tests is a great way to prepare for the exam. It will help you get familiar with the exam format and overall experience . You can get sample questions from the Course and Exam Description , the College Board website , and our guide to AP English Lit practice test resources .

Be aware that the released exams don't have complete slates of free-response questions, so you might need to supplement these with released free-response questions .

Since there are three complete released exams, you can take one toward the beginning of your prep time to get familiar with the exam and set a benchmark, and one toward the end to make sure the experience is fresh in your mind and to check your progress.

Don't wander like a lonely cloud through your AP Lit prep.

AP Literature: 6 Critical Test-Day Tips

Before we wrap up, here are my six top tips for AP Lit test day:

• #1: On the multiple-choice section, it's to your advantage to answer every question. If you eliminate all the answers you know are wrong before guessing, you'll raise your chances of guessing the correct one.
• #2: Don't rely on your memory of the passage when answering multiple-choice questions (or when writing essays, for that matter). Look back at the passage!
• #3: Interact with the text : circle, mark, underline, make notes—whatever floats your boat. This will help you retain information and actively engage with the passage.
• #4: This was mentioned above, but it's critical that you know four to five books well for the student-choice essay . You'll want to know all the characters, the plot, the themes, and any major devices or motifs the author uses throughout.
• #5: Be sure to plan out your essays! Organization and focus are critical for high-scoring AP Literature essays. An outline will take you a few minutes, but it will help your writing process go much faster.
• #6: Manage your time on essays closely. One strategy is to start with the essay you think will be the easiest to write. This way you'll be able to get through it while thinking about the other two essays.

And don't forget to eat breakfast! Apron optional.

AP Literature Exam: Key Takeaways

The AP Literature exam is a three-hour test that includes an hour-long multiple-choice section based on five prose and poetry passages and with 55 questions, and a two-hour free-response section with three essays : one analyzing a poetry passage, one analyzing a prose passage, and one analyzing a work chosen by you, the student.

The multiple-choice section is worth 45% of your total score , and the free-response section is worth 55% . The three essays are each scored on a rubric of 0-6, and raw scores are converted to a final scaled score from 1 to 5.

Here are some things you can do to prepare for the exam:

• Read books and be particularly familiar with four to five works for the student-choice essays
• Read poetry
• Work on your close reading and analysis skills
• Learn common literary devices
• Practice writing essays
• Take practice tests!

On test day, be sure to really look closely at all the passages and really interact with them by marking the text in a way that makes sense to you. This will help on both multiple-choice questions and the free-response essays. You should also outline your essays before you write them.

With all this in mind, you're well on your way to AP Lit success!

What's Next?

If you're taking other AP exams this year, you might be interested in our other AP resources: from the Ultimate Guide to the US History Exam , to the Ultimate AP Chemistry Study Guide , to the Best AP Psychology Study Guide , we have tons of articles on AP courses and exams for you !

Looking for practice exams? Here are some tips on how to find the best AP practice tests . We've also got comprehensive lists of practice tests for AP Psychology , AP Biology , AP Chemistry , and AP US History .

Deciding which APs to take? Take a look through the complete list of AP courses and tests , read our analysis of which AP classes are the hardest and easiest , and learn how many AP classes you should take .

Ellen has extensive education mentorship experience and is deeply committed to helping students succeed in all areas of life. She received a BA from Harvard in Folklore and Mythology and is currently pursuing graduate studies at Columbia University.

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📚 AP English Literature

Unit 1 – intro to short fiction.

Unit 1 Overview: Introduction to Short Fiction

Interpreting the role of character in fiction

Identifying and interpreting setting

Understanding how a story’s structure affects interpretations

Understanding and interpreting a narrator’s perspective

Reading texts literally and figuratively

Unit 2 – Intro to Poetry

Unit 2 Overview: Introduction to Poetry

Identifying characters in poetry

Understanding & interpreting meaning in poetic structure

Analyzing word choice to find meaning

Identifying techniques in poetry to analyze literary works

Unit 3 – Intro to Longer Fiction & Drama

Unit 3 Overview: Introduction to Longer Fiction and Drama

Interpreting character description and perspective

Character evolution throughout a narrative

Conflict and plot development

Interpreting symbolism

Identifying evidence and supporting literary arguments

Unit 4 – Character, Conflict, & Storytelling in Short Fiction

Unit 4 Overview: Character, Conflict, and Storytelling

Protagonists, antagonists, character relationships, and conflict

Character interactions with setting and its significance

Archetypes in literature

Types of narration like stream of consciousness

Narrative distance, tone, and perspective

Unit 5 – Structure & Figurative Language in Poetry

Unit 5 Overview: Structure and Figurative Language

Traits of closed and open structures in poetry

Use of techniques like imagery and hyperbole

Types of comparisons in poetry including personification and allusion

Identifying and interpreting extended metaphors

Unit 6 – Literary Techniques in Longer Works

Unit 6 Overview: Literary Techniques in Longer Works

Interpreting foil characters

Understanding and interpreting character complexity

Understanding nonlinear narrative structures like flashbacks and foreshadowing

The effect of narrative tone and bias on reading

Characters as symbols, metaphors, and archetypes

Unit 7 – Societal & Historical Context in Short Fiction

Unit 7 Overview: Societal and Historical Context

Sudden and more gradual change in characters

Epiphany as a driver of plot

Relationships between characters and groups

Character interactions with changing and contrasting settings

The significance of the pacing of a narrative

Unit 8 – Advanced Techniques in Poetry

Unit 8 Overview: Advanced Techniques in Poetry

Looking at Punctuation and Structural Patterns

Interpreting juxtaposition, paradox, and irony

How ambiguity can allow for various interpretations

Identifying symbols, conceits, and allusions

Learning proper attribution and citation in literary analysis

Unit 9 – Nuanced Analysis in Longer Works

Unit 9 Overview: Nuanced Analysis

Looking at a character’s response to the resolution of a narrative

Suspense, resolution, and plot development

Narrative inconsistencies and contrasting perspectives

Study Tools

2024 AP English Literature Exam Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Most Frequently Cited on the AP English Literature Exam

What Is Poetry and How Can It Be Analyzed?

AP Lit Reading List

What is Classic Literature?

How Can I Be Prepared for the AP English Literature FRQs?

Best AP English Literature Quizlet Decks by Unit

Exam Skills

Score Higher on AP Literature 2024: MCQ Tips from Students

Score Higher on AP Literature 2024: Tips for FRQ 1 (Poetry Analysis)

Score Higher on AP Literature 2024: Tips for FRQ 2 (Prose Fiction Analysis)

Score Higher on AP Literature 2024: Tips for FRQ 3 (Literary Argument)

AP Lit Prose Analysis Practice Essays & Feedback

Short Fiction Overview

AP Cram Sessions 2021

Download AP Literature Cheat Sheet PDF Cram Chart

🌶️ AP Lit Cram Review: Long Fiction I

AP English Literature Cram Unit 1: Short Fiction I

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AP English Literature Cram Unit 3: Longer Fiction or Drama I

Live Cram Sessions 2020

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The 4 Best AP English Literature Prep Books [2023-2024]

• Advanced Placement
• 1) AP English Literature Overview
• 2) Course Summary
• 3) Exam Summary
• 4) Best AP English Literature Books
• 6) Wrapping Up

AP English Literature Overview

The College Board AP English Development Committee sets the course framework for AP English courses and exams. Given the scope and importance of the instruction of English as a subject, and the many approaches taken by colleges in designing their introductory english courses, The committee elected to break AP English into 2 seperate programs, AP English Literature and Composition, and AP English Language and Composition. This page focuses on the AP English Literature program, see here for our information on AP English Language Prep Books .

We’ll cover the course, exams, and our picks for the best AP English Literature books, and Review Guides for test year 2023 below, but if you just can’t wait, here’s the short list:

Getting a jump start on college level studies in English Literature can be extremely helpful for students regardless of your field. Most college programs have significant English course requirements, and all disciplines benefit from the ability to express thoughts and communicate clearly. Whatever your motivation for studying AP English Literature, we’re here to help you succeed!

Course Summary

A full Course Description for AP English Literature is available from collegeboard.org.

AP English Literature is meant to be the equivalent of an entry level college English course with an emphasis on literature. It’s goal is to engage students in the reading and analysis of imaginative literature. Students perform detailed readings of selected texts, and study the ways in which the author uses language to provide meaning and enjoyment to the reader.

Broadly, the course includes representative works from different eras and genres of literature. Equally heavy emphasis is placed on the reading and analysis of these works, and the writing of these analyses and the students ability to communicate clearly.

By the time a student completes the AP English Literature course, they will have read a wide variety of books from a number of time periods, authors, and genres. The course places emphasis on deliberate and thorough reading of a work, taking time to understand it’s complexity, and to understand and absorb meanings which may not be immediately apparent. A method for such readings consists of: * The experience (subjective dimensions including emotional responses) * The interpretations (analysis of the works to arrive at an understanding of multiple meanings) * The evaluation (assessment of the quality, artistic achievement, and social and cultural value)

A firm basis in the ability to perform a detailed reading of a literary work is critical to success on the AP English Literature exam.

Writing assignments in AP English Literature focus on the analysis of works formed by critical and deliberate reading as described above. Some creative writing assignments may also be incorporated depending on instructor preference. The goal of all writing assignments is to help students learn to explain their thoughts and understandings in clear and cogent ways. There is emphasis throughout the course on developing stylistic maturity, defined as:

• A wide vocabulary, applied correctly
• A variety of sentence structure
• A logical organization using techniques like repetition, transitions, and emphasis
• A balance of generalization and specific illustrative details
• Effective use of rhetoric

Writing assignments in an AP English Literature help to reinforce the readings, but are also inherently valuable for helping students organize and communicate.

Exam Summary

Students taking the AP English Literature Exam are responsible for demonstrating knowledge of the above mentioned skills and abilities. The student’s knowledge is assessed through a 3 hour exam containing questions in both multiple choice or free response format. The exam is broken up into 2 parts, with the multiple choice section accounting for 45% and free response accounting for 55% of a final score between 1 and 5.

Section 1: Multiple Choice

• 60 minutes long
• Accounts for 45% of the final score

Points are awarded for each correct answer, and no points are subtracted for incorrect or unanswered questions.

Section 2: Free Response

• 120 minutes long and contains 2 open ended questions
• Accounts for 55% of the final score.

Students are generally provided with an excerpt of a piece of literature, and asked to form an assessment of the work using core concepts from the course.

For exam dates, refer to The College Board AP Calendar .

Best AP English Literature Books

AP English Literature has several strong contenders for the best textbooks and review guides which we’ve ranked for you above. Continue on for detailed information on each one!

AP English Literature Crash Course

Pros: Laser focus on what you need to do well on the exam itself. Cons: Not actually a crash course - don't expect to slack off all year and do well with this. Best For: Understanding how the exam works, and what is needed to be successful. Our Rating: 5 / 5

AP English Literature Crash Course is our top recommendation for best AP English Literature review book this year. Unlike with other courses, there are no formulas, dates, etc that have to be memorized when it comes to this exam. The detailed strategies and focus on how to be successful on the exam itself is what really sets this book apart from the rest. The full list of features include:

• Focused only on information and concepts tested in the exam.
• Detailed test taking strategies for both multiple choice and free response sections.
• Free online practice exam.

It’s really hard to be successful in an English Literature course through last minute cramming, so we strongly recommend you start early and work hard all year. Assuming you’ve done that, understanding the nuances and specific strategies needed to be successful on the exam itself is where this book really shines.

CliffsNotes AP English Literature and Composition

Pros: Numerous full length practice tests. Cons: Can be somewhat wordy in places. Best For: Last minute review leading up to the exam. Our Rating: 4.5 / 5

CliffsNotes AP English Literature and Composition is our second ranked choice for best AP English Literature review book this year. Like our top pick, it’s primarily a review of the key components of the test, and how to answer the questions effectively. The full list of features for this book include:

• 6 full length practice exams with answers and explanations
• Overview of the exam format and scoring
• Definitions of key terms
• Useful tips for tackling the essay section

CliffsNotes is a well known name in english course guides, and they do a good job here as well. Again, most of the focus is on the exam itself, what to expect, and how to succeed - as opposed to an overview of course materials or specific literary works.

Barron’s AP English Literature and Composition

Pros: Numerous practice tests. Cons: Less focused than some books on this list. Best For: Review and practice leading up to the exam. Our Rating: 4.0 / 5

Barron’s AP English Literature and Composition is a solid entry for best AP English Literature review guide. It comes with a bunch of full length practice tests, and does a good job explaining the exam layout and strategies. Features include:

• 5 Full length practice tests with answers and explanations
• Detailed glossary with 175 terms
• Sample essay from students with critiques of strengths and weaknesses
• Sample questions covering poetry and fiction

Barron’s AP English Literature and Composition is a useful resource for students preparing for the exam. If you find taking practice tests useful, this book has some of the most relevant of any on this list. All in all, Barron’s AP English Literature and Composition is a good buy.

Cracking the AP English Literature & Composition Exam

Pros: Narrow focus is easy to get through in a hurry. Cons: Limited practice test resources, somewhat out of date. Best For: Last minute review and cramming leading up to the exam.. Our Rating: 3.5 / 5

Cracking the AP English Literature & Composition Exam from Princeton Review is another solid book for preparing to take the AP English Literature exam. It’s not our top recommendation, but if you’ve used and enjoyed any of the other Princeton Review series of books, this one won’t disappoint. Features include:

• 2 Full length practice exams with detailed answer keys and explanations
• Practice drills for poetry and prose
• Tips to help you organize and plan your writing
• Access to online plans to help you focus your study time

The online resources that come with this book are very useful for anyone preparing for the exam. Test tips and strategies for all the major course topics are well thought out, and useful.

Wrapping Up

Getting a jump start on college level english requirements can save you a huge amount of time and money in your first years of Higher Ed. AP English Literature is a great choice for any student looking to go this route, with its focus on many of the greatest works of literature from history.

We’ve presented our list of top choices for AP English Literature and Composition books, and hope you find them useful. Ultimately, which one is best suited for you is a matter of circumstance. To recap our recommendations:

Our top overall pick and recommendation for supplementing your other course info for year long study is AP English Literature Crash Course. It’s got tons of handy tips and tricks for tackling the exam, and having it early in the course will help you absorb information you’ll need.

If you’re shorter on time before the exam, Barron’s AP English Literature and Composition is a great resource, primarily because of it’s huge number of practice tests.

Whatever your circumstance, supplemental study and review materials are a key part of ensuring success on the exam. We’ve listed some of the best AP English Literature resources available. Good luck, and study hard!

Sources and Further Reading

• AP English Literature and Composition Course Description
• CollegeBoard.Org AP English Literature and Composition Home
• 2018 AP Exam Score Distributions

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8 Best AP English Literature Prep Books (2022)

There are many options when it comes to the best AP English Literature prep book, and both practice tests and thorough explanations improve test scores.

Students benefit significantly from a well-organized prep book that fits their learning style, but these texts are also useful reference guides for educators and tutors.

Table of Contents

1. Barron’s AP English Literature and Composition: With 7 Practice Tests

2. test prep books ap literature and composition 2021 & 2022, 3. 5 steps to a 5: ap english literature 2022, 4. crash course ap english literature & composition, 5. cliffsnotes ap english literature and composition, 6. 5 steps to a 5: 500 ap english literature questions to know by test day, 7. 5 steps to a 5: ap english literature 2022 elite student edition, 8. ap english literature and composition premium, 2022-2023: 8 practice tests + comprehensive review + online practice (barron’s test prep), should i select a book with more practice tests, what kind of book is best for a student that is short on time or dislikes studying, is an older version of an ap prep book still useful for studying, our top recommended ap english literature prep books.

The best AP English Lit prep book should be well organized and engaging with high-quality content. Our list of recommended options includes different structures to accommodate various learning styles and studying preferences.

Barron’s AP English Literature and Composition prep book features a generous number of practice tests and focuses on the terms you need to know.

Publisher: Barrons Educational Series; Eighth edition

Number of pages: 336

Our Final Grade: A+

The Barron’s AP English Literature and Composition prep book focuses primarily on terms that you need to know and then builds on that by providing a series of practice tests and thorough explanations to help prepare for the test. The practice tests provide insights into how the test gets graded and how to formulate your essays based on the prompts assigned.

This prep book prepares test takers for the 2022 AP English Literature and Composition exam . You’ll find four different sections contained in this text that offer up strategies for answering multiple-choice questions, increasing your comprehension, and other tactics that improve your score.

You’ll also find some sample questions for fiction, poetry, and prose along with exam questions from previous years to give you a better idea of what to expect. There are also detailed guidelines for writing effective essays and scoring your essays to track progress.

• Seven complete practice tests (Three online and four within the book)
• Provides detailed information about the test
• Features a diagnostic test with answers and explanations
• Not the best resource for learning to write essays for the test

The Test Prep Books AP Literature and Composition book comes with a free DVD offer and helpful test-taking strategies.

Publisher: Test Prep Books

Number of pages: 106

The Test Prep Books AP Literature and Composition textbook covers all of the material for the 2021 and 2022 AP exams. This textbook is ideal for test-takers but is a useful reference for tutors and educators who are teaching with the content.

You’ll find this book divides the test material into two parts: composition and literature, with each section containing practice segments and answer explanations. There is also additional information on different test-taking strategies to employ, and conventions in standard English.

This book doesn’t touch on changes to the test from year to year, but it does provide practice questions and essay prompts in addition to reviewing a bit of essential material. Another benefit of this book is that it’s rather compact but doesn’t skimp on explanations or content . Many educators find that this textbook serves them well as an outline for their teaching plan each year, and students will appreciate the well-organized information.

• Well organized and concise
• Covers essay writing, multiple-choice questions, and analysis strategies
• Features comprehensive answer explanations in each section
• No discussion about exam changes from year to year

The 5 Steps to a 5 prep book for AP English Literature provides a complete step by step program that includes a diagnostic exam tool to assess your current knowledge.

Publisher: McGraw-Hill Education; 1 edition

Number of pages: 272

The 5 Steps to a 5: AP English Literature prep book for 2022 lays out a comprehensive plan for students that provides structure and ample information. This book starts by discussing study programs and what you need to know about the exam before moving on to time management concepts. The second step of the program consists of a diagnostic test that establishes how ready someone is to take the AP exam.

There is also an extensive discussion dedicated to strategy in this book, which gets appropriately divided into categories for multiple-choice questions and essays. This section also discusses the best way to formulate your essays, and other practical tips like keeping time . You’ll also find student sample essays and more information on how the test gets scored.

• Neatly divided sections packed with information
• Includes a section on improving test-taking confidence
• Appendixes at the end include a reading guide
• Does not discuss changes to the exam for 2022

The Crash Course AP English Literature & Composition prep book is ideal for a student short on time, or anyone studying at the last minute for the AP exam.

Publisher: Research & Education Association; Second Edition, Revised edition

Number of pages: 288

Our Final Grade: A

The Crash Course AP English Literature & Composition prep book is up to date for the 2020 exam and features a format that only teaches you what you need to know. This structure helps save time while also providing ample material for practicing and discovering where you need improvement.

The introductory chapter of this book discusses the elements you’ll need to be successful on the exam before moving on to the next section. In part two, t here are several chapters that carefully cover style elements, rhetoric, grammar, vocabulary, and writing genres, such as poetry, fiction, and drama. There is also a bit of coaching related to reading comprehension, dealing with multiple-choice questions, and essay strategies.

• Excellent organization and concise explanations
• Easy to use as a reference for when you need a refresher
• Includes sample questions and essay prompts
• The book only contains a mini-test, the full test is online

The CliffsNotes AP English Literature and Composition prep book include six full practice exams and comprehensive reviews of each topic on the test.

Publisher: Cliffs Notes; 4th Edition edition

Number of pages: 384

The CliffsNotes AP English Literature and Composition book offers a full analysis of all of the exam topics in addition to a well-organized introduction that talks about preparing for the exam, and how the test gets graded. You’ll also find answers to frequently asked questions about the test-taking experience, and the contents of the exam itself.

This book is ideal for those that like highly organized approaches to learning , as each section covers a different part of the exam thoroughly. Another helpful section of this book is the chapter that addresses terms used in the exam, including grammatical and metrical terms. This book also discusses previously used test questions and recommends authors that might be of interest.

• Highly detailed but well-organized contents
• Ample practice tests, questions, and essays
• The structure is time efficient and useful as a reference
• The practice tests tend to be harder than the actual test

The 5 Steps to a 5 prep book offers 500 AP-style questions with answer explanations to supplement your test preparation.

Publisher: McGraw-Hill Education; 2 Edition

Our Final Grade: A-

The 5 Steps to a 5 prep book is a unique textbook that focuses on providing 500 AP test questions to help prepare you for the exam. This book is useful on its own or as a supplement to your current study program and prep book. T he questions presented are explicitly selected for their value in preparing you for the test , and each chapter focuses on a different topic.

Some of the topics you can expect include British poetry, American poetry, world poetry, British and American fiction, and drama. You’ll also find a chapter on expository prose and suggestions for studying with this material. The table of contents also lists numerous literary works that are the basis of many test questions. These literary works are relatively standard in the curriculum for many educators.

• 500 AP-style test questions with well-explained answers
• Lots of content arranged in a way that isn’t overwhelming
• Easy to use and provides plenty of high-quality practice
• Best when used as a supplement to another prep book

The 5 Steps to a 5 Elite Student Edition prep book is a cross-platform course that goes beyond the book so you can use it online and on your mobile device.

Publisher: McGraw-Hill Education; 1 Edition

Number of pages: 592

The 5 Steps to a 5 Elite Student Edition prep book provides a structured process to walk a student through studying for the AP exam using a five-part method that covers all the information needed. This book starts by introducing the program, exam, and three different approaches that can prove useful for the test.

The contents of this book feature very well organized sections and extensive information on multiple-choice questions, how to approach a multiple-choice exam, and how this section gets scored. There is also lots of information about the essay portion of the exam, including how it gets scored, types of essay questions the student is likely to see, and some student sample essays.

One unique feature this book offers is the diagnostic test that determines how ready the student is to take the AP test. There are also separate sections for each type of essay on the test, and helpful information on how to build your test-taking confidence.

• Study using the book, go online or use your mobile device
• Features a 5 step structured plan that helps students stay organized
• Includes 180 activities as part of the “Five Minutes a Day” exercise
• Quite a bit longer than most test prep books

Barron’s AP English Literature and Composition prep book with online practice including practice exams, sample essays, and sample questions to prepare a student for the exam thoroughly.

Publisher: Barron’s Educational Series; Ninth Edition

Number of pages: 348

Barron’s AP English Literature and Composition prep book offer eight full practice tests that comes with this book. In addition to the practice tests, you’ll also find sample student essays with detailed critiques so that students can see each example’s strengths and weaknesses.

This book also has scoring rubrics to help students gain an understanding of the requirements and make adjustments to their essays for a higher overall score. There are also detailed explanations for the multiple-choice parts of the test with answers thoroughly explained. Another unique feature is the chapter dedicated to understanding poetry and the terms a student might encounter.

This prep book also coaches students on analyzing literary novels for the exam and writing responses to questions about selected plays. The glossary of this book is also a helpful reference for literary and rhetorical terms.

• Eight full practice tests and two diagnostic tests
• Provides scoring rubrics for each of the practice tests
• Sample essays by students come with critiques
• Some sections are less engaging and personable

There are a number of excellent AP English Literature prep books available, and our list of frequently asked questions can help you zero in on the one that will suit you best.

Many students find practice tests helpful for gaining experience with AP test-taking. It’s best to do practice tests under timed conditions as you will during the real exam, and these tests come with answer keys that provide explanations many students find enlightening.

In particular, the essay portion is a segment that many students struggle with, and the essay prompts provided in the prep books come with grading rubrics. These rubrics explain how an essay is scored and allows a student to grade their own essay to assess their skills.

Some prep books are structured differently than others, but if your student is short on time or isn’t a fan of studying for the AP exam, it’s best to choose a more concise course, like the Crash Course brand that addresses time management and delivers information more concisely.

An older version of a prep book will still prove useful for studying, particularly if it is only a year old. If you intend to use one of these books, it’s worth taking the time to review any changes to the exam since the book came out and alter your study program accordingly.

The best AP English Literature prep book can vary based on the needs of the student or educator, but most of them contain plenty of practice material and explanations that help increase test scores. These textbooks are often organized based on the sections of the exam, but some are organized differently and are more suitable for students who dislike studying or are short on time.

Before purchasing a book, it’s worth checking out the previews of the content available online to make sure you like how the material is structured. Some students will find specific prep books work better for them than others, and educators will find some books more useful as a reference guide.

Hannah Young

Contributor at ExamCave. Hannah is pursuing a degree in middle school English education at The Ohio State University. Hannah has worked as a writing and math tutor for elementary, middle school, and high school students.

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By submitting my email address. i certify that i am 13 years of age or older, agree to recieve marketing email messages from the princeton review, and agree to terms of use., guide to the ap english literature and composition exam.

Do you know how to conduct a close reading of prose and poetry? Can you write effectively under time constraints? The AP ® English Literature and Composition exam tests topics and skills discussed in your AP English Literature course. If you score high enough, your AP English score could earn you college credit!

Check out our AP English Literature Guide for what you need to know about the exam:

• Exam Overview
• Structure & Question Types
• How to Prepare

What’s on the AP English Literature & Composition Exam?

The College Board lists 6 Skill Categories that should be covered in your AP English Literature and Composition course, or as you prepare for the test:

•  Character—Characters in literature show a wide range of values, beliefs, assumptions, biases, and cultural norms, and provide an opportunity to study and explore what the characters represent.
• Setting—A setting and the details associated with it represent a time and place, but also convey values associated with the setting.
• Structure—Structure refers to the arrangements of sections and parts of a text, the relationship of the parts to each other, and the sequence in which the text reveals information. These are all choices made by a writer that allow you to interpret a text.
• Narration—Any narrator’s or speaker’s perspective controls the details and emphases that readers encounter; therefore, narration affects how readers experience and interpret a text.
• Figurative language—Comparisons, representations, and associations shift meaning from the literal to the figurative. Figurative language can include word choice, imagery, and symbols. Simile, metaphor, personification, and allusions are all examples of figurative language.
• Literary argumentation—How do you write about literature yourself? You develop your interpretation (using the first five of the Big Six!) and then communicate it. You need to develop a thesis—a defensible claim—and support it with textual evidence. 

The multiple-choice section of the AP English Literature and Composition exam will be testing your knowledge of the Big Six. Each one is weighted a certain amount in the multiple-choice questions.

AP English Literature & Composition Book List

There is no required reading or book list for the AP English Literature exam, but the College Board provides a list of authors and poets with whom you should be familiar and whose work is of the caliber and density that you are expected to understand. These lists include:

• Poetry: W.H. Auden, Elizabeth Bishop, William Blake, Anne Bradstreet, Edward Kamau Brathwaite, Gwendolyn Brooks, Robert Browning, George Gordon/Lord Byron, Lorna Dee Cervantes, Geoffrey Chaucer, Lucille Clifton, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Billy Collins, H.D. (Hilda Doolittle), Emily Dickinson, John Donne, Rita Dove, Paul Laurence Dunbar, T.S. Eliot, Robert Frost, Joy Harjo, Seamus Heaney, George Herbert, Garrett Hongo, Gerard Manley Hopkins, Langston Hughes, Ben Jonson, John Keats, Philip Larkin, Robert Lowell, Andrew Marvell, John Milton, Marianne Moore, Sylvia Plath, Edgar Allan Poe, Alexander Pope, Adrienne Rich, Anne Sexton, William Shakespeare, Percy Bysshe Shelley, Leslie Marmon Silko, Cathy Song, Wallace Stevens, Alfred, Lord Tennyson, Derek Walcott, Walt Whitman, Richard Wilbur, William Carlos Williams, William Wordsworth, William Butler Yeats
• Drama: Aeschylus, Edward Albee, Amiri Baraka, Samuel Beckett, Anton Chekhov, Caryl Churchill, William Congreve, Athol Fugard, Lorraine Hansberry, Lillian Hellman, David Henry Hwang, Henrik Ibsen, Ben Jonson, David Mamet, Arthur Miller, Molière, Marsha Norman, Sean O’Casey, Eugene O’Neill, Suzan-Lori Parks, Harold Pinter, Luigi Pirandello, William Shakespeare, George Bernard Shaw, Sam Shepard, Sophocles, Tom Stoppard, Luis Valdez, Oscar Wilde, Tennessee Williams, August Wilson
• Fiction (Novel and Short Story): Chinua Achebe, Sherman Alexie, Isabel Allende, Rudolfo Anaya, Margaret Atwood, Jane Austen, James Baldwin, Saul Bellow, Charlotte Bronte, Emily Bronte, Raymond Carver, Willa Cather, John Cheever, Kate Chopin, Sandra Cisneros, Joseph Conrad, Edwidge Danticat, Daniel Defoe, Anita Desai, Charles Dickens, Fyodor Dostoevsky, George Eliot, Ralph Ellison, Louise Erdrich, William Faulkner, Henry Fielding, F. Scott Fitzgerald, E.M. Forster, Thomas Hardy, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Ernest Hemingway, Zora Neale Hurston, Kazuo Ishiguro, Henry James, Ha Jin, Edward P. Jones, James Joyce, Maxine Hong Kingston, Joy Kogawa, Jhumpa Lahiri, Margaret Laurence, D.H. Lawrence, Chang-rae Lee, Bernard Malamud, Gabriel García Márquez, Cormac McCarthy, Ian McEwan, Herman Melville, Toni Morrison, Bharati Mukherjee, Vladimir Nabokov, Flannery O’Connor, Orhan Pamuk, Katherine Anne Porter, Marilynne Robinson, Jonathan Swift, Mark Twain, John Updike, Alice Walker, Evelyn Waugh, Eudora Welty, Edith Wharton, John Edgar Wideman, Virginia Woolf, Richard Wright
• Expository Prose: Joseph Addison, Gloria Anzaldua, Matthew Arnold, James Baldwin, James Boswell, Joan Didion, Frederick Douglass, W.E.B. Du Bois, Ralph Waldo Emerson, William Hazlitt, bell hooks, Samuel Johnson, Charles Lamb, Thomas Macaulay, Mary McCarthy, John Stuart Mill, George Orwell, Michael Pollan, Richard Rodriguez, Edward Said, Lewis Thomas, Henry David Thoreau, E.B. White, Virginia Woolf

Read More: Review for the exam with our AP English Literature Cram Courses

AP English Literature Structure & Question Types

The AP English Literature & Composition exam takes 3 hours to complete and consists of two sections: a multiple-choice section and a free response section.

Multiple-Choice

AP English Literature multiple-choice questions are grouped in sets.  You will be given 5 passages or poems to read, with 8-13 multiple-choice questions to assess your reading comprehension. Each multiple-choice question has 5 answer choices (A through E). That’s a lot of reading then recalling, understanding, and interpreting. Use your time effectively and wisely! 

Free Response

• Respond to the prompt with a thesis that presents an interpretation and may establish a line of reasoning.
• Select and use evidence to develop and support your line of reasoning.
• Explain the relationship between the evidence and your thesis.
• Use appropriate grammar and punctuation in communicating your argument.

How to Interpret AP English Literature Scores

AP scores are reported from 1 to 5. Colleges are generally looking for a 4 or 5 on the AP English Literature exam, but some may grant credit for a 3. (Here's a quick overview of AP credit policy .) Each test is curved so scores vary from year to year. Here’s how AP English Lit students scored on the May 2022 test:

Source: College Board

How can I prepare?

AP classes are great, but for many students they’re not enough! For a thorough review of AP English Literature content and strategy, pick the AP prep option that works best for your goals and learning style.

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AP English Literature and Composition

Ap english literature and composition course and exam description.

This is the core document for the course.

New for 2024-25: MCQs Will Have Four Answer Choices

Starting with the 2025 exam, AP English Literature and Composition multiple-choice questions (MCQs) will have four answer choices instead of five. Most AP courses have already implemented this change, which research indicates could improve students’ exam-day experience. This summer we’ll release updated resources reflecting the change. 

Course Overview

AP English Literature and Composition is an introductory college-level literary analysis course. Students cultivate their understanding of literature through reading and analyzing texts as they explore concepts like character, setting, structure, perspective, figurative language, and literary analysis in the context of literary works.

Course and Exam Description

This is the core document for this course. Unit guides clearly lay out the course content and skills and recommend sequencing and pacing for them throughout the year. The CED was updated in the summer of 2020 to include scoring guidelines for the example questions.

Course Resources

Ap english literature and composition course overview.

This resource provides a succinct description of the course and exam.

AP English Literature and Composition Course and Exam Description Walk-Through

Learn more about the CED in this interactive walk-through.

AP English Literature and Composition Course at a Glance

Excerpted from the AP English Literature and Composition Course and Exam Description, the Course at a Glance document outlines the topics and skills covered in the AP English Literature and Composition course, along with suggestions for sequencing.

The Difference Between AP English Language and Composition and AP English Literature and Composition

Learn the similarities and differences between these two courses and exams.

Course Content

The course content is organized into units that have been arranged in a logical sequence. This sequence has been developed through feedback from educators as well as analysis of high school and college courses and textbooks. The units in AP English Literature and Composition scaffold skills and knowledge through three genre-based, recurring units. This course framework provides a description of what students should know and be able to do to qualify for college credit or placement.

The AP English Literature and Composition curriculum is made up of nine units. As always, you have the flexibility to organize the course content as you like.

Course Skills

The AP English Literature and Composition framework included in the course and exam description outlines distinct skills that students should practice throughout the year—skills that will help them learn to read texts critically.

AP and Higher Education

Higher education professionals play a key role in developing AP courses and exams, setting credit and placement policies, and scoring student work. The AP Higher Education section features information on recruitment and admission, advising and placement, and more.

This chart  shows recommended scores for granting credit, and how much credit should be awarded, for each AP course. Your students can look up credit and placement policies for colleges and universities on the  AP Credit Policy Search .

Meet the AP English Literature and Composition Development Committee

The AP Program is unique in its reliance on Development Committees. These committees, made up of an equal number of college faculty and experienced secondary AP teachers from across the country, are essential to the preparation of AP course curricula and exams.

AP English Literature and Composition Development Committee

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Princeton Review AP English Literature & Composition Prep, 24th Edition: 5 Practice Tests + Complete Content Review + Strategies & Techniques (2024) (College Test Preparation) 24th Edition

• ISBN-10 0593517113
• ISBN-13 978-0593517116
• Edition 24th
• Publisher Princeton Review
• Publication date August 1, 2023
• Language English
• Dimensions 8.32 x 0.87 x 10.83 inches
• Print length 368 pages
• See all details

From the Publisher

Editorial Reviews

About the author, product details.

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Princeton Review; 24th edition (August 1, 2023)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 368 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0593517113
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0593517116
• Grade level ‏ : ‎ 10 - 12
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.29 pounds
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.32 x 0.87 x 10.83 inches
• #6 in Teen & Young Adult Advanced Placement Study Aids
• #21 in AP Test Guides
• #585 in Education Workbooks (Books)

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What are the best books to read for ap lit? Books w the most easily applicable themes

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Looking for an all-inclusive AP books list? Then you're in luck as we rounded up the best-advanced placement review books for the 2024 school year. The best part? All of these reviews are based on proven results and reviews from thousands of students.

We spent some time searching the internet for a good resource of AP reading review lists but couldn't find a fully comprehensive guide to AP review books. Understandably so, we wanted to set out to provide a reading list of great books that students can use for their prep.

In fact, we analyzed over 1,000 books  to better understand which recommended prep books provide proven success in helping you score a 5 on your AP Exam for your exam(s) on May 2024.

And in this post, I’m going to share what we discovered. We'll also show you how you can use these books to help you get the highest possible score on your AP Exam.

AP Art History Books

Ap biology books, calculus ab books, calculus bc books, chemistry books, chinese books, comparative government books, computer science books, english language books, english literature books, environmental science books, european history books, french books, german books, human geography books, italian books, japanese books, latin books, macroeconomics books, microeconomics books, physics 1 books, physics 2 books, psychology books, spanish language books, world history books, ap textbooks, ap review books, ap prep books, the best ap review books for 2024.

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How to Get the Best Score on Your AP Exam?

The most important thing you can do , truthfully, is to get a good textbook for your AP exam. It’s your tool for helping you learn the material that will be on the exam, help structure your preparation, and allow you to test your learning comprehension with review questions. It’s critical that you choose the books that are recommended as those will help you best prepare.

Here are some ideas for finding good textbooks:

• Check the College Board’s list of textbook recommendations on  the AP course audit page for your exam.
• If you’re self-studying for an AP course that your school is offering, you can see if they have a textbook used for the actual course.
• Be diligent in reading reviews of any textbook you are planning on buying, and see if it helped others prepare for the AP exam.

A good AP review book is probably  the second-most important resource you can have,  after a good textbook. It’s not the most comprehensive manner of studying, but, it will allow you to review the most important information for the AP exam.

For example, if you have gone through your textbook, then as your test day draws closer, you may want a review book to keep the information lucid in your short-term memory. The Princeton Review and Barron’s are two generally well-regarded AP review book sources, but  make sure you’re getting the best book  for the specific course you are studying

A good AP prep book is probably  the third-most important resource you can have,  after a good textbook and review book. These prep book offer tips include everything you need to know to achieve a high score and it has comprehensive content review for all test topics, so if you know you’ll be fully covered to score a 5 on your next AP exam.

The best part about prep books? They include tried-and-true strategies to help you avoid traps and  beat the test, and that’s all that matters right now.

If you want to educate your children on personal finance on a budget, you should see how to get free books for kids . These can really help the next generation of readers reach their potential.

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Hillary Clinton to release essay collection about personal and public life

This cover image released by Simon & Schuster shows “Something Lost, Something Gained: Reflections on Life, Love and Liberty” by Hillary Rodham Clinton. The book will be released Sept. 17. (Simon & Schuster via AP)

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Hillary Clinton’s next book is a collection of essays, touching upon everything from marriage to politics to faith, that her publisher is calling her most personal yet.

Simon and Schuster announced Tuesday that Clinton’s “Something Lost, Something Gained: Reflections on Life, Love and Liberty” will be released Sept. 17.

Among the topics she will cover: Her marriage to former President Bill Clinton, her Methodist faith, adjusting to private life after her failed presidential runs, her friendships with other first ladies and her takes on climate change, democracy and Vladimir Putin.

“The book reads like you’re sitting down with your smartest, funniest, most passionate friend over a long meal,” Clinton’s editor, Priscilla Painton, said in a statement.

“This is the Hillary Americans have come to know and love: candid, engaged, humorous, self-deprecating — and always learning.”

Clinton, the former first lady, U.S. senator and secretary and presidential candidate, will promote her book with a cross country tour. “Something Lost, Something Gained” comes out two months before Bill Clinton’s memoir about post-presidential life, “Citizen.”

Financial terms were not disclosed. Clinton was represented by Washington attorney Robert Barnett, whose other clients have included former President George W. Bush and former President Barack Obama.

Clinton’s previous books include such bestsellers as “It Takes a Village,” “Living History” and “What Happened.”

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by  Jason DeRose

Jonathan Merritt's book reminds kids what makes them different makes them special

Spotted lanternfly eggs found attached to an art installation headed for california’s wine country.

by  Hosts

Poll: France’s far-right party is on a path to win snap parliamentary elections

by  Leila Fadel

A new global survey shows that people everywhere are concerned about climate change

by  Jeff Brady

'The Indicator From Planet Money': Is the border crisis really a labor market crisis?

by  Adrian Ma ,  Wailin Wong

Dr. Stephanie Arnold, who prefers bright-colored clothes instead of a white coat, meets with a patient who needs a pelvic exam. The family medicine clinic Arnold founded offers reproductive health care, including abortion, alongside all kinds of other care. “It’s a little bit of everything, which is very typical of family medicine,” she says. Elissa Nadworny/NPR hide caption

Shots - Health News

Abortion is becoming more common in primary care clinics as doctors challenge stigma.

by  Selena Simmons-Duffin ,  Elissa Nadworny

Abortion As Primary Care, I

Is a statewide ban on cell phones in schools realistic, extreme temperatures can cause all sorts of heat-related illnesses.

by  Michel Martin

MLB game in Alabama takes on extra significance following Willie Mays' death

by  Steve Futterman

Janice Chang for NPR /Janice Chang for NPR hide caption

3 things you need to know about student loans this summer

by  Sequoia Carrillo

Carrillo/Student Loan Summer Updates

2 sisters, who fled the vietnam war as kids, reflect on what they've been through.

by  Joia Putnoi ,  Jo Corona

2 sisters, who fled the Vietnam War as kids, reflect on what they've been through 

Environment, the federal government aims to address quality issues with carbon offset programs.

by  Julia Simon ,  Leila Fadel

Texas power grid is challenged by electricity-loving computer data centers

by  Mose Buchele

Alicia Zheng/NPR hide caption

Books We Love

Here are the nonfiction books npr staffers have loved so far this year.

by  Meghan Collins Sullivan ,  Beth Novey

Summer BWL Nonfiction

U.s. announces ban on antivirus software from a russia-based cybersecurity company, conservative christian organization supports louisiana's ten commandments law.

Asteroid moonlet Dimorphos as seen by NASA's DART spacecraft 11 seconds before the impact that shifted its path through space, in the first test of asteroid deflection. Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/NASA hide caption

Asteroid headed toward Earth? NASA simulation explores how the nation might respond

by  Nell Greenfieldboyce

NASA asteroid simulation

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg speaks during a joint news conference with Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the State Department, Tuesday, June 18, 2024, in Washington. Mark Schiefelbein/AP/AP hide caption

Outgoing NATO chief says ‘unity’ is key as full-scale war continues in Ukraine

by  Leila Fadel ,  Obed Manuel

Jens Stoltenberg steps down after a decade as NATO Secretary-General

The incoming editor of The Washington Post , Robert Winnett, has withdrawn from the job and will remain in the U.K. Andrew Harnik/Getty Images hide caption

The 'Washington Post' in crisis

After uproar over ethics, new 'washington post' editor won't take the job.

by  David Folkenflik

Drama compounds at The Post's highest ranks as new editor declines job

The U.S. Supreme Court handed down a decision in a major gun-rights case. Al Drago/Getty Images hide caption

Supreme Court upholds federal ban on guns for domestic abusers

by  Nina Totenberg

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