Recommended Reading Part 1: Arts and Humanities

Doing some recommended reading can be a good way to make sure you’ve chosen a subject you really love, and can also help you stand out in applications essays and interviews.*

However, unless you’re Superman (or at least share his super-fast reading powers) you obviously won’t have time to read even a fraction of the possible books before you apply to university. And in any case it’s better to pick just a few and get a lot out of them, rather than skim-reading 20 and ending up more confused than when you started!

To help you narrow down your selection, you could try asking past or current teachers in the relevant subjects for some advice. It’s also worth consulting university websites, as they often publish ‘recommended reading’ lists. And, as it happens, I’ve got a few suggestions myself, to get your pre-university reading list started…

This is part 1, focusing on recommmended reading in arts and humanities subjects – other subject areas to follow!

Literary Theory: An Introduction, by Terry Eagleton

This was required reading set by one of my tutors before I started my English language and literature course at Oxford. It’s accessible, and gives a good overview of the various stages in the development of literary analysis as an academic field. It’s also a good reminder that there’s no ‘right’ way of writing about literature – though there may be dominant approaches at different periods.

The Articulate Mammal: An Introduction to Psycholinguistics, by Jean Aitchison

First published in 1976, this has stood the test of time, and become something of a classic text for linguists. Again, it’s accessible and gives a good overview of the subject, covering issues such as whether language is innate, how children learn language, the role of grammar, and how we understand and produce speech. There are lots of interesting anecdotes and experiments included, and well-balanced discussion of important theories.

National Geographic Magazine

OK, so it’s not a book, but it’s definitely a good way of getting a broad overview of different fields of interest and new developments in geography and related subjects. And of course if you do find a topic you’re particularly inspired by, this could be the starting point for further reading.

Think: A Compelling Introduction to Philosophy, by Simon Blackburn

If you’re considering studying philosophy at university, this is a good first contact. It’s aimed at those with limited background knowledge, and is divided into chapters which are each based around a big theme: knowledge, mind, free will, the self, God, reasoning, the world… Guaranteed to make you think!

The Human Past: World Prehistory and the Development of Human Societies, edited by Chris Scarre

This is one for budding anthropologists and archaeologists, giving a pretty comprehensive overview of the prehistoric development of human societies. Each chapter is written by one or two experts, focusing on a particular region and time period, alongside diagrams, maps, photographs and timelines.

Art Theory: A Very Short Introduction, by Cynthia Freeman

Like all the books listed here, this has proved popular with those who want an overview of the subject that will leave them eager to learn more. In a subject area which is particularly open to accusations of pretentiousness, Freeman keeps her feet planted firmly on the ground, giving a highly readable introduction to various fields of art theory – including formalist, cognitive, expression, postmodern and imitation theories of art.

That’s it for now folks – more to come on other subject areas. But in the meantime, please share your own essential recommended reading lists! What books have you found especially useful in helping you choose a subject and prepare for university?

*Important note: DO NOT mention a book in an application or interview unless you have read it (all of it, not just the back page) and feel confident discussing it!