General reading is an enjoyable pastime and a great way to build vocabulary and communication skills. Beyond reading for pleasure, wider exploration beyond the school curriculum enhances critical thinking, broadens subject knowledge, and demonstrates intellectual curiosity. These are key qualities that universities value, many placing a high value on super-curricular activities which are pursuits to extend learning beyond the school curriculum.
The suggestions below are simply a starting point and there are plenty of books to appeal to any kind of reader, but the most important thing is to start. We recommend books that are applicable to your future studies and/or interesting to you, but remember that journals, websites, podcasts, documentaries and lectures are also useful ways to explore your subject of interest.
Many universities have recommendations for the course or major you are applying for, you can find them by searching "(insert university name) suggested reading list for (insert particular course)."
Cambridge University *
How to explore your chosen subject
Open Educational Resource Platforms
OpenStax (Rice University), eCampusOntario, MIT OpenCourse Ware, College of the Canyons OER Textbooks
Oxford University*
Suggested Subject Resources
Some ideas for general reading are also highlighted below:
National Book Tokens: 10 Non-Fiction Books that Changed the World
New York Times: Best Books of the 21st Century
There is also a wealth of information available about the university admissions process, for example, through these podcasts:
NACAC - National Association for College Admissions Counseling: College Admissions Decoded Podcast
*Additional ideas of further reading are also included within the Further Resources portion of the UK section of the Post-Secondary Options within this handbook. Further suggestions are also included in the UK Interview Preparation Workshops that are held each year. The resources from these workshops are within each student's Google Classroom page.
*If you are considering a competitive course in the UK, keep in mind that a specific test might be required. Please see our UK Standardized Testing Page for further detail.