<p>I've already taken the SAT once. I didnt do well in the CR section.</p>
<p>I'm thinking about retaking SAT. So I want to improve my reading skills and vocabulary before practicing practice tests. So I want to read good novels which will help me improve my reading skills as well as vocabulary.</p>
<p>So Please recommend some novels that are interesting as well as improve my reading skills and vocabulary.</p>
<p>Please help !!!</p>
<p>I’m going to try reading the Scarlet Letter Kaplan version since it defines all the vocab words on the side page.</p>
<p>I would suggest reading newspapers, journals, time/newsweek, and the new yorker, especially the new yorker! :)</p>
<p>Step 1: Buy Direct Hits Volumes 1 and 2. Memorize every single word in them.</p>
<p>Step 2: Read major periodicals and newspapers. I know that TIME (the magazine) and the LA Times (the newspaper) use many of the DH words (which are handpicked by the author from released SAT exams). The better acquainted you are with DH, the more words you will pick up in the periodicals which will enhance your retention of the definitions, etc.</p>
<p>A note: Reading novels won’t improve your vocabulary too much. They may have a beneficial effect on your reading speed, but IMO, magazines/newspapers/etc. do a better job improving both vocabulary and reading speed than novels do.</p>
<p>The Dictionary or the Encyclopedia. :D</p>
<p>On a serious note Direct Hits Volume 1 and Volume 2 are very effective.
If you want to read a periodical, I highly recommend the New York Times (online or paper edition).</p>
<p>I’m always busy reading the “most read articles” in The New York Times, Time,The Economist and others. But these magazines use simple language so that readers of a range of age groups can understand the articles. I heard most newspaper articles are intended towards the reading level of a 6th grader. Moreover, these magazines have similar writing styles.</p>
<p>So I think I should also read novels so that I will be familiar with different writing styles.</p>
<p>So please recommend novels that you have read or you’ve been recommended by your English or literature teachers…</p>
<p>Like I aid, read the Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne.</p>
<p>Does anyone know what makes Direct Hits’ 450 words so special?</p>
<p>Okay awalczak i’ll try to find it… </p>
<p>thanks man :)</p>
<p>To Kill a Mockingbird is a very popular novel and has lots of SAT vocabulary.</p>
<p>Hey guys what about the Harry Potter series ??</p>
<p>Is it a good idea to start over a series like HP ??</p>
<p>@rarespecies</p>
<p>I’m only saying the Scarlet Letter because I know it’s a good book. It is required in most high school for senior or junior year BECAUSE of its impossible vocab. good luck:D</p>
<p>Jane Austen “Emma” and “Pride and Prejustice”.</p>
<p>Magic Tree House series.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>The author (Larry Krieger) takes the most-often-appearing words from past PSAT and SAT exams. Also, he also reads CC’s threads on the PSAT’s and SAT’s (as far as I’ve heard). DH definitely saved my ass on the PSAT and SAT’s SC sections.</p>