Loads of work ahead

It looks like I will be going to China with Hubby in December! I'm very excited, naturally, but now I have a lot of planning to do. I have to lay out all the lesson plans and assignments for my high school English class (my co-teacher has just let me do the work so far since I majored in English and writing). And I have to do this better than I usually do it for myself, since she needs to be able to follow my notes.

I downloaded the entire novel The Scarlet Letter last night from Librivox, which is a free audio book site. I'm thinking I might give each student a copy and have them listen to it as part of their assignments. And they must enjoy it. It's my favorite classic American novel and everyone should read it, but I know some of these kids have reading issues, so I figured an audio book would be just as good.

So today, I have a question for you: what book were you assigned in high school that has continued to be important to you throughout your life? And what book do you think everyone should read?