Sorry for the delayed response for this question. I’ve really tried to consider my answer.
I always try to pick books that will work best with my group of students, rather than just picking books I enjoy. For example, when I taught adult learners in an alternative school, I chose a novel that was about homeless teenagers/young adults called Theories of Relativity by Barbara Haworth-Attard; my students were able to relate and connect to the book in ways I cannot even describe. It was good to finally receive quality work from these students, because they actually wanted to complete work since they enjoyed the book so much and could connect to it. Teaching Shakespeare to this group of students would not have had the same results.
When I do teach Shakespeare, though, I really enjoy Hamlet because students can really get into it, and see the humour, tragedy, and connections to modern day. For novels, I also really enjoy teaching The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. Students delve right into it and can discuss great thematic ideas.
Some of my personal favourite books are the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, Persuasion by Jane Austen, Bridget Jones by Helen Fielding, and Agatha Christie murder mysteries.
Thanks for asking 🙂
Teaching In Real Life 