Cribbing from Bookseller Chick, and in the spirit of summer reading (which I know very few have started yet, but nonetheless), I give you books I had to read, that I actually liked.
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L'Engle.
This led to me reading just about everything L'Engle I could get my hands on. I adored the book from the outset, I think I finished it ahead of schedule and our class called and interviewed Ms. L'Engle herself, who I remember being very lovely.
The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare
I re-read this later, because in elementary school the love story seemed out of the blue to me (I missed some of the nuance). But it is a great story about cultural differences.
The Maude Reed Tale by Norah Lofts
I re-read this one on my own several times. I think it's a great introduction to life in the Middle Ages.
The Odyssey by Homer
I have actually read this three times - once in high school, once in college, and again one summer alongside my brother. Sure, it's a bit drawn out (ten years), but there is great use of themes and other literary devices. It doesn't quite rate fun read status for me, but still a great story.
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
I actually read this prior to it being assigned (by quite a few years). I'm sure I gleaned more the second time around and while I don't feel a burning need to re-read it now, it is still a great story that touches on a lot of things.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
I read Emma the year before and it didn't grab me. (On re-reading I adored Emma so it must have been my mood). As a result I expected to despise P&P and yet, found I really enjoyed it. So witty. So, then I read all the rest of Austen's works.
I am sure that I am missing a few, but these are the top ones I recall.