You’re headed to law school — congratulations! Before your adventure begins, and required readings become your pastime, take time to prepare yourself and learn about the law school experience. Or give these as a gift to someone you know who is headed to law school.
There are plenty of books available that paint a picture of life as a first year law student and beyond. We’ve hand-picked ten that are worth diving into. These books are top reads among students and industry experts alike. Whether you like ink on paper, audio books, or e-books, you will find some gems here.
The List
1. Law School Confidential Revised: A Complete Guide to the Law School Experience: By Students, for Students by Robert H. Miller
Widely considered one of the most comprehensive accounts of life during law school, Law School Confidential helps demystify what law school is like. Recent graduates share about everything from taking the LSAT, to securing financial aid, to navigating the first semester and exams, to getting on the law review, to tackling the bar and beyond.
2. Getting to Maybe: How to Excel on Law School Exams by Richard Michael Fischl and Jeremy Paul
Exam-taking is one of the most important skills to master early on in law school. Getting to Maybe gives you what you need to conquer this skill while doing so much more than just tackling exams. It’s a great introduction to thinking like a lawyer.
3. 1L of a Ride: A Well-Traveled Professor’s Roadmap to Success in the First Year of Law School by Andrew J. McClurg
Written by a law school professor, 1L of a Ride delivers real tips on how to survive and succeed in your first year. McClurg provides practical advice on how to do well and how to adjust if you find yourself a little off track. He even details the assessments and type of content you will likely see in your first year of law school.
4. Law 101: Everything You Need to Know About the American Legal System by Jay Feinman
If you want to familiarize yourself with the basics of the legal system, this book is for you. Law 101 serves as an excellent primer to topics you’ll be tackling during your 1L year in law school. Feinman draws from notable legal cases to illustrate core concepts, such as litigation, criminal, contracts, and property law.
5. Making Your Case: The Art of Persuading Judges by Antonin Scalia and Bryan Garner
Persuasion through speech and writing is a subtle art that every successful lawyer must hone. In this handy guide, the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia and distinguished attorney Bryan Garner provide practical guidance on writing and advocacy. Although you won’t be appearing in front of judges for some time, it’s worth learning the essentials of building a case through sound legal reasoning, brief writing, and giving oral arguments.
6. Law School Done Right: Proven Tips for Success from Recent Grads Who Killed It by Brian Savage and Michael Seringhaus
One of the best ways to prepare for law school is to learn tried-and-true tips for success from others who have been in your shoes. With the wisdom of past law students to guide you, you can enter your first year equipped with more confidence and knowledge to excel.
7. How to Be Sort of Happy in Law School by Kathryne Young
You should be able to enjoy law school as much as possible, and author Kathryne Young shows you how. This book is full of strategies for finding focus, happiness, and purpose amongst the challenges that may be encountered during law school.
8. So You Want to Be a Lawyer: The Ultimate Guide to Getting into and Succeeding in Law School by Lisa Fairchild Jones, Timothy B. Francis, and Walter C. Jones
Are you still in the throes of choosing a law school? Could you use some insights on how to navigate the law school admissions process? Three experienced lawyers offer their advice on many essential topics and take you through what practicing law is like — before you set foot in your first law school class.
9. Thinking Like a Lawyer: A New Introduction to Legal Reasoning by Frederick Schauer
Law school will introduce you to a new way of thinking and approaching problems that may take some getting used to. This guide to basic legal reasoning covers what you will encounter during your 1L year, from authority and precedent to common law and statutory interpretation. (All the good stuff!)
10. The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White
You will be expected to do a ton of writing in law school, so it’s worth brushing up on this skill before 1L year begins. Despite being written in the 1990s, this book is still popular among aspiring law students for breaking down how to write error-free essays with ease.
BONUS: The Literature of Law
We would be remiss if we didn’t also recommend a few old and new classics for your enjoyment and inspiration. These include:
- Crime and Punishment by Fydor Dostoyevsky (1866)
- An American Tragedy by Theodore Dreiser (1925)
- To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (1960)
- In Cold Blood by Truman Capote (1966)
- The Paper Chase by John Jay Osborn, Jr (1971)
- Presumed Innocent by Scott Turow (1987)
- The Pelican Brief by John Grisham (1992)
BARBRI’s Success Library
BARBRI’s own publishing imprint West Academic also offers an array of books for law students ready to find academic and career success, penned by leading attorneys and industry experts. Our library includes subjects and formats for diverse learners. Find your next read.
This list of books to read before law school should entertain and enlighten you as you head into the next chapter of your legal journey. For more law school resources, check out the BARBRI Resource Center for pre-law students.
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