In the novel, Charlie's teacher, Bill, assigns him various books to read. Charlie describes them all as his favorites.
- To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
- This Side of Paradise by F. Scott Fitzgerald
- A Separate Peace by John Knowles
- Peter Pan by J. M. Barrie
- The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
- The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
- On the Road by Jack Kerouac
- Naked Lunch by William S. Burroughs
- Walden by Henry David Thoreau
- Hamlet by William Shakespeare
- The Stranger by Albert Camus
- The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand
The book also references a book of poems by E. E. Cummings, The Mayor of Castro Street by Randy Shilts, a book by Anne Rice, and an autobiography of a woman who was a character in Reds, most likely Emma Goldman. The "A Person /A Paper /A Promise Remembered " by Dr. Earl Reum is used for the suicicde poem in the book.
Film and television[]
- The Rocky Horror Picture Show
- It's a Wonderful Life
- The Producers
- Reds
- To Kill a Mockingbird
- The Graduate
- Harold and Maude
- My Life as a Dog
- Dead Poets Society
- The Unbelievable Truth
- Night of the Living Dead
Television[]
- Saturday Night Live
- Love Boat
- Fantasy Island
- M*A*S*H
- Gomer Pyle
- Romeo and Juliet
Music[]
- "Come on Eileen" by Dexys Midnight Runners
- "Pearly - Dewdrops' Drops" by Cocteau Twins
- "Where Eagles Dare" by The Misfits
- "Heroes" by David Bowie
- "Asleep" by The Smiths
- "Vapour Trail" by Ride
- "Scarborough Fair" by Simon and Garfunkel
- "A Whiter Shade of Pale" by Procol Harum
- "Time of No Reply" by Nick Drake
- "Dear Prudence" by The Beatles
- "Gypsy" by Suzanne Vega
- "Nights in White Satin" by The Moody Blues
- "Daydream" by The Smashing Pumpkins
- "Dusk" by Genesis
- "MLK" by U2
- "Blackbird" by The Beatles
- "Landslide" by Fleetwood Mac
- "Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana
- "Another Brick in the Wall, Part II" by Pink Floyd
- "Something" by The Beatles
- "School's Out" by Alice Cooper
- "Autumn Leaves" by Nat King Cole
- "Broken Wings" by Mr. Mister
- "I'm Going Home" sung by Tim Curry as Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show
- "Imagine" by John Lennon
- "Pretend We're Dead" by L7
- "Don't Dream It's Over" Crowded House