reading suggestions?

ok, im getting ready to go back to school (ill finally be a senior in HS) and im doing all my summer reading and assignments for AP english and AP calculus. For the english we have to read two books and a third that we have a choice on, maya angelou's i know why the caged bird sings and malcom x. i was wondering if any of you have read either of these (or both) and would have any advice or suggestions on the two. i really want to make this as painless as possible so i want to read the better book. any help would be appreciated. thanks