As an English student, I supposedly read a fair lot of “classic” books. Let me tell you, there are definitely some that should not be read again. However, throughout my time as an English student, there are some books that I absolutely loved! They are definitely worth the read whether you’re interested in classic literature or not. For that reason, I thought I’d share some of my absolute favourite (and not scary) classic novels in the hope that you find something you like the sound of.
To Kill a Mockingbird – Harper Lee
I actually studied this during GCSE and thoroughly enjoyed it. The story follows lawyer Atticus Finch as he tries to prove the innocence of Tom Robinson. It is told through the eyes of his daughter scout and focuses on how Tom, as a black man, is falsely convicted of the rape of a white woman. It highlights issues of race and class heavily but its narration through the eyes of a child helps to identify and pinpoint the innocence of youth and how prejudices are typically learnt behaviours. It’s not only an important novel to read for its dealings with race but it is such an enjoyable story too.
Related: 5 Books You Should Read in 2020
The Great Gatsby – F. Scott Fitzgerald
I absolutely adore The Great Gatsby! I think it’s such a wonderful short novel that just screams decadence. The story centres on the life of Jay Gatsby but is told through the eyes of Nick Carraway, who has just moved in next door. Gatsby is a millionaire yet he cannot shake his feelings for his former love Daisy. He is obsessed with her and cannot allow himself to move on from the past without her. The novel follows Nick as he observes Gatsby and their interactions and highlights the difficulties of class, wealth and loneliness. It has an ending that I never expected too! The film with Leonardo DiCaprio is also really good too!
A Room with a View – E.M Forster
The novel that inspired my blog had to be included on this list, right?! I studied it during my A-levels and loved it! The story follows Lucy who has come to Italy with her aunt for a glimpse of the culture. It is in Italy that she meets George Emerson, a lower-class man who, though not conforming to traditional standards of the day, allows Lucy to open her eyes and really see the world around her. Unsurprisingly, their love is not accepted due to George’s class and it is George’s father who makes Lucy realise that society and class should not matter when it comes to love. It’s a novel filled with humour, mocking and romance yet it is not without its critique of societal standards and expectations. It’s such a fun classic novel to read and I absolutely love it!
Alice in Wonderland – Lewis Carroll
I feel like most people know the story of Alice in Wonderland and most likely read it as a child. However, reading it as an adult is just as fun. The writing style is so easy and simple that you can easily read it in a day. Carroll writes using so many puns and plays on words that there’s always something wacky and amusing. The story is full of nonsense and fun that you can’t help but love it. If you pay close attention you’ll see some of Carroll’s critique of Victorian education too, the justice system, and adults in general but all disguised in humour. I even wrote an essay for my degree on Carroll’s use of humour I liked it that much!
Wuthering Heights – Emily Bronte
Wuthering Heights is perhaps the most traditional of classics included on this list and is probably the heaviest book on here. Having said that it is still an enjoyable read. The story focuses on the character of Heathcliff from a child to an adult who falls for his foster sister Cathy. They have such an unbreakable and strong bond but Heathcliff’s class and temperament serve as barriers to their love. Cathy ends up with someone else though they still share a lot of love for each other. It makes for a very fiery read as Heathcliff’s temper often gets in the way of the pair. It’s also a novel that really allows you to follow a character from childhood to adulthood and death. I’d definitely recommend it!
Those are my best classic novels to help you fall in love with classics! I think there’s often a stigma attached to classics as they can be too heavy or scary. Whilst this is definitely true for a fair few of them there are some really great books out there. There are so many hidden gems waiting to be discovered and enjoyed even if classics aren’t normally your thing.
Have you read any classic? What have been your best classic novels that you’ve read?
I’m currently trying to get more into classics because I really don’t read a lot of them so I’ll definitely be reverting back here for inspo! I really think I need to read Gatsby though, the 1920s New York setting is my favourite!
Such a good book!
To Kill a Mockingbird is a great modern classic, and I love the frank discussions of race in this book. Thank you for sharing x
Oh I’ve heard all of them but haven’t got a chance to read these classic novels. I have a few of them on my TBR – just need to remind myself to read them! Thank you so much for sharing x
I haven’t read many English classics, to be honest, I think Ulysses is up on my list as we studied some of it back in school! I love the 1920s but for some reason, I didn’t enjoy much The Great Gatsby. I Will add some to my list, thank you for sharing x
So many great books, I love the Great Gatsby too!! I really want to read Wuthering Heights x
I love classic literature novels. My all-time favorites are Anne Of Green Gables, Little Women, Pride And Prejudice, Jane Eyre, The Count Of Monte Hugo, The Phantom Of The Opera, and The Mills On The Floss. Thank you for sharing your list. Would like to check out these books on your list.
Thanks for the recommendations! I am a fan of reading and classics but ran into a snag with Vanity Fair. I just couldn’t empathize with Becky’s need to find a husband! I have read all your suggestions. My favorite on your list To Kill A Mockingbird.
I have a post about how reading classics helps improve intelligence! With science to back up the claim. (link below!)
–Sue
https://susanberkkoch.com/blog/best-way-to-keep-your-brain-sharp/
Oooh I’ll definitely be giving your post a read!
These are all such classics and should be read once in your lifetime! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
This is a great starter list! I want to read more classics as I haven’t read many. However I have read “To kill a mocking bird” so I’m one down! I loved that!
I don’t think I’ve ever actually read any of the classics. After reading this I feel like I definitely should start!
Great rundown of classics! At the top of my personal list is Peter Pan. We read a chapter a night with my oldest when he was little. I think I’m going to start doing the same w/ Alice with my littlest. 😄
I love reading classics, and these are great choices! I’m planning on rereading To Kill A Mockingbird soon as it’s been years since I read it!
Serena / http://www.ramblingsofanotherunigraduate.com
I’m classics lover, I reckon I’ve done a great deal of it, I have read ‘Wuthering Heights,’ however, my favourites are Thomas Hardy’s novels, also Charles Dickens (particularly his ‘Great Expectations).
I haven’t read ANY of these! 🙈🙊 I was meant to read The Great Gatsby for A level but then switched to a different course, but I have always wanted to read it! Also would love to read Alice in Wonderland & To Kill A Mockingbird. A Room With A View sounds amazing – will definitely check that out 🙂 x
I really recommend A Room with a View!!
I’ve read To Kill a Mockingbird and am currently reading The Great Gatsby. I’ll have to check out the other books you listed!
Thank you for sharing! The only book I haven’t read on your list was A Room with A View but it’s so interesting to see what classics others value the most. Though I do agree with Alice and Wonderland being a classic that can draw anyone in to start reading and loving classics too.
I loved A Room with a View!
Alice in wonderland is one of my favourites but I haven’t read any of the others. They all sound like lovely books and I think I’ll definitely give a few a go! X
Hope you get to read some!
I’ve read a few classics over the past year. My favourite classic books are Alice in Wonderland and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. I want to read books from the Bronte sisters and Austen sisters. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for reading!
Admittedly, classics are not my books. I’ve read To Kill a Mockingbird, ~tried~ Wuthering Heights, and have read Jane Eyre. They’re very slow and I can’t seem to enjoy them as much as other people do 😅
Yes they take a while to get into but can be worth it!
I still need to read Alice in Wonderland! I lost my copy years ago! I have to say Little Women really made me love classics!
I made a pact in 2019 to read more classics! And read most of the books on this list… I really love Dracula too!
Katie | katieemmabeauty.com
Oooh I’d love to read Dracula!
I’ve never really been able to get on with classics but I loved Gatsby! The Lord of the Flies is good too but I probably wouldn’t rush to read it again! I adored Little Women as well. But other than that, I don’t think I’ve read any others! There’s a few here I’d love to try – esp Alice in Wonderland!
Oooh I need to read Little Women!
I haven’t read any of these before but they’re all books that I definitely need to read some day! I think The Great Gatsby would probably be top of my list out of the ones you mentioned x
https://www.femaleoriginal.com
I really recommend!
Some great reads on this list! Definitely worth the read 🙂 Thanks for sharing. Wuthering Heights is one I’ve read a few times in my life. And The Great Gatsy is just captivating.
I agree! Thank you for reading!
I haven’t read many English classics but I have heard of To kill a mockingbird and Alice in Wonderland and they sound like amazing books. I heard of A room with a view from you when you talked about it in one of your blog posts haha. I haven’t read any of these but they sound like must-reads. I will have to check em’ out.
Hope you get to read some of them!
I love Alice in Wonderland, great post 😃
Thanks for sharing
https://uncuaderno4cero.wordpress.com/
I have read none of these! But I definitely want to read Wuthering Heights.
My favourite classics are Emma and I Capture The Castle.
Cora | https://www.teapartyprincess.co.uk/
Ooh I haven’t read Capture the Castle!
I was so ready to say “no, I haven’t read any classics” until we got to Alice in W0nderland. I have read and loved that. But, from the looks of this post I still have so many more to discover.
Hope you give some of them a go!
I am ashamed to say that I have read no classic books except for at school. I just can’t quite get in to them, I am the same with black and white films as well.
I loved The Great Gatsby film so much and I am tempted to give the book a go x
I really recommend the book!
I’ve read ALL of these except for A Room With A View. I did most of them during my schooling and have since re-read To Kill A Mockingbird and The Great Gatsby. My teacher was incredible, her passion lit a fire in me that has stayed with me ever since!
Rosie
Ahhh that’s so nice! ARWAV is a fab book!
All of these classics sound fab and I have to admit I haven’t read any of them. I do enjoy reading a classic but it has been so long. I will definitely check some of these out. The Room With a View sounds like something I would enjoy.
It’s such a fab book!
Awesome ideas, specially Room with the view. Love reading classics..