I read a lot of classic literature. It’s passed the test of time, which means the possibility is very low that I’ll get halfway through the book and wish I hadn’t started it. It’s also because it’s what I’m used to reading. In high school I read through 100 of colleges’ most-often-recommended books. That’s how I first discovered some of my favorite (and least favorite) authors. This trend continued when I majored in Creative Writing in college. I took all the classic literature courses I could get my hands on!
I’m going to start posting once a week on essential books you should read, trying to keep context in mind so you’ll know ahead of time whether you’ll like it!
We’ll start with some obvious ones:
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
Timeless and delightful, the Holmes books are excellent beach and commuter reads. They’re somewhat more intellectual than your standard mystery/detective lit of today but very accessible. If your only exposure to Holmes is the recent dreadful movie, pick one up immediately.
Alternative: The Hound of the Baskervilles
If you like this, you might also like the first-ever mystery novel writer Wilkie Collins’ The Woman in White or The Moonstone; or the more modern Hercule Poirot Novels by Agatha Christie.
Pride and Prejudice
If you’re female and haven’t read this book, it’s time to hand in your woman card. (And no, marvelous adaption as it is, seeing the 6-hour BBC miniseries doesn’t count.) If you’re a man and haven’t read this book, you probably should just to get a handle on what exactly Mr. Darcy means to every woman of your acquaintance.
Alternatives: Persuasion is very good with a somewhat more mature (that doesn’t in any way mean inappropriate) storyline. Northanger Abbey can be better for younger readers; there’s more action.
If you like Austen, you might also like Elizabeth Gaskell’s books– Wives and Daughters, North and South, or Cranford; or George Eliot’s Middlemarch.
A Tale of Two Cities
Probably the most accessible Dickens novel outside of A Christmas Carol, you just shouldn’t go through life without this classic French revolutionary tale with the best opening paragraph ever. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…
(I’m scheduled to lead discussion on this one for the LOST book club… in May I believe, although the schedule may have changed.)
If you like this, you might also like The Scarlet Pimpernel or Les Miserables.
(All are Amazon Affiliate links.)