I want to start reading classics but I’ve never really felt like reading the whole book. I don’t know where to start. Give me some suggestions that made you fall in love with classics
I gained a love of classics through school assigned reading. The Hobbit, Animal Farm, and All Quiet on the Western Front.
From there, I began reading classics on my own.
Animal Farm and 1984 by Orwell
Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
The old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway
along_withywindle on
*Pride and Prejudice* or *Emma* by Jane Austen.
One tip with classics is that if you’re having trouble with the language or narrative style, it can help a LOT to listen to an audiobook to understand the cadence of the words, and even to catch the humor you might have otherwise missed. Your local library probably has free audiobooks available through Libby or Hoopla.
Edit to add the audiobooks are usually available in digital format that you can download directly to your phone using the Libby/Hoopla app.
Zaquinzaa on
If you’re just starting with classics, I’d suggest going with something that’s engaging but not too dense, like *To Kill a Mockingbird* by Harper Lee. It’s a great mix of important themes and easy-to-follow storytelling. When I first tackled classics, I found starting with books that had strong characters and clear plots made it easier to stay interested. Another good one is *The Great Gatsby* — it’s short, sharp, and really captures a time period without dragging.
Also, don’t be afraid to try different styles until you find what clicks. For example, I tried *Moby Dick* early on and couldn’t get into it, but then I loved *Of Mice and Men* by Steinbeck because it’s emotional and straightforward. Classics don’t have to be intimidating if you pick ones that fit your taste. What kind of stories do you usually like? That can help narrow down the best classics to start with.
CazzoNoise on
Treasure Island flipped some sort of switch in me for the classics.
Dracula
Frankenstein
Great Expectations – longer with old English so it is a tough read but the story is fantastic.
YukariYakum0 on
Frankenstein
Dracula
Treasure Island
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings
The Shining
BewilderedNotLost on
My favorite classics:
Dracula
Frankenstein
Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
The Picture of Dorian Grey
Wuthering Heights
Edgar Allen Poe Collection
A Room of One’s Own
Great-Activity-5420 on
Maybe read the ones classed as kids ones first
A little princess, Heidi, secret garden
The style is easier. I read the horror classics first because I loved horror when I started reading them, Dracula, Frankenstein. But my favourites are Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë and books by Jane Austen
If you like a mystery Sherlock Holmes is good. The short stories are a good start if you don’t mind reading the books out of order.
And if you don’t enjoy them don’t worry. I like classics but I’m not always in the right mood for them and some I don’t enjoy
No_Length_856 on
IRobot
abomb_95 on
Pride and Prejudice is one of my favorites. I’ve read it a ton. And Captain Blood by Rafael Sabatini is a fun one!
9 Comments
I gained a love of classics through school assigned reading. The Hobbit, Animal Farm, and All Quiet on the Western Front.
From there, I began reading classics on my own.
Animal Farm and 1984 by Orwell
Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
The old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway
*Pride and Prejudice* or *Emma* by Jane Austen.
One tip with classics is that if you’re having trouble with the language or narrative style, it can help a LOT to listen to an audiobook to understand the cadence of the words, and even to catch the humor you might have otherwise missed. Your local library probably has free audiobooks available through Libby or Hoopla.
Edit to add the audiobooks are usually available in digital format that you can download directly to your phone using the Libby/Hoopla app.
If you’re just starting with classics, I’d suggest going with something that’s engaging but not too dense, like *To Kill a Mockingbird* by Harper Lee. It’s a great mix of important themes and easy-to-follow storytelling. When I first tackled classics, I found starting with books that had strong characters and clear plots made it easier to stay interested. Another good one is *The Great Gatsby* — it’s short, sharp, and really captures a time period without dragging.
Also, don’t be afraid to try different styles until you find what clicks. For example, I tried *Moby Dick* early on and couldn’t get into it, but then I loved *Of Mice and Men* by Steinbeck because it’s emotional and straightforward. Classics don’t have to be intimidating if you pick ones that fit your taste. What kind of stories do you usually like? That can help narrow down the best classics to start with.
Treasure Island flipped some sort of switch in me for the classics.
Dracula
Frankenstein
Great Expectations – longer with old English so it is a tough read but the story is fantastic.
Frankenstein
Dracula
Treasure Island
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings
The Shining
My favorite classics:
Dracula
Frankenstein
Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
The Picture of Dorian Grey
Wuthering Heights
Edgar Allen Poe Collection
A Room of One’s Own
Maybe read the ones classed as kids ones first
A little princess, Heidi, secret garden
The style is easier. I read the horror classics first because I loved horror when I started reading them, Dracula, Frankenstein. But my favourites are Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë and books by Jane Austen
If you like a mystery Sherlock Holmes is good. The short stories are a good start if you don’t mind reading the books out of order.
And if you don’t enjoy them don’t worry. I like classics but I’m not always in the right mood for them and some I don’t enjoy
IRobot
Pride and Prejudice is one of my favorites. I’ve read it a ton. And Captain Blood by Rafael Sabatini is a fun one!