I have read a few books mostly fiction like many of Agatha Christie novels, the whole Harry potter series, Sherlock Holmes, Neil Gaiman’s Norse Mythology and probably going to read Neil Gaiman’s American Gods next. I want to expand my horizon and get into the classics a bit like Edgar Allen Poe, Homer, Dostoevsky, Kafka (just taking big names i found on google and know a little about)
How do I start? from where? What to read first and what all to read? Kindly help me out
by JarvisNotFound
12 Comments
Metamorphosis by kafka
Do you have a general idea of what subjects or genres you’re interested in? Which books have you read already that you enjoyed the most?
How much Jane Austen have you read? Perhaps you could try “Pride and Prejudice” or “Sense and Sensibility” if you haven’t read those yet.
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne is a good one.
Crime and Punishment and The Brothers Karamazov by Dostoevsky,
Dracula by Bram Stoker,
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley,
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde,
The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe
I consider Vonnegut’s books classics. My favorite is *Sirens of Titan.*
I am personally a fan of poe so thats where I would start. Honestly though don’t limit yourself to “classics”. Read what sounds interesting to you. Reading shouldn’t be forced. Don’t let anyone’s view of what you should be reading force you to read something you don’t enjoy. Likewise, don’t let someone’s low opinion of a story keep you from reading it if you find it interesting.
Charles Dickens has some short stories that can help you get more into the classics. Since it’s that time of year you could read A Christmas Carol. Took me less than 2 hours to read.
The answer is always the Discworld series by Terry Pratchett.
Homer can feel daunting, just being aware & thinking of how much it’s been studied over millenia can make me feel a bit wonky
So dip your toe in the water with The Golden Ass by ~~Seutonius~~ Apuleius. It’s hilarious
Also, 1001 Nights 🌙 ✨, probably the translation I had, but I found it scratched the same itch as Sherlock Holmes
Edit: oops 😬
If you like Agatha Christie try Dorothy L Sayers. She wrote a series about a detective called Lord Peter Wimsey that are up there with the best of Poirot imho. Gaudy Night is the first one.
A lot of people who try to just jump into the classics kinda struggle and then lose interest, in my experience. I’d suggest modern murder mysteries to capitalise on the Christie interest, and then branch into the classics when you’ve developed the habit more.