What “important, perspective-altering” classics should I read next? Been on a tear through these books over the last few months, while on a gap year before moving to Paris this fall.

As said before, looking for classic books that make you look at things differently and inform your perspective on life, especially as a young adult. Also, slightly gravitating towards books that are more agreeable to read at home alone, since there will be plenty of time this fall to read cool cozy classics with calming covers in cafés.

Thank you!

Recently Read

• Anna Karenina: it was fine, found the Oblonsky character intriguing
• War and Peace: hated when the sociology essays became too self-indulgent, but loved the concept, the dialogue, and the sprawling narrative. Loved it overall
• The Master and Margarita: probably my overall favourite. Had everything: exciting story, outlandish visuals, and a moving resolution. Best of all, it was twisted fun
• The Picture of Dorian Gray: fantastic. Theme felt a bit less ambitious compared to the other reads, but the wit in this was beyond the pale
• Crime and Punishment: the level that this grew on me was absolutely absurd. While the first hundred pages were a grim slog, I appreciated the glimmers of goodness in its characters as the story went on, to the point that the final chapters made me tear up.

Other faves include The Stranger and Something Wicked this Way Comes

Next Reads?

• Frankenstein
• The Idiot (then subsequently Brothers Karamazov)
• Blood Meridian (what I mean by one to read at home)
• East of Eden (almost finished it once, needs a fresh full read)
• Middlemarch
• Dead Souls
• For Whom the Bell Tolls
• Rebecca
• Things Fall Apart
• The Odyssey

Open to anything, but most of these are already on my shelf. Thank you!