Hi I’m 18 and I’ve recently had an urge to get into reading books since I have read one in years. I’ve always wanted to read a lot of famous classics and I’ve read Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad recently, which I really liked but I don’t know where to go from here. And by classic literature, I mean any old books that considered noteworthy or a must read.
What are some entry level classic novels that I should read? Nothing too challenging or long, but good for getting into classic literature 🙂
by Gamewheat
8 Comments
‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ by Harper Lee is a classic I always come back to for its powerful narrative on racial injustice and the loss of innocence. Through the eyes of the young protagonist Scout, Lee addresses complex social issues with warmth and humor.
my favorite book of all time is the great gatsby! short and fast-paced with well-written characters and a writing style that’s easy to follow. and the 2013 movie adaptation with leo dicaprio is in my opinion one of the best book-to-movie adaptations of all time and makes reading the novel more enjoyable 🙂
Some of my favorites are:
Pride and Prejudice – If you like family drama and want to feel like your gossiping with someone from the 1800s.
One Hundred Years of Solitude – This book can be a little confusing, because everyone is named after each other, but it’s a beautiful story and easy to get into.
1984 – This is easy to read, and it makes you feel paranoid about the future even though we’re way past Orwell’s idea of a future year.
The Handmaid’s Tale – Another dystopian novel that will make you think about society and its many issues. The main character is forced to endure terrible things, but you get sucked in.
The Outsiders – Especially for your age, this book is a rite of passage. You feel connected to these characters even though it’s a relatively short book.
I hope you find more that you’ll want to read! Enjoy!
I think Dickens is a great starting point to classic stories. Try Great Expectations.
I’d try The Picture of Dorian Gray, Frankenstein or Wuthering Heights.
John Steinbeck is an easily accessible author. Has many shorter works that aren’t as much of a time investment as well.
*Frankenstein*! Only pretty recently read and I wish I got around to it a long time ago. It blew my expectations out of the water
Heart of Darkness is one of my faves 🙂 Check out:
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
Cat’s Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut
Do Android’s Dream of Electric Sheep by Philip K Dick