This is such an amazing list, a few of them I've not touched yet so, thank you for bumping them further up on my TBR 😁
I've just finished Great Expectations. It has the feel of Les Misérables and The Mayor of Casterbridge (the latter is my gateway to classic lit, it holds a special place on my mental bookshelf). I find the tale of redemption captivating, after all who among us is without faults? So humane.
Les Mis was my best book of 2024. The book is all about love to me: the love of family, friends/comraderie, spouse, country. All encompassing. What an epic!
As for Mark Twain, oh my! Yes he was so witty! I read Huck straight after Tom Sawyer. On the opening of Huck, Twain wrote "Persons attempting to find a motive in this narrative will be prosecuted; persons attempting to find moral in it will will be banished; persons attempting to find a plot in it will be shot." Boy am I glad he's not here to see me drawing life lessons from the book 😂 Most profound to me was when Jim said to Huck that he was worth a certain amount of dollars - with an air of pride, in a positive way. It made me think of self-value, the way one values oneself. (When I first emigrated to the UK from Indonesia, I wasn't allowed work for a couple of years. After having had a good career in my native country, I struggled with the way I viewed/valued myself, I attached my value/dignity to my income, holding a job/work, and for a long time I had to sit and rearrange my views. It was "fun" haha).
To me, one of the reasons why I love the classics is because of the life lessons, the wisdoms they contain. I've been thinking a lot about this lately, about the type of readers. Anyways, sorry I'm rambling. Thank you for sharing your favourite books, I enjoyed reading this post.
Ps: Children's lit, Anne of Green Gables? My absolute favourite! I was totally Anne when I was a kid 😂
I almost added Anne! She was the one who got me back into the classics, so I’m forever indebted to her. ❤️ and yes, I completely agree about Les Mis. The theme of love and how we define it runs throughout the entire story.
I love orphan stories! Huck and Anne are my two favorites. Hidden just below the surface of Huck's bravado is an abused little child. It always breaks my heart reading his story.
Couldn't agree more. 💖 North and South. A word of warning, however. The TV adaptation is beautiful visually, but inaccurate in a critical area, and that I cannot forgive.
This is a beautiful list of great literature! I'm certainly inspired to make my own and add a few classics that have remained dusty on my shelves. I just read through Far from the Maddening Crowd for the first time, and I'm not sure I put it down.
I am children's literature lover, and I'm so encouraged that you shared them; they aren't really just for "children". They are beautiful written pieces of literature. I'd have to put Wind in the Willows on my list!
I have read several on your list and love them as well. I’d have to add Sigrid Undset’s “Kristin Lavransdatter.” This book changed me. It is not to be trifled with, Undset means business. ☺️
I went to my library to ask for some of the books I've not read, and had to laugh... someone saw this list before me. Otherwise, why would there be 3 holds on the only copy of the Seneca on the list???
Are we having a book club in reading the books on your list? Or is this just a suggestion and we can read them at our own leisure? I would like a group reading and a schedule, if possible
I’m going to defend your inclusion of what is derisively referred to as “children’s literature.” This is such a misnomer and a put-down on what usually is the best literature there is around! This is my theory: if a children’s story cannot be enjoyed, and enjoyed on many levels, by adults, it isn’t written very well. We never outgrow quality children’s books because these were written so as to appeal to all ages. Studied in depth one discovers that there are themes, nuances and phrasing that will acquire different meaning to us as we (supposedly) mature. I put “supposedly” in parentheses because sometimes one wonders, right? And certain children’s books are weighty tomes from the beginning needing an adult’s guidance throughout and to be received one chapter at a time. This morning without benefit of my second cup of coffee, I can’t think of any right off hand, but I am thinking A. A. Milne. While absolutely delightful, the typical elementary aged child reading this would probably not do so on a summer’s day, but it would depend upon the child.
So, please continue to both read and to recommend “children’s books” for our classical reading pleasure!
Les Mis and LOTR are already on my list this year!
I read a few classics for school, but the first real classic i read in my own I think was Wuthering Heights. I didn't like it, but it made me realize I *could* read classics, and now that's all I want to do!
Far From the Madding Crowd is one of my favorites, glad you enjoy it too. :)
I wholeheartedly agree that children’s classics are NOT to be dismissed. George MacDonald writes some DEEP stuff for “kids.” I just read At The Back of the North Wind and so look forward to your analysis!
Oh I most definitely cried! (Without even fully understanding why?) The only part I could have done without were the talking horses…no idea what THAT was about 😂
Love your list! I would say you should include some of George MacDonalds Scottish novels I love them so much more than his fairy tales! Thank you for sharing you’ve definitely bumped up some titles on my to read list!
Thank you; an interesting list. Will definitely move Wildfell Hall and Monte Cristo higher up on my next-books-to-read list. My Austen book would've been Persuasion as it's a story about thriving when given a rare second chance . . .
I made the unfortunate choice to watch the Persuasion movie before reading the book, so my experience of reading it wasn’t quite “pure.” I feel like it kind of ruined it for me. But I’m planning on revisiting it in the future and giving it a second chance (no pun intended).
I love more personalized lists like these. They're like a fingerprint, and it's fun to imagine what connects them in another reader's heart. Second to North and South, Till We Have Faces, Mansfield Park, Anna Karenina, and Little Women especially. I loved some of MacDonald's fairy tales last summer (the Princess books, The Golden Key & Other Stories) and I've been longing to try At the Back of the North Wind. Eager for your thoughts on that too!
Thanks Maddie. The Narnia books blew me a away when I reread them as an adult to my kiddo. Checking out you other CS Lewis recommendations and going to commit to reading Les Mis I think for 2025
This is such an amazing list, a few of them I've not touched yet so, thank you for bumping them further up on my TBR 😁
I've just finished Great Expectations. It has the feel of Les Misérables and The Mayor of Casterbridge (the latter is my gateway to classic lit, it holds a special place on my mental bookshelf). I find the tale of redemption captivating, after all who among us is without faults? So humane.
Les Mis was my best book of 2024. The book is all about love to me: the love of family, friends/comraderie, spouse, country. All encompassing. What an epic!
As for Mark Twain, oh my! Yes he was so witty! I read Huck straight after Tom Sawyer. On the opening of Huck, Twain wrote "Persons attempting to find a motive in this narrative will be prosecuted; persons attempting to find moral in it will will be banished; persons attempting to find a plot in it will be shot." Boy am I glad he's not here to see me drawing life lessons from the book 😂 Most profound to me was when Jim said to Huck that he was worth a certain amount of dollars - with an air of pride, in a positive way. It made me think of self-value, the way one values oneself. (When I first emigrated to the UK from Indonesia, I wasn't allowed work for a couple of years. After having had a good career in my native country, I struggled with the way I viewed/valued myself, I attached my value/dignity to my income, holding a job/work, and for a long time I had to sit and rearrange my views. It was "fun" haha).
To me, one of the reasons why I love the classics is because of the life lessons, the wisdoms they contain. I've been thinking a lot about this lately, about the type of readers. Anyways, sorry I'm rambling. Thank you for sharing your favourite books, I enjoyed reading this post.
Ps: Children's lit, Anne of Green Gables? My absolute favourite! I was totally Anne when I was a kid 😂
I almost added Anne! She was the one who got me back into the classics, so I’m forever indebted to her. ❤️ and yes, I completely agree about Les Mis. The theme of love and how we define it runs throughout the entire story.
I love orphan stories! Huck and Anne are my two favorites. Hidden just below the surface of Huck's bravado is an abused little child. It always breaks my heart reading his story.
So true! I never wanted to adopt and love a character more than I did when reading Huck Finn.
My husband refused to let me name our son Huck. LOL
😂 I don’t see the issue
What a great list, Maddie! Far from the Madding Crowd is a new favorite of mine. North and South is on my list for this year :)
North and South is amazing :) I hope you enjoy it!
Couldn't agree more. 💖 North and South. A word of warning, however. The TV adaptation is beautiful visually, but inaccurate in a critical area, and that I cannot forgive.
This list makes me so happy.
🥰
This is a beautiful list of great literature! I'm certainly inspired to make my own and add a few classics that have remained dusty on my shelves. I just read through Far from the Maddening Crowd for the first time, and I'm not sure I put it down.
I am children's literature lover, and I'm so encouraged that you shared them; they aren't really just for "children". They are beautiful written pieces of literature. I'd have to put Wind in the Willows on my list!
I’m ashamed to say it, but I’ve never read Wind in the Willows! I know quite a few people who say it’s one of their favorites though. :)
I have read several on your list and love them as well. I’d have to add Sigrid Undset’s “Kristin Lavransdatter.” This book changed me. It is not to be trifled with, Undset means business. ☺️
I think everyone should read KL. It’s a masterpiece.
That book intrigues me. I’ve heard so many people recommended it but I have yet to read it!
I went to my library to ask for some of the books I've not read, and had to laugh... someone saw this list before me. Otherwise, why would there be 3 holds on the only copy of the Seneca on the list???
Wow! That’s amazing haha. And encouraging to hear that people are reading Senenca!
Are we having a book club in reading the books on your list? Or is this just a suggestion and we can read them at our own leisure? I would like a group reading and a schedule, if possible
No book club planned as of now, although it has been on my mind to offer one to paid subscribers in the near future. So it may be on the horizon!
I’m in when you start!
I’m going to defend your inclusion of what is derisively referred to as “children’s literature.” This is such a misnomer and a put-down on what usually is the best literature there is around! This is my theory: if a children’s story cannot be enjoyed, and enjoyed on many levels, by adults, it isn’t written very well. We never outgrow quality children’s books because these were written so as to appeal to all ages. Studied in depth one discovers that there are themes, nuances and phrasing that will acquire different meaning to us as we (supposedly) mature. I put “supposedly” in parentheses because sometimes one wonders, right? And certain children’s books are weighty tomes from the beginning needing an adult’s guidance throughout and to be received one chapter at a time. This morning without benefit of my second cup of coffee, I can’t think of any right off hand, but I am thinking A. A. Milne. While absolutely delightful, the typical elementary aged child reading this would probably not do so on a summer’s day, but it would depend upon the child.
So, please continue to both read and to recommend “children’s books” for our classical reading pleasure!
Beautifully said!
Les Mis and LOTR are already on my list this year!
I read a few classics for school, but the first real classic i read in my own I think was Wuthering Heights. I didn't like it, but it made me realize I *could* read classics, and now that's all I want to do!
Far From the Madding Crowd is one of my favorites, glad you enjoy it too. :)
🙌🏻🙌🏻 yes, reading classics isn’t as scary as it might seem!
What a beautiful list! ❤️📚
I wholeheartedly agree that children’s classics are NOT to be dismissed. George MacDonald writes some DEEP stuff for “kids.” I just read At The Back of the North Wind and so look forward to your analysis!
He really does! I just put the book down and cried for a little after reading it haha. It was so beautiful!
Oh I most definitely cried! (Without even fully understanding why?) The only part I could have done without were the talking horses…no idea what THAT was about 😂
Haha that reminded me so much of Narnia (especially the Horse and His Boy!). It did seem pretty random. 😅
Love your list! I would say you should include some of George MacDonalds Scottish novels I love them so much more than his fairy tales! Thank you for sharing you’ve definitely bumped up some titles on my to read list!
I have yet to venture into his novels, but I’ve heard good things about them!
Thank you; an interesting list. Will definitely move Wildfell Hall and Monte Cristo higher up on my next-books-to-read list. My Austen book would've been Persuasion as it's a story about thriving when given a rare second chance . . .
I made the unfortunate choice to watch the Persuasion movie before reading the book, so my experience of reading it wasn’t quite “pure.” I feel like it kind of ruined it for me. But I’m planning on revisiting it in the future and giving it a second chance (no pun intended).
I love more personalized lists like these. They're like a fingerprint, and it's fun to imagine what connects them in another reader's heart. Second to North and South, Till We Have Faces, Mansfield Park, Anna Karenina, and Little Women especially. I loved some of MacDonald's fairy tales last summer (the Princess books, The Golden Key & Other Stories) and I've been longing to try At the Back of the North Wind. Eager for your thoughts on that too!
Thanks, Melody! I loved the recent list you put out as well. It gave me a lot of great ideas.
Thanks for sharing this list. I read some of them and use your recommendation to prioritize the choice of other classics.
Ps: I'm reading Anna Karenina and it's wonderful.
Oh I just finished that one — Russian lit is a beast all its own: a beautiful, complex, and rewarding beast.
Thanks Maddie. The Narnia books blew me a away when I reread them as an adult to my kiddo. Checking out you other CS Lewis recommendations and going to commit to reading Les Mis I think for 2025
Woohoo! Les Mis is awesome. I have found that translations make a big impact on the reader’s experience of Hugo’s writing.
I liked Tess of the D'Urbervilles by Hardy, moreso than Madding Crowd
I have yet to read that one! It sounds so tragic that I’ve put it off for a while; but I hope to read it one day.