I love reading books. I'm not even picky about what genre I read. If you hand me a book with compelling characters and a decent plot, I can read it within a day.
One of my favorite things to read is classic literature. Y'know those books we were supposed to read in high school, but most people just used SparkNotes to get through the assignments. I read every single one of them and for the most part, I was pleasantly surprised. Here are my 6 favorite classic books
1. Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen
I love Jane Austen. I have read pretty much all of her works, but "Pride and Prejudice" is one of my favorites. The story follows a woman's journey to find love amongst her four sisters in the early 1800s. It's a classic romance with hints of comedy. A must read.
2. Wuthering Heights - Emily Brontë
"Wuthering Heights" is my all-time favorite book. I try to re-read it once a year because it is that good. The story revolves around a tragic romance.The story is told through a series of flashbacks retelling the life of a man named Heathcliff.
3. Fahrenheit 451 - Ray Bradbury
I had to read "Fahrenheit 451" my senior year of high school and I was so surprised by how much I actually enjoyed it. The story is set in a dystopian future where firefighter burn books and free thinking is not allowed. "Fahrenheit 451" follows Montag on his discovery of the worth of books.
4. 1984 - George Orwell
Before I read "1984", I read Orwell's "Animal Farm" and I really enjoyed Orwell's style of writing so I looked into his other books. "1984" is set in another dystopian society and deals with the idea of Big Brother, where you are always being watched. The book follows Winston throughout his rebellion to the strict society he lives in. This book is filled with political themes and really gives you something to think about. It was definitely an eye-opener for me.
5. The Scarlet Letter - Nathanial Hawthorne
"The Scarlet Letter" is about a woman who has an affair who is then forced to wear a red letter "A" on all of her clothing and is scrutinized by her community. Hawthorne focuses on themes of sin, guilt, and repentance.
6. Invisible Man - Ralph Ellison
"Invisible Man" is the story of an African American man and the social issues he faces throughout his life because of his race. The story is told from the narrator's point of view as he tells of the challenges that made him go underground and become "invisible."
While I have read many more classical works of fiction and have even enjoyed them, these 6 books have stuck with me over the years. I highly recommend you give them a try. What are some of your favorite classics?
