I don’t read nearly as many of them as I should, but I do love the classics. It has become apparent to me lately just how many of them I haven’t actually read, but that just makes my TBR even longer! Yay! I wanted to talk to y’all today about my favorite classics.

---

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Obviously at the top of this list is Pride and Prejudice. If you have spent any amount of time here on my blog, you know that I love Jane Austen. I first discovered Austen through reading Pride and Prejudice in my 9th grade English class. Elizabeth Bennet is one of my favorite characters of all time. I love her spunk and her wit. The romance with Mr. Darcy is one that just gets better with every re-read (of which, I can assure you, there have been many!) Austen’s writing is such that, even centuries later, always feels like I’m sitting down to chat with an old friend.

 

Persuasion by Jane Austen

I could really fill this entire list with all of Austen’s novels, but I decided to only include my two most favorite. Persuasion was one of Austen’s last novels, and you can tell by how her writing style evolved from her earlier works. Anne Elliot is a much more subdued heroine than her earlier counterparts, but she is still a strong and amazing woman. Her journey over the course of the novel is so encouraging to me. She gradually becomes more confident and more capable of making her own decisions. And Captain Wentworth’s letter makes me swoon every time!

 

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

I will admit that I watched the movie first and then decided to read the book. Jane Eyre is one of those stories that just gets better with time. I discover new things about Jane with every re-read, which is just the kind of heroine that I adore. I love watching her romance with Mr. Rochester grow. The underlying tension of the entire novel is absolutely brilliant. I really need to read more by Charlotte Brontë, but I don’t know where to go next…

 

A Room With A View by E.M. Forster

I honestly can’t remember why I picked up A Room With a View. It might have been an assignment for a class, or I might have just decided to pick up a classic. Regardless, I wasn’t expecting to love it as much as I did. I absolutely love Italy and the Edwardian period, so combining the two made for the perfect setting. I enjoyed watching Lucy come into her own and figure out what she really wants out of life. It is short and sweet and I’m really due for a re-read.

 

Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë

Wuthering Heights is one of those novels that people either seem to love or despise. I fall into the love camp. I generally don’t enjoy novels with unlikeable main characters (call me a simple lady, but I like to be able to root for my heroines!), but Cathy and Heathcliff have always intrigued me. I really love the moody, broody feel of this novel…it makes me want to go back to Yorkshire again!

 

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

For the longest time I didn’t pick up Rebecca because my mom once told me it was her favorite book, and at the time we did t really have the same taste in books. ( That has since changed! Love you Mom!) Years later, my book club read it and I am now kicking myself that I waited so long to read it. I loved the mystery and general suspense. It took me a very long time to figure out what was really happening and I love that in a good mystery. It usually drives me bonkers when I don’t know the main character’s name, but du Maurier pulled it off so well that I hardly noticed. I really need to read her novel My Cousin Rachel next!

 

A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare

I have a general love for Shakespeare, but my favorite has always been A Midsummer Night’s Dream. I have seen it performed live countless times and it always sweeps me away. I love the fantasy and general merriment of it. The comedy is still spot on. I love how there are so many plot lines that all tie together in the end. My favorite is definitely the love quadrangle between Helena, Lysander, Hermia and Demetrius.

---

What are some other classics you think I should read? Have you read any of the ones I’ve listed here? What do you think of them? Let’s talk down in the comments!

Love and happy reading,