Fall in Love With the Classics: Five Books I Recommend

Happy February! To begin the month on a lighthearted note, I wanted to shift from the weekly devotional content and share with you five of my favorite classic books.

The classics, in literature, are books which have stood the test of time and serve as standards of excellence and recognized value. For many people, hearing the term “classic literature” carries an ominous or serious ring with it.

Delving into this genre can sound overwhelming, especially if you have never explored it before. And yet, it is the classics which are the building block of the modern literary world. You will constantly find references to the classics in modern literature, movies, education, art and entertainment. Classics have stood the test of time and seem to embrace hearts today in the same relentless grip as they did years ago.

Today, I want to recommend five classics that are accessible, engaging, and heart-warming.

1. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a reader in possession of a good intellect, must favor the works of Jane Austen.” – A play on the famous opening of Pride and Prejudice

I believe that many of my favorite books would not exist today without Austen’s influence. The world of romance, and indeed literature, has been deeply impacted by her pen which is still furiously scribbling away in the hearts of readers generations after cominginto the market.

Pride and Prejudice is well-rounded and has it all: the wit, the charm, the characters you can’t help but love (or love to hate), and the heroes everyone wishes to encounter in real life. It follows the life of impoverished Elizabeth Bennet, who encounters the wealthy and arrogant Mr. Darcy. A refusal to dance leads to a battle of wits and a journey to forgiveness and love.

Pride and Prejudice is a timeless work that sparks the imagination and warms the heart. It brings a smile to your face, a huff of frustration, maybe a few tears; and leaves you wishing for that Cinderella-style happily ever after. If you have yet to make its acquaintance, this book, like its original title, is great for First Impressions on the classics.

2. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

Perhaps you’ve heard of Tom Sawyer. The young rascal who got into all sorts of trouble? Well, Huck Finn doesn’t end his adventures within the pages of Tom Sawyer. After discovering buried treasure, becoming a millionaire and being welcomed into a home, Huck’s father returns giving Huck no choice but to run away. He embarks on a trip down the Mississippi River with a runaway slave, a duke and a king.

The story itself is humorous, entertaining and eye-opening (and yes, even banned in some places), but the audio book narrated by Elijah Wood brings every scene to life in the brightest way possible. If you prefer audiobooks, and love accents, Huckleberry Finn narrated by Elijah Wood is a must.

3. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

Do I even need to say any more on the subject? The title itself probably evokes images from Greta Gerwig’s 2019 movie adaptation, if not from all the previous films done throughout the years. While there may be controversy on the best movie adaptation, I’ve yet to hear controversy on Little Women’s status as one of the best classic books out there.

The story follows the life of the four March sisters as they grow up in Concord, Massachusetts, towards the end of the American Civil War. The book portrays their adventures, challenges and, yes, iconic love stories. While many are still sore over the entire Laurie-Jo-Amy drama, I believe Alcott outdid herself writing a coming-of-age story centered around family and discovering your own person. This is one of those rare and unique books which will grow with you.

While many stop at Little Women, reading beyond and digging into Good Wives, Little Men and Jo’s Boys ties all the seams together and brings the story into lovely completion. To those of you who always wondered how Jo’s, Laurie’s and Amy’s lives turned out: Keep reading! It’s worth it.

4. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

The Secret Garden is a book which has soul. It stays with you even years after reading it. In modern terms, it might be considered a “found-family” book. The Secret Garden follows the story of a young, neglected and spoiled girl, Mary Lennox, whose parents have died of a cholera outbreak in India. After the tragedy, she is sent to live with her uncle Archibald in England. As she explores her uncle’s forbidding home, she makes friends with the gardener and unlocks the secrets both to a secret garden and her family’s heart.

This book is the one guilty for giving me a love for the English countryside. The setting, plot, character development, and absolutely perfect ending intertwine in a story that, while classified as children’s literature, can captivate the hearts of young and old.

If you’re one for sprawling mansions with eerie cries at night, a hidden garden with some secrets, and flourishing friendships, this book is for you.

5. Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne

To the readers who love adventure, journeys, and improbable science, this is the book for you.

I watched the 2008 film before I ever read the book. And while the special effects have come a long way (and I mean long way), the book remains a solid five-star read for me. It’s packed with adventure and action and is sure to be a page turner if you enjoy science fiction.

Unlike the 2008 movie, this book is set in 1863 and has no female guide (although that would have been cool, even if extremely unlikely for that time period). It focuses on the journey of Axel Lidenbrock; his uncle, Professor Otto Lidenbrock; and their guide, Hans Bjelke, to the center of the earth after Professor Lidenbrock discovers an old runic manuscript written by Icelandic historian, Snorri Sturluson.

The book is full of adventure, danger, and odd creatures. Yet, the premise is so captivating you will want to read to the very end. Out of all the books I’ve read by Verne, this one remains my favorite.

Final Note

While this is certainly not a comprehensive list of classic book recommendations, these are some of the most memorable I have read. If you haven’t yet, pick one which appeals to you and read it. If you’ve never read a classic before, you will achieve bragging rights and will have invested your time in a worthwhile story.

Thanks for reading!
Anna

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Photo by micheile henderson on Unsplash