When most people think back to their high school required reading lists, they cringe at the thought of ever reading another classic book again. Whether it was spending an entire class period discussing the symbolism of the green light in The Great Gatsby or reading a story that just did not amuse or intrigue you as a reader, these negative experiences can deter people from engaging with classic books. But these stories are classic for a reason. Most have enduring issues and themes that people resonate with throughout time. Classics span beyond their settings, eras, and generations.
These novels also comprise all genres, so there is sure to be something for everyone’s taste. This list includes seven tales, from chivalric romance to psychological thriller. But I think the best place to begin if you are not yet keen on classics is with short stories. These brief narratives provide a glimpse into what full books could be like and can easily be read in one sitting. Following this, many whole classic novels are smaller, too. Easing into the literature this way can then lead to lengthier books.
Start With Classic Short Stories
The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe
Now, there’s a chance you’ve already read this story in school, but our perspectives and interests change with time. So, revisiting literature years later can also be effective! I personally loved the eerie narrative of The Tell-Tale Heart in middle school. An anxious narrator tells this story, determined to prove his sanity to the reader despite his increasingly maniacal account of his actions. This unnamed character is obsessed with an old man and his “pale blue eye, with a film over it.” Regardless of how paranoid his behavior seems, he depicts it as rational. Here is where his inner turmoil starts to unravel.
This story is enthralling on every level. The intrigue builds with every sentence and keeps the meaning clear throughout. These factors make it the perfect entry point into classic books.
The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
Similarly, this short story also accounts a descent into madness. Yet another nameless narrator tells the tale of The Yellow Wallpaper. This time, it is through journal entries that start with a wife depicting a seemingly ordinary set of events where she and her husband have moved to a mansion on an estate for the summer. However, the true intentions for this location are revealed as time goes on, taking a toll on the narrator’s mind. Her husband is a doctor who assures that she only has a “temporary nervous depression,” but the narrator disagrees with this assessment. Unfortunately, it is the 19th century, so she is expected to abide by his restrictions on her activity to “help” with her condition. The journal entries are her only escape, though she longs to break free completely.
Once again, the captivation is at an all-time high in this story. However, its subject matter is a bit denser than The Tell-Tale Heart. The interpretation is not as clear-cut, but it is still an immensely enjoyable and thought-provoking read. Though it takes place long ago, the story is not stifled by the time period and allows for modern feminist reading, as well. Its themes on gender roles and mental health are still relevant today.
Try Shorter Classic Books
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight by Anonymous
This classic medieval story is really just a long poem, but don’t let that steer you away. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight was initially written in Middle English and has been translated many times. For getting into classics, I recommend reading a more modernized translation, such as Simon Armitage’s version. (I read J.R.R. Tolkien’s, and it was rough!)
The poem follows Sir Gawain, a knight of the Round Table and King Arthur’s nephew. He accepts a Christmas game with the Green Knight, a mystic character whose intentions are unclear. Chivalry, integrity, and morality are at the center of this classic, but I find the magical aspects make it more inviting to the non-classic reader. In a way, it becomes less serious, so any reader can just relish the adventure.
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
Keeping with the Christmas theme, Dickens’ A Christmas Carol is a great classic starter. Most everyone is familiar with the story, so comprehension is no issue. Ebenezer Scrooge is an old money-loving miser who hates Christmas. Yet, when three ghosts arrive on the night of Christmas Eve, Scrooge must confront his past, present, and future. The novel differs from various aspects of film editions depending on the version, but the overall feeling of a spooky but triumphant holiday night is still there.
Sula by Toni Morrison
Toni Morrison is one of my favorite authors, so it was challenging to narrow down which of her books to add to this list. Sula is a shorter novel by Morrison, but it is still packed full of the delicious language and imagery she is known for. The story details the lives of Sula Peace and Nel Wright as they grow up together in a small town in Ohio. However, Sula leaves for college and challenges norms, while Nel stays to live a conventional life. When Sula returns to the town, she is labeled as a wicked woman because of her new lifestyle.
Female friendship and betrayal are at the core of this classic book. Anyone who had a best friend growing up with whom they had disconnected can find some sort of relation to this story. It is full of complexity but written in such a unique way that anyone is sure to get something out of it. Honestly, I find this to be true in all of Morrison’s classic books, so if you enjoy this, be sure to check out her other work.
Expand to Longer Classic Books
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
I do not believe any classics list is complete without Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, but I’m biased because it is my number one favorite book ever. The plot made me the most annoying person in the best way. I yapped about every new part I read to anyone who would (or wouldn’t) listen. Like A Christmas Carol, Frankenstein is a well-known idea. However, the book is quite different from major screen adaptations, but I think that is what makes it so engaging. It calls into everything you thought you knew about Frankenstein’s monster (because the “monster’s” name is not Frankenstein unless you are arguing that Victor is the true monster) and what it means to be a living thing—both fun topics for new classic readers.
And Then There Were None by Agatha Christe
Finally, a novel by the queen of mystery herself, Agatha Christe, is sure to delight any reader. And Then There Were None follows ten characters invited to an island where, one by one, they are killed off. Each chapter will have you accusing a different character of being the murderer, but no matter what, you will still be shocked by the ending. I think this is one of the more “reader-friendly” classic books on this list. The language and plot are straightforward while still obscuring the thrilling parts of the mystery until the very end. You will not want to put it down once you’ve started.
About the Author
Jenna Welty is an intern. As a senior English major at Mount Mercy University, she is often reading classics and writing fiction. In her free time, which is limited because of her hefty involvement in campus clubs, Jenna adores sewing, organizing her Pinterest boards, and shopping for fun clothes.
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