10 Classic Books Everyone Should Read Before They Die
Ready to meet your literary bucket list?
"Until I feared I would lose it, I never loved to read. One does not love breathing." – Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird
📖 What’s in this post?
✨ 10 must-read classics: Why they matter and how they’ll blow your mind.
😂 Tips to survive ‘hard reads’: Yes, some are chunky, but I’ve got you covered.
🎯 Why classics? A quick argument for why old books are not only still relevant but totally worth your time.
Let’s dive into the Mount Everest of reading lists. (Don’t worry, no hiking boots required.)
Why Read the Classics?
Before we jump into the list, let’s answer a big question: why should you care about classics? Isn’t life too short to struggle through old books? Well, here’s the thing: classics are like grandma’s recipes—they might be old, but they’re packed with flavor, tradition, and wisdom.
Plus, classics tackle the big stuff—love, power, justice, and what it means to be human. They’re time-tested because they resonate across generations, like a hit song that never leaves the charts.
📖 The List: 10 Classics You Must Read
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
It’s not just about racism and justice in the Deep South—it’s a story about growing up, standing up for what’s right, and why empathy matters. Bonus: Atticus Finch might just be the best dad in literary history.Photo by Kabiur Rahman Riyad on Unsplash Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
Love triangles, creepy mansions, and a feminist heroine who doesn’t take any nonsense. Plus, there’s a mysterious laugh echoing through the halls. What’s not to love?Photo by Hannah Smith on Unsplash Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
It’s like the OG rom-com with biting wit and slow-burn romance. Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy are the blueprint for all those enemies-to-lovers tropes you see everywhere.Photo by Elaine Howlin on Unsplash 1984 by George Orwell
Big Brother is watching! This dystopian nightmare might make you a little paranoid, but it’s a wake-up call about truth, freedom, and why we should care about both.Photo by Abdul Ahad Sheikh on Unsplash The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Glittering parties, forbidden love, and one man’s tragic pursuit of the American Dream. (Spoiler: Things don’t end well, but oh, what a ride.)Photo by Girl with red hat on Unsplash Moby-Dick by Herman Melville
A guy with an obsession, a white whale, and enough symbolism to make your head spin. It’s weird, it’s deep, and it’s surprisingly funny in parts.Photo by Volkan Coskun on Unsplash The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
Meet Holden Caulfield, the original teen rebel who hates everything phony. He’s angsty, relatable, and has a knack for getting himself into trouble.
The Catcher in the Rye Paperback – January 30, 2001 by J. D. Salinger (Author) Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
Toxic relationships, moody landscapes, and ghostly vibes. This is the ultimate gothic drama, and you’ll either love it or spend the whole time screaming at the characters.Photo by Loren Cutler on Unsplash Les Misérables by Victor Hugo
Yes, it’s long, but you’ll get a mix of revolution, redemption, and why kindness can change a life. Jean Valjean is the hero we all need.Photo by Agustin Biagi Vincenti on Unsplash The Odyssey by Homer
Heroes, monsters, and epic adventures. Odysseus spends ten years trying to get home—so, yeah, it’s relatable if you’ve ever been stuck in traffic.
How to Tackle the Hard Ones
Some classics can feel like chewing on broccoli: good for you, but not exactly fun. Here’s how to make them easier:
Audiobooks are your friend: Some narrators bring the characters to life in ways that make the story click.
Break it into chunks: Don’t marathon War and Peace. Take it one chapter at a time.
Watch an adaptation first: It’s not cheating! A movie or miniseries can help you grasp the big picture before diving into the details.
Classics aren’t just books—they’re bridges to the past, doorways to new perspectives, and some of the best stories ever told. Sure, they might not all be easy reads, but they’re worth it. So grab a cup of tea, dust off a classic, and dive in.
You’ve got a whole world waiting for you—no time machine required. 🕰️
Which classic are you tackling next? Drop a comment and let’s geek out about it!
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Let’s dive into the heart and soul of literature together!
Since I’m all about helping you become the best reader you can be, I’ve got a couple of freebies for you too:
🎁 25 AI Prompts to Become a Better Reader: Want to read more, understand deeper, and connect with books in a new way? These prompts will help you reflect, analyze, and grow as a reader.
🎁 Notion Template of My Favorite Female-Empowering Fictional Reads: I’ve compiled a list of must-read books featuring fierce female leads who will inspire you, empower you, and make you cheer out loud. Perfect for your next empowering readathon!