If one of your goals for the new year is to read more classics, but you’ve always felt intimidated by them, you’re in the right place.
Thanks to the internet, social media, and BookTok, it feels like we have more access to contemporary literature than ever before. Compared to the fast pace of today’s new releases, classics might seem like a lot more effort to read and digest. But their appeal has endured into the current moment for a reason. They continue to influence and shape cultural history, societal expectations, and literary tropes.
Luckily, classics don’t have to be boring or tiring. The six books on this list are easy to approach, relevant to our current day, and highly compelling. Remember, you don’t have to force yourself to read something that doesn’t interest you when you’re reading for pleasure.
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
This timeless coming-of-age novel follows the four March sisters—Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy—over the years as they grow into women. It’s a cozy and heartwarming story about family, love, and resilience. The book is known for its realistic portrayal of the everyday domestic lives of women at the time.
Even though much has changed since the nineteenth century, the theme of familial love still resonates, and the Alcott crafts nuanced, realistic characters.
I first read Little Women in elementary school, and it’s still just as delightful to read now. The novel has been adapted for the stage and screen countless times, including Greta Gerwig’s 2019 adaptation starring Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh, Eliza Scanlen, and Timothee Chalamet. It’s clear why this book has stood the test of time.
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
This short novel is narrated by Nick Carraway, a young man who rents a house in the West Egg district of Long Island. His next-door neighbor is the mysterious and rich Jay Gatsby, who frequently throws extravagant parties. Over the course of the novel, Nick eventually becomes entangled in a web of social connections, which allows him to learn more about Gatsby and his love for Daisy Buchanan, Nick’s cousin.
The Great Gatsby remains a staple in American high schools and has likewise cemented its place in popular culture. It’s not hard to understand why. The evergreen themes of class, affluence, and the American Dream form the crux of the story. Unfortunately, economic inequality only continues to mount in the US. Thus, the novel lends us an insightful glimpse into the nature of human materialism.
In addition to its compelling themes and shrewd observations, The Great Gatsby is fairly short in length. The plot is also easy to follow. Like other works written in the twentieth century, the language is accessible to modern readers. However, to fully appreciate the underlying ideas of the novel, it’s worth giving yourself a little more time to read.
Animal Farm by George Orwell
Published at the end of World War II, Animal Farm is a political satire and allegorical novella that reflects upon the establishment of the Soviet Union. The story follows the mistreated farm animals of Manor Farm as they rebel against their human master. Their goal is to create a more egalitarian society for all animals. However, pigs hijack the rebellion and ultimately establish a dictatorship.
For anyone interested in history and politics, Animal Farm is a must-read. It sheds light upon the complicated political forces of its time, but it’s also helpful in understanding certain facets of our world today, and its concise, satirical form as a beast fable is highly digestible.
If you’re feeling warmed up and ready after reading Animal Farm, you could also check out Orwell’s dystopian novel Nineteen Eighty-Four. This is another must-read exploring totalitarianism and mass surveillance. Orwell’s writing has had an immense cultural impact that endures today.
Sula by Toni Morrison
Toni Morrison is one of the most celebrated authors in the world and for good reason. Her work focuses on African American life experiences and race relations within the United States. She was the first African-American woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature and has won countless other awards.
Sula is a great starting point for readers unfamiliar with Morrison’s work–and for classics newbies more generally. It’s a coming of age story following two friends, Sula Peace and Nel Wright, as they grow up in a Black neighborhood called The Bottom. The two girls are best friends, sticking together through various hardships and traumatic events. However, when they become women, their differences start to break down their bond.
The novel isn’t very long, but it packs a punch, delving into potent themes of racism through its focus on a Black community in Ohio. Morrison portrays the town of The Bottom with raw, unflinching honesty, highlighting the community identity of the townspeople. The relationship between Sula and Nel also captures the themes of friendship, love, womanhood, and motherhood.
If you’re looking for a gripping, poignant read, I highly recommend Sula or any of Morrison’s works.
A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway
If you’re feeling intimidated by Hemingway’s name, never fear. The well-known writer is known for his simple, economical writing style. I’ve even found that the lack of flowery prose and outdated emotions actually amplifie his writing.
A Farewell to Arms is Hemingway’s second novel. It is set during World War I and narrated by an American serving as lieutenant in the Italian army. During the war, he falls in love with an English nurse. The novel describes the grim reality of war and the failure of traditional institutions while also incorporating a heartfelt love story.
As heavy as the novel is, it is nonetheless a breathtaking meditation on modernity and the human experience. I was absolutely swept away by the storytelling.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
I couldn’t make a list of beginner-friendly classics without including Pride and Prejudice. This book is a fixture of pop culture and a universal favorite for its swoonworthy romance and witty protagonist.
The story follows Elizabeth Bennet, the second of five Bennet daughters all seeking marriages in order to secure their futures. A man named Mr. Bingley moves into their neighboring estate and introduces Elizabeth to his closest friend Mr. Darcy, who seems to hate her. The feeling is mutual, as she finds Mr. Darcy to be exceedingly irritating. However, as her older sister Jane falls for Bingley, Elizabeth and Darcy are forced to interact again and again. Eventually, she discovers that there’s more to Darcy than what meets the eye.
While it takes time to adjust to eighteenth century literature, this book will immediately draw you in. You can’t help but be charmed by Elizabeth Bennet’s relentless passion and sparkling wit, and the banter, dialogue, and plot twists prove equally engaging, making this read more than worthwhile!
Try something new this winter!
As we approach the holidays, the days are getting shorter and colder, and you’ll likely be spending more time at home. If you’re looking to use that extra time for some reading, give one of these classics a chance. Who knows? They just might surprise you.
