Have you been meaning to brush up on the classics? I think a lot of us have been perpetually, if we’re honest with ourselves. Here are some books that come to mind when it comes to refreshing or expanding one’s classic literature readership!
*All descriptions written by Darius Mullin.
Perhaps the most iconic pirate story ever written, Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson is a classic coming-of-age story filled with buccaneers and buried gold.
In this story of intrigue and passion, the eponymous governess of Thornfield Hall finds herself more than interested in the brooding Mr. Rochester… but what secret is he hiding?
The Mysteries of Sherlock Holmes
Dive into the adventures of the world’s greatest detective and his faithful companion, Dr. Watson, in this collection of the Arthur Conan Doyle stories that have regaled generations of readers.
The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe
It’s never too soon to reread the classic C.S. Lewis novel that kicked off the Chronicles of Narnia series, and it’s never too late to read it for the first time!
Considered by many to be the definitive fantasy series, The Lord of the Rings is a must-read. The trilogy may be daunting in length, but it’s worth it!
Meet the author who C.S. Lewis famously said influenced everything he wrote. At the Back of the North Wind is just one of the worthwhile stories penned by George MacDonald.
Journey to the Center of the Earth
Even if you’re not a sci-fi aficionado, chances are you’ve heard of this classic. Journey to the Center of the Earth is a fantastical tale of wonder and discovery by one of the fathers of science fiction, Jules Verne.
Continuing with books by sci-fi legends, The Time Machine was the first novel by H.G. Wells. An immediate success, the book—which seems to have a bland title, until you realize that Wells invented the idea of a machine for traveling through time—remains a fascinating read today.
In this short and bizarre novella, a young man wakes up in the morning to find himself inexplicably transformed into a person-sized bug. A great read if you’ve been wondering what everyone means when they keep saying “Kafkaesque.”
The timeless classic by Jane Austen—Pride and Prejudice is a witty, comedic, and romantic story of Elizabeth Bennet, the daughter of a country gentleman, and Mr. Darcy, a rich aristocratic landowner.
You’ve probably heard of John Steinbeck’s works Of Mice and Men or East of Eden. This lesser-known classic by one of the greatest American authors follows the plight of a small town that suddenly finds itself occupied by an enemy force.
One of Shakespeare’s histories, Richard III follows the meteoric rise and fall of the cunning and devious titular character. Prefer to watch Shakespeare plays? The Hollow Crown rendition of Richard III features Benedict Cumberbatch at his absolute best in the lead role.
One of Dickens’ most revered works, A Tale of Two Cities presents believable characters and social criticism against the backdrop of the chaotic French Revolution.
These are just some of the many worthwhile classic books that are available at the Union University Library. Craving more suggestions? Find more classic literature reading lists here and here. Happy reading!
Darius Mullin’s reviews reflect his personal opinions and not necessarily those of the library or university.
Union University Library Blog 