lou's library

I started reading classics as a teenager, and let me tell you, my experience of them varied wildly. To some extent, that is to be expected with any type of books, but I do believe that with classics, it’s especially important to start off on the right foot. I haven’t been a teenager for close to a decade now, but there are still some classics I don’t feel quite ready for yet. So, here’s a list of classics I would recommend if you want to start dabbling your feet into this genre (are classics even a genre?), but aren’t quite sure where to begin.

Dracula by Bram Stoker

Dracula is one of those books so iconic everyone knows what it’s about. Or so you think. But once you start tucking into its pages, you quickly realise there’s so much more going on than a bloodlusty vampire. I’m not going to spoil anything here and would recommend simply giving it a go yourself. I don’t think my expectations were particularly high before reading it, but then Dracula swept me off my feet and I had so much fun reading it. Yes, classics can be fun and this is a prime example of that fact. That is also why I think it is perfect for beginners. I also enjoyed reading such an iconic vampire novel that was written long before Twilight or anything similar. It really stands the test of time, in my opinion, and is the perfect combination of entertaining and scary. Honestly, this is a classic you shouldn’t miss, whether you’ve only just started reading them or read classics frequently.

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

There’s a reason this is on every teenager’s reading list in the US. Yes, that is partly because it is supposed to be one of the great American novels, but they wouldn’t make High Schoolers read it if it was too demanding (or so you would hope). I read it aged fifteen and had no trouble understanding it, so I would say it’s a good one for beginners. It’s also satisfying to knock such an iconic classic off your list. But there’s another reason why I would recommend this classic for beginners. To me, The Great Gatsby reveals something new and gets better every time I read it. At fifteen, I enjoyed it, but not much more than that. At nineteen, I was much more fond of it and at twenty-three, I loved it. I truly think it took those re-reads for me to get there, so I would recommend reading it and then to keep coming back to it. But even upon your first read, the world of Gastby will be fun and dazzling while simultaneously heartbreaking and there is nothing I love more than that.

All Quiet On The Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque

Ah, my favourite book of all time. There is no way I am ever going to write a classics list without sneaking this one in there. But All Quiet On The Western Front does deserve its place here. Because, although it was written almost a hundred years ago, it is incredibly accessible. You will have no problem caring about the protagonist or his friends as they are fighting for their lives in the trenches of the First World War (did I mention I am into fun books?). I would highly recommend reading it in the German original and do think learning German simply for this reason would be totally reasonable (I’m kidding, though only a little). There are no high-brow artistocratic discussions that you can only understand with a dictionary in this novel, and yet its subject matter could hardly be more serious. It’s written brilliantly and in my opinion is one of those classics everyone should read at least once in their lives. Sooner rather than later, if you ask me.

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

Classics written for children are a great way to find your feet and to take away some of the fear some readers have of classics. Alice’s Adventure’s in Wonderland is one of my favourites, as it is so non-sensical, whimsical and dares you to stop trying to make sense of things that it always takes me right back to being a child. It also feels refreshing to read a classic that I do not have to try and puzzle over, because it’s all just fun. Of course, that does not mean there is no meaning to what happens in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, but I do think it is easy to lean back and enjoy the show Lewis Carroll puts on for us readers. Children’s classics also tend to be on the shorter side, which is always great when you are trying something new. Be sure to read an edition with beautiful illustrations, as that makes it even more fun! Once you’re done with Alice, try Peter Pan or Winnie the Pooh!

Agnes Grey by Anne Bronte

One of the greatest injustices of literature, in my humble opinion, is that Charlotte and Emily Bronte are being idolised till the cows come home while their sister Anne is being paid dust for her literary achievements. I prefer The Tenant of Wildfell Hall over Wuthering Heights any day, but let’s not get too distracted by my hot takes and focus on the theme of this blog post. Classics for beginners. Right. Agnes Grey is a beautiful love story you will not want to put down. It is simple, but so gorgeous in that simplicity that I could not help but fall in love with its protagonist. It’s about her agency and finding her own voice, and is much less grim than most of what Emily and Charlotte have written. It’s also short and sweet and by the end of it, you can say you’ve read a Bronte novel, which sounds impressive. Win win!

I hope these recommendations were helpful! If you need further advice on how to get into classics, fear not, for I have written a blog post about it. There’s also one on classics everyone should read, in case you need more recommendations ❤