The Best Classic Books That Are Important and Enjoyable!
What a good day to read the books that defined our lives...
Hey y’all! It’s Read Across America Week! And it’s the perfect time to pick up a new book, and in this post, I’m going to share with you some classics that are worth reading if you haven’t read them before. We all had to read certain classic novels in our school days, but there is just too much great literature from past decades and centuries for everyone to have read them all. So, if you missed any of these in school, I encourage you to check them out. The books on this list are important and meaningful and are enjoyable to read too! Let’s go!
Note: The links to the books are affiliate links. That means, if you purchase one of these books through the link, What A Good Day will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. The opinions are my own. We appreciate your support!
Realistic Fiction
This is one of my all-time favorite books, and for a long time now it has been my favorite book to teach. To Kill a Mockingbird is narrated by eight-year-old Scout Finch, whose Father, Atticus Finch, the town lawyer, must defend a young black man named Tom Robinson who has been accused of rape by a poor white woman. It takes a hard look at injustice based on class, race, and gender, while at the same time being a coming-of-age story that is equal parts inspiring and tragic. It’s a little slow to get started, but once the book hooks you, it never lets go. You’ll ache right along with Scout wishing for things to be fair and honest in a world that sometimes isn’t. I’ve read it countless times and it still hits me right in my soul every time. So, if you haven’t read it, it’s a must-read.
Chinua Achebe is not a household name in the United States, but most “bests books of all time” lists include this book. A few years ago, one of my colleagues expressed surprise I hadn’t read Things Fall Apart, so I gave it a try. It’s the story of Okonkwo, a strong and fearless warrior of Umuofia, a fictional village representing the tribal culture of Nigeria during the initial stages of British colonization. This book utterly stunned me all the way through. It offered me a glimpse into a worldview I have no experience with and forced me to grapple with ideas utterly foreign to me. And it left me with all kinds of deep questions to continue to ponder long after I had read the last page. It’s incredibly unique and impactful, and I recommend it especially to people who haven’t read any African literature.
Sci-Fi and Fantasy
Ask any Sci-Fi nerd and they probably have a favorite classic Sci-Fi author. For me, it’s Ray Bradbury. I read this book in the 9th grade, and it set me off into reading everything Bradbury has probably ever written. Don’t get me wrong, I love Asimov, Wells, and Orwell. But they aren’t Bradbury for me, and Fahrenheit 451 of his is my favorite. The book is set in a future where everything is censored and books are illegal. The main character is Guy Montag, a “fireman” who burns books. One day, he pockets one, and everything changes from there. He begins to question everything, and the progression of his story is gripping and thought-provoking. It’s a book that has stayed with me and that I often recommend to students. If you haven’t read it, and you like Sci-Fi, check it out!
I read Frankenstein for the first time in high school, and I liked it then. It’s a great monster story. Shelley’s writing is sharp. And I really loved the combination of Sci-Fi tropes and elements of tragedy that this book weaved together so well. But it wasn’t until I taught it to a group of seniors, most of whom were also taking psychology, that I realized that this book offers so many revelations about human development and mental health. This book offers ideas about everything from child development to intrinsic human needs to the stages of grief. You have to read it from that frame of mind, looking for the messages Shelley is conveying about what it means to be human, but once you see it, you’ll be impressed. And you’ll keep thinking about those impressions long after you’ve closed the book.
Mystery and Suspense
If you like mysteries, you’ve probably heard of Agatha Christie. And Then There Were None is, in my opinion, an example of the perfect mystery. Ten strangers, all with a secret, are invited to a private island by an eccentric millionaire. When they arrive, their host is missing. They are greeted instead by a series of murders that follow the pattern of a chilling nursery rhyme that adorns the walls of every room in the mansion in which they are trapped. Who will be left at the end? You have to read to find out. This book is a classic for a reason, and out of Christie’s prolific career, it’s regarded as one of her best. If you like mysteries and you haven’t read this one, you have to check it out!
Rebecca is my favorite mystery of all time. It’s a little bit romance, a little bit period drama, a little bit ghost story, and a whole lot of fun to read. The brand new Mrs. De Winter begins to assume her role in her wealthy husband’s household only to discover something sinister is residing at Manderley, their home. She’s haunted by the ghost of the previous Mrs. De Winter, and uncovers secret after secret hoping to become free of her. Daphne Du Maurier’s writing is beautiful and is as haunting as the tale she’s weaving. It’s what I call Capital L Literature, but it reads like a page-turner. If you like a little chill down your spine but not so much horror that you’ll be kept awake at night, this is the book for you.
Romance
I love a good romance, and there is a reason this one graces the top of most romance book lists. Yes, it’s a classic. And the language can be cumbersome if you aren’t used to it. But it’s a masterpiece that is worth your time. Pride and Prejudice tells the story of Elizabeth Bennett, a woman of sharp intelligence and an even sharper tongue who knows her mind and will not be persuaded to change her opinions. When she meets Mr. Darcy, she finds him arrogant and judgmental. What follows is the grand standard all enemies to lovers romances should be judged against. And on top of being a great love story, its a subtly delivered, far-ahead-of-it’s-time, commentary on the roles of women and the perils of being oppressed based on class and gender. In addition to being really entertaining, it’s an important book for anyone to read.
What is more important, keeping your word or following your heart? And is love really worth losing everything for? Far too often, love stories are cut and dried, and there is a clear and obvious outcome. The guy gets the girl and they live happily ever after. But real love is complicated. It’s messy. The Age of Innocence portrays love in all its complexity. Newland Archer is part of the wealthy elite of New York. He has all he’s ever wanted, and then a woman appears who upsets his entire life and changes the way he views everything. But will they be able to be together despite the obstacles created by family and society? I read this book ravenously, dying to know how everything would work out. It is expertly written, with perfect pacing and descriptions that will make you feel as if you were there. The characters feel real and authentic. Wharton is one of my favorite classic authors, and this is my all-time favorite of her books. I hope you’ll give it a chance.
Even More Great Books!
I hope you find a new favorite classic book to read this week or anytime! And if you have a favorite classic book, drop a comment below and share it with us!
Need other book recommendations? Check out these posts!
- Need More Mystery in Your Life? Discover a New Mystery Series to Read!
- Ten Remarkable Dystopia Books That Will Make You Think!
- Fantastic Poetry Books Everyone Will Love!
- Five Books You’ll Love That Teach you Something Too!
- Six Books That Inspire Hope and Touch Your Heart
- An American Sampler: The Best Books from Each Region!
- Five Thrillers for a Thrilling October!
Have a good day!
Jamie
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