My Top 5 Favorite Classics

Though I read mostly YA contemporary, clean romance, and dystopian novels, I’ve made a point to read some beloved classics as well. Classic novels stand the test of time for a reason, and today I’d like to share my top five favorites!

1) To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

I read To Kill a Mockingbird for the first time in 11th grade Honors English, and fell head-over-heels for the poignant story Lee created. The book is full of valuable lessons, history, and southern charm. This was the first classic novel that I truly enjoyed, and I credit it as the book that made me fall back in love with reading.

Note: At the time of this post, I have not yet read Go Set a Watchman, the sequel to this novel.

2) Ethan Frome by Edith Warton

I was first introduced to this classic romantic tragedy novel in AP English my senior year. This novel, along with another book on this list, was one that completely captured my interest. The characters are expertly written, and the story is heartbreaking. Like To Kill a Mockingbird, this is a classic that I purchased my own paperback copy of and hope to reread again soon.

3) Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Y’all knew an Austen novel had to make an appearance! 😉 Though I first read Pride and Prejudice for British Literature in college, the book had been on my TBR list for a while. Pride and Prejudice is the epitome of a classic hate-to-love romance, and if you don’t fall for Mr. Darcy by the end, I’ll seriously question your taste in men! 😛

4) Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw

Ugh, ever since I read this along with Classic #2 in AP English, I’ve been dying to read it again! I was first interested in Pygmalion after realizing it’s the play that Eliza Rocks! from Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen was based on (don’t judge me!). The original play is spectacular, and if I’m not mistaken, I totally shipped Eliza with a certain someone! 🙂

5) The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain

The most recent addition to my favorite classics list, Tom Sawyer is a book I had been wanting to read since 2005 and finally read in 2018. As the title suggests, this book is full of the wild adventures of a young southern boy and his friends, and Twain’s charming narrative voice is among my favorite classic authors.

Note: Though I read the sequel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn in 11th grade, I couldn’t remember it enough to warrant it a spot on this list. I plan to reread and review it this year though!