When you hear someone say, "I read classics" you may think, "Oh dear God..." But that's not always the case. When I was in 5th Grade I started reading classic literature and have since read over 1,000 books in that genre. You might think I'm obsessed, but not really. I just love classic works, so if you're new to old, then sit back and take a look into reading some of the books on the list of "The Top 20 Pieces of Classical Literature You Should Read Before You Die".
1. Catch-22 by Joseph Heller
Who doesn't love a cross between a satire and a war story? It's a little out there, but what great piece of fiction isn't?
2. Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
I love pirates... That's why this book is on this
list.
3. Moby Dick (or The Whale) by Herman Melville
Dive into one of the greatest pieces of literature in
the English. (Apologies for the pun)
4. The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux
So I've got another book that was later made into a
musical on this list. The book is a little different than the musical, but it's
a wonderful twister!
5. War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells
Aliens... That is all.
6. Les Miserables by Victor Hugo
"One Day More?"...Sort of. But the book is
HUMONGOUS... it's worth it. If you have a good two or three weeks to spare,
read one of the most famous pieces of French literature ever.
7. Dracula by Bram Stoker
8. The Complete Tales of Edgar Allan Poe
Poe is considered by many to be the master of horror.
His short stories have been chilling spines and keeping people up at night for
a little over 100 years, so indulge yourself into the mind of one of America's
landmark writers.
9. Candide by Voltaire
This book may be older than the rest of the books on
this list, but it's one of the funniest. A great weekend read!
10. Animal Farm by George Orwell
Orwell’s portrait of communism put into a hilarious
new spectrum is a great read that you can have done in a small amount of time!
11. Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
You probably read this book in high school. But if
you haven't and need a good dose of that teenage angst, pick up a copy and
enjoy!
12. Allan Quatermain
So this dude Allan Quatermain is the original Indiana Jones.
13. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
It's a lot scarier when we look at this book as a
metaphor for nuclear warfare.
14. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
Read this book, then read #15 on the list. It will
change your life.
15. 1984 by George Orwell
Refer to the caption for #14.
16. 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea by Jules Verne
One of the best science fiction books ever written,
and my favorite by Jules Verne.
17. The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
You wanna have the crap scared out of you? This is
one of the most terrifying books of the twentieth century.
18. The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark by William Shakespeare
Need I say more? Read into Hamlet a little more, with
feeling... You'll start to appreciate it a little more.
#ShakespeareNerdForLife
19. The Fortieth Door by Mary Hastings Bradley
This work is almost unknown: but it's one of the best
books I've ever read. The story follows a young archeologist who falls in love
with a mysterious girl at a masquerade ball in Cairo, only to find out her true
identity and together they embark on a daring mission filled with love, lust,
drama, and twists at every corner.
20. On The Road by Jack Keroac
The riveting story of a beatnik's pilgrimage across
the United States and a few lessons about the world. It's my favorite, so like
Smitty Werbenjagermanjennsen, this book is #1.
I hope you read all these wonderful pieces of
literature! Comment your favorite classic and suggestions below!
