2020 is drawing to a close (thank goodness) which means it's time for you to set your 2021 reading goals! Many people tend to be a bit wary about including classics on their reading lists. The 'required reading' from school years is generally made up of classics, and being forced to read them can often foster an understandable aversion to picking them up again.
But, as you know, I'm a huge fan of the classics and I believe it is possible to enjoy them as adults. So, whether you've read them before or not, developed a dislike for them, or simply want to expand your reading horizons, check out this list of 5 perfect classics for people who don't read classics!
1. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
What's to love: What makes this coming-of-age story so easy to read is that it's told from the perspective of Scout, a young girl growing up in sleepy Alabama town. Even as it's narrated by a child, To Kill a Mockingbird is far from light-hearted—Scout is witness to some terrible evils, but she's lucky to have the ultimate role-model in the form of her quietly courageous father, Atticus Finch.
2. Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie
What's to love: If you're looking for a classic that will grip you from beginning to end, Agatha Christie's famous murder-mystery, Murder on the Orient Express, will not disappoint! This particular Hercule Poirot book is perhaps most popular because of the dramatic, and very unexpected, twist ending. Maybe after you've read it you'd like to dive into the 2017 film too!
3. The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
What's to love: Conan Doyle is responsible for the creation of another of literature's most iconic detectives, Sherlock Holmes. The fantastic thing about all of Doyle's mystery stories is that, much like their protagonist, they're quick, fun to follow along with, and pack a punch. The Hound of the Baskervilles is one of Sherlock Holmes' spookiest adventures and will stay with you long after you've finished it.
4. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
What's to love: You should really be asking yourself what's not to love because Douglas Adams' The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy has everything from space travel, to aliens, to big existential questions about the universe and our place in it. If books had personalities, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy would have the kind of charisma that could hold an entire room full of people enthralled.
5. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
What's to love: I'm pretty sure I just heard a collective groan at this suggestion, but hear me out. Pride and Prejudice is Austen's most famous work for good reason—it's funny while serving as a social commentary, and romantic while not being too cheesy. The wide variety of characters provides for good entertainment, and you'll find the protagonist Elizabeth Bennett easy to root for!
Do you enjoy reading classics?
Why or why not?