Classic Books That Are Worth The Hype

7 September 2017

I'm going to say it- no matter how often I try to begin reading 'The Scarlett Letter' I just can't get into it. At the moment though I've completely fallen out of love with reading because my life has become consumed by TV shows, mainly Bates Motel, but I need to get back into reading. I think it's because I'm reading a book at the moment that is good, but not gripping. The book is 'Lolita' a book with lots of hype and to be fair, I see where the hype is coming from sort of, but today I am going to narrow down some of my favourite classic books.

I haven't read that many classics by the way, so technically I am not overly qualified to write this. I've never branched far into Dickens or anything, however I figured I'd share some of my favourite classic novels of our world.

1. 'Wuthering Heights'- Emily Brontë 
This is probably one of my all time favourite novels. I don't even know why but I can just always reread it and never seem to stop loving it, although to be fair there is a particular point where I often stop reading but because I have read it so many time it is justifiable. I'm not even sure why I love it smooch because a lot of the characters in it aggregate me and usually that puts me off books, but something about this novel I adore. I like 'Pride and Prejudice' and 'Jane Eyre' which I feel fall into similar category, but this is my number one.  There is one quote as well in this book which stuck in my head, which rarely happens to me. So due to the memorable quote and overall very enjoyable read for as long as I can remember, this is only my favourite classics. Well worth the title of a classic. 

2. 'The Catcher In The Rye'- J.D Salinger
I didn't enjoy this book the first time I read it, but now whenever winter is approaching I find myself reaching for this book. I just find it timeless and okay, Holden Caulfield is a bit of an arsehole but I'm still here for this character. Because I'm a nerd, I often google and read literature essays about books I enjoyed. In an essay about 'The Catcher In The Rye' I read that many people didn't enjoy it at first as due to the style of writing- as the plot doesn't really have climax it just follows Holden Caulfield. A lot of the time I hate that in books but I never get tired of following Holden around.

Also this book was banned from being in taught in America. I feel like a book that has reached banning status definitely deserves the 'Classic' title

3. 'To Kill a Mockingbird'- Harper Lee
I've actually only read this book once, which is rare for favourites of mine. But hot damn, this novel is worth the hype. I remember reading it after GCSE's and I couldn't put it down. It's one of the most famous books ever though, so I'm not really giving you any groundbreaking new novels to read. It's weird because ever since reading it I've found so many references to it in other novels. It is honestly just such a brilliant novel and the author flicks between one of the characters older and younger perspective which I always love in books because sometimes I feel like a naive child narrator is just a little too much.

4. 'Lord of The Flies'- William Golding 
I think this, along with Pride and Prejudice, was one of the first ever classic books I read and I loved. I just feel like this is one of those classic books that just everyone has to read and there's no reason not to as it's a good plot and the writing isn't overly old fashioned. Like Withering Heights, the language can become a lil bit old. And 'Catcher in The Rye' may not be everyones cup of tea due to the lack of plot (in my opinion- I feel like it's more of a follow along then a guess what will happen next) but Lord of the Flies is a proper novel that you should read. 


There are other classic books I really enjoyed, but I don't remember them well enough to include in this post yet. There are so many other classic books I have to read though, I think I'm going to dive into more Oscar Wilde (whose wit I dream of having!) and Virginia Woolf this year, once I've finished 'Lolita'. I'm just in a rut of reading at the moment, so thing I need to go for something lighthearted to get myself back into it. 

12 comments

  1. I adore To Kill A Mockingbird after I studied it at high school, its such a cleverly written book I adore. I remember reading The Catcher in The Rye last year and being slightly confused by the structure I think, may be I'll have to give a re read and see how I feel about it now. Love this post!

    Lucy Jane | Infinity of Fashion

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    1. You should definitely give it another go!! I just have fallen in love with the book and like the rhythm of it. Thanks Lucy!

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  2. Is it bad I've never read any of these classics, oops?! Although I would love to read Wuthering Heights!

    Lucy | Forever September

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    1. Oh my god read Wuthering Heights if your ready for the most frustrating love story ever but is also so well written and so beautiful like uGH 10/10 recommend. Also to be honest I haven't read many classics I can't judge anyone

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  3. I'm not a big reader myself but I have read wuthering heights and it certainly is a classic- such a great book! X

    Kate// itskaterose.com

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    1. I love Wuthering Heights, I remember as well after I read a psychoanalysis essay on it so I read it from a freudian perspective and it's so interesting I don't know I feel like Withering Heights is one of those books with so many varying perspectives- it's brilliant!!x

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  4. Ive read TKAM (and loved it) and Catcher in the Rye and had the exact same reaction. I've only read it once though and I was deffs too young so should probably give it another go. I also really want to read Wuthering Heights, you really sell it!! Love this post and the fact that you read literary essays because its something I always wanna do and am now gonna pursue!!!

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    1. Yes you should pursue them I literally love reading a literary essay on an interesting perspective of a book, like I read one once about the male gaze and The Virgin Suicides and when I reread it it was so good like Just feel people are missing out by not having all these alternative perspectives when reading books because it just really helps to appreciate the book more. To be honest they're probably not missing out though and I'm just a nerd but still haha x

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  5. I haven't read many classics but I'm definitely going to check these ones out! I really like pride and prejudice but that's pretty much it when it comes to classics 🙈

    Tabitha xx

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    1. Ah if you like that you should definitely try Wuthering Heights!!x

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  6. I've read catcher in the rye a few times and it's one of my favourite books. Even though holden is an arse, I can't help but love him every time!
    Sarah x
    saraheliza.co.uk

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