10 Classic Works of Literature Everyone Should Read
“10 Classic Works” by Sean W. Malone | AI Generated
Previously at Quill & Compass, I made the case for why we should still read the classics. But I'll be the first to admit that "read the classics" is about as helpful as telling someone to "eat healthy" without explaining what that actually means in practice.
No one starts with Ulysses. Nor should they.
The beauty of classic literature is that it offers endless entry points—works that challenge readers intellectually and linguistically while remaining genuinely accessible. These are the books that remind us why stories endure: not because they're difficult, but because they're good.
For educators introducing students to classic literature (or for those rediscovering it for yourselves), the key is finding that sweet spot between substance and accessibility. Below are some suggestions that aren't dumbed down or "classics lite." They're simply great stories that happen to be approachable, engaging, and—dare I say it—genuinely enjoyable to read.
Here are ten classic novel recommendations for anyone looking for a great place to start:
1. Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
This gothic masterpiece explores toxic love, revenge, and generational trauma with an atmospheric intensity that still captivates readers today. Brontë's novel isn't a romance in the traditional sense, so don’t expect a happily-ever-after. It's a haunting examination of how passion can destroy as easily as it creates. The moorland setting becomes almost a character in itself, reflecting the wild, untamed emotions of Heathcliff and Cathy. What makes it so compelling is Brontë's refusal to offer easy answers about love, forgiveness, or redemption. It's dark, complex, and utterly absorbing.
2. The Call of the Wild by Jack London
Told from the perspective of Buck, a domesticated dog stolen and sent to the harsh Alaskan wilderness, this adventure novel explores survival, the tension between civilization and nature, and what it means to truly belong. London's prose is lean and powerful, making this an accessible read that doesn't sacrifice depth. The novel offers fascinating commentary on compassion versus cruelty—sometimes what looks like kindness is actually harm, and vice versa. Plus, it's hard not to root for Buck as he navigates his transformation from pampered pet to wild creature.
3. The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson
This novella packs enormous thematic weight into a compact, gripping narrative about the duality of human nature. Stevenson explores forbidden desires, unchecked ambition, and the masks we wear in polite society through the lens of a compelling mystery. The story's brevity makes it an excellent introduction to classic literature—students can read it in one or two sittings while grappling with questions that have occupied philosophers for millennia. It's also genuinely suspenseful, even for readers who think they know the twist.
4. A Study in Scarlet by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
The first Sherlock Holmes novel introduces readers to one of literature's most enduring partnerships while weaving together themes of love, betrayal, revenge, and friendship. Doyle's mystery unfolds with precision and intelligence, rewarding careful readers while remaining thoroughly entertaining. What makes this particularly accessible is the clear, straightforward prose and the satisfaction of following Holmes's logical deductions. It's a masterclass in storytelling structure and characterization wrapped in a page-turning mystery.
5. Emma by Jane Austen
Austen's witty exploration of class, expectations, relationships, and self-discovery centers on a well-meaning but meddlesome heroine who needs to learn to see beyond her own assumptions. The novel sparkles with Austen's characteristic humor and sharp social observations. What makes Emma so enjoyable is watching the protagonist grow through her mistakes while Austen skewers the pretensions and hypocrisies of her society. The power of imagination—both creative and destructive—runs throughout, making this simultaneously funny and deeply insightful. Sure, you could read Pride and Prejudice, but why be boring?
6. The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells
This original sci-fi alien invasion story explores evolution, colonialism, mortality, and the dangers of unchecked technology through a thrilling narrative that still feels fresh today. Wells wrote this in 1898, yet his questions about humanity's place in the universe and our vulnerability to forces beyond our control remain strikingly relevant. The novel's accessible prose and gripping plot make it easy to forget you're reading a classic while grappling with profound ideas about human hubris and survival.
7. Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe
The archetypal survival story follows a man stranded on a deserted island, exploring themes of adventure, resourcefulness, human connection, and what we truly need to live. Defoe's detailed account of Crusoe's practical solutions to everyday problems makes this surprisingly engaging—there's real satisfaction in watching someone solve problems through ingenuity and determination. Beyond the adventure, the novel asks deep questions about solitude, society, and what happens to our sense of self when stripped of civilization's trappings.
8. The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas and Auguste Maquet
This sprawling adventure novel follows Edmond Dantès' elaborate quest for revenge after being wrongly imprisoned, exploring justice, mercy, and the corrupting nature of power. It's long, yes, but it's also a genuine page-turner filled with disguises, treasure, elaborate schemes, and moral complexity. Dumas keeps readers hooked while asking difficult questions about whether revenge can ever truly satisfy and what we lose when we let bitterness consume us. It's a classic that students often finish wishing there were more pages.
9. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
Wilde's only novel examines beauty, youth, morality, hedonism, and hypocrisy through the story of a man whose portrait ages while he remains eternally young. The prose is gorgeous, filled with Wilde's trademark wit and aphorisms that students will find themselves quoting. What makes this so engaging is how Wilde forces readers to confront their own vanity and moral compromises while being thoroughly entertained. It's decadent, unsettling, and impossible to put down.
10. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
Twain's classic follows a mischievous boy through a series of adventures that explore innocence, morality, social conventions, and the eternal contrast between civilization and freedom. The novel's humor and authentic voice make it immediately accessible, while Twain's satirical edge ensures there's plenty of substance beneath the surface. It captures childhood with remarkable honesty—the cruelty and kindness, the boredom and excitement, the rules that make no sense, and the freedom that feels essential.
These ten novels represent different genres, time periods, and perspectives, but they’re highly worth a look and they all share something else in common: they’re actually fun to read, not just to study. They challenge readers without overwhelming them. They offer timeless insights wrapped in compelling narratives. And they demonstrate that "classic" doesn't have to mean "tedious."
At Lexandria, we're in the process of adding classic works of literature to our platform because we understand that great literature isn't separate from the study of history, civics, and economics—it's integral to it. These stories help students understand the human condition across time and culture, developing the critical thinking and empathy essential to engaged citizenship.
Our goal is to make these timeless works accessible at no cost to users, carefully selected to enhance learning rather than burden it. Because the best way to teach students why classics matter isn't to assign them as punishment, but to introduce them to stories so good they forget they're supposed to be educational.
