Classics. The books we have either read or not read, and either love or hate. Stories so well-known that even if you haven’t read them, you know at least what the story is about, or even a few quotes from them.

For most of us, the classics that we have read were while we were in high school or college. Those are usually the years that we’re taking courses where they are a part of the curriculum. While I feel that the general curriculum for English classes needs to be a bit updated, I’m not against the classics being a part of it. I just think that there are a lot of other recent books that can be included. Though given that these classics are a part of our history, I feel they are important to keep in school and on our shelves, despite the controversy that many of them have sparked (I’ll do another post on why these books need to stop being banned in time).

I, personally, have not read nearly as many classics as many of my bookish peers, or even those I went to middle school with. See, I chose to go to a technical high school, where half of the four years spent there focuses on learning a chosen trade (mine was Computer Aided Drafting & Design) and the other half on the required high school academics. Because of the time spent in shop class (not that Drafting was much of a shop) I’m sure we didn’t focus on nearly half the things our peers at the public high school across the street were learning, including covering classic literature. I mean, of course we did cover some of the classics in my English classes, but definitely not as many as normal high schools. In a way I feel cheated, but then again, my high school self probably wasn’t complaining at the time.

However, as I’ve gotten older and have more appreciation for classic literature, I’ve started wanting to actually read some of these well-known classics for myself. I’ve only read a couple so far, so I’m sharing a list of those that I wish to get around to reading at some point in time. Hopefully sooner than later, but I’m a mood reader.

Classics on my TBR

Pride and Prejudice – Jane Austen

Sense and Sensibility – Jane Austen

Fahrenheit 451 – Ray Bradbury

To Kill a Mockingbird – Harper Lee

1984 – George Orwell

A Midsummer Night’s Dream – William Shakespeare

Hamlet – William Shakespeare

Macbeth – William Shakespeare

The list of classics I want to read isn’t nearly as long as I thought it was, but, oh well. There might be others that I’m just not thinking of at the moment. In any case, these are the most important ones I’d like to get to. I know I’ll have a harder time with the Shakespeare plays, not because of the language used, but because I’m not super into reading play format.

What classics do think I should add to this list? And on that note, what are some of your favorite classics?