Fall is upon us friends! Yes, this means that the leaves are changing and it is finally acceptable to pair hot beverages and cable knit sweaters in our cozy Instagram features. In celebration of October 6th being the 169th anniversary of the publication of Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë we were thinking, “What could possibly make this time of year any better?” If you’ve never thought to sit down and take some time to pick up an old classic, today is the day! Take a look at the list below and choose from some of our favorite classic tales, one of them will surely get you into the spirit of fall!
1. Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
This was Dickens’ 13th novel, and it is a very gripping coming of age story that includes extreme imagery of poverty, death, fighting, and very chilling scenes. Ultimately, you follow the story of a young orphan named Pip and, alongside him, explore the themes of friendship, love and rejection, and the fight of good versus evil.
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2. Frankenstein by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley
Perfect for Halloween, Frankenstein is an idyllic story about monsters, the dark dreams of a young college scientist, and dangerous experiments in alchemy. There have been so many retellings that it can be difficult to understand the original story. It is a short read, and well worth your time if you are a fan of horror and suspense novels.
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3. Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
This post was inspired by Charlotte Brontë, so of course we needed to include a favorite by one of her sisters. Wuthering Heights is a classic that for some reason many people choose to read closer to Christmas, but it is a great story for any time of year. You follow the character Lockwood as he discovers the secrets of the past at Wuthering Heights; dark secrets about passion, betrayal, forbidden romance, and revenge heavily clothe this iconic read.
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4. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
A classic “fountain of youth” story about an English gentleman who sells his soul in exchange to only age in a painting that he has of himself. Think of the dark depths of London and the interesting people you might meet there. Another stellar choice to read just before Halloween!
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5. The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson
Dark. Haunting. Completely compelling. Another classic that’s been retold countless times about a lawyer who investigates strange happenings linked between his friend Dr. Jekyll and the knowingly evil Mr. Hyde.
6. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Okay, how many of us have at least 1 copy of this floating around? This gorgeously written novel follows the stories of the Bennett family, specifically Elizabeth Bennett as she maneuvers society, her upbringing, morals, and manners while discovering a deep, unsettling love and respect for a gentleman that we have come to know and love: Mr. Darcy.
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7. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D Salinger
The Catcher in the Rye is a beautiful novel about a young man trying to see the beauty in a dark and difficult world, but be warned to the extent of the foul language found within. Looking past the colorful words and teenage angst, this is a classic you won’t regret reading.
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8. Dracula by Bram Stoker
In the unlikely event that you don’t recognize the title, Dracula was the predecessor of all vampire stories! Get ready for a wild ride on the horror romance train with neck wounds, bat transformations, mysterious events, and phantom peoples – a must read before All Hallows’ Eve!
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9. Anne of Green Gables by L.M Montgomery
Anne of Green Gables is a very lighthearted read following a young orphan girl with a spitfire personality and red hair to match. A fun and exciting book to just take a step back from the world and enjoy some peace and quiet in the country with a few laughs along the way.
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10. Carmilla by Sheridan Le Fanu
This is a haunting early vampire story, predating Bram Stoker’s Dracula by 26 years. It is narrated by a young woman who falls prey to a female vampire named Carmilla. Instead of being a supernatural, evil type of vampire, this story weaves human nature, lust, love, and misunderstanding to bring an entirely new perspective to vampirism and the stories that so many books and films are based off of today.
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What is a classic story that you love to read all year round?
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Featured image via Mag Insight
