20 Classics to Read this Summer

Want to do something different this summer? Skip the fluffy beach reads and dig into some of the classics. Action, adventure, mystery, and romance – they’re all here in this list of 20 Classics you should Read this Summer…

Despite being a prolific reader, for years I steered clear of the classics. I even dodged that row at my local library.

Even though English was my best class in school, there was just something about being told what to read and when that left a bad taste in my mouth. I’d be happy to read Hemingway until you told me to read Hemingway. I’d also probably cut off my nose to spite my face, but I digress…

This last year, I started venturing into that forbidden library stack amidst the Twains, Austens, Brontës, and Shakespeares. And have discovered that these classics really are good. I know, duh.

So, setting aside old high school prejudices and one too many CliffsNotes guides, I decided that summer would be a great time to dig into the classics.

Some of you already have, looking to the comfort of classic tales while navigating the extra time at home during quarantine. But if you haven’t, I’ve compiled a list of the 20 Classics that you should definitely read this summer.

A note about context…

Some of these books are controversial. Because of the time period they were written, there are attitudes and words used about and toward minorities that would be unacceptable today.

For me, understanding the context and culture of the time (right or wrong) is important when reading literature from decades or centuries ago. I stress this with my children as well.

I hope that you can enjoy some of these books despite certain ignorances that existed at the time of their writing. If not, there are still plenty of others here to choose from.

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David Copperfield by Charles Dickens

David Copperfield tells the story of a boy who is sent away by his mean stepfather, and how he grows and matures over the years, shaped by his experiences. It touches a lot on class divide and child labor at that time.

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

Despite being written in the mid-1800s, this book has a very modern feel. Starting with her dismal childhood, Jane tells the story of her life and how she came to work for the brooding and mysterious Mr. Rochester. You’ll enjoy how independent and strong Jane is, as opposed to the typical portrayal of women in this time period.

Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen

This incredibly popular novel from 1813 follows the Bennet sisters as they navigate society and courtship, with plenty of hasty (and mistaken) judgments thrown in. The conversations between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy are the highlight, as well as Austen’s cheeky humor.

The Iliad by Homer

This epic takes you through the battles of the Greeks and Trojans as they fight each other and amongst themselves – even with themselves. And the interfering gods don’t help matters. The adventure and emotions wrapped up in this Greek epic will draw you in.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare

This 16th-century comedy depicts the events surrounding the wedding of Theseus and Hippolyta, and the goings-on in the fairy-inhabited forest where it’s set. If you’re not a big Shakespeare fan, this is a good place to start.

Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson

The quintessential pirate story, this is the perfect book for summer. Follow the swashbuckling adventures of Jim, a boy who sets off in search of treasure and meets the dubious character of Long John Silver.

Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy

This novel tells the story of the doomed love of Anna and Count Vronsky, and the mental turmoil of Konstantine Levin. This book seethes with emotions and provides a window into what Russian society was like at the time.

Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

This is a controversial read because of the racial slurs used within it (it was published in 1884), but as the book follows the adventures of Huck along the Mississippi River, you find the attitudes and racism of the time are being satirized, not condoned. If nothing else, read it for the unique characterizations of the people and places Huck sees.

Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe

This fictional autobiography of Robinson Crusoe details his life after being the only survivor of a shipwreck in the Caribbean. This island adventure is an exciting read, sure to fit right in with those hot summer days.

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

I think it’s impossible not to fall in love with this book once you’ve read it. While their father is away at war and mother working to support the family, the four March sisters have only each other. Their bond and activities will warm your heart and then steal it.

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

This is the beginning of a beloved series following Anne, an orphan sent to the Cuthberts, who had been expecting a boy. But she eventually wins them and the town of Avonlea over with her vibrant and spirited ways. If you missed this one when you were a kid, you should definitely pick it up now.

Heidi by Johanna Spyri

Set in the Swiss Alps, this is the story of orphaned Heidi, who is sent to live in the mountains with her grandfather. I just love reading about her exploration and love of the mountains as she grows – until an aunt comes to take her to town. Another classic that warms the heart.

The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck

There’s something so captivating about this novel that chronicles the migration of the Joads from Oklahoma to California in the 1930s. It’s deeply personal as the characters struggle, while giving a view of the social injustice and inequality of the time. Now might not be a great time to read about the Great Depression – or it might be the best time. That’s up to you.

The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

Well, I’m cheating a little since this a 4-book series, but taking just one book wouldn’t be right. Follow the adventures of the hobbits, elves, dwarves, and wizards (and more) in Middle-earth, and the pull of the Ring of Power that must be destroyed.

The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis

The Narnia books are another series I’m putting here, but again, you can’t just have one. Really, they’re like Lay’s potato chips. This tale is set in the magical world of Narnia and portrays epic and fantastical battles between good and evil.

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

Vengeance really isn’t my favorite theme, but I make an exception for this book. Wrongly imprisoned and his life stolen from him, Edmond Dantès remakes himself as the Count to hunt out those responsible and find his love.

Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe

Written by an abolitionist in the 1850s, this novel takes you into the world of a slave named Uncle Tom. It was very influential at the time, as attitudes changed toward slavery, and some years later, the Civil War began.

Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes

This historical novel was written for children, but you’re never too old for a great book. This story follows teenaged Johnny, who gets a job as a messenger for the Sons of Liberty right before the Revolutionary War begins. His adventures during this epic time are just the exciting and engrossing classic read that’s perfect for summer.

Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan

Imprisoned for having religious services not sanctioned by the Church of England in the 1600s, Bunyan wrote Pilgrim’s Progress about the pilgrimage of man through life. A deep and spiritual allegory, this may be the most challenging summer classic on this list.

A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway

This is a semi-autobiographical tale of an American ambulance driver who falls in love with an English nurse while recuperating. But despite the love story, this book is even more about what war does to people. Not exactly uplifting, yet beautifully and baldly written.

It would be impossible to list all the amazing classics out there, let alone read them in one summer. But I hope these books give you a jumping-off point to see what you like. And to realize that those high school English teachers really did know what they were doing!

Happy reading!

Looking for more book suggestions for the reading life? Check out these posts:

20 Classics to Read this Summer

A note about context…