Hello again! I realize it’s been a while since I’ve written, but I’ve been incredibly busy and am so happy to be back writing more recommendations. This time, I’ll be covering my favorite classics.

I realize that the classic genre isn’t for everybody, but I hope that my recommendations will change your mind!

The Odyssey – Homer, translated by Robert Fagles (8.5/10)

• Written thousands of years ago, but still relevant today as a man vs world situation.
• We follow Odysseus and his crew of 600 as they trek back home to Ithaca after the Trojan War while also being ravaged by the beasts and gods of Greek myth. This book is where the term “odyssey” comes from, as Odysseus endures a long, hard journey, but ends up being the only one to survive. We also follow Telemachus and Penelope, Odysseus’ respective son and wife, as they defend their home from invasive suitors who want Odysseus’ crown.
• While this is an incredibly long tale, it’s also one of the most famous tales of hardship and survival, reflecting the perseverance, cruelty, and kindness of humankind. Highly recommend for the fans of EPIC: the Musical and the upcoming movie about the classic coming out later this year, or just any fan of Greek mythology.

The Great Gatsby – F. Scott Fitzgerald (9/10)

• Written in 1925, but still of incredible relevance today, The Great Gatsby is a novel that reflects the Modernist viewings of the American Dream in the 1920s and the disillusionment of veterans after World War 1.
• We follow Nick Carraway as he moves to the fictional neighborhood of West Egg and becomes entangled with the lives of the ultra-rich, eventually leading to death, destruction, and heartbreak. Through the eyes of Carraway, we learn about the mysterious Jay Gatsby and the love he feels for the sparkling but bitter socialite, Daisy Buchanan. However, the novel not only focuses on the lives of the unnecessarily rich, but on the poor, working class people as well, zooming in on the massive divide between both sides of American society at the time,
• As most classics are, this novel is a little hard to get through. Take your time and enjoy the ride through the lives of the New and Old Money socialites. Highly recommended for those enjoyers of the 2013 movie or those looking to get into classics.

Frankenstein – Mary Shelley (100/10)

• Written a little over 200 years ago, this book is regarded as the start of the sci-fi horror genre. While many adaptations have been made, none can beat the original 1818 version.
• We follow Victor Frankenstein as he tells the story of his creating the ‘Creature’ from his grief-fueled experiments and the consequent events that follow after his swift abandonment. Through the perspective of the sailor captain Walton, the scientist Frankenstein, and the Creature, we see a harrowing tale of nature vs nurture. Is hatred inherent or taught? Can someone be loved despite many flaws? All questions asked and answered throughout the novel.
• I find this classic to be the easiest to get through, alongside The Book Thief.  Words can’t describe how much I love this book, so I suggest taking your time reading to enjoy it — even through the formal 19th century diction. Highly recommended for those looking to get into classics, fans of the many Frankenstein adaptations, or fans of the sci-fi/horror genre.

I also would like to recommend Hiroshima by John Hersey and The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. However, I’ve already covered these two wonderful books in a different article, which you can find here!

Thanks for reading and stay tuned for more recommendations!