My Top 10 Favourite Pieces of Classic Literature

Welcome back from Winter break! We wish everyone the best for this new year 2026.

To begin this new year, I wanted to write something a bit more personal. I spent years studying classic literature, pursuing this path out of a deep passion for the beauty and psychological depth literature can offer.

I feel like classic literature has a timeless charm. These are the books that continue to shape our understanding of storytelling, human nature, and culture. They capture emotions and struggles so universal that, even centuries later, they still feel relevant.

This is why I want to share my top 10 favourite classics, as of today.

1. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

This book is so cosy and tender, filled with moments of warmth and bittersweet melancholy. I felt an instant connection to the March sisters. Louisa May Alcott truly captured what it means to be a woman, from the journey of learning and growing to the struggle of finding your own way. Reading Little Women honestly feels like coming home.

2. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

This classic is so bright, witty, and elegant. It’s full of sparkling dialogue and subtle satire that genuinely challenged my thinking about writing. Instead of grand, sweeping declarations, feelings are often shown through a small glance, a change in tone, or a carefully chosen word.

That kind of subtlety is so clever, and it's a huge part of what makes the book so engaging and unforgettable.

3. The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton

This book's atmosphere is what truly gets to me. It's restrained and bittersweet, and you can feel the suffocating elegance of Old New York on every page. Reading it made me reflect so much on the difficulties of living in a world and society that's constantly changing, especially concerning social expectations. I think Wharton perfectly captures the tension between individual desire and the demands of society, showing just how much courage it takes to break from tradition.

This novel is a beautiful but heartbreaking reminder that some choices come at a very high cost.

4. An Invitation to the Waltz by Rosamond Lehmann

This story really captures what it feels like to blossom into a young woman and start to truly understand who you are. The protagonist's internal world is beautifully rendered. It's a comforting but also poignant read because it makes you look inward and think deeply about your own life experiences.

5. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Since I love gothic atmospheres, Frankenstein was always going to be on this list. What I love about it is that the "monster" is good-hearted at first. He's only changed and twisted by the cruelty and rejection he faces from society, and that feels so true to real life.

It made me reflect on my own assumptions, and it serves as a powerful reminder to give everyone a chance to show who they really are.

6. Dracula by Bram Stoker

Again with the gothic atmosphere, Dracula had to be here! I loved its chilling, suspenseful mood and sheer horror. I don't usually go for novels told through letters and journals, but this one is so perfectly balanced and well-thought-out. The epistolary format is actually what gives it a unique feel and builds all the relentless tension.

In my opinion, it's a must-read with so much dark artistry to discover.

7. Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert

Being a French person myself, I felt the need to include some French literature. I read the original version, so I can't speak for the translation, but Madame Bovary is a perfect, unflinching representation of French society and literature from that era. I always love a good French classic; they're full of deep psychological descriptions and philosophical reflections, which are things I deeply look for in a novel.

8. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

To this day, these stories are my favourite pieces of literature. I love the short story format and the ingenious idea that we're reading Watson's articles from The Strand magazine. It's so clever, and the Victorian atmosphere is absolutely perfect (I have a thing for Victorian London).

Sherlock Holmes was even the focal point of my thesis, so you can probably tell how much I love this collection.

9. Daisy Miller by Henry James

I loved the striking descriptions of the European cities and the overall atmosphere. I also really appreciated the powerful realism of the misjudgment and disillusionment the characters face, but honestly, the setting and atmosphere were my absolute favourite parts of the book.

10. Villette by Charlotte Brontë

This book has the mix of mystery and gothic atmosphere that I just adore. The profound melancholy was fascinating, too; it made me reflect honestly on my own feelings and the loneliness I sometimes experience. It's a deeply resonant exploration of the hidden life.

Bonus: A Room of One’s Own by Virginia Woolf

This essay is thoughtful, sharp, and so empowering, blending a smart critique with beautiful, lyrical writing. I read A Room of One's Own when I was 17, and it really helped shape my vision of life and what it means to be a woman.

Conclusion

I hold these books close to my heart not only for their artistry but also for their ability to speak to universal experiences: love, ambition, fear, independence, and identity. Each novel (or essay) offers its own unique atmosphere, pulling us into worlds that are richly imagined and deeply human.

C