TTT #1: All Time Favorite Classics

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme created by The Broke and The Bookish. As the name suggests, posts feature a themed Top Ten list. To join in on the fun, you just need to link back to the creators’ blog where you can also find the topics for the upcoming weeks and post your own list. 
Don’t forget to take some time to check out other people’s posts as well! 

---

1. Pride and Prejudice

I mean, this should be a no-brainer, right? It’s Jane Austen! Her outstanding wit and humor feature prominently in this one and are surely part of the reason why it’s still popular and relevant today.
prominent quote:

“I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of any thing than of a book! — When I have a house of my own, I shall be miserable if I have not an excellent library.”

 

2. Great Expectations

I know. Charles Dickens is not for everyone. It is a rather dense read, that much I’ll admit. It will take some time to read, but this novel is simply beautiful.
prominent quote:

“I loved her against reason, against promise, against peace, against hope, against happiness, against all discouragement that could be.”

 

3. Othello

Of course Shakespeare has to make an appearance on this list as well. Othello was my first Shakespeare and to this day, it’s still my favorite. I guess it’s true what they say about first loves! Regardless of my potentially sentimental reasons for it being my favorite, it’s also one downright impress masterpiece of a play and deserves a lot more attention.
prominent quote:

“Reputation is an idle and most false imposition; oft got without merit, and lost without deserving.”

 

4. Emma

Another Jane Austen. I might actually even prefer Emma over Pride & Prejudice. I cannot decide. It’s just as full of wit and humor as Jane’s most prominent work. It warms my heart. It made me laugh and cry and fall even more in love with Jane Austen. If you haven’t read it yet, I strongly recommend you do!
prominent quote:

“I may have lost my heart, but not my self-control.”

 

5. A Clockwork Orange

Anthony Burgess’ dystopian masterpiece was already a favorite of mine in high school when I asked my teacher if we could select this book as our read for the respective category on the curriculum. She actually forgot about my request and chose Brave New World instead (which was cool, because that was on my personal tbr anyways). In the end, I got to do my presentation for that semester about it though so I actually had fun doing my homework for once.
prominent quote:

“Is it better for a man to have chosen evil than to have good imposed upon him?”

 

6. The Unbearable Lightness of Being

I read this only recently and I was in love with it by page two. This is an incredible observation of human existence, interlaced with little bits of philosophical musings. You can read my full review of Milan Kundera’s novel here.
prominent quote:

“When the heart speaks, the mind finds it indecent to object.”

 

7. Breakfast at Tiffany’s

One of the rare cases in which I saw the movie before the book. The movie is, of course, amazing (Audrey Hepburn!) and while the book is a bit different, I love it just the same. Truman Capote’s writing is simply flawless and on point. If you’re looking for a classic that is also a really quick read, this is what you were looking for!
prominent quote:

“The answer is good things only happen to you if you’re good. Good? Honest is more what I mean… Be anything but a coward, a pretender, an emotional crook, a whore: I’d rather have cancer than a dishonest heart.”

 

8. The Bell Jar

This, too, is a relatively recent addition to the list, as I’ve only read it earlier this year. Sylvia Plath’s protagonist, Esther Greenwood, might be dealing with society in the 1950s, long before I was even born, but that doesn’t make her any less relatable. This is not only still relevant because it offers readers a glimpse into Sylvia Plath’s mind as a young woman facing mental illness. It’s also an important coming-of-age novel that any young person trying to reconcile their own expectations and those of society and others will be able to relate to.
prominent quote:

“I took a deep breath and listened to the old brag of my heart. I am, I am, I am.”

 

9. 1984

Do I really have to explain why this is more relevant than ever? Big brother, surveillance, police state, data storage, privacy issues… Just to mention a few keywords. If you haven’t read this yet, do yourself and society a favor and read it. It’s important.
prominent quote:

“If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face—for ever.”

 

10. Robinson Crusoe

Ah, now this is a somewhat nostalgic addition. I’ve always loved a good adventure story as a child, so I guess this was one of the first classics I have ever read. Therefore, it naturally has a special place in my heart. I should re-read this soon.
prominent quote:

“Thus fear of danger is ten thousand times more terrifying than danger itself.”

---

What are your favorite classics? Tell me about them in the comments!
If you’re participating in Top Ten Tuesday, tell me which genre you chose for this week’s list and leave me a link so I can check it out! 🙂