Reading the Classics 2025

Earlier in 2024, the New York Times released their 100 Best Books of the 21st Century. Penguin Books responded with their list of the 100 must-read classics , as chosen by readers. Posted previously too was Lindy and Jolene’s (my Shadow Giller colleagues) creation of the best of CanLit in the 21st Century. I was able to contribute my top 10.

As Penguin noted, “the resulting list of must-reads is a perfect way to find inspiration to start your classics adventure.” Looking through the list, I realized I own many of these classics, they sit patiently on my shelves (unread) and on my Kobo (also unread). So I thought this would make for a perfect reading challenge for 2025. It will help too to read the many books on my shelves – I need, very much need, to pull first from my shelves! Many of these classics are considered chunksters, so it lends itself well to continuing to read those big books we have been challenging ourselves to read each year in the past few years.

This picture shows some of the books I gathered off my shelves noted in Penguin’s must-read list. As I continue to read through the list however, I do see that I even more, they just aren’t pictured here. Of course the dilemma will be, “Which to read first?”. There are also a number sitting on my Kobo as well and the beauty about these books being considered Classics is that the library will be another excellent source to use.

Pictured here:

1. Beloved by Toni Morrison
2. Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier
3. The Secret History by Donna Tartt
4. The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
5. Middlemarch by George Eliot
6. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
7. The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte (this is not on Penguin’s list, but it’s still a Classic!)
8. The Mill on the Floss by George Eliot
9. Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy

Not in the picture but on Penguin’s list is The Woman in White (and Moonstone) by Wilkie Collins both of which I own, and one that is not on the list is Villette by Charlotte Bronte plus many more. So you can see there should be a push to read these books this year. Also, a Christmas present this year for my son was, The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky. Therefore, many and plenty to choose from! I haven’t even mentioned what sits on my Kobo.

However, I’m not completely unread! I have indeed read quite a few on the list of 100, but do agree that I can and should devote time this year to reading more.

Which do you think I should start with? I also say I need, need to read Middlemarch by George Eliot. After finishing the very beloved The Summer Before the War by Helen Simonson many said Middlemarch was an excellent companion to it, so I really do want to read it. But what are your thoughts?

(And Happy New Year!)