1. Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare | Published: 1597
A beautiful ode to love, this Shakespearean tragedy has set a benchmark for love, drama, and loss. Written between 1591 and 1596, this book ‘Romeo and Juliet’ transports us into the lives of two Italian youths entangled in a passionate love affair. The setting of Romeo and Juliet takes place in Verona, a city where the constant clash between the Montague and Capulet families often ignites violence. The story ends with two families joining hands to mourn the death of their children who lost their lives for love.
2. Emma by Jane Austen | Published: 1815
Emma is one of Jane Austen’s most successful and beloved novels. The story describes the life of Emma Woodhouse in a small town in England. Emma’s favorite pastime is showing a keen interest in the love lives of others and playing the role of a matchmaker. She is rich, beautiful, has no responsibilities, and therefore is not liable to seek a rich husband for herself.
She fails to see the perils of interfering in the lives of others; furthermore, her vivid imagination and interpretations frequently misguide her.
3. Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë | Published: 1847
Wuthering Heights, the renowned literary masterpiece by Emily Brontë, derives its title from a haunted farmhouse situated in an expansive moorland setting. It is a Gothic novel that merges tragedy, love, passion, paranormal actions, and nostalgia. A beautiful and powerful classic still holds an important place in literature as one of the most loved, but disturbing stories written by Emily Brontë.
4. Great Expectations by Charles Dickens | Published: 1861
Great Expectations by Charles Dickens is the story of a young boy, Philip Pirrip, called Pip, who expects to inherit a great fortune, hence the name ‘Great Expectations’. The author narrates the journey of Pip, an orphan from England, as he ascends to riches, abandons his loyal companions, and faces the consequences of his pride. Charles Dickens seeks to draw the readers’ focus towards three vital societal concerns during the Victorian Era i.e. the education system, the criminal justice system, and marriage laws.
5. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott | Published: 1868
Little Women takes us through the life of 4 strong women, the March sisters each with the unique qualities and abilities to conquer their burden. The story emphasizes family unity, togetherness, love, and personal growth of each character. The novel highlights the constant battle faced by women in balancing familial responsibilities and personal development. Jo March is a beautifully written character who shows the path to many women to break the gender barriers and make way for a successful career while balancing personal life. Louisa May Alcott has portrayed women to be the stars of their own lives leaving behind the male-dominated norms.
6. Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy | Published: 1878
Anna Karenina is a romance and literary fiction novel by Leo Tolstoy. Anna Karenina and the love story with Count Vronsky is the heart and soul of the entire narrative, filled with a myriad of intense emotions and profound experiences. The plot revolves around Anna Karenina’s passionate affair with Count Vronsky, which leads her to betray her husband, Alexey Karenin. The ending of the novel is heart-breaking thus teaching the readers that the choices we make in life determine our life’s journey.
7. The Adventures of Huckleberry Fin by Mark Twain | Published: 1884
This novel based on a real person, Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, is a must-read classic. This first-person narrative story is based on the protagonist who joins an escaped slave on the path to freedom. The story highlights the controversial aspects of our society such as slavery, adventure, and with freedom being the main theme of the novel.
8. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett | Published: 1911
The Secret Garden is one of Burnett’s most beloved novels and a true gem of English children’s literature. It is set in England and has captivated readers for generations as a timeless classic. The Secret Garden narrates the tale of Mary Lennox, a privileged young English girl who grows up in India. A beautiful coming-of-age story with a touch of self-healing is what this book is all about.
9. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald | Published: 1925
This is the story of a young boy who manages to live the American Dream and transforms his life from rags to riches. However, his success still leaves him unhappy in his professional as well as his love life. This book points out that usually, individuals chase after things that are beyond their grasp, only to discover that what they believed they desired would not bring them genuine happiness.
10. The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway | Published: 1952
The Old Man and the Sea is a masterpiece written by Ernest Miller Hemingway. This beautiful book led Hemingway to win The Nobel Prize in Literature in 1954. As per the Nobel Prize committee, the motivation for the prize was “for his mastery of the art of narrative, most recently demonstrated in The Old Man and the Sea, and for the influence that he has exerted on contemporary style”. This short story narrated by Hemingway is just over 100 pages long and guarantees an unforgettable experience for the readers.
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