Most of the time, I just take the "accepted" definition of this. What's in the stack at Barnes & Noble say or what was assigned in English Lit Class? That's, loosely, what I'd consider classic literature. That tends to span significant periods of time and types of work, from Homer to Vonnegut and everyone in between.

According to Amazon's "classic" list, it also includes Lord of the Rings, The Eye of the World, and Game of Thrones.



There's a lot to list out here, but the basics. Enjoyed the Iliad / Odyssey, (most) of the standard Shakespeare titles, Paradise Lost, almost anything by H.G. Wells, Jules Verne and the standard Brave New World, 1984, Fahrenheit 451, Animal Farm. Had some revelations with Dickens, because I didn't want to read him initially and ended up enjoying his work very much. Liked Mark Twain in the earlier school years when we read him.



I would go with some Shakespeare here. I mean, he's kind of a cornerstone for other literature and fun to read. It's a good place to start at least. Maybe Macbeth? It really is hard to just say one thing.



This is really what made me want to post this. I have never read Jane Austen or Charlotte Bronte. Despite requirements in multiple literature classes, etc. and I still cringe at the site of them. Never is a strong word though, I did get a few pages into Jane Eyre before I shut it and never looked back. This is apparently a well known fact to my friends as I am frequently gifted with the book on public occasions (where embarrassing me is required). I think I have 3 copies now, but I had more like 6 until my last trip to trade them in.



Well those first few pages were horrid and the Cliff's Notes that got me through class were dull too. I think at this point it’s more of an ingrained habit of avoidance. Am I missing something?

There are a bunch of classics that I just haven't read yet, but need to. Bronte and Austen may be last on the list...