These are the top 18 easiest classic novels to read this year:

Not everyone is a fan of classic literature (fair point). But I always say that you should give it a try. Taking time to read some of the classics expands your mind and helps improve your writing and even empathy skills. (Plus, it gives you some street cred the next time you’re schmoozing at a dinner party.) 

If you’re already getting bad flashbacks to the boring books your English teachers made you read in high school, don’t turn yourself off the classics just yet! There are plenty of easy-to-read classics that are approachable, interesting, and still very applicable to modern society. 

These are the top 18 easiest classic novels to read this year:

18 Easiest Classic Novels to Read

Of course, everyone reads at a different level. While some of you may blow through the behemoth that is Anna Karenina in a few days (which I’ve yet to do, by the way), some of us may prefer our Shakespeare with a helpful side of cliff notes. 

If that’s you, that’s okay! The point of reading classic novels isn’t to torture yourself. In fact, getting a little bit of help with cliff notes or lightening your load by reading an abridged version can really improve the reading experience by demystifying archaic vocabulary and helping you get straight to the heart of the message. 

The point of reading classic novels isn’t to torture yourself.

To help you get started, I put together a list of some of the best classics for beginners. Some of these I read in middle school, some in high school, and some I still haven’t gotten to yet (but they’re on my list!). 

1. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

I read this one when I was fifteen in my high school AP British Literature class. But generally, pretty much anything by Jane Austen is a good pick if you’re searching for easy classics for beginners.

Set in 19th century England, Pride and Prejudice follows the romantic entanglements of Elizabeth Bennet and her sisters. Depending on which corners of the Internet you find yourself falling into, you’ve likely seen a few Pride and Prejudice memes from the 2005 film adaptation with Keira Knightly. (“See, literature IS fun!” she says.) But of course, I always advocate doing the snobby thing right thing and reading the book first.

2. Animal Farm by George Orwell

IMHO, this is one of the easiest classics to read—at least the English department at my middle school thought so, since this was assigned reading in my eighth grade Honors English class. And by gum, I think they were right! At only 140 pages, this satirical novella packs a powerful, thought-provoking punch that’s still short, to the point, and simply to digest.

In Animal Farm, (you guessed it) a bunch of farm animals overthrow their human owner … only to realize that the new animal leadership is just as oppressive. I’ve definitely reread this one since my middle school days, though I can’t remember when, and I recommend it with five stars to anyone looking to dive into classics for beginners.

3. A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare

That very same eighth-grade Honors English class also assigned us A Midsummer Night’s Dream by none other than William Shakespeare. In my opinion, you either love Shakespeare’s writings or you hate it. But if you’re not sure where you stand, this comedy is a pretty good place to start.

This play follows the trials and misunderstandings of a set of young couples, with all the fun of magic and mistaken identities thrown into the mix. If some of the vocabulary is throwing you for a loop, try out this handy SparkNotes version, which puts Shakespeare’s writing side by side a modern translation for simplified reading. 

4. A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

Let’s skip ahead to my sophomore year of high school, where my Honors English teacher made us helped us read Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities. While this one was definitely a bit harder to read than Pride and Prejudice or Animal Farm, it’s still one of the easier classic books for beginners compared to others. (I’m looking at you, Crime and Punishment.)

Set during the French Revolution, this novel introduces an enormous cast of characters, including aristocrats, attorneys, an imprisoned doctor and his daughter, spies, and, of course, revolutionaries. This one may be a bit of a deeper read than the others, but the themes of sacrifice, resurrection, and social injustice will definitely inspire and delight.

5. Les Misérables by Victor Hugo

If you saw that the original English translation of Les Misérables by Victor Hugo is a whopping 1,376 pages, you’re probably thinking, “What the hell is this doing on a list of classics that are easy to read?”

Spoiler: Although a copy of the impressive 1,000+-word translation has been sitting on my bookshelf for years, I’ve yet to read it. Instead, I read a much more approachable abridged version of the (in)famous French masterpiece in that same sophomore Honors English class. (This was the year before the 2012 film starring Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathway was released, and we went on a class field trip to the movie theater the year after to see it together.) If you’ve seen the film, you can obviously get a taste for what the book is about. And while it’s a real page-turner, it is tough to beat the songs.

6. 1984 by George Orwell

Finally, a break from memories of middle school and high school past. Actually, I didn’t read 1984 until I was cooped up at my parents’ house during the COVID-19 pandemic—and I read it all in one sitting. (Gotta love Orwell for his succinct, easy-read classics.)

If you’re still a fan of the dystopian trend that had us all in a chokehold in the 2010s, then 1984 should be your first pick among these easy classic novels. In just over 300 suspenseful pages, Orwell details a futuristic totalitarian society and protagonist Winston Smith who struggles to rebel against the machine.

I won’t say that this one is necessarily an escape from reality, but if you’re feeling philosophical and want some food for thought on politics, surveillance, and censorship, this is the one of the best classics (easy or not) to turn to.

7. Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller

Back to high school. This time: senior year in my AP Literature class. 

(As an aside, here’s a quick, funny trip down memory lane: When my teacher (Hello, Mrs. Izzo, if you’re reading this, though I’m sure you’re not), started introducing the book to the class, she told us that Arthur Miller was married to Marilyn Monroe—which immediately prompted all of us in unknown synchronicity to pick up the book, turn it over, and check out Miller’s headshot to see just what kind of man was able to capture the attention of America’s most famous bombshell. Another aside: Meredith-in-her-early-20s who went through a brief period of reading every biography she could find on Marilyn Monroe learned that, though a great writer, the guy was a total cad and a pretty disappointing husband. At least to Marilyn.) 

Anyway. If talk of the American Dream makes you feel disillusioned, bitter, and hung out to dry, then, welcome! You’ll fit right in with Willy Loman, Miller’s traveling-salesman character who struggles with family, expectations of success, and stark reality. Fine times, eh? Still, definitely worth the read. 

8. A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams

In the same AP Literature class (sensing a theme?), I also had to study this play by Tennessee Williams, but I’ve since reread it on my own.

At only 107 pages, you can easily thumb through A Streetcar Named Desire in an afternoon, but be warned! Just because it’s short and easy to read, does not mean it’s a lighthearted story. Instead, you’ll follow the story of “the faded and promiscuous Blanche DuBois” (as described by Goodreads) and “her sexy and brutal brother-in-law, Stanley Kowalski.” (Again, Goodreads coming in with the amusing-but-accurate character descriptions.)

If you’ve ever seen that picture of brooding Marlon Brando in a tank top and/or Elaine in The Pen Seinfeld episode mocking that brooding Marlon Brando in a tank top, then you’ve already seen Kowalski live on in pop culture. Time to pick up the hard copy.

9. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

One of the last easy-to-read-classic novels from my high school days, The Catcher in the Rye was the first book we were assigned to read in my freshman Honors English class. At the time, I was honestly not a big fan. It was fine, but I much preferred reading poetry or Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. At age thirteen, I don’t think I had achieved enough angst yet to enjoy this classic coming-of-age novel. (Don’t worry, the angst would come. And, boy, did it. (Not sure it’s quite gone, actually.))

Anway, this famed classic is not only one of the best easy classic books to read, it’s considered one of the best American novels, period. To be totally honest, it’s still not one of my favorites, but I’m still glad I read it, and I’m even thinking of putting it back on my list to read again. At almost 27 years old, I think it’s time for me to read it with new eyes. 

10. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain

I haven’t read the next couple of books myself, but I still wanted to include them in my line-up of easy-to-read classic novels because: 1) not everyone has the same tastes as me; 2) just because I haven’t read them yet not doesn’t mean I won’t in the future; 3) these are well-known classics that use simple language and are thus approachable for beginners. 

Truth be told, I can’t believe I haven’t read The Adventures of Tom Sawyer yet. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever read any works by Mark Twain. (I am an uncultured swine.) But I sure have heard about this one plenty—not to mention its sequel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

Apparently, this novel was originally written for children but is today considered one of the true masterpieces of American literature. Guess I’ve got to get on it! 

11. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

Another book that sits atop my bookshelf but for whatever reason has gone unread: Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck.

At only 107 pages, this novella is one of the best classic books that are easy to read … But apparently, it’s not exactly a pick-me-up. The story follows two laborers in 1930s California struggling to overcome loneliness, tyranny, jealousy, the challenges of the Great Depression, and the general trials of chasing the American Dream.

I guess good themes never die, because this 1937 classic has since been made into three films and a Broadway play. (As always, read the book first!)

12. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

I’ll be honest: I’ve never had much interest in reading Frankenstein. But with everyone all atwitter about AI and what it means for the future, Mary Shelley’s themes of ethics, creation, and the dangers of unchecked knowledge have never seemed more relevant.

Truly, it’s pretty impressive that this short novel was written in 1818 and still manages to be ubiquitous in pop culture today. If I were a ChatGPT bro with a 5 AM morning routine that included meditating for 45 minutes and taking a cold shower, I would probably want to ask the little bot what it thinks of Shelley’s masterpiece. But I won’t—think I’ll read it instead. 

13. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

We all know the story of Alice in Wonderland, but how many of us have actually read the book?

Honestly, I’m not even sure if I’m guilty or not. I definitely remember reading certain extracts and flipping through various pretty editions at used bookstores, but I can’t recall if I’ve sat down and read the text all the way through from start to finish.

Have you? If not, this is truly one of the easiest classic novels to read. It’s simple, fun, and gives the reader this magical combination of whimsy and stimulation. Bonus points if you enjoy this one over a cup of tea in a fancy salon. 

How to Pick Which Classics to Read

Do you know why I haven’t read all 13 of the books I just mentioned? (Still, I’ve read nine, or nine and a half if you count Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, which I think is not too bad.) Because, as any bookworm can attest, there are just too many books to read! 

I have books on my shelf I haven’t read. I have a list of books to read on GoodReads (and usually scrawled across random bits of paper in my apartment and my handbag). And I still find new books I want to read (and unfairly push to the front of the queue) whenever I walk into a bookstore. Not to mention all the newsletters, blogs, and magazines I subscribe to … Readers know: It’s hard to stay on top of it all. 

If you’re not an avid reader (yet) and want to dive in with some easy-to-read classic literature, it can be hard to know where to start. 

These novels won’t feel too stuffy or boring, and they keep the fancy vocabulary to a minimum. 

Before you head to the bookstore, these tips will help you figure out which classics to read.

Language and Writing Style

This is key. While I did carefully curate the list above to include classic books that are easy to read, not every writing style will be for everyone. 

For example, I think that plays make for easy reading, since there’s no long, winding prose to slow you down (think A Streetcar Named Desire). But plays can also mean Shakespeare and flowery, antiquated language. If this scares you away from reading A Midsummer’s Night Dream, Sparknotes or No Fear Shakespeare will be your best friend. 

There’s also something to be said for classics that were originally written for children, like The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. These novels won’t feel too stuffy or boring, and they keep the fancy vocabulary to a minimum. 

Manageable Length

When all else fails and you’re not sure what classic to add to your cart, take a look at the page count.

For example, Animal Farm and Of Mice and Men are each just a bit longer than 100 words. This certainly makes them look a lot less scary looking sitting on your bedside table. (I’m thinking of you, War and Peace. I only made it halfway through Leo Tolstoy’s 1,200-page juggernaut. And, yes, I feel shame.)

If you’re not a big bookworm but want to be, checking a few shorter novels off your list can help get you in the swing of things and give you the confidence to try more challenging reads.

Read Recommendations and Reviews

Score for you—you’re already in the right place! But if you want more in-depth information on each book’s plot before diving in, try checking out Goodreads. 

Personally, I prefer reading reviews after I’ve already read the book. Mostly, it’s because I prefer to go in blind. (I also don’t like seeing trailers before watching a movie.) I want to read the book, be surprised, and discover what I think of it before being swayed by anyone else’s interpretation. Then, I very satisfactorily mark it as read, rate it, and scroll through strangers’ comments to see what everyone else is thinking (because isn’t that the point of the Internet?). 

Tips for Enjoying Classic Novels as a Beginner

I like to think that I’m pretty well read … but it all depends on whom I’m sitting next to. 

Among people who don’t read a lot, I look like a nerdy rockstar. But next to my friends whom I actually consider well read, I always feel horribly ignorant and less than. (Although that comparison game is an analysis for another blog post.) 

If you’re feeling intimidated about diving into classic literature, I’m here to tell you that you don’t need to be.

Still, it’s unfortunate that a lot of people want to better themselves but feel too intimidated to begin. It reminds me of signing up to go to the gym for the first time and feeling like everyone was looking at me and noticing I had no idea what I was doing. 

Again, that’s a tangent for another day. But if you’re feeling intimidated about diving into classic literature, I’m here to tell you that you don’t need to be. You don’t need to have been an A-student in high school to read, enjoy, and appreciate the classics. And it’s never too late to start reading! 

Set Realistic Reading Goals

Like anything, don’t bite off more than you can chew, she says, even though she’s constantly telling this to herself and then doing it anyway.

I’m all about setting goals for yourself. (The very big nerd in me loves all too well making lists and seeing tangible progress and marking tasks as DONE.) But like any self-help or personal development book will tell you, you’ve got to make your goals realistic. 

For example, I’m currently reading Być jak Polak & Nie o takim życiu marzyłam, a collection of short stories for Polish language learners. Naturally, since I only know very little Polish, my reading rate is incredibly slow. So I don’t push myself. Instead, I tell myself I will sit down and read for 25 minutes—even if I feel a little pathetic having only finished five pages at the end. 

This philosophy holds true even if you’re reading in your mother tongue. Don’t expect yourself to crank through a 300-page book in an afternoon. You may not even do it in a week. That’s why, instead of page goals, I recommend challenging yourself to read for a certain amount of time each day or at least a few days a week. You’ll finish it eventually! No sweat.

Highlight Passage that YOU Like

Some readers consider this absolutely sacrilegious, but I’m a big fan of highlighting passages, writing notes in, and—yes—even dog-earing the pages of books. (Don’t worry, I don’t do this to library books. Only my own.) And if I’m reading a library book, I will even go as far as taking the time to write down the quote I like on a piece of paper and then squirreling it away in my filing cabinet where I will discover it about a year later while cleaning my home and get an instant flashback.

But that’s just me. 

The point is, when reading classics, people are often worried that they don’t get it. That they’re missing out on the big, deep meaning that everyone else seems to understand. This definitely felt like a problem in high school, when some of these classics were assigned reading and I had to be able to answer essay questions correctly and sound like I knew what I was talking about. 

But high school is not what the rest of life is like. (Fortunately so, I think we can all agree.) 

Just forget that they’re classics—and focus on what you enjoy. 

No one is going to quiz you on the symbolism of Myriel’s silver candlesticks in Les Misérables. And no one is going to ask you to write a five-paragraph essay in 55 minutes detailing Dickens’ attitude on the French revolutionaries. 

Instead, you just get to enjoy. Highlight the lines that make you laugh. Underline the ones that make you cry. Dog-ear the page where Shakespeare somehow so perfectly captured that feeling you’ve long had but could never put into words. 

If you want to learn how to enjoy classic novels, just forget that they’re classics—and focus on what you enjoy. 

Feel Free to Stop Reading If You Don’t Like It

Of course, not every classic novel is a winner to every reader out there. So even if everyone you meet will swear to you up and down that Animal Farm is a true artistic masterpiece, maybe you just don’t like it. 

This is also fine. 

Of course, like most things in life, it’s best to give it an honest go in the beginning. But if you’ve pushed yourself through 50 pages and it’s simply not jibing with you, feel free to stop reading. 

I have, what I think, is a bad habit of forcing myself to finish books that I’m not enjoying. “I started it and now I have to finish it!” I mentally yell at myself while shaking my fist.

But really, I’m starting to think that this is a big, old waste of time. Sure, it’s important to challenge yourself. And we all have to do things we don’t want to sometimes. But not reading. Not books we don’t like. Life is too short. 

So if Animal Farm isn’t your thing, it doesn’t mean you hate all classic literature. Pick up 1984 and try something different. 

Explore Related Adaptations

Many of these easy-to-read classics I mentioned have been turned into films over the years. While I firmly fall into the camp that it’s better to read the book before watching the movie, in all honesty, it doesn’t matter much either way. 

I prefer reading the book first because, otherwise, all I can do is picture the actors and the scenes of the movie as I read the book. It’s annoying, and I feel like it robs me of the chance to fully imagine for myself. 

But sometimes, these adaptations can be a big help. Take A Midsummer Night’s Dream, for example. Even easy-to-read Shakespeare is still a little daunting. Watching a film adaptation first (or better yet, seeing the play live) makes it easier to understand the overall plot and the characters’ emotions. Then you can go back and read the play yourself to capture more details and really appreciate the beauty of the writing. 

Try Audiobooks

Personally, I’m not a big fan of audiobooks. For starters, I can read a lot faster than I can listen, so listening to audiobooks just slows me down.

I also find it hard to focus. When I’m doing yoga or cooking, I would rather listen to a podcast, where I feel like I can tune in and out as needed without missing as many details. Plus, as a writer, I feel like I can’t really appreciate magnificently crafted lines when I’m just hearing them once at a set speed instead of mulling over them as long as I want. 

But I know so many people who swear by audiobooks. A lot of them say that it actually helps them stay focused and that they’re more likely to tune into an audiobook than sit down with a book. 

I think sitting down with a book (and a good cup of coffee or tea (or wine)) is half the fun of reading. But you do you. If you feel like the pages of Victor Hugo are taunting you and you need a little voice-acting to liven things up, audiobooks are a great option. 

Why Read Classic Novels

Reading classic literature usually falls into that category of things we, for some reason, feel like we need to do but don’t really want to. Like descaling the coffee machine and vacuuming under things instead of just around them. 

But there are plenty of reasons why it’s worth reading classic literature (and not just so you can make yourself feel fancy and impress people at parties). 

Gain New Cultural Insight

A lot of what I shared is (by coincidence) American literature. But expanding your reading list beyond your country of origin is a great way to broaden your cultural horizons without having to pay for a plane ticket! For example, if you’re a Francophile, check out The Count of Monte Cristo or The Little Prince (I’ll get to these in a bit) if you want a taste of French history and culture before you make a trip across the pond.

Another bonus: Because classics are so old (duh), they help you learn about different historical periods without having to thumb through a history book. 

Explore Timeless Themes

Hey, these books are called classics for a reason, right? There’s a reason these 18 easy-read classics have stood the test of time: They explore timeless, universal themes that extend beyond generations. 

At first, the language may make things seem seriously outdated. But when you cut through the old-fashioned jargon, you realize that the woes expressed by Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice aren’t so different from what we’re all feeling right now.

Really, it’s like Sex and the City (19th Century English Version). 

Stimulate Your Mind

Sick of scrolling social media before bed?

Me too. It’s why I deleted social media apps from my phone months ago and try to keep electronics and screens out of the bedroom. (Well, except for some lazy Sunday mornings when I just want to lounge in bed for hours on end, luxuriate, and avoid all responsibilities.) 

So for a leisure activity that’s more stimulating than watching TV but not so stimulating that it becomes a chore, turn to the classics.

Classic novels (even the easiest classics to read!) definitely get the brain juices flowing. And really, isn’t pretty much anything better than social media at this point?

Escape from Reality

Maybe you had a long day at work. Or today you’re stressing like it’s the worst day of your life. Or you’re just plain bored.

We all need to escape from reality sometimes. And turns out, books help you do it better than social media, listening to music, streaming, or going to the cinema. (Although who does that anymore?) A survey from the Publisher’s Association cited in the Guardian found that 33% of people “think that books offer them the best form of escapism when they’re having a bad day.”

Of course, there’s nothing wrong with binge-watching your favorite show or having a lengthy meme session. (My current binge of choice? The Nanny.) But it turns out breaking out a novel may make it easier to forget about your woes.

Work on Your Personal Growth and Empathy

This is one of the most important reasons to read—and not just the classics.

Reading fiction can help you improve empathy.

When you read fiction, personal essays, or pretty much anything, you get to step into someone else’s shoes for a few hundred pages. Seeing the world from a unique character’s point of view can open your eyes to new cultures, different ways of thinking, and even a spectrum of emotions you may not have tapped into yet. Importantly, reading fiction can help you improve empathy.

In a study from Erasmus University Rotterdam, “two experiments showed that empathy was influenced over a period of one week for people who read a fictional story, but only when they were emotionally transported into the story.”

That’s the catch: “ … but only when they were emotionally transported into the story.”

In other words, you need to like the book you’re reading.

Nothing catching your attention from the list of easiest classic novels to read? Don’t despair—I share five more easy-to-read classics (my favorites!) below.

My Favorite Easiest Classic Novels to Read: My Recommendations for Easy Classics to Read

I’ll be honest: Of the 13 easiest classic novels to read I shared above, I don’t love all of them. That’s because I curated a list of books I know that I truly believe are the best classics for beginners. 

But now I can be biased. Below are five more of the easiest classic novels to read—and my personal favorites.

14. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

One of my all-time favorite books, this masterpiece by F. Scott Fitzgerald is also one of the easiest classic novels to read, in my opinion. If you’re a fan of the Roaring Twenties, prose that drips with grandeur, and the decadent imagery of Jazz Age-era partying on Long Island, then The Great Gatsby will not disappoint. 

The 2012 movie with Leonardo DiCaprio and Tobey MaGuire … Now that’s another story.

But Fitzgerald’s novel is not only short and digestible in a weekend but romantic, tragic, and everything you could want out of a 1920s American story.

15. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

There are a lot of books on this list that I’ve reread multiple times, but The Picture of Dorian Gray has not yet gotten that honor.

Why? Because it’s vying for top spot with my favorite book of all time (currently held by Lloyd C. Douglas’s Magnificent Obsession). 

So if I like The Picture of Dorian Gray so much, then why haven’t I reread it?

Well, it took me years to read it the first time, actually. When I purchased this 1890 novella in high school, I opened it, read two paragraphs, was too dazzled by the magically-written lines that deserved ample time and attention to be truly admired, and promptly shut the book.

“It’s just too brilliant,” I told myself.

I wouldn’t read The Picture of Dorian Gray until years later in college when I stayed up and read the whole thing in one night, waking up the next morning to realize I had fallen asleep on the kitchen table with Wilde next to me. (Clearly, I was quite the party animal at university.) 

TLDR; this is a deliciously written tale about a young man who sells his soul for eternal youth—and must watch (and hide) his painted portrait grow increasingly haggard, aged, and ugly as his own physical form remains perfectly intact.

Yeah, not going to want to miss this one.

16. The Crucible by Arthur Miller

Let’s flashback again to my AP Literature class in high school. After reading Death of a Salesman, we were tasked with another one of Arthuer Miller’s plays: The Crucible. 

Unlike The Picture of Dorian Gray, this is one that I’ve reread several times over the years, but not because it’s any less captivating. Truthfully, this 143-page play is a little bit easier to digest than Wilde’s 272-page-long prose. It’s also a pretty damn juicy story.

Based on the Salem witch trials, The Crucible is an allegory of the “witch hunts” that took place during the anti-communist McCarthy-ism era. When Elizabeth Proctor is accused of being a witch, the town descends into hysteria, with neighbor turning against neighbor and morality going up in the air.

17. The Little Prince by Antoine Saint-Expuéry

Finally, something a little lighter. I also read this French classic in high school—when I was a sophomore in French class. 

That’s right. This novella is so simply written that even a French language learner can read it with little difficulty. Although, obviously, you can just read the English translation, too. In fact, according to the Jean-Marc Probst Foundation for the Little Prince, Antoine Saint-Expuéry’s novella has been translated into 552 languages and dialects! 

There have also been many film adaptations over the years of the pilot, the famed little prince, the rose, the fox, and the snake. If you want my hot take, ditch the 2016 Netflix adaptation and opt, instead, for the 1974 adaptation with Gene Wilder and Bob Fosse.

Spoiler: It’s a musical. And it’s awesome.

18. A Room with a View by E.M. Forster

Last but not least, A Room with a View just made it onto my list of easiest classic novels to read because I just finished it a week ago. And loved it! You know how I said I like to highlight the lines I like best when reading? Well, my copy E.M. Forster’s 1908 novel was chock full of highlights—or at least my digital copy on my Kindle is. 

Here’s a taste: “Life,’ wrote a friend of mine, ‘is a public performance on the violin, in which you must learn the instrument as you go along.” 

In this novel, we follow Lucy who’s on vacation in Italy with her rigid, rules-following cousin Charlotte when she meets the very peculiar George Emerson. It’s the classic conundrum. Should she return to English with the staid, predictable Cecil or follow her heart around the world with George?

Even if you think you can guess the ending, this thought-provoking romance is still a real pleasure to read.

My Thoughts on Easy-to-Read Classic Novels

If you ask me, classics tend to get a bad rap. They always dredge up memories of high school, where too many of us were forced to toil through too long, too boring, too outdated books we’d rather forget. 

But not all classics are written in impossible-to-read antiquated language spanning 400+ pages. Actually, there are a lot of classics that are easy to read—and pretty damn, enjoyable, too. 

Before You Go … 

Reading the classics is a great way to get back into reading if it’s been awhile since you cracked open a book. Now that you have a big stack of the easiest classic novels to read at the ready … Are you still feeling intimidated?

I get it. You can work through this list of easiest classic novels to read faster (and painlessly) by making reading a daily habit. Or if the idea of making it a habit (i.e., a chore) turns you off, consider your daily reading pause an act of self-care. For more ideas on how to fill a self-care day, please read my article with 100 self-care ideas.