Most Readable Classics

I love reading "classic" books. There are a lot of different ways to define a "classic," but I'm talking about older, iconic books that are very well-known and widely read. There's something so satisfying about reading a book that expands your vocabulary, has original symbolism, is well-crafted, and truly changes how you view something. Not to mention, you feel way smarter if it ever comes up in conversation ;)

However, not all classics are inherently "readable." Many classics were originally published in newspaper installments, and since authors were paid based on how much content they produced, many classics are very slow and dense. (That's also why many chapters end in cliffhangers - the authors had to get you to come back and read the next installment.) You have to really commit if you want to make it through some classic books, and at that point, it's not fun anymore. I once got 200 pages into Anna Karenina, only to realize I had no idea what the book was about. According to the back of the book, it's about an affair? I never did finish that one. 

Here is a list of my favorite classics that are fun, engaging, and relatively fast-paced for the average reader. 

• To Kill a Mockingbird - You guys. Just read this book already. I haven't included many American classics in this list, but this one is on the list for sure!

• Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen is a very readable author. My favorites of hers are Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, and Emma. I mean, there's got to be a reason that there's a million movie adaptations of each of these books!

• The Great Gatsby - The narrator makes this book fairly easy to read, and the plot moves nicely along. (I also loved the movie, but that's a different blog post.)

• Catcher in the Rye - I know lots of teenagers read this in high school now - probably because it's oozing with teenage angst and talk about growing up. Holden Caulfield is a fantastic main character.

• Jane Eyre - Of all the Bronte sisters' books, this one is the most readable in my opinion. It's kind of like an Austen book, but with a little more mystery and depth.

• Gone With the Wind - I loved this book, even though I hated every second of it. Scarlett O'Hara is a despicable main character who makes bad choices during the entire book, but at the same time, you find yourself rooting for her and understanding her. There were a few looooong passages about the Civil War, but I still couldn't put it down.

• The Count of Monte Cristo - Another all-time favorite. And the good news is, you can read an abridged version without feeling like you're cheating! 

• Tom Sawyer / Huckleberry Finn - These two books are fast-paced, have a lot of fun dialogue, and are very readable. Another classic American author.

And, just for fun, here are some classics that are NOT readable at all, in my opinion. Charles Dickens has the most hilarious way of describing people and situations, but it's hard work to make it through his books (I've read Great Expectations and A Tale of Two Cities and loved them both). As I Lay Dying was probably beyond my level, since I found it haphazard, super confusing, and not worth it. Anna Karenina, as I already told you, should never be attempted. And I've never really loved a Thomas Hardy book.

If you've tried reading a classic, and stopped because it was too boring or hard, don't give up! You just haven't found the right book yet. Keep trying other ones. Also, I'm on Goodreads if you want to see more of my recommendations and favorites.

Have you read any of these?

Favorites?

What other readable classics should I add?

PS A huge thanks to Meg-o, Michelle and Julie for answering my demand to tell me their favorite readable classics. Family is the best.