I’ve been a big reader for most of my life. I took every optional literature class at school and studied Literature at university, despite that I still have a long list of essential classics that I haven’t read. I wanted to list a few, and then in the future at some point come back to the list and see if I’ve read any of them. Let me know in the comments if you’ve read any of them and what you thought of them, or if you have any big gaps on your bookshelf.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin – In my first week at uni, the head of literature asked how many people had read this book, and less than half put their hands up. She said that it was a must read and to make it a priority during the course. I own this book, but I’ve never gotten around to it. I know it’s a classic, I know the story pretty much, I just haven’t read the book. One day I will, but I just haven’t. The only Austin book I’ve read is Northanger Abbey, which I did enjoy.

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee – At school, we started this one but then our class switched over to Of Mice and Men instead and I never read Mockingbird. This is something that shocks people that I haven’t read and I’m a little embarrassed about it. I know the story and I’ve seen the film, but the book is still sitting on a shelf waiting to be finished.

The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger – I’ve been told by many people to read this book, but haven’t ever read it in full. I started it once, but couldn’t get into it. It was a library copy, I gave it back and that was that. I know this is an important book, and one that is well written, but it’s just never appealed to me. Maybe I should give it another shot.

The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells – I honestly don’t have a reason for why I haven’t read this. I’ve read The Time Machine, but never this one. It’s just something I’ve always put to one side as something I will get around to at some point, but that just hasn’t happened yet. I’m a big sci-fi fan and this should be a priority.

Ulysses by James Joyce – I don’t know if this counts as a book I should have read, but it’s one I would like to read one day. I do own it and did start it just before moving home and then life got busy and I never got back to it. One of my lecturers told me in uni that if I ever meet someone who said they’ve read it fully and enjoyed it, then they’re lying. I’m sure a lot of people genuinely love the book, but form my experience of the first 40 or so pages, it is dense.

So those are my five picks. There are obviously a lot of other books I haven’t read that I would like to, like The Three Musketeers, The Count of Monte Cristo, Moby Dick, plus many others. I’ve also never read or seen Macbeth or Hamlet, which I feel I should have. I didn’t come across any Shakespeare during uni, which I think it weird.

So what about you? What are some books you feel you should have read, but haven’t?

Thanks for reading and until next time,

Ashley

Liked this post? Please consider subscribing below: