5 Classics to Add to Your Summer Reading List

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If you're enjoying your summer holiday, you might be looking for something enjoyable to read. Reading books is a timeless hobby. In this blog I will recommend five classics I read recently. Although they're all fiction books, you will notice how each one discusses issues and aspects of life we still encounter today.

1. Fyodor Dostoevsky - Poor Folk:

Poor Folk is a novel told through letters exchanged between two characters, an innocent young girl who needs a figure that protects and cares for her and an old man who has nothing to offer other than love and kindness. Through their letters we gradually learn more about the girl's past and the hardships she has endured. We read about people suffering from criticism, poverty, and losing loved ones. Yet through that suffering, the writer shows that kindness and generosity can still exist within this world. As usual with Dostoevsky, his endings leave a mark on your heart and keep you thinking about the novel and its characters for a long time. It would be a perfect read if you're looking for a thought-provoking book that explores many concepts including poverty and loneliness.

2. Agatha Christie - Death In The Clouds:

Ten passengers in a plane encounter a horrific death, and an unusual method of murder. We follow Poirot through his investigation between France and England. As he's collecting evidence you might start suspecting most of the passengers, but if you focus on small details and the psychological moment that Poirot notices you might be able to identify the killer before the final reveal.

3. Franz Kafka - the metamorphosis:

A hardworking salesman whose family counts on him financially wakes up one day unable to move and facing severe pain only to find himself turned into a completely different creature. Kafka then shows us the reaction of Gregor's family and how each member of his family chooses to treat him and what were Gregor's concerns. We can also see how this transformation affected their daily life. Although it's a relatively short book, it's filled with emotions and you can easily see parallels with real life.

4. George Orwell - Animal Farm:

An elderly pig calls the farm's animals to give a speech. Through its speech it guides the animals to a necessary revolution against humans. It's a novel that critiques post-revolution leaders, propaganda, and the corrupting nature of power in an ironic way. The frustration and anger I felt while reading this novel are quite similar to the ones I sometimes feel when reading a history book.

5. L.M.Motgomery - Anne Of Green Gables:

Anne is an orphaned girl who is adopted by two siblings. Although those siblings wanted a boy to help at their farm, they choose to keep her because of her charming personality. We follow Anne enjoying the beautiful nature around her. We see her resilience, imagination, and conflicts with people around her. This will be a heartwarming and refreshing read. You won't be able to forget Anne's personality or the beautiful nature of green gables easily.