Summertime is the time to read; that’s just the way it is. You may be picking up a book at the airport on your holidays or trying to escape the temperamental English weather by reading, but it’s likely you’ll read at some point this summer. But what if you’ve already exhausted the Waterstones bestsellers list? Then look no further, because here are some classic pieces of literature that you should read this summer.
Persuasion by Jane Austen
The 1800s’ answer to a beach read. Persuasion follows Anne Elliot on a journey of love, friendship, and reunions. Much of Austen’s character ensemble in this novel are sailors, which means that the novel is set near the coast. Anne and her party visit Bath and Lyme, and often saunter near the seaside. The story of Persuasion is light, romantic, and peaceful, and will leave you swooning for sailors all summer.
Far From the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy
The undisputed champion of tragic literature. Don’t get me wrong, you will not finish this book feeling light and summery. In some places it can be quite depressing. But it’s Hardy’s descriptions that will leave you feeling at one with nature this summer. Set in the fictional county of Wessex, Hardy writes of luscious hills and trees, the rolling countryside and wildlife. On top of that, there’s a love triangle. What more could you want?
Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery
This book may be a children’s book, but there is a lot of beauty in its simplicity. Set in Canada, Anne is an orphan who goes to live with a farming couple. Anne lives in a town called Avonlea, which is idyllic as it sounds. It’s a story of lovely lakes, meadows, picnics, and sweetness. Perfect for summer!
There are many more classic works that are the perfect summer read. Reading these may open a gateway into the world of classic literature and all that it has to offer!