Classics

A classic stands the test of time. The work is usually considered to be a representation of the period in which it was written; and the work merits lasting recognition. In other words, if the book was published in the recent past, the work is not a classic.

A classic has a certain universal appeal. Great works of literature touch us to our very core beings--partly because they integrate themes that are understood by readers from a wide range of backgrounds and levels of experience. Themes of love, hate, death, life, and faith touch upon some of our most basic emotional responses.

Although the
...more

The Great Gatsby
1984
Pride and Prejudice
The Diary of a Young Girl
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (Chronicles of Narnia, #1)
Fahrenheit 451
The Little Prince
The Hobbit, or There and Back Again
The Catcher in the Rye
Lord of the Flies
The Fellowship of the Ring (The Lord of the Rings, #1)
The Kite Runner
The Help
Romeo and Juliet
Frankenstein: The 1818 Text
  • As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner
    As I Lay Dying

    Release date: Jan 06, 2026
    We're giving away 25 copies of AS I LAY DYING, William Faulkner’s timeless masterpiece. ...more
    View Details »

    Format: Print book

    Giveaway ends in: a

    Number of copies: 25

    Giveaway dates: Dec 06 - Jan 05, 2026

    Countries available: U.S. and Canada

  • Pride and Prejudice
    The Great Gatsby
    To Kill a Mockingbird
    Jane Eyre
    1984
    Wuthering Heights
    Animal Farm
    The Picture of Dorian Gray
    Frankenstein: The 1818 Text
    Little Women (Little Women, #1)
    The Catcher in the Rye
    Lord of the Flies
    Of Mice and Men
    Emma
    Sense and Sensibility
    Viciously Yours by Jamie Applegate HunterHeretical Fishing by Haylock JobsonBeing a Witch, and Other Things I Didn't Ask For by Sara PascoeThe Three Witches and the Master by Max NowazA Dead and Stormy Night by Steffanie Holmes
    All Sorts Favourites
    1,518 books — 1,285 voters
    To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper LeeRomeo and Juliet by William ShakespeareThe Great Gatsby by F. Scott FitzgeraldLord of the Flies by William GoldingAnimal Farm by George Orwell
    Required Reading in High School
    813 books — 1,288 voters

    Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy by John le CarréThe Spy Who Came In from the Cold by John le CarréThe Bourne Identity by Robert LudlumThe Day of the Jackal by Frederick ForsythThe Hunt for Red October by Tom Clancy
    Best Spy Novels
    1,292 books — 2,254 voters
    The Hunger Games by Suzanne CollinsHarry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. RowlingTo Kill a Mockingbird by Harper LeeCatching Fire by Suzanne CollinsMockingjay by Suzanne Collins
    Books That Have Made An Impression
    3,908 books — 2,015 voters


    Related News

    As you might expect, we are book people here at Goodreads World Headquarters—rather intense book people, actually. And when the holidays roll...
    William Shakespeare
    The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers. ...more
    William Shakespeare, King Henry VI, Part 2

    Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra
    The reason for the unreason with which you treat my reason , so weakens my reason that with reason I complain of your beauty.
    Cervantes Saavedra

    More quotes...
    Underground Knowledge — A discussion group This global discussion group has been designed to encourage debates about important and underrep…more
    24,423 members, last active 3 days ago
    This group is fun way for those participating in the Marshall Public Library's annual adult read…more
    6 members, last active 4 days ago
    All About Books We're here because we like reading and we like chatting about reading. But we are here especiall…more
    3,826 members, last active 3 minutes ago
    Oprah's Book Club (Official) Welcome to the official Oprah's Book Club group. OBC is the interactive, multi-platform reading …more
    85,027 members, last active 9 hours ago

    Tags

    Tags contributing to this page include: classics, classic, clàssic, clàssics, genre__classics, klasyka, the-classics, and классика