I am on a mission to read and reread classic literature. I searched far and wide for a decent book list but all seem incomplete to me. Please add your favorite classic books to the list.
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4.22 avg rating — 7,041 ratings
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603

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3.71 avg rating — 12,414 ratings
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603

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3.86 avg rating — 23,378 ratings
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603

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4.35 avg rating — 2,624 ratings
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4.08 avg rating — 22,940 ratings
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607

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3.75 avg rating — 18,498 ratings
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607

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4.46 avg rating — 275 ratings
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607

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4.09 avg rating — 25,646 ratings
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607

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3.79 avg rating — 52,479 ratings
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607

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3.78 avg rating — 334 ratings
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612

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3.30 avg rating — 109,727 ratings
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612

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4.14 avg rating — 296 ratings
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612

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4.02 avg rating — 7,162 ratings
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615

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3.94 avg rating — 7,353 ratings
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615

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3.82 avg rating — 467 ratings
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615

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4.11 avg rating — 848 ratings
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615

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3.86 avg rating — 5,994 ratings
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619

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4.26 avg rating — 343 ratings
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619

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3.53 avg rating — 10,499 ratings
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619

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3.81 avg rating — 8,924 ratings
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619

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4.54 avg rating — 24,405 ratings
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619

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3.72 avg rating — 123 ratings
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624

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3.29 avg rating — 1,179 ratings
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624

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4.03 avg rating — 5,572 ratings
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624

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3.77 avg rating — 162,722 ratings
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624

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4.01 avg rating — 5,720 ratings
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628

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3.54 avg rating — 1,668 ratings
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628

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3.99 avg rating — 26,489 ratings
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628

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3.87 avg rating — 53,145 ratings
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628

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4.24 avg rating — 72,777 ratings
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632

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4.06 avg rating — 33,273 ratings
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632

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3.98 avg rating — 95,508 ratings
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632

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4.16 avg rating — 5,605 ratings
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634 books · 522 voters · list created June 21st, 2008 by Crystal.
98 likes · 
Lists are re-scored approximately every 5 minutes.


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Comments Showing 1-7 of 7 (7 new)

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message 1: by Tamora (new)

Tamora Pierce I'm just clicking on what I've read, not on what I liked. When you're dealing with books like these, that generally drop into everyone's life before they're 20, what you like and what you don't like is highly individual. I don't think you can really go by the opinion of the next person, because you're all forming your opinions. I liked TARZAN, but had no interest in CHARLOTTE'S WEB. My classmates had spasms over CRIME AND PUNISHMENT, so much so that I never told them that I kinda liked it. They were okay with THE SCARLET LETTER, which made me crazy. You really have to try the books that our parents, teachers, and peers think are probably classic, and decide for yourself if they're good reads as far as you're concerned!


message 2: by Mandy (new)

Mandy I would just like to say that I believe 'Les Miserables' by Victor Hugo is the best book on this list. And nooooo, I'm not basing it on the hit musical (even though I love that as well), because it did get a lot wrong. I'm currently reading A Tale of 2 Cities, nad let me say I've made a lot of connections to Les Miserables. It's just an amzing and epic Book!


message 3: by Tamara (new)

Tamara I agree with Tamora, There are several books i've been told are must reads by people who don't read much themselves. I have been disappointed in many of them most books are classics because they've been around forever and a day. Much of the language is outdated and stale. occasionally you do stumble upon a book with a plot that holds up but it is a rare find. That being said, I loved Scarlett Letter and The hunchback of Notra Dame but found Pride and Prejudice tedious at best shallow and mindless at worst


message 4: by Marsi (new)

Marsi i just discovered my interest in reading so i've read only a few. i just finished che's book on social revolution. so far from what i've read dracula is the best they describe the events as if one was there. my second best is lady chaterley's lover


message 5: by Danna (new)

Danna This is a great list! I have this sort of mission too, although I gotta find a good library to hold all of these books. Too bad I don't have it in the area, or money to but some..


message 6: by BookLovingLady (deceased Jan. 25, 2023...) (last edited Feb 07, 2017 07:03AM) (new)

BookLovingLady (deceased Jan. 25, 2023...) @Crystal
I've tried adding other books than then ones originally written in English, apart from voting for the ones already on the list I mean, as there are so many great classics worth reading. All of which are available in English translations, by the way. Books I've added are, for instance, Alle fabels, Lustgebed, Avondgezichten, Het hoofdkussenboek, Het boek van Dede Korkoet, Nibelungenlied, De ring van de duif, Het boek der koningen, De rozentuin and Rubaiyat, to name just a few.


By the way, 'Classics' = 'Modern Classics' too? As there are plenty of those on your list.


message 7: by Tyler (new)

Tyler Cameron How is The Giver on this list?


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