Ten Classics (I own) but haven’t read (yet). 

There’s been a few interesting posts recently elsewhere about unread authors/books, so I thought I’d jump in with my own variation. I’ve been making much more of an effort in the last 3-5 years to read more Classics and I’m always coming across more and more as I delve deeper into the genre. I think my plan for this year was to read 12 (which I should easily manage) and I’ll be increasing that next year to 15. One thing I did think of, as a challenge to myself as much as anything else, was to see if I could read 10 Classics in a row – interspersed with my usual non-fiction reads of course. Which led me to this list of 10 Classics I own but haven’t read – yet. No doubt you’ll be seeing reviews of the books listed below at some point in the first half of 2024. 

The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling (1884) 

As I’ve mentioned several times, I didn’t read much of anything as a child so missed out on all of the Children’s Classics. I’ve been picking them up as I come across them and have already read a few which I’ve generally enjoyed. More to come. 

Hard Times by Charles Dickens (1854) 

I picked up the entire Dickens output a few years ago for a very reasonable price and have planned to read all of them (except for his last unfinished book). So far, I’ve only managed two but have been very impressed. I’ll see if I can fit in this one and (hopefully) another in ‘24. 

Lord Jim by Joseph Conrad (1900) 

I’ve only read one Conrad to date and have been meaning to read more for a while now. This seemed like a good place to continue. 

On The Road by Jack Kerouac (1957) 

A book I think everyone has heard about and yet another modern American Classic I’ve been meaning to read for years.  

King Solomon’s Mines by H Rider Haggard (1885) 

Oddly my edition is labelled as a ‘Children’s Classic’, which isn’t something I would've associated with it. Saying that I found the movie interesting and look forward to start reading the classic Victorian adventure series. 

The 39 Steps by John Buchan (1915) 

I’ve really liked all three movie adaptations of this story – particularly the 1959 Kenneth Moore version – so I’m looking forward to finally reading the source material. If I like it, I’ll investigate more of his work.  

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde (1891) 

I’ve had a copy of this book for DECADES and have yet to read it. Wilde is one of my favourite Victorians and its more than about time I made a fuller acquaintance with his literary works. 

Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson (1883) 

Yet again, loving the movie adaptations it’s about HIGH time that I finally read the source material. These adventure stories have stood the test of time for a reason. 

The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame (1908) 

Another Children’s Classic that passed me by. Time to catch up and see what all the mad-cap fuss was about. 

The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins (1868) 

I’ve had a lovely little hardback of this novel on my shelves for decades. Way past time for it be (finally) read. 

It might be a challenge reading SO many Classics in a row, but I also think it’d be quite an achievement (for ME at least!) and also a gratifying one. I’m looking forward to it.