Cyrano de Bergerac by Edmond Rostand (1897)

I know technically this is a play, but I’m counting it because it’s my FAVORITE play. I reread it at least once each year, and am always on the lookout for great Cyrano retellings.

Here’s a post I did about Cyrano retellings – check it out!

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland/Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll (1871)

I’m a bit of an Alice fangirl, I will admit. I collect editions of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass. I think my next tattoo will have to be the talking flower garden and the quote “Do you suppose she’s a wildflower?”

I’ve even written some Alice fanfiction, LOL. Here’s a story I wrote about Hatter & March.

Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen (1811)

You know there HAD TO be at least one work by Austen on this list, right? Sense and Sensibility is, for whatever reason, my favorite Austen novel. I blame Alan Rickman and his portrayal of Colonel Brandon in the movie version, haha. I collection different editions of Sense and Sensibility, and the one pictured here is one of my unicorns. Someday, I will find you, beautiful book!

The Princess Bride by William Goldman (1973)

While you may first think of the 1987 movie version, the book was first published in 1973. The movie is completely gorgeous and sheer perfection, and is REMARKABLY true to the book, which I adore. It also leaves out a few of my favorite scenes, so if you haven’t read it yet please give the book a try!

Siddhartha by Herman Hesse (1922)

This was one of the few books that I read for required reading in high school (maybe middle school?) and was like “YES, this book. I want more.” Definitely a different experience than being forced to read The Grapes of Wrath, haha. I think it might actually be time for a reread of Siddhartha.

The Twelfth Night by Shakespeare

I’ve read a few of Shakespeare’s plays, but for some reason I haven’t read The Twelfth Night yet – despite it being basically the granddaddy of one of my favorite tropes, mistaken identities.

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery (1908)

I keep trying to read the whole series, but I always start with the first book and only make it through about book two or three before I wander off and do other things, haha. As such, I’ve read this first book probably half a dozen times. There’s a manga edition of it that I really want too!

A Little Princess by Francis Hodgson Burnett (1905)

I adore this book, and I reread it every so often. Sarah is just such an amazing character and is such an inspiration. She reminds me to be strong, have courage in my convictions, be kind, and never stop dreaming.

Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein (1961)

I started reading a lot of classics sci-fi several years ago (think Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep and The Martian Chronicles) and I bought Stranger in a Strange Land but haven’t attempted to read it yet. But just look at that cover – so pretty. Soon, my precious… Soon.

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley (1818)

I haven’t read Frankenstein since high school and I don’t really remember much about it. Just that I felt badly for Frankenstein’s monster. (Was his name Adam in the book, or did folks just start calling him that in adaptations? I can’t recall.)