When I talk to readers, one of their resolutions is to read more classics. However, for the most part, they feel intimidated by them or unsure about which ones to pick up or where to begin. I love reading the classics, and I don’t read as much as I promise myself to do. But with my experience reading classics, I have picked up some tips and pointers that might be useful to you. So, if you are trying to read more of the classics for 2026, here are a few suggestions that may help you conquer that pile:

Tackle those tomes, one (or two) chapters at a time:

Reading is meant to be both a pleasurable and a learning experience. Why not take the time to absorb what you are reading? My first tip is a reading method that is a callback to what we used to do in school. Try coming up with a reading plan or syllabus (I know that word can send a chill down your spine, but in this case, it can be a good thing) to take the pressure off. There’s no rule that you must read a book in one sitting. You’re lucky if you find the story engaging and just don’t want to put the book down. But when you are trying to tackle the classics, setting a goal for yourself can make it less intimidating. Read a certain number of pages or chapters a day or a week, whatever your preference! It is probably best to start out small and grow slowly.

Close reading: markup that book

It was encouraged when we did it in school, and now I understand why our teachers did it. Making notes between the lines is a great way to engage more deeply with the text, and providing your thoughts while you read is a great way to have a more in-depth reading experience. Annotating what you are reading gives you a chance to provide ongoing commentary. Also, if you choose to reread the book in the future, it is nice to revisit your initial insights and thoughts upon your first reading. You might find yourself rethinking what you wrote down or rediscovering new thoughts you missed in your first reading. As a librarian, marginalia are revered and appreciated, so let your thoughts run rampant! However, if you are borrowing books from the library, please don’t mark them up. Track your thoughts and annotations in a notebook. That way, you get to preserve your thoughts and share a library book with the next reader.

Classics in all formats

The beauty of reading the classics is that there isn’t one way to read the text. For the most part, classics are in the public domain, meaning they are freely available and accessible in various ways. If you want to read classics like Pride and Prejudice or Jane Eyre, you don’t need to look for a specific edition; you have many to choose from, especially when they are digital. When they are digital, you can access them on a device of your preference. So, while you are trying to read more classics, using websites such as Project Gutenbergand Librivox is a great way to support your adventure into the classics. You can read ebooks and audiobooks on the go, during your commute, or while you are cleaning. You can read and save money while expanding your TBR shelf. I love reading physical books, but I do see the benefits of reading digital books, especially when you don’t have access to your physical copy (this tends to happen when I am on a crowded bus or train).

Audiobooks…a way to engage the story

There is something soothing about having a story read to you, and I believe that is why audiobooks are becoming more popular. But as I mentioned in the previous point, that is why audiobooks can be useful for readers trying to get back into reading classics. Can’t engage with the words; maybe someone reading it to you might be better. Listening to the story makes it more engaging and the characters more vivid. Don’t let anyone tell you differently. Listening to audiobooks is reading! LibriVox offers many public domain audiobooks you can download for free, making it an amazing place to start.

Find the edition that matches you perfectly

When you were in school, your teacher wanted everyone to buy the same edition of the book, so everyone could follow along. But throughout my travels as an English major and in my career as a librarian, I’ve noticed that each edition provides a different reading experience. If you are looking for a specific edition of a classic and you don’t know where to start, here are some of my top favorites:

Oxford World’s Classics: My favorite edition. I consider this the most durable paperback, perfect for carrying around, and it will last through general wear and tear. I also appreciate the scholarly text, historical background, and footnotes, which provide readers with additional insight and a better understanding of the book. The pages are sturdy enough for highlighting and pencil or pen annotations.

Penguin Classics: I immensely enjoy these editions as well, and for the same reasons I like Oxford’s. The issue I have with these editions is that the paperbacks are not as durable as Oxford World’s Classics editions, unless you get a copy from Europe. For some reason, the quality of paperbacks differs from the US ones, and I find that Penguin paperbacks last a bit longer than Penguin US paperbacks, so for this edition, it is based on what you have access to.

W.W. Norton Critical Edition: The absolute best in providing criticism, footnotes and background information on the classic text. It helps readers analyze and understand the text that they are reading. However, these editions are more like textbooks and therefore less affordable than the Penguin and Oxford editions. But you may be able to find a cheaper edition on used book websites such as ThriftBooks or Better World Books.

Broadview Press – Similar to Norton Critical Editions. You can try to find used copies of these editions at affordable prices on used book websites.

Macmillan Collector’s Library: The pocket-sized edition is very easy to carry around. Reminiscent of mass-market paperbacks, but these are more durable when tossed around in your bag. However, it is useful if you are looking to annotate the text (due to the paper’s thinner quality), and the font may be too small for some readers.

Everyman’s Library: A great and affordable hardcover edition of a classic novel that is easy to carry around and easier to read text compared to paperback and smaller hardcover editions. Eventually, it can be tiresome to carry around, but if you are looking for a copy that will last long through various rereads, then this is your pick.

Which classics to begin with?

You read my suggestions, now you are ready to start tackling some of those classics! But which ones to begin with? Here are some classic novels that I recommend you read to help you get started:

• Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
• The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle
• Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
• Passing by Nella Larsen
• Evelina by Frances Burney
• North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell
• Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
• Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier
• Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
• Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston

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