Book Lovers Day: 10 Classics That’ll Rekindle Your Love for Reading

1. Mrs Dalloway

“Mrs Dalloway said she would buy the flowers herself.”

Are you someone who loves to re-read a comfort book just to find things you missed the first (or third) time? That’s a classic book lover move—and Mrs Dalloway by Virginia Woolf can be rewarding for you.

On the surface, it follows a single day in the life of Clarissa Dalloway as she prepares for a party in post-war London. But beneath that lies an exploration of social class, memories, time, existentialism, identity struggles, and much more. Witty, radical, philosophical, and still startlingly relevant, Mrs Dalloway is one marvelling read.

Buy Here: Mrs Dalloway

Also read: Beyond Mrs Dalloway: 5 Most Underappreciated Works of Virginia Woolf Worth Reading

2. 1984

“Until they become conscious they will never rebel, and until after they have rebelled they cannot become conscious.”

Someone once said, "Make Orwell Fiction again," and we couldn’t agree. George Orwell’s dystopian masterpiece, 1984, imagines a terrifying future where independent thought is a crime, citizens are under constant surveillance, and truth is whatever the ruling Party says it is.

Written as a chilling warning after witnessing the rise of Nazism and Stalinism, 1984 remains a stark reminder of how dangerous unchecked power can be.

Buy Here: 1984

3. The Diary of a Young Girl

“Where there's hope, there's life. It fills us with fresh courage and makes us strong again.”A 13 year

If your love for reading begins with classic books that hit hard, Anne Frank’s The Diary of a Young Girl won’t disappoint. Published posthumously and written while hiding from the Nazis during WWII, 13-year-old Anne documents her life in a cramped secret annexe with striking honesty.

Her entries are full of raw honesty—about fear, boredom, love, frustration, and dreams that refused to die, even in the darkest times. It's not just a diary. It's a window into war, girlhood, and human hope.

Buy Here: The Diary of a Young Girl

4. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

“It's a wicked world, and when a clever man turns his brain to crime it is the worst of all.”

No list of recommendations for classic book lovers is complete without the world's most iconic detective. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is a classic that defined the detective genre—and still holds up.

This collection of short stories follows Holmes and Watson as they navigate the underbelly of London, cracking everything from petty thefts to mind-bending crimes. Perfect if you're craving a clever, fast-paced read with just the right amount of suspense.

Buy Here: The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

5. Siddhartha

“It is not for me to judge another man's life. I must judge, I must choose, I must spurn, purely for myself. For myself, alone.”

Let’s be real—starting a spiritual journey in the middle of constant notifications, endless scrolling, and a 15-second attention span? Not easy. But Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse might just be the breather you need. This one’s a slow, meditative read—but it pays off. It follows a boy named Siddhartha on his spiritual journey of self-discovery, as he questions everything.

If you’ve been meaning to slow down, reflect, or just reconnect with yourself (and your love for books), this one’s a quiet gem.

Buy Here: Siddhartha

6. The Story of My Life

“One painful duty fulfilled makes the next plainer and easier.”

Blind, deaf, and mute from infancy—Helen Keller’s life could’ve easily been one of silence and isolation. But The Story of My Life shows just how powerfully human spirit, grit, and a good teacher (hello, Anne Sullivan) can rewrite a story.

With Anne Sullivan by her side, Helen learns to read, write, speak, and dream bigger than anyone thought possible. It's moving, surprisingly warm, and full of moments that remind you just how much can change with a little bit of patience and a whole lot of heart. A must-read classic that reminds us no feat is impossible when you set your mind to it.

Buy Here: The Story of My Life

7. Crime and Punishment

“To go wrong in one's own way is better than to go right in someone else's.”

We all make mistakes. But what if one choice sends you into a full-on mental spiral you can’t escape? That’s the weight Crime and Punishment carries. Fyodor Dostoevsky’s classic follows Raskolnikov, a broke ex-student in St. Petersburg, who commits a crime he believes is “justified.” What follows is a haunting unravelling of guilt, morality, and the long road to redemption. Heavy? Yes. Worth it? Absolutely.

It’s intense, a little feverish, but surprisingly human—and if you like classic books that mess with your head and your heart, this one stays with you.

Buy Here: Crime and Punishment

8. Rebecca

“I am glad it cannot happen twice, the fever of first love. For it is a fever, and a burden, too, whatever the poets may say.”

A psychological thriller and a gothic classic? If that doesn’t tempt you back into reading, stick around. Rebecca, by Daphne du Maurier, is haunting, elegant, and just the right kind of unsettling.

Told from the perspective of a shy, unnamed young woman who marries a wealthy widower. The story follows her slow descent into obsession and insecurity as she tries to live up to the legacy of his first wife, Rebecca. With plot twists that unravel slowly and sharply, the book pushes you to question not just what really happened to Rebecca, but who these characters truly are.

9. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

“To promise not to do a thing is the surest way in the world to make a body want to go and do that very thing.”

Not in the mood for something emotionally heavy? The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is your perfect pick. Light, funny, and full of mischief, this Mark Twain classic follows a young boy’s adventures along the Mississippi River.

It’s all fence-painting tricks, treasure hunts, and getting into (and out of) trouble—with just the right amount of heart. A great reminder that reading classic books can be pure, nostalgic fun.

Buy Here: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

10. The Handmaid's Tale

"We are two-legged wombs, that’s all: sacred vessels, ambulatory chalices."

From “this is just a fiction” to “this better stay fiction,” The Handmaid’s Tale has that effect. Margaret Atwood’s modern classic throws you headfirst into a world where women’s rights have been stripped away, and their roles reduced to chilling functions.

Told through the eyes of Offred, a woman forced into servitude as a Handmaid, this story is haunting, bold, and deeply thought-provoking. Not a casual read, but absolutely a necessary one.

Buy Here: The Handmaid’s Tale

And that’s a wrap on our reading list for book lovers—10 cosy, clever, and classic reads to help you fall back in love with books (again). Whether you're coming out of a reading slump or just looking for a timeless escape, this list is a pretty great place to start.

These were our recommendations of classic books for bibliophiles who know that sometimes, one read is all it takes to bring the spark back.

Happy reading! 📚💛