By Kitty B.
Everyone’s done it at least once. Make themselves their comfort tea (masala chai on my end or a really deep oolong), grab a blanket, and curl up with a good book. But what to read? Never fear: this nerdy girl has got the answer! Here is a list of great pieces of English Literature you should check out next time you need something to pair with your Earl or Lady Grey.
10) Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein
No matter how many times you have seen the movie, the book is creepier. And you will be glad for that warm cup while reading about the ship in the Arctic and that half-frozen, heart-broken German who paid so great a sacrifice for the obsession of knowledge.
9) Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility
Creepy not your thing? How about one of the original rom-coms? Austen is the queen of this genre. Just remember that is supposed to be a romantic comedy. These sisters will make you giggle and their love losses will break your heart, but don’t worry! It’s always a happy ending in 18th century Northern Ireland.
8) Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights
Prefer a real passion flavored romance? On the English Moors perhaps? Then this is the book for you. A multi-generational story of just how far love will take some men and women in their quest from love to jealousy to possession and finally bitter resentment.
7) Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre
Or perhaps you prefer the other Bronte Sister? Then follow Jane in her luckless life, but let me tell you–it is a real emotional roller coaster.
6 ) John Galsworthy’s The Forsyte Saga
If you like big books and cannot lie, then you need The Forsyte Saga. This multi-generational story focuses on two men, cousins, all competing for family affections, women, and wealth.
5) Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations
So you read A Christmas Carol in middle school and then you forgot about Dickens. Allow me to reintroduce you. He is a bit daunting, but the language grows on you. Then you focus on the difficult and odd tale the he brings while making you grow a heavy heart for all those poor and unfortunate English souls.
4) C. S. Lewis’ The Magician’s Nephew
So you read The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, but wait! There was always more! This is the prequel to the children’s tale and it is perfect if you want some magic in your life, but don’t have several days to devote to reading a 600-page novel.
3) J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit
You saw this coming the moment I said English Literature. Not much to say about how perfect the combination of Hobbits, tea, and second breakfast is, except you should give it a try. It’s a longer book, but no one’s judging you for having a third breakfast or a second lunch ;)
2) James Joyce’s Dubliners
REBELLION!! FREE IRELAND!! Everyone needs some rebellion in their lives, so I have to throw in some Irish nationalism. Technically Joyce was an English citizen at the time these pieces were published, though I have a feeling you would have gotten a swift punch in the jaw for reminding him of that. So create the mood with some Irish Breakfast (throw in the brandy–we won’t tell), and be prepared to understand a different sort of heartache.
1) Lewis Carrol’s Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass
There is a tea party with a Mad Hatter and Chesire Cat. Need I say more? Sure, it is nonsense, but so are many other things in this world. So follow Alice and get a real lesson in snark.
There you have it: ten novel ideas for your reading pleasure. Let us know and I’ll share my list for other countries as well!
I do agree that curling up with a cup of tea, a good book and a blanket on a chilly day or night is a classic encounter for me. With summer approaching, I enjoy the good book and tea combination non the less. As long as I’m stationed in the shade, being outside surrounded by nature, my favorite book of the moment and my favorite tea of the month, I am a happy girl.