Are There Classic Must-Have Books Every Home Library Needs?

Start your journey to your home library with these classic novels. First of all ‘Fahrenheit 451’ by Ray Bradbury. A classic that highlights the dangers of censorship in a world where books are being taken away from humans and burn them. Because it contains so much power to change their minds, perhaps this book will make you want to read even more and therefore protect your library of books. If you like to read novels about how society or even a certain environment can affect how people think, then this is the perfect novel for you.

‘Brave New World’ by Aldous Huxley is another must read classic. This book is set in a future where society has become a utopia where people live in happiness through excess of pleasure. Huxley portrays a very unique future where people are brought up in special harmless environments and covered from the beginning in chemicals that will guarantee them a life of pure pleasure and free from any pain or suffering through advanced technology. These books are a great choice for your little library and spark lots of conversations with fellow book readers. Reading these classic books is a way of expressing yourself and showing others what you like.

You want to create a universe in your home? Starting a home library can be a great way to build a collection of classic titles to adorn the shelves of your handpicked reading corner, complete with a comfy chair, soft blankets and great books to read. In our selection of must-reads, we start with the ever so classic Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. As a timeless romance, it is more than just the story of the young Elizabeth Bennet trying to find her way through love in a complex society. It’s also a very sharp social comment still very relevant today. We love the many funny scenes between Lizzy and the proud Mr. Darcy.

Next up is the iconic ‘1984’ by George Orwell. As I mentioned earlier this book is quite thought provoking for our modern world and the way it explores themes of constant surveillance and the loss of individuality in search of power is something we see almost daily in today’s society, prompting us to think critically about the level of privacy we have and the extent to which our freedoms are eroded.

Of course, I'm not going to forget 'To Kill a Mockingbird'! Written by Harper Lee, 'To Kill a Mockingbird' is a beautiful novel written from a child's perspective that deals with the issues of empathy and justice. It's a great way to introduce young people to some of the most complex social issues of our time while having the opportunity to read a very beautiful and moving novel.

It would not be a complete home library without classics of literature, shaping up the literary landscape and culture of today. In any bookstore or library there is always space for ‘The Great Gatsby’ by F. Scott Fitzgerald. The novel creates immense curiosity about the Jazz Age of America while the tragic fate of Gatsby’s dream evokes discussions on love and ambition which can continue for hours over steaming cups of coffee with friends and family.

And then of course there is ‘Moby-Dick’ by Herman Melville, which is far more than just a tale of a whale hunt. It is full of deep philosophical thoughts and symbols, not least the obsessive Captain Ahab who is struggling against his own human nature.

Of course, no home library is complete without some magical realism. Gabriel García Márquez’ ‘One Hundred Years of Solitude’ is a personal favorite, a colorful and imaginative tale of the Buendía family and their struggles through the centuries. ‘One Hundred Years of Solitude’ is an amazing introduction to the world of magical realism and it will sit comfortably on any bookshelf. Often, it will even spark up interesting conversations with your friends who come over for a coffee and can’t wait to read the book as well.