Hello dears! Today I’m going to take you all through a list of books written decade by decade (or set in a decade) ranging from 1800 to 1950. I have read all of these and highly recommend them, as I am a very picky reader, take my word for it that these are great stories. Although not everyone will like these, different stories appeal to different people.
1800s
WUTHERING HEIGHTS (Set between 1801 and 1802 | published in 1847)
EMILY BRONTË
This is the first Brontë novel I ever read, and I must say it really struck me. It is far from a dull or lifeless book as it is packed with emotion and detail. I enjoyed this book so much that I have read it twice in the past few years.
SUMMARY: The story revolves around the forbidden love of Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff. It is eerily romantic as the two characters’ tale is told to a new tenant of the haunted grounds of Wuthering Heights.
1810s
PERSUASION (Set during the turn of the 19th Century | published in 1817)
JANE AUSTEN
I am a huge Jane Austen fan, and I know some may have expected Pride and Prejudice to fill this slot, however, I really can’t say that I prefer that book to Persuasion.
SUMMARY: The novel revolves around the broken relationship and hidden love of Anne Eliot and Captain Frederick Wentworth. Anne’s sad romances are bottled up within her, and in a whirlwind could escape at any moment, especially at the name of Wentworth.
1820s
THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW (Published in 1820)
WASHINGTON IRVING
This is a quick but spooky read and turned the literary world upon its head. Not only was it amongst the first American stories ever written, but it is also credited with being the first short story.
SUMMARY: This short story relates a real legend of New England in the late 1700s amongst the Dutch settlers. Ichabod Crane is madly in love with the coquettish Katrina Van Tassel, and consequently believes he is haunted by the Hessian soldier, The Headless Horseman.
1830s
THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER (Published in 1839)
EDGAR ALLAN POE
Much like other Poe works, this is a Gothic short story. It is full of mystery, madness, and more, all wrapped neatly into a couple of pages. If you like mystery or drama but aren’t a huge reader, Edgar Allan Poe is always a great investment of your time.
SUMMARY: The Fall of the House of Usher is told by an unnamed narrator. This mysterious figure is visiting an old friend, Roderick Usher, and upon arrival at his house, the narrator is thrown suddenly into family drama, insanity, and ghosts.
1840s
THE TENANT OF WILDFELL HALL (Published in 1848)
ANNE BRONTË
Some of my favourite authors of all time haled from one house and one family. I have read nearly all the works by all three Brontë sisters, and I must admit, this one is among my top 3. This is full of emotion, lots of backstories and character development, and unrequited love.
SUMMARY: Gilbert Markham is the main protagonist of this story. He quickly falls in love with a newcomer to the small town he lives in, Helen Graham. However, she isn’t too keen on getting involved with another man, as she has been married previously. As Gilbert falls deeper for her, he slowly learns more about Helen’s tragic backstory, and consequentially, this makes him love her and fight for her even more.
1850s
MOBY DICK (Published in 1851 | Set during the early to mid-1800s)
HERMAN MELVILLE
I know, this is a HUGE book, yet it is so worth the time and effort to read! The story may not appeal to all, but one must admit it has been one of the most influential stories of the 1800s.
SUMMARY: Ishmael is a man who yearns for adventure. So, he decides to go on a voyage by way of working on a whaling ship. With much history, adventure, and danger, Moby-Dick (aka The Whale) tells the incredulous story of a deranged man who wages war with a giant albino sperm whale.
1860s
LITTLE WOMEN (Published between 1868 and 1869)
LOUISA MAY ALCOTT
I read this (or my mother read this to me) many many years ago. I fell in love with the story and the characters instantly. I really think that this is one of the most influential staples of American literature.
SUMMARY: The story goes through the lives of four sisters living during the Civil War Era. Each sister has an incredibly different personality, which often clashes. The main character, Jo, gets herself into lots of trouble as a tom-boy and fights for her claim to fame as a female writer. It’s a heart-warming story of family, love, and success, yet it also has very deep and tragic moments as well.
1870s
THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD (Published posthumously in 1870)
CHARLES DICKENS
This unfortunately is an unfinished book by Charles Dickens, published a little while after his death. So, the mystery of Edwin Drood truly remains a mystery, which is something that makes this read all the more enjoyable to me. Though many may want to find out what happens in the end, I like the fact that Dickens took this idea to the grave, and left this completely unsolved for readers (unless you find his notes, which I’m pretty sure are out there, however, they still don’t really solve things properly).
SUMMARY: The story involves mostly the narrator, John Jasper, Rosa and Neville Bud, and Edwin Drood. Edwin is secretly in love with Rosa, and this poses as his greatest issue. Rosa’s brother, Neville, is provoked by Edwin, a brawl breaks out, and Neville goes home. The only problem is that Edwin is now missing. Jasper blames Neville for the disappearance, and then himself disappears from the story, and the ending is unclear.
1880s
A STUDY IN SCARLET (Published in 1887)
SIR ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE
I think I can confidently say I have read all of the Sherlock Holmes stories. If I haven’t, I’d be surprised. I have always been a huge fan of Sherlock, and really anything Doyle wrote. Most books are very short, excluding The Hound of the Baskervilles.
SUMMARY: The first story introducing Sherlock Holmes, told by Dr. Watson. The two team up to solve the murder of Enoch Drebber. The only evidence anyone can find (until Sherlock arrives of course) is the red writing on the wall: “rache” (German for “revenge”).
1890s
THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY (Published in 1890)
OSCAR WILDE
Call me crazy, but this is one of my favourite books of all time. If you look close enough, many morals are sprinkled throughout.
SUMMARY: The story revolves around a narcissistic young man who is absolutely enthralled with his own handsomeness. He believes that this is of the utmost importance and that in order to be viewed in high society, he must remain beautiful. However, the portrait of himself begins to take on qualities that befuddle him, ultimately throwing Dorian into a whirlwind of crime, danger, and a life full of secrets.
1900s
A ROOM WITH A VIEW (Published in 1908)
E M FORSTER
I admit I read this book in a span of about 3 hours or so. It got me hooked immediately and I couldn’t put it down. It’s a wonderfully beautiful story of romance, young love, and coming of age.
SUMMARY: The novel begins with Miss Lucy Honeychurch on a trip to Italy. While there, she meets a young man who is traveling along with his father. As the two continue to sight-see and travel the country, they learn more about each other and eventually fall in love. However, all of this changes once they return back to England. There is heartache, scandal, and ultimately the conquering of love.
1910s
THE LOVE SONG OF J ALFRED PRUFROCK (Published in 1915)
T S ELIOT
I’ve always preferred the works of Eliot to any other poet throughout the ages. The way he writes things with such great detail and emotion, and yet alludes to many things in his works makes them all the more enjoyable to read. You can find this poem on poetryfoundation.org
SUMMARY: The main point of the poem is the difficult question Prufrock is asking himself. He is madly and ardently in love with someone but struggles with loneliness and despair quite often. Eliot writes of Prufrock’s internal indecisiveness and difficulty with that one question…
1920s
THE GREAT GATSBY (Published in 1925)
F SCOTT FITZGERALD
Time for my favourite novel ever! I read this many years ago in school and fell in love with Fitzgerald’s writing ever since. The eloquence of his story along with the unrequited and eventually illicit romance is striking. It tells the history of the broken American dream during the Jazz age, right before the great stock market crash that caused the Great Depression.
SUMMARY: The story is told by Nick Carraway, and revolves around two people: Jay Gatsby, the mysterious man who throws parties all the time for an unknown reason, and Daisy, Nick’s cousin. Daisy is married to a rather disgraceful man by the name of Tom Buchanan. Secrets are eventually revealed throughout the book displaying the disappointing and quite sad motivations of each character. The overarching emotion is melancholic, and the ending, something that will forever make one think about life, love, and happiness.
1930s
THE HOBBIT (Published in 1932)
J R R TOLKEIN
Beloved by many people over the years, The Hobbit is among the first fantastical novels of the 20th century. I’ve read this story a few times, and absolutely adore it each time. Tolkien had true talent in relating characters to modern times, even though the setting of the novel is presumed to be hundreds of years ago.
SUMMARY: Bilbo Baggins is a Hobbit. He enjoys his quiet country life that is never threatened by danger or drama. But, one day, Bilbo’s entire life is turned on its head by the arrival of Gandalf the Grey wizard, and later 12 dwarves, all insisting that Bilbo come with them on a quest to reclaim their kingdom.
1940s
TOWARDS ZERO (Published in 1944)
AGATHA CHRISTIE
I’m an avid reader of Christie’s novels and have long been enthralled by her incredible skills in writing intricate mysteries. Each one is unique, yet each one displays the grand skill of writing a cunningly deceptive story that Agatha Christie contained.
SUMMARY: Towards Zero relates the story of a sick and dying woman, Lady Tressilian, who is confined to her bed. She invites many guests ( most of which don’t really even know each other) to stay at her mansion. She invites guests whom she knows are important to her own story. Over a couple of days, murder, suicides, forbidden love, and greed all become very much present in the lives of each person at the mansion.
1950s
THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA (Published between 1950 and 1956)
C S LEWIS
This series of novels has a very special place in my heart for a multitude of reasons. I’ve read and cherished these stories throughout my entire life, and hopefully, I always will.
SUMMARY: Lewis’ goal with these books is to show in an easy-to-understand way, the Gospel. Each book alludes to the Bible and various occurrences throughout it. Lewis begins with the creation of Narnia by the glorious song of Aslan, all the way through to The Last Battle in which the saved and unsaved are separated. It spans over many years and tells the stories from the eyes of the Pevensie children and others associated with them.
That wraps up some of my favourite books over a 150-year span. Stay tuned to the website for upcoming posts on a review of all the Agatha Christie novels I have read over the years, as well as a review of all the books published by all three Brontë sisters! If you have a question as always, leave them below in the comments.
Goodbye friends!
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