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10 beloved classic books to cosy up with this autumn

10 beloved classic books to cosy up with this autumn

by By Page Turners

2 September 2019

min read

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte (1847)

An emotional rollecoaster of a book, Jane Eyre is the classic for you if you believe in hope, love and happy endings. Poor Jane is an orphan banished to a heartless boarding school, where she spends several miserable years but eventually trains to become a teacher. She's employed to tutor a young girl at Thornfield Hall, where her master, Mr Rochester, could just be the master of her heart, too. But there are unavoidable problems. Mad women in the attic, raging fires and almost-weddings will keep you on your toes, and wondering if kind, pure-hearted Jane will ever be granted her happy ever after. It's an uplifting novel laced with darkness, best devoured whilst under a blanket and sipping a luxurious hot chocolate.

Little Women by Louisa May Allcott (1868)

We're in love with this book, and we don't care who knows it! Especially with the exciting new film adapatation starring Saoirse Ronan and Emma Watson on the way. Little Women glows with warmth and feel-good vibes, and is the ideal companion to settle down with on a winter's night. The March sisters all seem wildly different, with their own colourful personalities, but they all have one thing in common - love, for each other, for adventure and for their wonderful parents. Settle down with a copy of this timeless classic, get ready to cry your heart out at the sad bits, beam with happiness at the beautiful, generous, sunshine-filled bits, and be left gaping with surprise at the unexpected turns things take along the way.

To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee (1960)

A powerful modern classic you'll never forget. Feisty tomboy Scout spends her summers playing outside with her brother, Jem. Their father Atticus is a brilliant man and excellent lawyer who takes it upon himself to prove the innocence of a local black man accused of rape. As the case continues (that's one nail-biting courtroom scene), Scout herself begins to learn the heart-shattering ways of the world. Your own eyes will be opened, your heart broken, and your copy will earn itself pride of place on your bookshelf forever.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (1813)

As fabulous as the BBC adaptation with Colin Firth is, and no matter how romantic the Keira Knightley film version is, the original Jane Austen novel never loses its sparkle. Pride and Prejudice is a story pumped with girl power, sisterhood and ultimately, choosing love for love itself. It tells the story of a family of sisters on the lookout for good, proper marriages to good, proper men, although heroine-of-the-century Lizzie Bennett has other ideas about what'll make her happy. It'll leave you toasty warm, grinning madly and wanting to be more like Elizabeth Bennett in every way.

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte (1847)

This is a tragic tale of story of enduring love, bad decisions and star-crossed lovers, perfect for a cold, stormy night. Heathcliff and Cathy have an inseparable bond from childhood, but class, pride and fury keep them apart even as they declare their undying love for one another. Expect a lot of sentimental talk about souls, ghosts and broken hearts – all the nitty gritty stuff you want in a spectacular gothic read – all set against the beautifully moody backdrop of the Yorkshire Moors. It's wild. It's passionate. It's a book that gets under your skin.

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Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Caroll (1865)

Waistcoated white rabbits, mad hatter tea parties and manically smiling cats can only mean one thing: the wondrous world of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. If you normally love gripping family dramas or epic love stories, this is a welcome side step into the world of fantasy, offering you something a little different to leaf through on winter nights. You know the drill from the Disney remake and whimsical Alice-themed-cafes everywhere; Alice falls down a rabbit hole and all sorts of adventures ensue: eating cupcakes, navigating locked doors and talking to all kinds of animals. It's a wonderfully memorable story that'll spark your imagination, and is just as magical to read by yourself as it is to share with your little ones at bedtime.

Black Beauty by Anna Sewell (1877)

Black Beauty has sold more than fifty million copies, which tells you all you need to know about this touching, heartfelt story. Told through the eyes of the horse itself, it's a book about kindness and cruelty, and is probably going to move you to tears. Black Beauty lives a happy life with his mother, cared for by his loving owners until he changes hands. Hard times, harsh owners and difficult working conditions are waiting, but so is light in the darkness. It's such a beautiful book, perfect for both children and adults alike, and our copies will forever remain well-thumbed – and responsible for our undying love of horses.

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald (1925)

A heartbreaking story of unfulfilled love, you'll sink into a world of glittering parties, rose-tinted romance and shattered dreams with The Great Gatsby. Picture this: a warm, summer's evening with champagne flowing and a handsome figure watching from his balcony. Why does he throw such lavish parties for strangers? Because he's lovesick for Daisy, of course, a woman from his past who married someone else, when she should have married him. This is a short, readable and eternally adored classic for a reason. Soak up the glamour, have your heart broken and witness the pain of wishing for something that will never be yours. Best followed up with the film adaptation starring Leo Di Caprio. It's on Netflix. Just sayin'.

I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith (1949)

This book is all kinds of lovely. Cassandra is young, bright-eyed and about to unexpectedly fall in love for the first time. She lives with her eccentric family in a crumbling castle in the heart of the English countryside, and if that's not enough to intrigue you, read it for the romance, the laughter and the wonderful storytelling. It's the most charming coming-of-age story ever written, with joy and wonder pouring from every page. You'll fall in love with the characters – Cassandra's fairy-like stepmother, once-famous father and loyal servant Stephen – and smile so much your cheeks will hurt by the end.

Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen (1811)

While Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice is well-deserving of the attention, we do think Elinor Dashwood is one of the most underrated heroines in all of literature. Smart, strong and a trustworthy secret-keeper, we love this book for her enviable relationship with her sister Marianne. Nothing melts our hearts more than a loving sibling relationship, and this book positively shines with it, as well as the sassiness we all know and love in a Jane Austen novel. Sprinkled with wit, and with moments where you want to shake the sisters by the shoulders, it all turns out right in the end. As satisfying as rain pattering on the window while you snuggle indoors with your book.

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