Classics worth reading or rereading as a 40-something

[Anonymous]

Exodus by Leon Uris— EXCELLENT book and a classic.

[Anonymous]

Anything Edith Wharton.

[Anonymous]

Probably not rereads but I have pretty much dedicated my life to spinster lit, which I only just learned is a thing, and anything spinster lit adjacent -- British mid-century or slightly later books about bookish, witchy, and/or loony ladies of a certain age. Recent stars for me:

Anything by Muriel Spark, Barbara Comyns, Barbara Pym
The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne by Brian Moore
Lolly Willowes by Sylvia Townsend Warner
Wish Her Safe At Home by Stephen Benetar
The Girls by John Bowen

I also like modern takes on this, like Stone Yard Devotional. They're just All. So. Good and I am leaning into my spinster years even if not actually one per se.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:10 years later and this thread still holds up. Just finished Middlemarch and before that read all of Edith Wharton. Will hit more on this thread soon.

I’m the OP and love that you resurrected this thread. I’m up for all the recommendations, and am now a 50-something

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Probably not rereads but I have pretty much dedicated my life to spinster lit, which I only just learned is a thing, and anything spinster lit adjacent -- British mid-century or slightly later books about bookish, witchy, and/or loony ladies of a certain age. Recent stars for me:

Anything by Muriel Spark, Barbara Comyns, Barbara Pym
The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne by Brian Moore
Lolly Willowes by Sylvia Townsend Warner
Wish Her Safe At Home by Stephen Benetar
The Girls by John Bowen

I also like modern takes on this, like Stone Yard Devotional. They're just All. So. Good and I am leaning into my spinster years even if not actually one per se.

Well the above ^^ is how I first learned of spinster lit and I love the idea & will have to add all your recs to my list (which sadly, I am almost entirely unfamiliar with).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Who is John Galt? Atlas Shrugged

I read half of that book twice. I will never pick it up again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

The Grapes of Wrath. I read it in high school and really liked it. I just reread it again (I'm now in my mid-30s) and got so much more out of it. Parts of it are just hilarious, I was laughing out loud. Other parts made me really stop and think about my grandparents' generation and how much times have changed. When I read that book in high school, reflecting on the Depression and the dust bowl era didn't seem like so far away. But I think about if my kids read that in high school - they will be reading about events that happened 100 years ago. I just don't know if it will have the same meaning for them.

It will happen again in their lifetime. The book will be a good advance look.

PP, are you seer?

This rings too true these days.

[Anonymous]

Great suggestions here!

I would add Silas Marner, David Copperfield, Far from the Madding Crowd, Cold Comfort Farm, and Tom Jones.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Another vote for Gatsby. It was so much better the second time around. Such a beautiful book!

Added bonus: F. Scott Fitzgerald is buried at a church in Rockville. You can visit his grave after finishing the book.

Historic St. Mary's Catholic cemetery.

[Anonymous]

The Wind in the Willows
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Lookinglass
The Phantom Tollbooth
Beowolf

[Anonymous]

East of Eden
Grapes of Wrath
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
Wuthering Heights
A Separate Peace
Rebecca
1984
Lord of the Flies
Animal Farm

[Anonymous]

Anne of Green Gables. Still very funny but a different perspective on Marilla dealing with Anne creating chaos.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anne of Green Gables. Still very funny but a different perspective on Marilla dealing with Anne creating chaos.

Yes me too

Im seeing through the parents' eyes, these days

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Probably not rereads but I have pretty much dedicated my life to spinster lit, which I only just learned is a thing, and anything spinster lit adjacent -- British mid-century or slightly later books about bookish, witchy, and/or loony ladies of a certain age. Recent stars for me:

Anything by Muriel Spark, Barbara Comyns, Barbara Pym
The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne by Brian Moore
Lolly Willowes by Sylvia Townsend Warner
Wish Her Safe At Home by Stephen Benetar
The Girls by John Bowen

I also like modern takes on this, like Stone Yard Devotional. They're just All. So. Good and I am leaning into my spinster years even if not actually one per se.

I didn't know I loved "spinster lit"! Thanks for categorizing it for me. I've read and loved everything on your list except Wish Her Safe At Home, so I'll have to check that one out.

[Anonymous]

I'm doing a 2026 project of reading Jane Austen. I just finished Pride and Prejudice and LOVED it.