Whether you are reading a classic for the first time, re-reading one of your favorites or diving into the “Top 100 Classic Books to Read” list you just googled, visit your Yorktown Public Library and check out our Classics collection. 

What makes a book a Classic?

• Brilliantly articulates universal themes – like love, morality, death, adversity
• Stands the test of time
• Offers a gripping story, expertly crafted and richly expressed
• Presents insight into different eras, cultures and perspectives
• Remains relevant long after the book was written

Mood Check! 

What are you in the mood to read? Historical epic saga? A gripping drama? A thought-provoking philosophical text? Our Classics Collection runs the gambit from epic poetry and ancient myths to modern novels and philosophical theories.  Today is the day to (re)visit the Classics Collection at your Yorktown Public Library.

IN THE CLASSICS COLLECTION:

The  Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

In an effort to escape the hypocrisies of life at his boarding school, sixteen-year-old Holden Caulfield seeks refuge in New York City.  Holden relates in his own words the experiences he goes through at school and after, and reveals with unusual candor the workings of his own mind. What does a boy in his teens think and feel about his teachers, parents, friends and acquaintances

The Iliad by Homer

Translated by Robert Fagles; introduction and notes by Bernard Knox-  A work of tremendous influence that has inspired writers from his ancient Greek contemporaries to modernist writers such as T.S. Eliot, Homer's epic poem The Iliad is translated by Robert Fagles with an introduction and notes by Bernard Knox in Penguin Classics.

One of the foremost achievements in Western literature, Homer's Iliad tells the story of the darkest episode in the Trojan War. At its centre is Achilles, the greatest warrior-champion of the Greeks, and his refusal to fight after being humiliated by his leader Agamemnon. But when the Trojan Hector kills Achilles' close friend Patroclus, Achilles storms back into battle to take revenge.

Candide by Voltaire

Appearing in 1759, Candide is a foreboding, ironic, and fierce satire. The protagonist, Candide, is an innocent and good-natured man. Virtually all those whom he meets during his travels, however, are scoundrels or dupes. Candide's naivete is slowly worn away as a result of his contact with the story's rogue elements. The wisdom Candide amasses in the course of his voyages has a practical quality. It entails the fundamentals for getting by in a world that is frequently cruel and unfair. Though well aware of the cruelty of nature, Volitaire is really concerned with the evil of mankind. He identifies many of the causes of that evil in his work: the aristocracy, the church, slavery, and greed.

Kim by Rudyard Kipling

Now controversial, this novel is a memorably vivid evocation of the life and landscapes of India in the late nineteenth century. Kim himself is a resourceful lad who befriends a lama, an aging priest; and both embark on a combined quest. Whereas Kim has an insatiable interest in the varied activities around him, the lama seeks redemption from the 'Wheel of Life'.  This engrossing and moving novel, with its diversity of memorable characters, offers many insights into political, religious and social tensions.

Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton

This novella was first published in 1911. It tells the tragic story of Ethan Frome, a man trapped in a loveless marriage in the fictional town of Starkfield, Massachusetts. He falls for his wife's cousin, leading to a fateful and heartbreaking conclusion.

Lady Chatterley’s Lover by D.H. Lawrence

First published in 1928, this novel tells the story of Constance Chatterley, a wealthy woman trapped in a loveless marriage, who begins an affair with her gamekeeper. The novel explores themes of class, social constraints, and the importance of physical and emotional intimacy.

BONUS:  This material is also on the Libby App as an eBook and an audio book.

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

In this Pulitzer Prize winning story, a black man is charged with the rape of a white girl. Through the young eyes of Scout and Jem Finch, Harper Lee explores with rich humor and unswerving honesty the irrationality of adult attitudes toward race and class in the Deep South of the 1930s. The conscience of a town steeped in prejudice, violence, and hypocrisy is pricked by the stamina and quiet heroism of one man's struggle for justice--but the weight of history will only tolerate so much.

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald's third book, stands as the supreme achievement of his career. First published by Scribner in 1925, this quintessential novel of the Jazz Age has been acclaimed by generations of readers. The story of the mysteriously wealthy Jay Gatsby and his love for the beautiful Daisy Buchanan is an exquisitely crafted tale of America in the 1920s.

BONUS:  This material is also on the Libby App as an eBook and an audio book.

Little Women or Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy by Louisa May Alcott

This novel Chronicles the joys and sorrows of the four March sisters as they grow into young ladies in nineteenth-century New England.  This book’s appeal transcends the boundaries of time and age, making it as popular with adults as it is with young readers.

BONUS:  This material is also on the Libby App as an eBook and an audio book. 

Now that this sample list of classic novels has sparked your interest, it is time to journey into a book that stands the test of time, maintains relevance and appeal across generations and is widely considered to be of high artistic quality and cultural significance. 

Visit your Yorktown Public Library and check out our Classics Collection!