Quote:
Originally Posted by Neverwhere
...I normally read fantasy, horror, thriller and young adult novels - a few of my cherished authors, specifically, are Stephen King, China Miéville, Cassandra Clare, Sarah Diemer, Dean Koontz, Neil Gaiman, Neal Stephenson and J.K. Rowling. ...
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Sorry for being a bit late to the party ...
There have been a lot of good recommendations so far. I would like to add that there are two completely different groups of 'classics' to consider:
- Those works that you should read for the sake of what they are and what they say to the reader. Most of the recommendations so far fall into this group.
- Those works that have influenced other writers and, more importantly, those that are referenced by other writers. This group overlaps #1 a good deal, but there are some that don't. These may not be the best reads on their own, but reading them can aid in understanding other works.
Mary Shelley's
Frankenstein is an excellent example of a book that falls into both groups. It's an essential read.
Bulfinch's Mythology is one that falls mostly into group #2, though some would find it a decent read on its own. H. G. Wells' and Edgar Allen Poe's works are often good reads on their own and are excellent examples of works that set styles that have been followed by many authors since.
Searching out good reviews and analyses of works by authors you like might turn up a mention of some referenced classic.