[Pangolin]

Persuasion by Austen - life affirming somehow. And, as ever, FUNNY. And if you've ever loved and lost through general f*** ups (edited to add stars, not sure if that word could offend? better safe etc) , it resonates.
Mansfield Park , Austen, if you don't get why all this period is so focused on marrying well - that gives a clear idea of the context and consequence which means that 18th and 19th C books make more sense. read before P and P to have Mrs Bennet a touch less one dimensional. Also, it makes more sense of the plot of Persuasion, which to our modern minds might not seem to ring true.
Portrait of a Lady - Henry James, because you come out different (well, i did 'ny hoo)
Vanity Fair because its a riot.
David Copperfield, got it all, emotional roller coaster and laugh out loud.
War and Peace, as above, but more so, but less funny.
Middlemarch too, shares elements with Portrait of a Lady, but no Ralph and a little more obvious... (imho, your mileage, etc etc)

Les Mis, grand too, really get a handle of how 'good' looks and feels. Fantastic description of Waterloo.

Oh oh, yes OP Jane Eyre, for a really sharp-witted and dynamic heroine, although there's a bit of coincidence in evolved in a plot turn at one point which demands suspension of disbelief.

Fosco - Woman in White, and his little white mice anyone? - brrrrrrrr rrrr rrrrrr