A Few of My Favorite Non-Classic Classics

Now that I’ve told you a little about myself and why I love reading, let me tell you about some of my favorite stories. These books are a few titles that I think should be labeled as classics. Probably the main reason I think these should be on the same shelf as Dickens, Poe, and Austen, is their stories are timeless. Many books that you read can have relevance for only so long before fading into obscurity. There is only a select few books that stay with you throughout your life. For me, these titles are among the many that I will keep on my bookshelf for years to come. So, without further ado, allow me to introduce you to some of my favorite non-classic classics.

1.  The Storyteller’s Daughter

This book is one of the most recent additions to my bookshelf outside of my normal fandom. I consider it to be what I call a gateway classic. What I mean by this, is it is a retelling of a well-known, well-loved, and often interpreted classic masterpiece, which sparked my interest in the original story. Just to keep you on your toes and keep the suspense up, I’ll wait till the end to tell you what the original title is, although I’m sure once I start explaining the story you’ll recognize it. ;-)

The story is about Shahrazad, a young woman who has a very interesting heritage. Her father is the vizier to the king, and her mother was Maju, the daughter of a fierce and proud people and also a great storyteller called a drabardi. Shahrazad’s mother died when she was very young. At her passing, the young girl inherited her mother’s gift of storytelling, but at the price of her sight. Years passed and the young girl grew into a young woman. This story is not only about Shahrazad, it is about the king as well. Not long before our story takes place, Shahrayar, which is the name of the king, had an unfortunate event befall him, leaving him without a queen. His heart was so grieved that he vowed to take a bride at every full moon and kill her the morning after their wedding night until he found true love. This is where our story really begins. Shahrazad offers herself as the first young lady to be the king’s unfortunate bride. However, she has a trick up her sleeve. The time comes for her to be presented to the king as his bride, and he takes her as his. Once they are alone, the storyteller’s daughter begins the greatest, most important story of her life, enticing a promise from the king that he will not kill her until her story is complete. She tells her tale in such a way that it cannot be completed within one night, thus saving her life. Every night she picks up her tale where she left off the previous morning. Soon, the people begin to suspect and treachery is unleashed within the palace. Shahrayar and Shahrazad, who by this time have grown to love one another, are separated. Soon, the storyteller is called forth to be tested beyond her physical ability.

I know that seems an abrupt place to leave the description, but if I were to go any further, I would give away the ending. Knowing how much many book lovers abhor spoilers I will refrain from ruining the book. If you really want to know what happens, well you’ll have to read it yourself. And, in case you haven’t already guessed, this book is a retelling of the classic One Hundred and One Nights. As I stated before, it is the perfect gateway classic to entice readers to explore the pages of the classic masterpiece.

2. The Little White Horse

I really don’t know where to begin for this book. It’s got everything you want in a classic fairy tale. It has suspense, hints of magic, new friends, fulfilled prophecies, and, best of all, romance. It has just enough whimsy to carry you away to a new world within our world for a little while, but still keeping enough reality within its pages to keep you grounded. There is not much that I can say about the story without giving too much away.

When young Maria Merryweather arrives at Moonacre Manor, she has no idea that her life is about to change. Whether for the better or the worst, you’ll have to read and see for yourself. When she finds out from her uncle, Sir Benjamin, that her family has been the subject of a prophecy, she sets out to do what she can to fulfill it and bring peace to all involved. Along the way, she meets new friends in the local village, including an interesting cat named Zechariah. Among these acquaintances, she finds an old friend named Robin. She even helps to settle a generations old dispute. Throughout her adventures, she learns some important lesson. While there are many teachable moments within this story, the most important one is when she learns to set aside her own interests in order to help others achieve their desires.

This book is one for the young and old alike. The story is timeless and never loses its character. Along with Maria, the reader learns a few lessons along the way. We learn to have the willingness to follow your heart, take a stand for what you know is right, have the courage to face your fears, and above all to be willing to set aside your ambitions to help someone else achieve theirs.

3. Room in the Heart

This story opens in pre-World War II Denmark. I find this particular story to be unique out of all the World War II books I have enjoyed. It follows two main characters, telling the story from their points of view, as well as three supporting characters who are no less important. Our two protagonists are Julie, a Jewish teenaged girl, and Niels, her best friend’s brother and a loyal patriot. As we make our way through the book, we follow both teens in their struggle to make sense of the new Nazi regime and what it means for their country, their families, and them individually. Amid all the chaos and confusion, a romance begins to blossom between these two, although neither is brave enough to admit it. Then, to everyone’s shock, comes the fateful order for the roundup of Jews. It is now that friendships are tested, loyal Danes are called upon to help their friends and neighbors escape the nightmare that is a concentration camp. Julie and Niels find themselves racing against the clock and the law in order to keep their loved ones safe.

Yes, I know there are hundreds, if not thousands of books out there set within the Holocaust. Most of these are on many school reading lists, from The Diary of Anne Frank to The Devil’s Arithmetic to The Hiding Place. This subject seems to have been exhausted. Yet we still read these stories of love, nightmares, betrayal, hope, despair, and discovery. This story stands out to me in a way that others do not, for a reason not even I can say. Maybe it is the romance, it could be as simple as the perspectives given. Whatever the reason, this book should be considered a classic or at least on school reading lists.

These are just a few of my favorite books that I believe are worthy of the “classic” categorization. You may or may not agree with this list, and that’s okay. In either case, I hope I have added a few more titles to your “To Read” list. I would love to hear what you think. Feel free to leave your own list of books you think should be considered classics in the comments below! :-)

Happy reading!