When we hear the word ‘classics’, I’d bet you likely thought of various pieces by Jane Austen, the Brontë sisters, Charles Dickens, etc. But when we think about a few decades or centuries in the future, what else will be considered a classic?
Classic novels are most known for being representative of the time period and while tangling universal themes in order to reveal a message for the good of society. Lucky for us, we live in a time where books are also created simply for the enjoyment of reading.
With a multitude of books and a variety of genres, it’s hard to choose which will become classics. However, I think I’ve cultivated a short list of books that I think should and will become classics.
Therefore, following this are books that I believe should or will be considered the classics of our future.
- The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
The first book that I have believed should be considered a classic, ever since I finished it on the small couch of a hotel in South Carolina, was The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid.
The iconic 2017 book follows a fictional ‘old Hollywood’ celebrity, Evelyn Hugo, and her story being told by a journalist. Her story is a complex one that has been told wrong by numerous tabloids, so Evelyn reaches out to young Monique Grant to write her story in all truthfulness.
I think this book encaptures the issues with secrets and scandals as well as how hiding from reality creates the issues with morality. I also think that this book dives into the feelings of regret from all of the secrets kept for the sake of fame and acceptance.
- Just Kids by Patti Smith
From kids, to companions, to artists, and then to friends, Just Kids follows poet and songwriter Patti Smith and photographer Robert Mapplethorpe from the time they met to the time Robert died. Patti recounts their friendship with beautiful prose incorporating photographs throughout from Robert’s first photograph that he took with Patti to his last.
While this might not be a conventional classic considering it is a memoir, I think it can still be quite applicable to the ‘requirements.’ Throughout the short memoir, Patti includes the conversations she had with various people about life in general and what we learn about it.
Specifically, she brings up this question about how when we are young, we want to know the answers to everything. We want to know what all of this is for and where it’ll lead us. I think her reason is so thought provokingly beautiful as she says that all these questions lead to each other.
- Normal People by Sally Rooney
This book, I know, is extremely controversial. People either love it, or they hate it. But regardless of personal feelings about the book, I believe that this could properly stand as a classic.
It follows Marianne and Connell from high school through college and young adulthood. This book follows themes of love and miscommunication as they struggle to be together. Overall, the book is a messy yet accurate representation of ‘normal people’ as the title suggests.
Considering that, I believe Normal People, wrapped in a shell, is worthy of the title classic.
- Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
Just like George Orwell’s 1984, I think Shatter Me could become the dystopian, science fiction classic of the future.
Weaved into the plot of Shatter Me is the representation of the corruption that comes with power and money. While it is naturally fiction, it makes readers think about what happens when we allow someone such as the government to have too much power; hence, why checks and balances are so crucial in our government.
After being originally published in 2011, this series has gotten so much. I think we have no reason to believe that it wouldn’t continue to get love. With years to come, I believe this series will be read through generations and claim the classic title.
- Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
Speak, published in 1999, follows a freshman in high school struggling with her mental health after her assault over the summer at a party triggered a series ending in her silence. It was a National Book Award Finalist (1999) and won a Golden Kite Award for Fiction (2000) which recognizes excellence in children’s literature.
While this book has very clear trigger warnings that should be checked before you read it, I truly believe that the messages in this book highlights the importance of not only communication but also courage as well as reaching out for help when you need it.
Despite Speak being a banned book, and sparking major controversy in 2020, I think this is such an important book to consider a classic in regards to our current society as we recognize mental health struggles and urge each other to be conscientious and compassionate towards one another.
- Lovely War by Julie Berry
After being recommended to read this book by a fellow Knight Crier writer, Gianna Ciccone, I fell in love with this book. It was a twist between historical fiction and mythology in order to share the tale of love and war as told by Aphrodite.
I think this book does a great job at discussing not only the inevitable draw between love and war but also the things we do for each; and given the chance, I believe this book could become a great classic.
