With the growing reliance on electrical gadgets, more and more people are using e-readers for books but there is definitely something to be said for holding a paper copy of a great novel. Why not sit back and relax with one of the classics?
Design a unique reading area
The first step is to make sure you have somewhere comfortable to read. Why not opt for a recliner chair or sofa? Being able to put your feet up while you’re reading has its benefits. Keep the décor simple, with neutral walls, a black rug and soft curtains to shield from too bright light. If you can, set this up in an area where there is no TV to distract you. Keep the reading theme throughout your design of your reading area. As well as the statement rug, look for a striking bookcase to hold your favourite tomes and search for a reading lamp that will fit with the comforting and relaxing decor of the room.
Relax with a classic
There are so many great classic novels. The works of Jane Austen are always a good starting point. Northanger Abbey is a great choice if you are new to her work, but for something longer, Pride and Prejudice is a must. If you prefer something a little darker, then Charlotte Bronte’s novel Jane Eyre is perfect. The Gothic theme is woven throughout the novel and it is one of the best-known novels in English literature.
There is plenty of classic crime fiction that you can try if you prefer a different genre. The Sherlock Holmes series by Arthur Conan Doyle is filled with intricate crime stories that have only grown in popularity in recent years, thanks to the modern versions of them that featured in the TV series Sherlock. An alternative is the work of Wilke Collins.
Don’t forget literature in translation too. There are some wonderful novels written by authors from other countries. American literature features the works of John Steinbeck, JD Salinger and F Scott Fitzgerald, among others. Alternatively, consider a French classic such as something by Alexandre Dumas, Emile Zola or Gustav Flaubert.
The best novels are those that will keep you enthralled from beginning to end and the classics are those that have been doing just that for their readers for decades. With so many to choose from, finding one that you like will be easy. All you have to do is relax and forget about everything else for a few hours.
