Every year, as January approaches, I find that my motivation to fulfil my New Year’s resolutions begins to slip away. If, like me, you have set yourself the goal of reading more classic literature, this list of three (maybe lesser-known) will give you some inspiration on where to start and get the ball rolling for 2026.
The first recommendation is Romola by Thomas Hardy (1862). This is one of Hardy’s lesser-known novels and her foray into the world of historical literature. Romola is set in Florence of the 1490’s and follows a range of characters with a focus on Romola de’ Bardi and Tito Melema as they navigate the changing cultural, religious and political atmosphere of their city. You may need to keep Wikipedia open as you read this book to keep track of the many historical events which occur over the course of the novel, but if you stick with the book, coming in at around 688 pages, you will not be disappointed.
Moving forward a few years, the next recommendation is Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad. Published in 1899, the novella follows the sailor Marlow as he recounts his tail of travelling through Africa (the location is not mentioned but it is likely the Congo river). The novel is a critique and reflection on European colonialism, discussing the concept of what it means to be civilised. I discovered this novel through the podcast The Rest is History. I recommend listening to episode 541 to get the true historical background to this novel. Coming in at only 72 pages, this is a good option for anyone who has ‘big book fear’.
The final recommendation is The Age of Innocence, by Edith Wharton, published in 1920. This novel continues the discussion of what constitutes a civilised society, with the relationship between old and new money taking centre stage. Set in New York of the 1870s, it follows various characters in ‘high society’ as they react to the (re)appearance of Countess Ellen Olenska, who (scandalously for the time) divorced her husband. The novel is a fascinating insight into New York of that time and the tension between love, money and reputation.
Depending on your preferred historical era, you can take your pick from these three books and Start 2026 with a real page-turner.
Photo by Prateek Katyal on Unsplash