Summer has almost come to a close, but there’s still time to squeak in a few more books in the sunshine! I thought it would be fun to recommend five classics each month that remind me of that particular time of the year. I’m someone who tends to strongly associate books with when I read them or the mood I was in when I read them, so some books stick out really distinctly in my mind when I look at the calendar. To me, August has always been a month of prepping for transition (probably because the start of a new school year is just around the corner). I usually feel a strange mix of nostalgia, excitement, nervousness, and restlessness in August, which is reflected in the books I associate with this time of the year. Here are five classics I recommend for the month of August:
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
Jane goes through many transitions in this novel, from child to governess to wanderer to wife. The famous quote “I am no bird; and no net ensnares me: I am a free human being with an independent will” is the essence of how August feels to me. There’s a sense of restlessness in the air, of not wanting to be held back by anything as you embark on something new.
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
I view this novel as a tug of war between the past and the future. So many characters are haunted by their pasts while also trying to ensure their relevancy and grandeur in the future. The last line of this novel captures this August feeling so eloquently: “So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.”
Between the Acts by Virginia Woolf
As the title would suggest, Virginia Woolf’s novel Between the Acts is all about transitions and change, both in drama and in reality. It asks an age old, ever present question: “Do you think people change? I meant ourselves — do we change?” I feel like many of Woolf’s novels would be suitable August reads as well. Woolf in general is just a nostalgic, pensive thinker!
Light in August by William Faulkner
I couldn’t make a list of classics without including some Faulkner, now could I? And this novel is perfect for August in more ways than just the title. Light in August wrestles with countless gray areas, from race and morality to pregnancy, motherhood, and language. What more could you want for a contemplative August?
The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway
If you’ve been around this blog a while, then you may know about my up and down feelings about Hemingway. I’m not in love with his writing style, but he does have some interesting metaphors going on here (albeit obvious ones). Plenty of nostalgia to go around with this novel!
I hope you’ve enjoyed this little classics guide for the month of August! This post was a blast to write, so I’ll definitely be doing more of these in the future.
With books do you associate with the month of August? What do you think of the books I’ve mentioned? Which books would you add? Let me know in the comments section below!
Yours,
HOLLY
I’ve been meaning to pick up any Hemingway book for a while now… I’ve heard discouraging things about The Old Man and the Sea, so decided to pick up A Moving Feast, have you read it? I love Virginia Woolf, but haven’t read Between the Acts yet! I’ll check it out!
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I totally agree with you on the great gatsby!!! The past plays a very important role in understanding Gatsby and all characters really. I really loved this book!
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The Great Gatsby is such a good one! Glad you agree 🙂
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I’m one of those people who doesn’t like the great Gatsby at all *runs away and hides* 😂😂😂 I am all about Jane Eyre though..last I associate it with winter lol! Fascinating how we all can have such different feelings about books isn’t it. Great post Holly! :)))
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Haha that’s so funny that we associate it with opposite seasons! Thanks so much!! 🙂
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Jane Eyre is my favourite classic novel! You’re making me want to reread it. 🙂
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Such a good book! I really need to reread it soon as well 🙂
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Out of these I’ve only read Jane Eyre which is probably one of my all time favourite classics!
I definitely need to get to the ones on the list though!
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Jane Eyre is so good!! Hope you enjoy the others whenever you read them 🙂
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The Sun Also Rises has been on my TBR forever! I did not get on with Jane Eyre when I read it. Jane herself ended up annoying me so much!
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The Sun Also Rises was one that I liked better the second time around–not a huge fan of Hemingway, but the story is an interesting one!
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This is such a great post! The only one on this list I’ve read is Jane Eyre, and I absolutely love it. It’s so hard for me to choose a favorite classic, but it’s definitely near the top of my list! I’ll have to get to the other soon, especially The Great Gatsby because I think it’s a crime I haven’t already read it.🙈
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Thanks so much, Olivia! Ooh yes The Great Gatsby is a must! Hope you enjoy it 🙂
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After years of indecision, I donated my Hemingway books. He’s interesting, sure, but…I don’t know. There’s also something about his writing I can’t stand!
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Yeah it’s taking me a while to warm up to him. Not sure if it’s something I would necessarily reread!
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That’s good to know about Jane Eyre! I’ve been working my way through Austen throughout 2019, and my goal for 2020 is to tackle the Bronte sisters, and Jane Eyre is probably the first I’ll start with!
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Oooh so fun!! Yeah Jane Eyre is really lovely ❤ Hope you enjoy it!
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excellent list! Gatsby feels perfect for August!
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Thank you!!! xx
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I’m just jealous you can keep a succulent alive.
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Hahaha “alive” is a strong word 🙂
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My friend recommended mixing the dirt with sand, but I live in a city and I’m not paying for sand.
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Hahaha TRUEEE
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🙂
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