Diving into a book can be fun and exciting, but as our “Fall in Love with Reading” post notes, it can also quickly become a chore.
If you’ve ever found it challenging to read, especially a classic novel that reminds you of endless homework and book reports, audiobooks can take your reading game to the next level. They allow you to listen to a book instead of looking at the text, but it still counts as reading! Listening to a verbal retelling of a story can engage you in a new way, whether for leisure or school. It’s a great way to consume classic novels, which may be a tricky genre of books to get into. Here’s why audiobooks can help with reading and some must-listen classic audiobooks:
Why audiobooks?
Audiobooks offer a new way to engage with reading material, allowing you to effectively process the material, stay hooked, and get your imagination working. A study from the National Literacy Trust in the UK found that three in five children and young people say listening to an audiobook helps them understand a subject. It can also help build reading comprehension, pronunciation and fluency, and critical listening.
They’re also easily accessible on your devices. Since classics are often a challenge for young readers due to the language, the audio format can make the experience more enjoyable and captivating. You can find classic audiobooks on Everand, which offers titles like Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell or Great Expectations by Charles Dickens. You can browse through the classics or find other audiobook genres that pique your interest, further igniting a love for reading classics and beyond. Other platforms like LibriVox provide public-domain audiobooks for free, so you’re bound to find classics to listen to without paying a cent.
Here are some classic audiobooks you can start with:
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
This beloved classic by Louisa May Alcott chronicles the lives of the four March sisters—Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy—as they transition from childhood to womanhood, set in the backdrop of the American Civil War. The story follows the sisters as they navigate the love, grief, and challenges of adulthood, and the writing masterfully captures the essence of sisterhood, family, and personal growth—which still resonates today. Each of them aims to find greatness and fulfillment in their own ways, which often clash with each other’s dreams. But through it all, they remain fiercely loyal and supportive, with their unwavering bond remaining a constant throughout the story. Listening to their lives unfold through the audiobook can take you on an emotional journey filled with joy, heartbreak, and love.
Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
Though it’s not technically a novel, William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is undoubtedly a classic. The star-crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet, meet and fall in love, though the feud between their houses keeps them from being together freely. Despite this, they do what they can to be with each other, looking to marry secretly, but a series of misunderstandings and hasty actions ultimately lead to their demise. It’s a tragedy but also a passionate and heartfelt tale of young love and the cost of violence and hate. Shakespeare’s works are notoriously challenging to read due to the language, but the audiobook can provide a dramatized reading that can help you better comprehend the story through verbal cues and inflections that also make the story more immersive and emotional. Another reason to read this classic is to understand and appreciate the source material of all the various Shakespeare interpretations, from films like Romeo + Juliet to the West Side Story musical.
Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
Anne of Green Gables is a must-listen coming-of-age story that’s set to resonate with any young person finding their way in the world. The story follows orphan Anne Shirley, who’s mistakenly sent to live with the Cuthbert siblings instead of a boy to help out on the farm. Despite this, the Cuthberts grow to love her vibrant spirit and unique personality and keep her, and her life in the fictional town of Avonlea begins. She tries adjusting to her school life, makes friends, finds rivals, and navigates the expectations of her new home. Her story is filled with moments of both joy and grief, but her colorful imagination, strong sense of friendship, and love of nature help her move through life with resilience and positivity.
Animal Farm by George Orwell
This satirical allegory by George Orwell finds its basis in Eastern European history, turning historical figures and events into a fable featuring all kinds of farm animals living in Manor Farm. The animals band together to revolt against their oppressive farmer, Mr. Jones, which allows them to establish Animal Farm, which advocates for freedom and equality. However, once a pig named Napoleon gains complete control of the farm through manipulation, the farm’s ideals gradually degrade. The pigs become wealthier under this totalitarian state while the other manimals face hardships. It’s a chilling cautionary tale of the corruption of revolutionary ideals and the importance of critical thinking. The audiobook can provide an easy-to-understand gateway to political and social commentary without the intimidating terminology and language, making for an engaging and educational listen, especially with its relevance today.
