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I’ve read a fair share of classic books over the years, but honestly, I feel like there’s so much more to explore.

So, I came up with the 2025 Classic Books Challenge to apush myself – and hopefully you, too!

The structure for this challenge came from the Tea and Ink Book Society’s Classic Book Challenge, and I thought it’d be fun to do my own take on it.

In this post, you’ll find two prompts for each month of the year, along with my top pick for a classic book that fits.

You can totally join me and read the book I’ve recommended (if you haven’t already), or just take the prompt and find a book that works for you.

I hope you have lots of fun working your way through the prompts!

January

1. A Classic That Inspired a Pop Culture Phenomenon

Book Rec: Dracula by Bram Stoker

This book is the blueprint for all things vampire. It’s creepy, atmospheric, and surprisingly emotional in places.

If you’ve ever watched or read Twilight, The Vampire Diaries, or anything vampire-related, you’ve got this gothic classic to thank.

The tension between good and evil in this story never gets old, and Stoker’s Count Dracula is a villain that still sends shivers down my spine.

2. A Classic Written by an Underappreciated Author

Book Rec: Passing by Nella Larsen

This book doesn’t get the hype it deserves. Larsen explores identity, race, and societal norms through the lives of two women in 1920s Harlem.

Her writing is nuanced and sharp, and her exploration of complex emotions hits home.

I honestly felt like Larsen’s voice deserved so much more recognition for how ahead of her time she was.

February

3. A Classic That Predicted the Future

Book Rec: 1984 by George Orwel

You’ve probably heard of this one, but I promise it’s worth the read.

Orwell’s vision of surveillance, propaganda, and control feels eerily familiar in today’s digital age.

Every time I think about how much our phones know about us, I’m reminded of Big Brother.

4. A Classic Inspired by True Events

Book Rec: In Cold Blood by Truman Capote

Though more of a true-crime classic than traditional fiction, Capote’s account of a brutal Kansas murder is a haunting masterpiece.

He captures the humanity and horror of the event so vividly.

You’ll feel like you’re watching the birth of modern true crime unfold on the page.

March

5. A Classic in Epistolary Form

Book Rec: The Color Purple by Alice Walker

This book is raw, emotional, and unforgettable.

Told through letters, it follows Celie’s journey from pain to self-discovery.

I cried, I smiled, and I felt every word Walker wrote. It’s a classic for a reason and will stay with you long after you turn the last page.

6. A Classic Set in a World Completely Different from Yours

Book Rec: The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin

Imagine a world where gender as we know it doesn’t exist.

Le Guin takes you to the icy planet of Gethen, where she explores everything from identity to politics, and even human connection.

It’s science fiction, but the human emotions are so relatable.

April

7. A Classic That Sparked Controversy

Book Rec: Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov

This book is unsettling but brilliantly written.

Nabokov’s prose is mesmerizing, even as the subject matter makes you deeply uncomfortable.

It’s one of those classics that makes you question your boundaries as a reader, and that’s exactly why it sparked so much debate.

8. A Forgotten Classic

Book Rec: Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton

This is one of those stories that quietly breaks your heart.

It’s about love, sacrifice, and how life doesn’t always turn out the way you hope.

Wharton’s writing is so simple yet so piercing – it’s a forgotten gem that deserves more love.

May

9. A Classic That Blends Genres

Book Rec: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

This is gothic horror, science fiction, and a bit of philosophy all rolled into one.

Shelley’s story of creation and destruction is both chilling and deeply thought-provoking.

Every time I read it, I’m amazed by how she nailed so many layers in one book.

10. A Classic with a Strong Sense of Place

Book Rec: Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë

You can practically feel the wind whipping across the moors as you read this.

The setting is a character all on its own – wild, brooding, and untamed.

This book is passion and revenge rolled into a stormy masterpiece.

June

11. A Classic That Starts with a Journey

Book Rec: The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

Bilbo Baggins starts off as the most reluctant adventurer, and honestly, I can relate to not wanting to leave the comfort of home.

But the journey he goes on? Pure magic. It’s filled with dragons, treasure, and courage he didn’t even know he had.

This book always reminds me that stepping out of your comfort zone can lead to extraordinary things.

12. A Classic That Features an Unreliable Narrator

Book Rec: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Nick Carraway seems like a trustworthy observer, but the more you read, the more you wonder if his perspective is as clear as he claims.

The glamour and heartbreak of Gatsby’s world are filtered through Nick’s eyes, and you’ll be left questioning what’s real and what’s just his interpretation.

July

13. A Classic That Changed How You See the World

Book Rec: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

This book made me see how deeply ingrained prejudice and injustice can be, but also how powerful compassion and courage are.

Atticus Finch’s quiet strength and Scout’s innocent perspective stay with you, urging you to look at the world differently.

14. A Classic That Explores the Concept of Time

Book Rec: Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut

Time isn’t linear in this story, and Billy Pilgrim’s journey through it is as chaotic as it is profound.

The way Vonnegut weaves together war, humanity, and time-travel is brilliant.

It’s one of those books that makes you sit back and think about how you experience life itself.

August

15. A Classic with a Non-Human Protagonist

Book Rec: Watership Down by Richard Adams

Yes, it’s about rabbits, but don’t let that fool you. This story is as epic and emotional as any human drama.

These rabbits fight for survival, freedom, and their place in the world.

I never thought I’d get so attached to a group of bunnies, but here we are.

16. A Classic Written as Satire

Book Rec: Animal Farm by George Orwell

This story about farm animals rebelling against their human owners is biting satire at its best.

It’s short but incredibly powerful, showing how power corrupts and revolutions can betray their ideals.

September

17. A Classic That Revolves Around a Family

Book Rec: Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

The March sisters are so vivid and relatable that they feel like family.

This book beautifully captures the ups and downs of family life, love, and personal growth.

Every time I read it, I find something new to appreciate about their bond and struggles.

18. A Classic That Was Written in Prison

Book Rec: The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

This is the ultimate revenge tale, and the fact that Dumas wrote part of it while in prison adds an extra layer of intrigue.

Edmond Dantès’ transformation from a wronged man to a mastermind of vengeance is thrilling, and the twists and turns will keep you hooked.

October

19. A Classic with a Ghostly Element

Book Rec: The Turn of the Screw by Henry James

This book plays mind games with you. Are the ghosts real, or is the governess losing her mind?

The ambiguity makes it even creepier. I found myself rereading parts just to catch all the little hints James drops throughout.

20. A Classic with a Title That Intrigues You

Book Rec: One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez

The title alone feels like poetry, and the story delivers.

It’s a multigenerational tale filled with love, magic, and heartbreak, set in the mythical town of Macondo.

And, it’s one of those books that wraps you up in its world and doesn’t let go.

November

21. A Classic with a Character Who Creates Something Iconic

Book Rec: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Victor Frankenstein creates the iconic monster, but the story is so much more than just a spooky tale.

It’s about ambition, responsibility, and how creation can spiral out of control.

I still find myself thinking about the humanity in the creature and how misunderstood he is.

22. A Classic That Was Originally Published in Serial Form

Book Rec: Great Expectations by Charles Dickens

This one’s perfect if you love stories full of twists and turns.

Pip’s journey from a humble boy to a young man chasing dreams of being a gentleman is rich with drama, unforgettable characters, and lessons about life.

Reading it now, I can imagine the excitement of waiting for the next installment – kind of like binge-worthy TV before it existed.