Recs if you like The Tale of Genji...

I've seen so many people say they don't read classics as they aren't diverse, and I wanted to give some suggestions that are.

This is a list of classics written by authors who are not Straight, Cis, White, and Men as the title suggests. I am also aiming to include a variety of cultures and regions in this list. If your looking for something more focused (e.g. diverse US classics) check out the lists I posted in the comments.

Suggestions are more than welcome!

As much medieval-era literature as I can possibly gather into one list! Largely focused on romances, lais, Arthuriana, &c.

Books for those who want to be well-read without the debt (created by someone with said debt)

Note: I will be deleting my PB account within the next two weeks, and I believe this list will be erased. Feel free to screenshot it if you see anything that interests you! ☺️ 3/17/2026

size matters for this list, all these classics are more than 400 pages long. they are THICK. suggestions welcome, i am a very generous interpreter of the term "classic" normally but i'm starting with the golden oldies

a list of classics with a focus on global and marginalised authors.

Inspired by some comments I saw regarding classics being too straight white male oriented. There are lots of classics that aren't, but unfortunately don't always get as much recognition. Hoping this list might help those interested expand their range of classics. Non-exhaustive and taking suggestions!

Famous epic poems from a range of different countries

A list of medieval classics for those who are new to the genre. This list isn’t fully finished; recommendations welcome!

titles named after the main character of the novel.

Japanese literary fiction by prestigious authors who have proved themselves through the Akutagawa and Naoki prizes. I've included significant historical fiction as well.

People who like to read long books rise up! These are classics that are longer than 500 Pages. Feel free to recommend more!

This is my Japanese literature list: Little Japan. Most of these books sit on my bookshelf in my little corner of the world. Enjoy!

Every book or author mentioned in Ruth Ozeki’s “A Tale for the Time Being” in one convenient place

A list to deepen one’s understanding of cross-literary conversation from a 21st century author.

I created this list in the spirit of one of the central themes of the novel, that being that literature is a conversation through space and time. Writing is a kind of time travel, if only just to the future, and reading is one to the past.

a collection of fiction and nonfiction texts on gender, race, culture, history, politics that feel like absolute must reads

The books mentioned or alluded to in The Astral Library by Kate Quinn. If it’s a series, book 1 is listed unless a specific book was mentioned. Where just the author was mentioned, I’ve made my best guess.

Listed books/authors are NOT endorsements. Some authors/series are problematic, but I have chosen not to censor this list with one exception that, if mentioned in the book, shall not be named in this list.

a list for autofiction and meta-fiction ☆ books where the main character is the narrator/author, or the main character is aware of such fact

warning: 4th walls will be broken

fiction and non-fiction literature books that help me feel cool and cultured 😎 as listed in the Hardcore Literature Book Club with Benjamin McEvoy, on Patreon

This is the compendium of books from the 2012 edition.