I’ve read literally thousands of books in my life, because reading is my favorite thing to do.
One thing that’s annoyed me over the years is when people say their favorite book is a classic. I don’t just hear this every once in a while but all the time.
It’s always a let-down, because everyone usually names the same titles—The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Dostoevsky’s name gets thrown around a lot, too.
Basically, it’s all the books we were assigned in school—titles everyone can recognize. Books that have been vetted a billion times over by academia, culture, and time itself.
For the longest time, I couldn’t pinpoint why I found this so annoying. Was it because everyone was far more intellectual than me? Did they experience something I didn’t when reading those books? Or were they saying it just to impress?
Here’s what I’ve realized after years of musing over this topic.
The “Favorite Book” Question Isn’t as Simple as It Sounds
I struggle with the “favorite book” question, too. After all, how can I pick just one?
It sounds straightforward, but it’s really not. I think people interpret this question in different ways. Some may hear it as:
- “What book do you enjoy the most?”
- “What book had the biggest impact on your life?”
- “What’s the most meaningful book you’ve ever read?”
Depending on how the “favorite book” question is interpreted, you could get a variety of answers that don’t exactly align with the type of answers you’re looking for.
So I guess when someone names a classic, they may not be saying, “This is the book I enjoy the most.” They could be saying, “This is the book that changed me.”
You Only Know As Much As You’ve Read
This may be the simplest explanation as to why everyone names a classic as their favorite book. People who read books only while in school generally have limited experience when it comes to reading. They haven’t read enough as those who do it for leisure.
Most people haven’t read thousands of books like me—I know that, so I can’t be too hard on them.
They’ve read what was assigned in school, and maybe a few popular titles here and there while traveling, recovering from surgery, etc. If that’s what their reading pool looks like, classics will undoubtedly make up a large percentage of their experience.
Saying this out loud isn’t pretentious as it may seem—it’s just math. So of course people with a limited reading list will cite classics as their favorites.
Why Classics Are the Go-To Answer
Classics are widely recognized across all cultures and generations. Some people will name a classic just for the sake of connecting with others—especially in social settings.
Think about it: if your favorite book is obscure, the conversation may stop there—especially if the person hasn’t read it or heard of it, or isn’t too interested in reading in the first place.
But if you name a classic, it’s like instant bonding. Even people who haven’t read classics will usually know about it.
People Feel Pressured to Give the “Right” Answer
I can relate to this, when asked what my favorite book is. I actually don’t have one favorite—I have lots of favorites.
Lots of readers—especially casual ones—think their favorite book should say something about them. They want their favorites to make them seem more intelligent, thoughtful, or well-read.
Also, naming off a widely respected title often feels safer than naming something niche, obscure, or new. That’s because there’s no argument—especially if the favorite in question is a classic.
Some people go this route when asked about their favorite if it makes them feel safe. That’s easy to understand.
Sometimes, the First Book That Matters Stays With You
Many people say their favorite book is the first one that really affected them in a major way, and it stuck with them as a result.
Their favorites may have been the first book that:
- Made them feel different
- Made them think differently
- Taught them something unique
- Introduced them to their lifelong hobby or vocation
Many times, that book is a classic because they were introduced to them early on at a young age.
When you’re young, that emotional imprint can be extremely powerful. It really does stick with you. Some of my own “classics” that come to mind are Charlotte Sometimes by Penelope Farmer and Behind the Attic Wall by Sylvia Cassedy. (Those probably aren’t regarded as traditional classics by most people, but that’s why we’re here, right?)
Here’s What Changes When You’ve Read Thousands of Books
When you’ve read lots of books, your definition of “favorite” changes over the years.
You also notice other things, such as, the best books you ever read will never become “classics” in the widely regarded sense. Also, books that are more obscure or lesser-known tend to resonate more deeply than the ones everyone else talks about.
Also, most importantly, it gets harder to name just one favorite (if you were ever able to do that in the first place). It might even get to the point where your favorite becomes incredibly hard to explain to others.
What’s a Better Question to Ask?
Knowing (from experience) that most people will say their favorite book is a classic, I think us seasoned readers should stop asking that question.
Our conversations may be more fulfilling if we ask different, more specific questions, like:
- What book has stayed with you the longest?
- What book have you reread the most?
- What book surprised you by becoming a favorite?
- What book scared the crap out of you?
Answers to questions like these are probably far more revealing and rewarding.
Final Thoughts
Liking classics isn’t necessarily a bad thing. But as someone who has asked this question a countless number of times, liking classics is predictable and cliché. I’m sorry to have to say that, but it’s true.
If your favorite book is a classic, I’d genuinely love to know why! And if it isn’t, why is it your favorite? Comments are welcome.
Last Updated on May 4, 2026 by Sarah Ann
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