The sun is shining; the rain is freshening the air and springtime is now upon us. After battling finals and coming back from a restful break, what’s better than keeping that energy going and spending your free time sitting in the sun with a good, classic piece of literature?

Reading can be a daunting task, especially reading any “classic” novel with difficult readability, but it doesn’t have to be. With a good collection of classic books, you can instead see modern language with a range of genres and perspectives that differ from Shakespearean riddles and medieval drama.

“The Marrow Thieves” by Cherie Dimaline

“The Marrow Thieves” by Cherie Dimaline was published in 2017 and labeled as a young adult dystopian novel. While the book is geared toward young adults, the message it gives can have an impact on anyone in any age range. In this book, the world is set in a dystopian universe where people have lost the ability to dream, leading to desperation and madness. Native Americans were the only ones who could dream, and they were hunted for their bone marrow.

The novel echoes Native American history and the past while looking forward and changing dark narratives that might have followed the community. It’s both tragic and heartwarming, revolving around community and culture with easy and smooth reliability. If you are a fan of well-loved dystopian books like “The Hunger Games,” “The Maze Runner,” etcetera, then “The Marrow Thieves” is the perfect addition to your bookshelf.

“The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Another beautifully unique and touching story is “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” by Taylor Jenkins Reid, published in 2017. This novel, set in the 1950s to 1980s, follows the glamour of the protagonist, Evelyn, as she lives her life as a popular actress and celebrity. This story is known for its LGBTQ+ narrative. Evelyn herself is hiding her bisexual identity as she goes through her seven marriages with men and relationships she had with women.

It is a compelling story that jumps from year-to-year, and the narrative seems to go by almost too quickly. In general, the readability is easy and accessible for a variety of audiences. If you are looking for more historical works of fiction with a queer perspective, Evelyn Hugo is a great character option.

“Fun Home” by Alison Bechdel

“Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic” by Alison Bechdel is a graphic novel that has made waves in the comic literature realm for its series and family-centered story. It is a graphic memoir of Bechdel’s relationship with her father in early childhood, and again after his sudden death. The novel explores grief, LGBTQ+ identity and coming-of-age themes. It also includes numerous references to classic literature.

If you need a faster read and are a fan of visual art, Bechdel’s memoir is the perfect addition to your schedule. But don’t be fooled, the story may be easy to follow, but analyzing the visual art alongside its written word may take longer than you think. It’s a great option that encourages diving headfirst into the graphic novel section of the library without a second thought.

“Howl’s Moving Castle” by Diana Wynne Jones

If you are a fan of the classic Studio Ghibli film “Howl’s Moving Castle” (2004), you may also know that it was originally a novel written by Diana Wynne Jones, published in 1986. Of all the books described, Jones’ novel has the most difficult syntax choices, requiring a bit more focus and concentration to get through than the others. But if you want to know more about the beautiful story, it is a perfect read.

Reading the original novel leaves you with more than the film, as there are two sequels to Howl’s written story, “Castle in the Air” (1990) and “Many Ways” (2008). The story is about the life of Howl, a wizard who is sought out in the hopes of breaking a spell cast on a young lady, Sophie, which makes her appear as an old woman. The story’s fantastic and magical elements transport readers into a mythical world with a longing for adventure.

“Lolly Willowes” by Sylvia Townsen Warner

Last but not least, a novel to look into for this spring is “Lolly Willowes” by Sylvia Townsend Warner. It is one of the older books published in this list in 1926, but its story is one for any modern reader. This novel is definitely heavier in its vocabulary and readability; its hidden message of a feminist and queer storyline is harder to decipher, but the story is unforgettable.

Following the character Laura Willowes, you watch her come into her own independent lifestyle, fighting against the social norms in the early 19th century to move away as a single woman to the countryside. But slowly over time, Laura became integrated into witchcraft and made a pact with the devil. It may be mysterious and difficult to understand, but once you understand the hidden feminist narrative, the novel leaves you with a newfound understanding of witchcraft.

So whether you haven’t read for a lack of time, energy or interest, classic novels range in genres and language that can appeal to anyone. And who doesn’t want to read in the sun in the green Oregon grass?