TikTok trends come and go faster than the wind. There’s a new dance, a new aesthetic, a new oat milk recipe the internet obsesses over almost daily — and they disappear just as quickly. The side of TikTok dedicated to bookworms, aka BookTok, is no different. It’s a constantly shifting feed of “must-reads” and micro-genres — from dark academia one week to fairy smut the next.
And while it’s fun to explore new genres and join heated debates in the comments about the latest morally grey love interest, the pressure to keep up can feel exhausting. When’s the last time you slowed down with a book that’s actually stood the test of time?
One trend with real substance, though? The rise of romantasy — the love child of romance and fantasy — which has seen explosive growth over the past few years, particularly among women in their 20s and 30s. It’s not just about dragons and brooding princes; romantasy delivers escapism, community, and empowerment. It’s even sparked a movement of women turning off Netflix, stopping their doomscrolling, and picking up old-fashioned paper-and-ink books again.
According to data from over 7,000 UK booksellers, romance sales rose from £62m to £69m last year, while fantasy jumped from £59m to £83m. Both genres have more than doubled since 2019 — proof that the girlies are reading again, and that’s a trend we can all get behind.
But here’s the thing: women have always driven literary trends. From Jane Austen’s loyal readership to the cultural mania around Gone with the Wind, our reading patterns might change, but our hunger to connect through stories is nothing new.
And after your fifth vampire romance with the same spicy plotline, it might be time to take a little breather. That’s where diving into a classic can feel like a much-needed literary detox — a moment to reset, reflect, and rediscover what made people fall in love with storytelling in the first place.
Classics ask a little more of us. They move slower. They stretch your attention span. But they reward you with big themes, unforgettable characters, and that small, satisfying sense of accomplishment when you finally close the back cover of one of the greats.
In your 20s and 30s — decades marked by transformation, heartbreak, ambition, and uncertainty — classics can help make sense of it all. Even if you don’t love every page, you’ll come away with more than you think.
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
A glittering portrait of ambition, illusion, and the American Dream set in the roaring 1920s. It’s a story of longing, loneliness, and chasing something — or someone — that was never really yours.
Good for: When you’re questioning whether the life you’re chasing is really your dream — or someone else’s illusion.
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
This lyrical, deeply moving novel follows Janie Crawford’s journey toward independence, love, and self-acceptance in early 20th-century Florida.
Good for: When you’re craving a story about finding your voice and taking back your power.
Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
A moody, gothic tale of obsession, grief, and wild, destructive love set on the haunting Yorkshire moors. It’s dramatic, unhinged, and utterly unforgettable.
Good for: When you’re in your romantic, stormy-feelings era — or need a reminder that not all love is healthy love.
A Room of One’s Own by Virginia Woolf
Part essay, part feminist manifesto, Woolf explores what it means for women to create, to write, and to carve out space in a world that wasn’t built for them.
Good for: Creative ambition, intellectual fire, and when you need a reminder that your ideas are worth the space they take up.
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Four sisters navigate life, love, and growing up during the Civil War, and each one offers something real, whether you’re a Jo, a Meg, an Amy, or a Beth.
Good for: Sisterhood, dreams, and soft strength.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
The original slow-burn romance, full of wit, social satire, and the timeless reminder that knowing your worth never goes out of style.
Good for: When you’re feeling romantic but refuse to lower your standards.
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
A sweeping tale of love, betrayal, society, and self-destruction set in 19th-century Russia. It’s messy, emotional, and deeply human.
Good for: Big emotions, beautiful writing, and when you want your heart broken just a little.
If you read just one classic a year, that’s ten stories that’ll stay with you long after the buzz has faded.
Diving into stories like these isn’t just about checking boxes on a literary to-do list. It’s about investing in yourself. There’s a quiet confidence that comes from knowing the greats, from engaging with complex ideas, and from becoming the kind of woman who always has something interesting to say.
