I second the recommendation for Jane Eyre, though I did think it had a happy ending. Then again, I'm used to death and destruction at the end of most of my fave books, so... ;)
For Dickens I'd suggest Bleak House. The title might sound, well, bleak, but it's actually a very uplifting story and SOOOOOO amazingly well-written. It does make you cry in spots, but in the good way. ;)
I had the same problem with my education, since I was homeschooled from age 13. I had to discover the classics on my own, too, and I'm really glad I did. You don't have to pick them apart or force yourself to read ones that you don't enjoy, you can just have fun with them. :)
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For Dickens I'd suggest Bleak House. The title might sound, well, bleak, but it's actually a very uplifting story and SOOOOOO amazingly well-written. It does make you cry in spots, but in the good way. ;)
I had the same problem with my education, since I was homeschooled from age 13. I had to discover the classics on my own, too, and I'm really glad I did. You don't have to pick them apart or force yourself to read ones that you don't enjoy, you can just have fun with them. :)