David Copperfield is a marvellous showcase for Dickens' writing brilliance. In it, the title character David Copperfield relates the story of his life, growing up in a world that has kinder moments but which too often can be so cruel. As usual, Dickens has created a cast of interesting characters who at times add comic moments to the story and almost always present Copperfield with many a life lesson. In part autobiographical, this story has been described by Dickens himself as his "favourite son". A must read.

Orphaned early in life, Jane Eyre endures life with a cruel aunt, harsh boarding school and generous lashings of cruelty. From this grew Jane's strength of character and quest for freedom and equality. Jane eventually secures a job as a governess and falls in love with the owner of the manor, Edward Rochester. Despite her plainness, she captures his heart. But can they overcome differences in social status, age and experience? Will a secret he has come between them? Will she follow her convictions even if it meant losing her true love? Will love conquer all? Jane Eyre is a sensational love story Bronte style with truckloads of gutsy character building material to boot.

The lives of the poor and downtrodden during early 19th century France was, as this title suggests, miserable. This story by Victor Hugo centres on ex-convict Jean Valjean who is determined to escape his past and redeem himself. But a minor misdemeanour and a persistent policeman, Javert, puts Jean Valjean's efforts under constant threat. His freedom means that he is able to uphold his vow to look after, Cosette, the infant daughter of a prostitute. But what price freedom? Les Miserables brings us a story with history, love, moral arguments and much, much more. Powerful social commentary, moving and very touching.

Written in 1651 during the chaos of the English Civil War. Hobbes formulates the case for a powerful sovereign - or 'Leviathan' - to enforce peace and the law. The work was publicly burnt for sedition and blasphemy when it was first published. Hobbes' view that man's essential nature is competitive and selfish is as challenging today as it was when originally published, the work remains relevant to the modern world and stands as one of the most fascinating works of modern philosophy.

Published in 1719 and sometimes regarded as the first novel in English. A fictional autobiography of an English castaway who spends 28 years on a remote island, encountering savages, captives, and mutineers before being rescued. Novelist James Joyce said: "He is the true prototype of the British colonist... The whole Anglo-Saxon spirit is in Crusoe: the manly independence, the unconscious cruelty, the persistence, the slow yet efficient intelligence, the sexual apathy, the calculating taciturnity".