I love reading, and I especially love classic books. I’ve been adding a few good reads to my ever-growing list of classic books, and here’s a list that I think INFJs would love, too.
Also, classic books are a great way to escape from our busy lives and can even help us gain insight into our personality. Ready to go to the list? Let’s go!
9 Classic Books Every INFJ Should Read
But wait up. Before proceeding, let me share that if you want to read more (millions!) books for free, you can also start limitless reading with 30-day Kindle Unlimited Free Trial.
Now, here we go:
1. Les Misérables
By Victor Hugo
I tell you, I’m obsessed with this book! It’s so captivating… that even 12 years after reading it, Les Misérables still wins the top spot as my all-time favorite classic book. I’m sure many INFJs would love to add this to their collection, too!
Just like how INFJs love progression in story-telling, this novel exudes depth and complex character backgrounds — all leading into one concrete and amazingly well-put storyline.
Written by Victor Hugo, Les Miserables is about Jean Valjean and his struggle for redemption after being imprisoned for stealing bread. The story follows the lives of several characters who live in France during the early 19th century, including Fantine and Cosette.
Misery, redemption, mind-blowing character developments, hiding identity, and a journey of more than a decade… It’s a masterpiece.
2. Crime and Punishment
By Fyodor Dostoevsky
Would stealing be justifiable if it means you’ll feed your starving body? Is there really a justifiable crime? If you’re an INFJ, you’ll have trouble answering those questions after reading this book.
INFJs love putting themselves in others’ shoes. But what if it is in the shoes of a murderer? I can say it’s definitely challenging.
Written by Fyodor Dostoevsky, Crime and Punishment is a novel about a poor former law student who finds himself in a mental dilemma: is killing an elderly and stealing her money justifiable if it means him having a better opportunity in life?
Try reading this INFJ book recommendation if you’re curious about what happens next and his final decision.
3. The Perks of Being a Wallflower
By Stephen Chbosky
If you’re an INFJ, you probably relate to the character Charlie Kelmeckis in The Perks of Being a Wallflower. Like some INFJs, Charlie is timid and socially anxious, like a wallflower. But deep inside, he is a loving, caring, and empathetic person.
You will feel a strong connection with Charlie as he narrates the story. There were many similarities in how he related to other people’s emotions even when he wasn’t friends with them—just like other INFJs.
4. Harry Potter Series
By J.K. Rowling
Undoubtedly, one of the best book recommendations for INFJs is the Harry Potter series. Throughout the seven books, you will read all the adventures, failures, and successes of Harry Potter.
In the story, young Harry wasn’t aware that his biological parents were wizards who studied at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft. His destiny to be one of the best wizards wasn’t easy, as he had to overcome troubles in his love, family, and school life.
As imaginative people, INFJs love daydreaming and wondering about a world outside our reality. Reading Harry Potter quenches that thirst for imagination because of the wizard-y and enchanting setting the story revolves around.
5. Percy Jackson and the Olympians
By Rick Riordan
I still remember reading and waiting for every Rick Riordan book release when I was in high school. Good old times.
In the series, it tells the story of Percy, a half-blood child of a human named Sally, and the god of the sea, Poseidon. Being the son of a Greek god, Percy finds himself facing responsibilities in a camp where all the half-bloods train and learn.
Moreover, you will learn a bit of history in this story as almost all the characters involved are part of the ancient Greek religion. If you’ve ever heard of the gods Zeus and Hades, then it shouldn’t surprise you that they’re also part of the novel series.
Oh, and they’re Percy’s uncles too!
6. Sherlock Holmes
By Arthur Conan Doyle
The original Sherlock Holmes isn’t Robert Downey Jr., Henry Cavill, or Benedict Cumberbatch. The first-ever fictional detective came from Arthur Conan Doyle’s four-part novel series.
Sherlock Holmes is a perfect book for INFJs who love reading crime-drama stories. The story revolves around the life of Sherlock, a highly logical yet amusingly introverted detective who tells his tales of solving seemingly unsolvable cases.
You may be familiar with his sister, Enola Holmes, who now has her own film series on Netflix. After reading the original books, you may also want to check out the movies, too!
7. The Chronicles of Narnia
By C.S. Lewis
For Generation Z INFJs born in the 2000s, chances are you have watched at least one Chronicles of Narnia movie in your childhood. But before Walt Disney Pictures released the film, the author C.S. Lewis first published nine books, all part of the novel series.
The story revolves around four children who found a secret and magical wardrobe that connects their world to the fantasy world of Narnia. It became a worldwide film hit. Their adventure began when they met Aslan, the King of Narnia, who seeks to maintain peace throughout his Kingdom.
However, the antagonist, Jadis the White Witch would make the lives of Aslan and the four children difficult by tormenting their lives.
8. Shatter Me Series
By Tahereh Mafi
Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi is a dystopian novel about the life of Juliette Ferrars, a 17-year-old girl locked in an asylum because of her power to kill people. As she fears she will either destroy everyone or save humanity, she struggles to make crucial decisions throughout the story.
This story has a romantic twist as Juliette becomes torn between two men with polarizing intentions toward her. However, like a true INFJ, Juliette can’t seem to decide which one to choose between the two as she can’t hurt their feelings.
I found this book series surprisingly hard to get over as you’ll find yourself attached to Juliette and her lovers’ relationships. The combination of drama and adventure made it easy to empathize with the characters. And that’s a trait in books that INFJs love.
9. Left Behind Series
By Tim Lahaye and Jerry Jenkins
These books are close to my heart because ‘Armageddon,’ a book in the series, is the first novel my father gave to me. And you know what? It doesn’t disappoint!
This series is a classic in the Christian fiction genre, and it would be a great read for any INFJ interested in learning more about Christianity.
What happens to the world when the Rapture takes place and Christians suddenly disappear? What would the people who are “Left Behind” have to deal with in the end times?
It’s a battle between the unbelievers and late believers. Written from an evangelical Christian perspective, this novel will surely leave a mark.
Conclusion
INFJs love reading. It’s the one hobby we have that won’t need us to socialize with people. So, we must find a novel we’re genuinely interested in.
With all the mainstream romantic novels in bookstores and online sites, it gets somewhat hard to get a hand on classics such as those mentioned above. Hopefully, when you decide to get one, it will be one of the books we listed.
Because not only are they INFJ-approved, but they’re sure-fire books that will take you on an emotional rollercoaster ride.
You might also like:
- 9 Humorous Illustrated Books Introverts Will Relate To
- 11 Must-read Books for Introvert Leaders
- 7 Books To Improve Your Social Intelligence
