Great Expectations / Hard Times / A Christmas Carol / A Tale of Two Cities

Kind of long exposition... but stick with it. Read the first two-thirds slowly. Savor Dickens's writing. Be patient. Then keep enjoying, only more so.

If you haven't read this book since high school, as was my case, give it a re-read. I remember liking the book the first time around, but really because it was a nice story and that's about it. As an adult, I have a much better appreciation of the history, politics, and social themes of the novel. So glad I revisited this one!