- Last updated on May 29, 2024
While we may be taught to never judge a book by its cover, these editions of timeless classics look just as beautiful as the stories inside of them are. From ornate covers decorated with intricate designs to bindings that beg to be shown off on your bookshelves, these books are absolutely display-worthy.
Whether you’re a collector seeking the perfect addition to your personal library or simply a lover of all things beautiful, check out these gorgeous editions of classic books.
1. Emma by Jane Austen
This edition of Emma by Jane Austen is one of my favorite books in my personal library because of both its beauty and how much I love the actual story.
This book and a few others mentioned in this post are part of the Puffin in Bloom collection, which was made in collaboration with Rifle Paper Co. I LOVE the graphics they created for these books and for this edition of Emma, specifically. The pink covers, the fruit and flowers, the binding, the metallic print- every detail is beautiful.
Plus, I love the size of the Puffin in Bloom books. They’re only about 5.5 inches wide and 7.5 inches tall, so they are easy to hold (if you plan on reading and not just displaying these beauties).
| Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Emma (Puffin in Bloom) |
$17.00
$14.43 |
Buy on Amazon |
Last update on 2024-07-06 at 07:24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
2. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Little Women is one of my favorite books of all time. I read it for the first time when I was 10 or 11, and I can’t even tell you how many times I have reread it since then. Since Greta Gerwig’s 2020 movie adaptation, it seems that the book has received more attention- and rightly so. Today there are a ton of different collectible editions of the book available, including this Puffin in Bloom edition and this beautiful gilded Wordsworth Luxe edition (including only Part I of the book), both of which can be found on Amazon.
| Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Little Women (Puffin in Bloom) | $17.00 $9.51 | Buy on Amazon |
|
Little Women (Wordsworth Luxe Collection) |
$19.99
$17.99 |
Buy on Amazon |
Last update on 2024-07-06 at 22:24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
3. Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery
This is another book that I loved growing up and reread about a million and a half times. My original copy of Anne of Green Gables is very well-loved (aka, looking a little bit rough) from many trips back and forth to school in my backpack.
This Puffin in Bloom edition of the classic on Amazon is beautiful, just like the rest of the collection. I also love this boxed set on Amazon that includes the entire Anne of Green Gables series.
Last update on 2024-07-06 at 22:24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
4. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Is there a more iconic couple in classic romance than Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett? I really don’t think so. This Puffin in Bloom edition of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen on Amazon (pictured above) is gorgeous and is currently on display on my own bookshelf. As a bonus, even the back cover is pretty!
| Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Pride and Prejudice (Puffin in Bloom) |
$17.00
$12.99 |
Buy on Amazon |
Last update on 2024-07-06 at 07:24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
5. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitgerald
I read The Great Gatsby for the first time about 5 or 6 years ago and really enjoyed it. I have been eyeing this absolutely gorgeous painted edition of the book on Amazon that really captures the glitz and glamour of Jay Gatsby’s mansion. It also includes decorative interior pages featuring quotes from the book.
| Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
The Great Gatsby (Pretty Books - Painted Editions) (Harper Muse Classics: Painted Editions) |
$34.99
$14.99 |
Buy on Amazon |
Last update on 2024-07-06 at 22:24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
6. Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
Here’s another Jane Austen classic! This navy and floral edition of Sense and Sensibility on Amazon (pictured above) is so beautiful. Just like the Emma and Pride and Prejudice editions also mentioned in this post, this book is part of the Puffin in Bloom collection. There’s something about the floral illustrations that I just love on this one.
| Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Sense and Sensibility (Puffin in Bloom) |
$17.00
$12.99 |
Buy on Amazon |
Last update on 2024-07-06 at 07:24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Look at this back cover- stunning!
7. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
Charlotte Brontë’s very first novel, Jane Eyre is regarded as one of the greatest classic romances of all time. This painted edition on Amazon is beautiful, and features gold foil pages, ribbon markers, and decorated quote pages throughout the book- I love the attention to detail.
| Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Jane Eyre (Painted Edition) (Harper Muse Classics: Painted Editions) | $34.99 $17.99 | Buy on Amazon |
Last update on 2024-07-06 at 22:24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
8. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
The Secret Garden is another classic that I read for the first time as a little kid, and I still have my original copy (although it’s looking a bit rough). I have been looking at this painted edition on Amazon, which is as much a work of art as it is a story to read.
| Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
The Secret Garden (Painted Editions) (Harper Muse Classics: Painted Editions) | $34.99 $22.09 | Buy on Amazon |
Last update on 2024-07-06 at 22:24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
BONUS! Boxed Sets of Some Favorites
If the Puffin in Bloom books are up your alley, check out some of their boxed sets. This set on Amazon includes Little Women, Heidi, A Little Princess, and Anne of Green Gables in a beautifully illustrated gift box.
This boxed set on Amazon is set to release in September 2024 and is now available for preorder. It includes the three Austen books featured in this post, Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, and Emma tucked into an illustrated box. I think either of these (or both together) would make a wonderful Christmas or birthday gift!
| Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
The Puffin in Bloom Collection |
$68.00
$35.49 |
Buy on Amazon |
|
The Jane Austen Gift Set: A Puffin in Bloom Collection |
$51.00 |
Buy on Amazon |
Last update on 2024-07-06 at 22:24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
What's your favorite classic book on this list?
Let me know down below. I don’t think I can pick just one!
If you’re looking for some other reading inspiration, check out my favorite books of 2023 or some fun reading challenge ideas.
Pin the image below to come back to this list later!
