A Victorian Themed Summer Reading List for Young Ladies

a Victorian themed summer reading list for young ladies

Here are 16 delightful books, a reading list designed for a young lady, centered around the theme of the Victorian and Edwardian time periods.  When I homeschooled my daughter in seventh grade, these were the favorites from her booklist.  Together, we enjoyed delving deeply into themes- and for a while, we were immersed all things Victorian.  I have great memories of that year, so I'm sharing this list in the hopes that some more young ladies (and their moms) might enjoy these books over the summer.

*This list includes Amazon affiliate links (for full disclosure, click here)

“It's not vanity to know your own good points. It would just be stupidity if you didn't; It's only vanity when you get puffed up about them.”

― L.M. Montgomery, The Story Girl

“I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship.”

― Louisa May Alcott, Little Women

tea cup

“It's been my experience that you can nearly always enjoy things if you make up your mind firmly that you will.”

― L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.”

― Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice

victorian lace

"How to describe the exhilaration of being caught up in an unknown but glamorous world of balls and gowns and rides in open carriages with handsome young men? How to explain that the best part of Jane Austen's world is that sudden recognition that the characters are just like you?”

― Margaret C. Sullivan, The Jane Austen Handbook: A Sensible Yet Elegant Guide to Her World

victorian house

“I know that she deserves the best and purest love the heart of man can offer," said Mrs. Maylie; "I know that the devotion and affection of her nature require no ordinary return, but one that shall be deep and lasting.”

― Charles Dickens, Oliver Twist

tea and scones

Movies/shows to complement this curriculum- Little Women, America's Castles, Mrs. Brown, Victoria and Albert, Becoming Jane, Pride and Prejudice, and Edwardian House.  All best enjoyed with tea and scones. 

I have a Future and a Hope