Hello! I have never studied english as an academic subject but I'm an avid reader and have read most of the works you have mentioned.

The importance of being Earnest is full of Wilde's signature wit and as such is an absolute joy to read (and watch I'm sure but I've never seen an adaptation personally).

I have not actually read Oedipus Rex but am fairly familiar with the greek myth of Oedipus. You will definitely need a commentary to go along with it since the myth itself is not only linked with other myths, there is also the tendency of greek classics to make refrences to popular events/people/gossip of the time which make no sense if you don't have context.

Not the biggest fan of Charles Dickens (I know, unpopular opinion). I much rather prefer books by say Wilkie Collins who was a sort of mentor for Dickens but somehow Collins' books seem almost contemporary in their pacing and flow which make for lovely reads. Anyway back to a tale of two cities. I have read it; good plot, great character, horrible pacing (it gets slow very quickly), and you will need a very thorough understanding of the historical background since the setting is very important in it.

JANE AUSTEN IS MY FAVOURITE AUTHOR OF ALL TIME. Sorry I got excited. I love Austen. Clearly. Highly recommend any of her works. Pride and prejudice is definitely the most famous and full of dry humour and hidden jabs at the societal expectations at the time. And at times when reading you can't help but draw parallels between Pakistani society today and England in the 18th century-its absolutely uncanny but it makes the book ten times more relatable and hilarious. Austen's other works are also brilliant. Northanger abbey is the lightest of the bunch. Lady Susan is the only one that actually made me sit up and laugh out loud. Mansfield Park is a tad bit dry but interesting and with more mature themes. Sense and sensibilities is a lovely read especially if you have a sister. Emma is funny and full of some insanely hilarious circumstances (it reminded me of Shakespeare's midsummer night's dream at times with all the lover mix ups!) Persuasion is a personal favourite but I've been told that people can find it dry and a little slow.

Read Gulliver's Travels!! I read the unabriged version in my late teens and remember it making for a good read.

I shall give a few classics recommendations below and some of them are set in America/are by American writers so maybe that can help you with American literature;

Anne of green gables by L. M. Montgomery. I recommend this book to everyone. It changes your perspective on life and how you can chose to smile in the face of the worst circumstances one can imagine. Anne is one of my absolute favourite literary characters. The book is set in Canada by the way.

The age of innocence by Edith Wharton. This one is firmly american literature. Wharton is one of my favourite american writers. She writes with such "sensitivity". Her books are very engaging to read and despite the worst motivations of a character Wharton can make you understand their side of the story as well as you understand the protagonist's.

No name by Wilkie Collins. Some of the best female characters I have ever read about from Victorian literature. My top rated read from last year. Highly recommend it.

1984 by George Orwell. This book will change your worldview and shake you to your core about what you think is politically and economically happening in this world and plants a deeprooted distrust of the media. If you don't want that-uhmm avoid it.

Some other american lit recommendations; East of eden by John Stienbeck, To kill a mockingbird, Adventures of tom sawyer or huckleberry finn by mark twain, the yellow wallpaper (its a short story and very very interesting to read how female mental disorders were once treated)

I can go on and on here so I'll just stop. I hope admist my ramblings above you found something useful.