If you are unfamiliar with classical homeschooling terminology, you might have difficulty knowing which book lists will best suit your students. Classical homeschooling is centered around chronological history cycles, with most other subjects correlating with the student's history studies. Generally, in the classical model, history is divided into four eras: Ancient, Medieval, Early Modern, and Modern. Students are taught in three levels: Grammar (1st-4th grades), Dialectic (5th-8th grades), and Rhetoric (9th-12th grades). The rare student who goes all twelve years in sync would study each of the four eras of history three times. For instance, they would study ancient history in 1st, 5th, and 9th grades; medieval history in 2nd, 6th, and 10th grades; etc.
Despite being structured for classical homeschoolers, the book lists on this site can benefit all parents who wish for their children to either pursue a chronological, whole-book study of history and literature or simply wish to find grade appropriate books in subject areas that interest their student. The latter is a benefit that all families can enjoy, whether they homeschool or not.
Both homeschool parents and those whose children are enrolled in public or private schools often wish, as they learn about this model of education, that they had had the opportunity to learn this way. They look at the lists and realize how few of the many outstanding books they have read. To you I say that it is never too late! Peruse the rhetoric (high school)--or even the grammar and dialectic (elementary and middle school)--lists and begin your own journey learning unabridged. You will notice that most rhetoric books are geared towards adults because classically educated students who consistently read quality fiction and nonfiction from a young age are ready for them intellectually. I challenge you to make a short list of books--by authors you haven't read or on subjects you know nothing about--that you can reasonably finish in a year and dive in!