The Greatest Books of All Time
Click to learn how this list is calculated.
This list represents a comprehensive and trusted collection of the greatest books in literature. Developed through a specialized algorithm, it brings together 200 'best of' book lists to form a definitive guide to the world's most acclaimed literary works. For those interested in how these books are chosen, additional details about the selection process can be found on the rankings page .
List Calculation Details
If you're interested in downloading this list as a CSV file for use in a spreadsheet application, you can easily do so by clicking the button below. Please note that to ensure a manageable file size and faster download, the CSV will include details for only the first 500 books.
1. One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
This novel is a multi-generational saga that focuses on the Buendía family, who founded the fictional town of Macondo. It explores themes of love, loss, family, and the cyclical nature of history. The story is filled with magical realism, blending the supernatural with the ordinary, as it chronicles the family's experiences, including civil war, marriages, births, and deaths. The book is renowned for its narrative style and its exploration of solitude, fate, and the inevitability of repetition in history.
2. Ulysses by James Joyce
Set in Dublin, the novel follows a day in the life of Leopold Bloom, an advertising salesman, as he navigates the city. The narrative, heavily influenced by Homer's Odyssey, explores themes of identity, heroism, and the complexities of everyday life. It is renowned for its stream-of-consciousness style and complex structure, making it a challenging but rewarding read.
3. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Set in the summer of 1922, the novel follows the life of a young and mysterious millionaire, his extravagant lifestyle in Long Island, and his obsessive love for a beautiful former debutante. As the story unfolds, the millionaire's dark secrets and the corrupt reality of the American dream during the Jazz Age are revealed. The narrative is a critique of the hedonistic excess and moral decay of the era, ultimately leading to tragic consequences.
4. In Search of Lost Time by Marcel Proust
This renowned novel is a sweeping exploration of memory, love, art, and the passage of time, told through the narrator's recollections of his childhood and experiences into adulthood in the late 19th and early 20th century aristocratic France. The narrative is notable for its lengthy and intricate involuntary memory episodes, the most famous being the "madeleine episode". It explores the themes of time, space and memory, but also raises questions about the nature of art and literature, and the complex relationships between love, sexuality, and possession.
5. Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes
This classic novel follows the adventures of a man who, driven mad by reading too many chivalric romances, decides to become a knight-errant and roam the world righting wrongs under the name Don Quixote. Accompanied by his loyal squire, Sancho Panza, he battles windmills he believes to be giants and champions the virtuous lady Dulcinea, who is in reality a simple peasant girl. The book is a richly layered critique of the popular literature of Cervantes' time and a profound exploration of reality and illusion, madness and sanity.
6. The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger
The novel follows the story of a teenager named Holden Caulfield, who has just been expelled from his prep school. The narrative unfolds over the course of three days, during which Holden experiences various forms of alienation and his mental state continues to unravel. He criticizes the adult world as "phony" and struggles with his own transition into adulthood. The book is a profound exploration of teenage rebellion, alienation, and the loss of innocence.
7. Moby Dick by Herman Melville
The novel is a detailed narrative of a vengeful sea captain's obsessive quest to hunt down a giant white sperm whale that bit off his leg. The captain's relentless pursuit, despite the warnings and concerns of his crew, leads them on a dangerous journey across the seas. The story is a complex exploration of good and evil, obsession, and the nature of reality, filled with rich descriptions of whaling and the sea.
8. Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky
A young, impoverished former student in Saint Petersburg, Russia, formulates a plan to kill an unscrupulous pawnbroker to redistribute her wealth among the needy. However, after carrying out the act, he is consumed by guilt and paranoia, leading to a psychological battle within himself. As he grapples with his actions, he also navigates complex relationships with a variety of characters, including a virtuous prostitute, his sister, and a relentless detective. The narrative explores themes of morality, redemption, and the psychological impacts of crime.
9. Nineteen Eighty Four by George Orwell
Set in a dystopian future, the novel presents a society under the total control of a totalitarian regime, led by the omnipresent Big Brother. The protagonist, a low-ranking member of 'the Party', begins to question the regime and falls in love with a woman, an act of rebellion in a world where independent thought, dissent, and love are prohibited. The novel explores themes of surveillance, censorship, and the manipulation of truth.
10. War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy
Set in the backdrop of the Napoleonic era, the novel presents a panorama of Russian society and its descent into the chaos of war. It follows the interconnected lives of five aristocratic families, their struggles, romances, and personal journeys through the tumultuous period of history. The narrative explores themes of love, war, and the meaning of life, as it weaves together historical events with the personal stories of its characters.
11. Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
This classic novel is a tale of love, revenge and social class set in the Yorkshire moors. It revolves around the intense, complex relationship between Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff, an orphan adopted by Catherine's father. Despite their deep affection for each other, Catherine marries Edgar Linton, a wealthy neighbor, leading Heathcliff to seek revenge on the two families. The story unfolds over two generations, reflecting the consequences of their choices and the destructive power of obsessive love.
12. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
This novel follows the story of a young girl named Alice who falls down a rabbit hole into a fantastical world full of peculiar creatures and bizarre experiences. As she navigates through this strange land, she encounters a series of nonsensical events, including a tea party with a Mad Hatter, a pool of tears, and a trial over stolen tarts. The book is renowned for its playful use of language, logic, and its exploration of the boundaries of reality.
13. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Set in early 19th-century England, this classic novel revolves around the lives of the Bennet family, particularly the five unmarried daughters. The narrative explores themes of manners, upbringing, morality, education, and marriage within the society of the landed gentry. It follows the romantic entanglements of Elizabeth Bennet, the second eldest daughter, who is intelligent, lively, and quick-witted, and her tumultuous relationship with the proud, wealthy, and seemingly aloof Mr. Darcy. Their story unfolds as they navigate societal expectations, personal misunderstandings, and their own pride and prejudice.
14. The Bible by Christian Church
This religious text is a compilation of 66 books divided into the Old and New Testaments, forming the central narrative for Christianity. It encompasses a variety of genres, including historical accounts, poetry, prophecy, and teaching, telling the story of God's relationship with humanity, from creation to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the early Christian church. It is considered by believers to be divinely inspired and serves as a guide for faith and practice.
15. Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov
The novel tells the story of Humbert Humbert, a man with a disturbing obsession for young girls, or "nymphets" as he calls them. His obsession leads him to engage in a manipulative and destructive relationship with his 12-year-old stepdaughter, Lolita. The narrative is a controversial exploration of manipulation, obsession, and unreliable narration, as Humbert attempts to justify his actions and feelings throughout the story.
16. The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri
In this epic poem, the protagonist embarks on an extraordinary journey through Hell (Inferno), Purgatory (Purgatorio), and Paradise (Paradiso). Guided by the ancient Roman poet Virgil and his beloved Beatrice, he encounters various historical and mythological figures in each realm, witnessing the eternal consequences of earthly sins and virtues. The journey serves as an allegory for the soul's progression towards God, offering profound insights into the nature of good and evil, free will, and divine justice.
17. The Odyssey by Homer
This epic poem follows the Greek hero Odysseus on his journey home after the fall of Troy. It takes Odysseus ten years to reach Ithaca after the ten-year Trojan War. Along the way, he encounters many obstacles including mythical creatures, divine beings, and natural disasters. Meanwhile, back in Ithaca, his wife Penelope and son Telemachus fend off suitors vying for Penelope's hand in marriage, believing Odysseus to be dead. The story concludes with Odysseus's return, his slaughter of the suitors, and his reunion with his family.
18. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
The novel follows the journey of a young boy named Huckleberry Finn and a runaway slave named Jim as they travel down the Mississippi River on a raft. Set in the American South before the Civil War, the story explores themes of friendship, freedom, and the hypocrisy of society. Through various adventures and encounters with a host of colorful characters, Huck grapples with his personal values, often clashing with the societal norms of the time.
19. The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky
This classic novel explores the complex, passionate, and troubled relationship between four brothers and their father in 19th century Russia. The narrative delves into the themes of faith, doubt, morality, and redemption, as each brother grapples with personal dilemmas and family conflicts. The story culminates in a dramatic trial following a murder, which serves as a microcosm of the moral and philosophical struggles faced by each character, and by extension, humanity itself.
20. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Set in the racially charged South during the Depression, the novel follows a young girl and her older brother as they navigate their small town's societal norms and prejudices. Their father, a lawyer, is appointed to defend a black man falsely accused of raping a white woman, forcing the children to confront the harsh realities of racism and injustice. The story explores themes of morality, innocence, and the loss of innocence through the eyes of the young protagonists.
21. Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad
This classic novel follows the journey of a seaman who travels up the Congo River into the African interior to meet a mysterious ivory trader. Throughout his journey, he encounters the harsh realities of imperialism, the brutal treatment of native Africans, and the depths of human cruelty and madness. The protagonist's journey into the 'heart of darkness' serves as both a physical exploration of the African continent and a metaphorical exploration into the depths of human nature.
22. Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
Set in 19th-century Russia, this novel revolves around the life of Anna Karenina, a high-society woman who, dissatisfied with her loveless marriage, embarks on a passionate affair with a charming officer named Count Vronsky. This scandalous affair leads to her social downfall, while parallel to this, the novel also explores the rural life and struggles of Levin, a landowner who seeks the meaning of life and true happiness. The book explores themes such as love, marriage, fidelity, societal norms, and the human quest for happiness.
23. Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert
Madame Bovary is a tragic novel about a young woman, Emma Bovary, who is married to a dull, but kind-hearted doctor. Dissatisfied with her life, she embarks on a series of extramarital affairs and indulges in a luxurious lifestyle in an attempt to escape the banalities and emptiness of provincial life. Her desire for passion and excitement leads her down a path of financial ruin and despair, ultimately resulting in a tragic end.
24. The Iliad by Homer
This epic poem focuses on the final weeks of the Trojan War, a conflict between the city of Troy and the Greek city-states. The story explores themes of war, honor, wrath, and divine intervention, with a particular focus on the Greek hero Achilles, whose anger and refusal to fight have devastating consequences. The narrative also delves into the lives of the gods, their relationships with humans, and their influence on the course of events.
25. Catch-22 by Joseph Heller
The book is a satirical critique of military bureaucracy and the illogical nature of war, set during World War II. The story follows a U.S. Army Air Forces B-25 bombardier stationed in Italy, who is trying to maintain his sanity while fulfilling his service requirements so that he can go home. The novel explores the absurdity of war and military life through the experiences of the protagonist, who discovers that a bureaucratic rule, the "Catch-22", makes it impossible for him to escape his dangerous situation. The more he tries to avoid his military assignments, the deeper he gets sucked into the irrational world of military rule.
Create Custom User List
Filter by date range, filter by genre, filter by country, your favorite books, purchase this book.
The 20 Most Famous Books of All Time
Mikkaka Overstreet
Mikkaka Overstreet is from Louisville, Kentucky by way of Saginaw “Sagnasty”, Michigan. She has been an educator since 2006 and earned her PhD in Curriculum and Instruction in 2015. By day she is a mild-mannered literacy specialist. By night she sleeps. In between, she daydreams, writes fiction, and reads books. She currently lives in North Carolina with her husband and cats.
View All posts by Mikkaka Overstreet
The books on this list are widely-known. However, that does not mean that they are widely loved or are even necessarily good. I’ve intentionally left out the most problematic of these, as I don’t wish to give them or their authors any more attention (including the author of the wizard books). Still, there are a few WTF-worthy books included, so be forewarned.
Mostly, however, this list is full of titles many folks know about because of their cultural impact or their infamy beyond the bookish community. Some of them were forced upon us in school, others gained the spotlight thanks to Oprah or other celebrity buzz. Still, others are simply so controversial or surprising that people have been arguing about their merit or meaning for years.
Obviously, there are more noteworthy books than I have space for here, so don’t come for me if your faves (or your most hated) are absent from this list. Without further ado, here are more than 20 of the most famous books of all time. How many have you read?
The Most Famous Books of All Time
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
This tale of an Igbo warrior fighting to preserve his people’s culture in the face of British colonialism is a worldwide phenomenon and bestseller. As part of a trilogy, Achebe’s novel begins a story of three generations of a single Nigerian community. The novel helped earn Achebe the Nigerian National Merit Award and the Man Booker International Prize for lifetime achievement. Furthermore, having sold more than 20 million copies and been translated into 57 languages, it is one of the most illustrative tributes to the African experience in history.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
It is a truth universally acknowledged that nerds like me will start a description of Pride and Prejudice with that opening line. Of Austen’s small but mighty catalog, the story of the Bennet sisters and their mother’s tireless quest to marry them off has endured the test of time. Despite the differences in social norms, the novel’s themes are somehow universal. We obstinate, headstrong, foolish girls know all about dealing with men who think they’re smarter than us. Additionally, the book has spawned countless movie and TV adaptations , retellings , and reimaginings.
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
Hosseini’s first novel explores complex relationships, guilt, and forgiveness against the backdrop of the fall of Afghanistan’s monarchy. A book club darling, The Kite Runner remained on the New York Times bestseller list for more than two years. However, the book was often challenged due to its description of sexual assault. Additionally, many Afghan Americans and Afghan people around the world found the negative portrayal of their home country offensive.
War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy
Without googling it, tell me what War and Peace is about. I don’t know either, but I do know it’s super long and I actually own it. Apparently, it’s set during the Napoleonic Wars and is a mixture of fiction, history, and philosophy. It is considered by many to be the greatest work of Russian literature. Conversely, others have argued its merits and even its genre for well over a century. This reader will never know.
Lady Chatterley’s Lover by D.H. Lawrence
Now, let’s discuss something scandalous! (Please read that in Lady Whistledown’s voice.) D.H. Lawrence offended many a sensibility with this novel about a woman enjoying a sexual relationship. Lawrence went all in, describing the intimacy and using four-letter words that weren’t printed back then. Moreover, his heroine was slumming it with a man of a lower class. The censors absolutely lost their collective sh*t and Lawrence faced obscenity trials in the U.S., Britain, Japan, Australia, Canada, and India. Luckily, despite publishers being unwilling to touch it, private and pirated publications of the book circulated widely.
The Dream of the Red Chamber by Cao Xueqin
Among the oldest and longest novels in the world, The Dream of the Red Chamber has a fascinating history. Written in the mid-18th century by an author whose family served the Qing dynasty, it’s an inside look at Chinese society in the 1700s. It is considered one of the Four Masterworks, which are a collection of revered Chinese classics. However, due to Cao originally circulating handwritten copies, people published edited versions without his permission. Thus, these rogue versions offer commentary on the author and his perceptions and make the story even more fascinating historically.
Silent Spring by Rachel Carson
Next, let’s talk about a book that changed the world. Carson’s Silent Spring relates her years of environmental research. Its scathing indictment of chemical companies changed U.S. laws governing pesticides. Furthermore, it swayed public opinion and started a national conversation that led to the foundation of the Environmental Protection Agency. Unquestionably, it is one of the most important nonfiction books of the 20th century.
Life of Pi by Yann Martel
Although a book doesn’t have to be adapted into a movie to become famous, it sure doesn’t hurt. Both the 2001 book and Ang Lee’s 2012 film adaptation won multiple awards and wide critical acclaim. Importantly, this story makes readers question the nature of reality. How did a boy survive 227 days in a lifeboat? How much is allegory and how much is truth? Without a doubt, this novel will stay on your mind long after you finish reading it.
The Color Purple by Alice Walker
Like many Black folx of a certain age, I regularly watched the movie adaptation of The Color Purple growing up. (How is it that we all quote it and laugh when it is not at all comedic?) Thus, despite its difficult content, it holds a special place in my heart. When I finally read the award-winning novel, I was blown away. There’s a reason it won that Pulitzer and has been adapted for the stage and screen. BBC News included it in a list of the 100 most influential novels . A movie remake starring Fantasia as the main character, Celie, is set to release in 2023.
1984 by George Orwell
Like its popular predecessor Brave New World , 1984 is a dystopian classic that ranks highly among the most famous books of all time. Where Huxley’s masterpiece features a manufactured pseudo-utopia, Orwell’s tale presents a world where every aspect of life is minutely controlled. Many high school English syllabi require this one. Additionally, its cultural impact is massive. Notably, it introduced the concept of “big brother” into the popular lexicon.
Beloved by Toni Morrison
Famous and infamous, Morrison’s most acclaimed novel lives rent-free in most of our heads due to the notorious filicide at the story’s center. An unflinching meditation on the horrors of slavery and generational trauma, Beloved is a difficult but compelling read. Unsurprisingly, it has been adapted into a movie, earned a ton of awards including the Pulitzer Prize for fiction, and has been banned a lot.
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
I vacillated between this title and Hawkins’ The Girl on the Train , because of their similar notoriety and twisty narratives. Ultimately, I chose this because after I read it I was so deliciously disturbed that I made my husband read it immediately just to have someone to discuss it with. Gone Girl is a chilling look into the mind of a privileged white woman who feels like life has not given her all she deserves. With the captivating storytelling, unreliable narrator, and absolutely batsh*t twist, this book made plenty of waves. Plus, Rosamund Pike and Ben Affleck brought the main characters to life perfectly in the movie adaptation.
The Joy Luck Club By Amy Tan
Next, let’s talk about the powerful story of four Chinese immigrant mothers and their American-born daughters. This book of 16 interlocking stories has been adapted into a movie and has been a book club favorite. Unfortunately, some attribute its popularity to its perpetuation of Asian stereotypes, as well as its negative depictions of Asian cultures. Conversely, the well-developed female characters and the complex mother-daughter relationships continue to resonate with readers.
Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov
Controversy, thy name is Lolita . Middle-aged pervert and professor Humbert Humbert is sexually attracted to and obsessed with prepubescent girls. He waxes philosophical about it for long stretches of prose and historians and critics debate the meanings and metaphors and such. Unfortunately, I read it once and didn’t get any of that. All I got was scarred by his horrific abuse of his stepdaughter. Perhaps that’s the point, since Nabokov reveled in displaying Humbert’s twisted psyche.
Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison
Along with other famous Black classics like Jacobs’ Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl , DuBois’ The Souls of Black Folks , and Washington’s Up From Slavery , Invisible Man is required reading to understand the experience of African Americans. Ellison captures the simultaneous invisibility and hyper-visibility of Black people in the United States. The nameless protagonist wrestles with issues of identity and belonging, as well as other social and intellectual issues facing Blacks in the 1950s that still resonate today.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
If some English teacher didn’t make you read this one in school, you are a rare exception. This Pulitzer winner is practically synonymous with required high school reading. Lee’s story explores innocence and racism through the eyes of a precocious, lovable protagonist. Naturally, the book spawned an excellent movie (and remakes of varying qualities), stage plays, and an enduring national conversation.
Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
Coates wrote this acclaimed epistolary novel as a letter to his son, sharing his life story and insights into what it means to be a Black man in the United States of America. It topped the bestseller lists, won the National Book Award, and ranked in the top 10 of the best books of the 21st century . Coates’ novel has entered the national conversation again recently due to its being banned in South Carolina as a part of the U.S.’s current campaign of bigot-driven censorship .
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
This international bestseller by Brazilian author Paulo Coelho debuted in 1987. It is so widely loved that it’s been translated into more than 80 languages. Its allegorical nature and hopeful message quickly resonated with readers. The Alchemist has sold over 80 million copies around the world and endured for generations.
One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez
No list of the most famous books of all time would be complete without this 1967 classic. Selling more than 50 million copies and translated into 47 languages, One Hundred Years of Solitude is considered one of the greatest works of literature of the last century and a classic of magical realism. Furthermore, it won García Márquez the Nobel Prize for literature.
The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
This 1937 classic is the bestselling sequel to The Hobbit , which was a bestseller in its own right. Tolkien’s masterpiece is the quintessential high fantasy epic for good reason. With its masterful worldbuilding and sprawling cast of interesting characters and creatures, there’s a lot to love. Of course, Peter Jackson’s movie adaptations catapulted the book to even more mainstream acclaim. Even the least bookish among us know about hobbits, Gollum, and giant fiery eyes.
There you have it! Did any of your least or most favorite titles make the list? Looking for more popular titles? Check out the lists below for more famous recommendations and other relevant resources.
- 23 Great Books to Read in 2023
- 100 Must-Read Classics by People of Color
- The Bestselling Horror Books of All Time
- The 22 Best Fantasy Books of All Time
You Might Also Like
The 23 most popular books of the past year, according to Goodreads members
When you buy through our links, Business Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more
- If you're looking for a great new book, it can be difficult to know where to start.
- The books on this list are the most popular reads among Goodreads members in the past year.
- The titles range from new romances to classics and everything in between.
Because there are nearly infinite books in the world, it can be difficult to know which one to pick up next. When I don't know what to read, I turn to fellow readers for the books they've read and adored, gravitating towards the titles I hear my friends mention over and over again.
Similarly, the internet can provide plenty of word-of-mouth reviews and rankings. The books on this list come from the most popular Goodreads members picked up in the last year, according to the 2021 Goodreads Reading Challenge (where readers aim to read as many books as they can in one year). Goodreads is the world's largest platform for readers to rate, review, and discover new book recommendations, with over 125 million members sharing their favorite reads.
If you're looking to start off the new year right with a great new read, here are some of the most popular books readers are snagging right now.
The 23 most popular books right now, according to Goodreads members:
"the midnight library" by matt haig.
Available at Amazon and Bookshop , from $13.29
Nora Seed feels stuck in her life, bound to the choices she made that she still isn't sure were right. When Nora is ready to leave it all behind, she finds herself in a peculiar library, where each of the infinite books offers a portal to a parallel world, showing her all the many ways her life could have been slightly or drastically different, had she made other decisions.
"The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue" by V.E. Schwab
Available at Amazon and Bookshop , from $16.19
" The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue " is a genre-bending fantasy book about a young woman named Addie who, in 1714, makes a bargain with a dark god and becomes cursed to be forgotten by everyone she meets. Addie's story spans three centuries and countless countries — until she meets a boy in New York City in 2014 who can finally remember her.
"The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo" by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Available at Amazon and Bookshop , from $9.42
Evelyn Hugo was an iconic Hollywood actress, just as notoriously remembered for her seven marriages as she was for her movie performances. Finally ready to tell her story, Evelyn Hugo chooses a little-known journalist named Monique, who goes to Evelyn's luxurious apartment to hear the truth behind Evelyn's lifetime of friendships, ambitions, and many loves.
"To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee
Available at Amazon and Bookshop , from $7.19
Considered one of the greatest novels of all time , " To Kill a Mockingbird " is an unforgettable historical fiction novel from 1960 that follows young Jean Louise Finch during a time of great racial inequality in her community. Her father, Atticus Finch, is a lawyer defending a Black man wrongly accused of a terrible crime as he faces a community desperate for a guilty conviction.
"The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Available at Amazon and Bookshop , from $12.44
" The Great Gatsby " is a classic about the wealthy Jay Gatsby, set during the Jazz Age in New York. When Nick Carraway moved to Long Island to find a job in New York City as a bond salesman, he meets his next-door neighbor, Jay Gatsby, who throws extravagant parties and is constantly in pursuit of the stunning Daisy Buchanan.
"Where the Crawdads Sing" by Delia Owens
Available at Amazon and Bookshop , from $9.98
Kya Clark is known to most as the "Marsh Girl," running barefoot and wild in her quiet fishing village, having attended only one day of school. When a popular young boy is murdered, Kya's story unravels as the town accuses her of causing his death.
"1984" by George Orwell
Available at Amazon and Bookshop , from $7.48
" 1984 " is an iconic science fiction novel that imagines a dystopian future ruled by a totalitarian state, perpetually at war and at the mercy of strong propaganda. Winston Smith works at the Ministry of Truth, rewriting historical records to conform to the state's version of events while secretly dreaming of rebellion and imagining what life would be like without Big Brother.
"Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen
Available at Amazon and Bookshop , from $5.47
" Pride and Prejudice " is a cherished, classic Jane Austen romance between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy. Loved for their unique relationship comprised of witty banter and flirting, Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy fall for each other in this story of class, wealth, and the duty of marriage.
"The Song of Achilles" by Madeline Miller
Available at Amazon and Bookshop , from $10.35
In this Greek mythology-inspired tale , Patroclus is an awkward young prince, exiled by his father because of a misunderstanding when he meets the legendary Achilles. As the two form a unique relationship, Helen of Sparta is kidnapped and Achilles, along with all the heroes in Greece, joins the cause against Troy as they face a choice between love and fate.
"The Vanishing Half" by Brit Bennett
Available at Amazon and Bookshop , from $15.70
Though the Vignes twin sisters grew up identical in their small, southern community, their lives split in young adulthood as one sister now lives in the same community with her Black daughter while the other passes for white in a white community. A beautiful story of influence and decisions emerges as their lives intersect over generations when their daughters finally meet.
"The Guest List" by Lucy Foley
Available at Amazon and Bookshop , from $13.09
Set on a remote island off the coast of Ireland, a fascinating group of friends and family converge to celebrate the marriage of a rising television star and an ambitious magazine publisher. When someone is found dead, everyone becomes a suspect with their own strange and mysterious potential motives.
"People We Meet on Vacation" by Emily Henry
Alex and Poppy became best friends on a happenstance summer road trip in college, spurring a tradition of summer trips together — until two years ago, when everything changed between them. Though they haven't spoken since, Poppy desperately needs her best friend back and reaches out to Alex to see if they can try to rekindle their friendship in this adorable romance.
"It Ends with Us" by Colleen Hoover
Available at Amazon and Bookshop , from $12.99
Ryle Kincaid is a stunning, assertive neurosurgeon with a soft spot for only Lily, who can't believe her luck that there's a spark between them. As the two fall into a passionate relationship, Lily can't help but think of her first love, Atlas. As her relationship with Ryle becomes more and more complicated, Atlas reappears and further complicates everything.
"The Four Winds" by Kristin Hannah
Available at Amazon and Bookshop , from $14
" The Four Winds " is an award-winning historical fiction novel that illuminates the Dust Bowl era of the Great Depression, where farmers faced deadly droughts that often forced them from their land. To learn more about why we love this book, you can check out our review here.
"Malibu Rising" by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Available at Amazon and Bookshop , from $16.80
Famous surfer Nina Riva is preparing to host her iconic, annual party with her equally famous siblings, though she doesn't know the party will be literally up in flames by morning. As each sibling's story unravels, this historical fiction novel traverses from the party in 1983 to the Rivas' childhood, revealing long-buried secrets and spinning the present entirely out of control.
"The Silent Patient" by Alex Michaelides
Alicia Berenson had a seemingly perfect life with a painting career, a beautiful home, and a photographer husband until one night her husband returned home and Alicia shot him five times in the face and never spoke again. As Theo Faber, a criminal psychotherapist, attempts to work with Alicia to get her to talk, his own twisted motives emerge in this gripping psychological thriller with many versions of the truth.
"Anxious People" by Fredrik Backman
Available at Amazon and Bookshop , from $13.12
When a bank robbery goes terribly wrong, eight strangers find themselves being held hostage in an apartment with more in common than they imagined. Each anxious for their own reasons, the tensions mount as the police surround the apartment in this thought-provoking story of compassion where all the pieces slowly fit together.
"Red, White & Royal Blue" by Casey McQuiston
Available at Amazon and Bookshop , from $9.97
First Son Alex Claremont-Diaz has a long-running nemesis: Prince Henry. When the tabloids catch the two in a confrontation, the plan for damage control includes staging a fake friendship between the boys in this fun, fan-favorite Queer romance.
"Normal People" by Sally Rooney
Available at Amazon and Bookshop , from $9.33
Connell and Marianne pretend not to know each other in school, dropping the facade when Connell picks his mother up from a housekeeping job at Marianne's house. The two form a peculiar connection, drifting apart and back together over the years in this story about class, friendship, and human nature.
"The Hobbit, or There and Back Again" by J.R.R. Tolkien
Available at Amazon and Bookshop , from $12.92
Originally written for the author's children, " The Hobbit " is a beloved prequel to the " Lord of the Rings " series where readers are introduced to the fantasy world of Middle-earth. When Bilbo Baggins is tricked into hosting a party, the wizard Gandalf convinces him to join him and a group of dwarves on an adventure to retrieve a treasure guarded by a dragon, igniting an epic tale adored by readers of all ages.
"Beach Read" by Emily Henry
Available at Amazon and Bookshop , from $7.35
January Andrews is a bestselling romance author, plagued with writer's block and staying at a beach house to try and write a new novel by her editor's deadline. When she meets the next-door literary fiction writer named Augustus, they decide to switch genres in an attempt to escape their creative ruts.
"The Last Thing He Told Me" by Laura Dave
Available at Amazon and Bookshop , from $13.50
Before Hannah's new husband, Owen, disappears, he manages to slip her a note reading "protect her," which she knows refers to his 16-year-old daughter, Bailey. When the FBI arrests Owen's boss and comes to their home unannounced, Hannah and Bailey realize Owen isn't who they thought and must uncover the truth behind his disappearance while building a future together of their own.
"The Duke and I" by Julia Quinn
Available at Amazon and Bookshop , from $8.27
" The Duke and I " is the first Regency-era romance in the " Bridgerton " series, about Daphne Bridgerton who agrees to a fake courtship with Simon Basset, the Duke of Hastings. While Daphne needs her own prospects to soar and the Duke intends to avoid marriage altogether, their plan seems to be working perfectly — until the two can't deny the spark that seems to be igniting between them. If you love this book already, check out our list of other Julia Quinn novels to find your next great romance read.
- Main content
The 20 most influential books in history
.chakra .wef-1c7l3mo{-webkit-transition:all 0.15s ease-out;transition:all 0.15s ease-out;cursor:pointer;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;outline:none;color:inherit;}.chakra .wef-1c7l3mo:hover,.chakra .wef-1c7l3mo[data-hover]{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}.chakra .wef-1c7l3mo:focus,.chakra .wef-1c7l3mo[data-focus]{box-shadow:0 0 0 3px rgba(168,203,251,0.5);} Stéphanie Thomson
.chakra .wef-9dduvl{margin-top:16px;margin-bottom:16px;line-height:1.388;font-size:1.25rem;}@media screen and (min-width:56.5rem){.chakra .wef-9dduvl{font-size:1.125rem;}} Explore and monitor how .chakra .wef-15eoq1r{margin-top:16px;margin-bottom:16px;line-height:1.388;font-size:1.25rem;color:#F7DB5E;}@media screen and (min-width:56.5rem){.chakra .wef-15eoq1r{font-size:1.125rem;}} Arts and Culture is affecting economies, industries and global issues
.chakra .wef-1nk5u5d{margin-top:16px;margin-bottom:16px;line-height:1.388;color:#2846F8;font-size:1.25rem;}@media screen and (min-width:56.5rem){.chakra .wef-1nk5u5d{font-size:1.125rem;}} Get involved with our crowdsourced digital platform to deliver impact at scale
Stay up to date:, arts and culture.
What’s the most influential book you’ve ever read? For most of us, that’s a tough call to make. But that was the question put to the public ahead of Academic Book Week . An expert panel of academic book-sellers, librarians and publishers nominated 200 titles, and members of the public were asked to vote online for their top 20.
Many of the books that make up the final 20 are hundreds – in one case thousands – of years old, proving that the best works really do stand the test of time. How many of these classics have you read?
1. On the Origins of Species
Author : Charles Darwin Published : 1859 Why you should read it : It’s simple: “No work has so fundamentally changed the way we think about our very being and the world around us,” says Alan Staton, head of marketing at the Booksellers Association .
2. The Communist Manifesto
Author : Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels Published : 1888 Why you should read it : As Marxist historian Ellen Meiksins Wood says , this is more than just a manifesto: “It’s not just a uniquely influential document in the theory and practice of revolutionary movements throughout the world; it’s also a work of history, of economic, political and cultural analysis, and of prophecy.”
3. The Complete Works
Author : William Shakespeare Published : The plays were first published between 1594 and 1634 Why you should read it : Elizabethan poet Ben Jonson said that Shakespeare was “not of an age but for all time”. He wasn’t wrong. Centuries later, Shakespeare’s plays are still by far the most studied and performed in the English-speaking world and beyond.
4. The Republic
Author : Plato Published : 380 BC Why you should read it : Not only is it an important piece of work from one of the most influential philosophers, it’s also very readable. “Plato did not write philosophy like a dry textbook – he wrote it like a living conversation,” says Robin Waterfield, a classics scholar .
5. Critique of Pure Reason
Author : Immanuel Kant Published : 1781 Why you should read it : It’s not an easy read. But British philosopher A.C. Grayling thinks the effort more than pays off: “Kant’s book requires a degree of concentration to be understood and appreciated, but it richly repays close study both for its own sake and because of the far-reaching nature of what it suggests.”
6. A Vindication of the Rights of Woman
Author : Mary Wollstonecraft Published : 1792 Why you should read it : At a time when revolutionaries were demanding equal rights for all men, Wollstonecraft demanded those rights be extended to women: “The book laid out the tenets of what today we call ‘equality’ or ‘liberal’ feminist theory,” says Anne Mellor , a professor of women’s studies.
7. The Wealth of Nations
Author : Adam Smith Published : 1776 Why you should read it : Smith’s book has been described as “the foundation of economics, the origin of econometrics and the intellectual cradle of capitalism”, all of which are as relevant today as they were when he wrote it.
8. Orientalism
Author : Edward Said Published : 1978 Why you should read it : Said’s book sought to reveal the West’s patronizing and largely inaccurate understanding of Asia, North Africa and the Middle East, and how these views help to “mobilize fear, hatred, disgust and resurgent self-pride and arrogance – much of it having to do with Islam and the Arabs on one side and ‘we’ Westerners on the other”. Unless you’ve been living under a rock since September 2001, you’ll understand why this book is as pertinent as ever.
9. Nineteen Eighty-Four
Author: George Orwell Published : 1949 Why you should read it : “It’s much more than a book – it’s a novel of huge social and political significance that’s never going to date,” says Abe Books , especially in an age of digital surveillance. Is Big Brother watching you?
10. The Meaning of Relativity
Author : Albert Einstein Published : 1922 Why you should read it : Einstein said his goal with the book was to give an insight into the theory of relativity to interested non-experts. This work does exactly that: “Nobody is better at explaining relativity than Einstein himself; his account provides a combination of depth and clarity that only he could confidently produce,” writes Tom Siegfried of Science News .
11. The Second Sex
Author : Simone de Beauvoir Published : 1949 Why you should read it : Times have changed for women since this book was first published. But Beauvoir’s central argument that “one is not born, but rather becomes, a woman” and her detailed examination of women throughout history still makes for a compelling read.
12. The Rights of Man
Author : Thomas Paine Published : 1791 Why you should read it : Paine was “an original thinker, far ahead of his time,” says John Belchem of the University of Liverpool . The Rights of Man , written while Paine was taking part in the French Revolution, addresses issues – poverty, inequality, welfare – that are still hotly debated today.
13. A Brief History of Time
Author : Stephen Hawking Published : 1988 Why you should read it : It tackles one of the biggest and most intriguing questions: where did we come from and where are we going? “I wanted to explain how far we had come in our understanding of the universe: how we might be near finding a complete theory that would describe the universe and everything in it,” writes Hawking .
14. Silent Spring
Author : Rachel Carson Published : 1962 Why you should read it : When Carson, a former marine biologist, took on the chemical industry and revealed the damage pesticides were doing to the planet, she probably didn’t know how much of an impact her book would have. Described as “one of the most effective books ever written”, it paved the way for the modern environmental movement.
15. The Female Eunuch
Author : Germaine Greer Published : 1970 Why you should read it : Even to this day, both Greer and her book divide feminists. And perhaps that’s why it made it on to this list: it still gets people thinking about and debating important issues. “Her insights, while not always strictly accurate, offer revelatory analysis, and in a language so searing it galvanizes us to reflect more deeply on the status of women and the nature of gender relations,” writes Zohra Moosa of Mama Cash .
16. The Prince
Author : Niccolò Machiavelli Published : 1532 Why you should read it : The Prince provided aspiring rulers with a guide on getting power and holding on to it. “It may give readers an insight into the mindsets of leaders caught taking an ends-justify-the-means approach,” whether that be politicians or your boss .
17. Ways of Seeing
Author : John Berger Published : 1972 Why you should read it : Berger’s book, based on a BBC television series, explores the way women and men are represented in culture, and how these representations influence the way they act. Thirty years after its release, the Independent described it as “a rare example of that much-claimed title, the trailblazer”.
18. The Making of the English Working Class
Author : E.P. Thompson Published : 1963 Why you should read it : History is written by the victors, as they say. Which is why history books tend to be dominated by royalty and aristocrats. Thompson’s book departed from that tradition: “I am seeking to rescue the poor stockinger, the Luddite cropper, the obsolete hand-loom weaver, the utopian artisan, and even the deluded follower of Joanna Southcott, from the enormous condescension of posterity,” he wrote in the preface . The impact was immense : “The book set the terms of reference for much labour history that followed.”
19. The Uses of Literacy
Author : Richard Hoggart Published : 1957 Why you should read it : With all the talk of income inequality – how it’s increasing, the many problems it spawns – Hoggart’s book about the working class is well worth a revisit: “Despite the social and economic transformations, thousands still recognize the life depicted – we should be closer to a classless society, but are not,” wrote Anita Sethi for the Independent .
20. The Naked Ape
Author : Desmond Morris Published : 1967 Why you should read it : In this bestseller, Morris, a zoologist and ethologist, explores the human species by comparing them with other animals. He’s published follow-up books, but it’s this first one, and its “irresistible blend of hard science and populism” that still gets people talking .
Have you read? 18 books Warren Buffet thinks you should read 17 books Bill Gates thinks you should read
Author: St éphanie Thomson is an Editor at the World Economic Forum
Image: Thomas Lecky, department head of books and manuscripts at Christie’s, holds a first edition of Charles Darwin’s book “On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection” during a preview at Christie’s auction house in New York June 13, 2008. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson
Share this:
- Share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
Don't miss any update on this topic
Create a free account and access your personalized content collection with our latest publications and analyses.
License and Republishing
World Economic Forum articles may be republished in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International Public License, and in accordance with our Terms of Use.
The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone and not the World Economic Forum.
The Agenda .chakra .wef-n7bacu{margin-top:16px;margin-bottom:16px;line-height:1.388;font-weight:400;} Weekly
A weekly update of the most important issues driving the global agenda
.chakra .wef-1dtnjt5{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-wrap:wrap;-ms-flex-wrap:wrap;flex-wrap:wrap;} More on Arts and Culture .chakra .wef-17xejub{-webkit-flex:1;-ms-flex:1;flex:1;justify-self:stretch;-webkit-align-self:stretch;-ms-flex-item-align:stretch;align-self:stretch;} .chakra .wef-nr1rr4{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;white-space:normal;vertical-align:middle;text-transform:uppercase;font-size:0.75rem;border-radius:0.25rem;font-weight:700;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;line-height:1.2;-webkit-letter-spacing:1.25px;-moz-letter-spacing:1.25px;-ms-letter-spacing:1.25px;letter-spacing:1.25px;background:none;padding:0px;color:#B3B3B3;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;}@media screen and (min-width:37.5rem){.chakra .wef-nr1rr4{font-size:0.875rem;}}@media screen and (min-width:56.5rem){.chakra .wef-nr1rr4{font-size:1rem;}} See all
Top weekend reads on Agenda
Gayle Markovitz
February 16, 2024
Blending art and technology: Digital creativity and environmental innovation
Joseph Fowler
Just how important is art when celebrating Black history and upholding social justice?
Samantha Akwei and Ginelle Greene-Dewasmes
February 5, 2024
AI is just one more way to express yourself, says Nile Rodgers
Metaverse: How a cultural experience inspires preservation of the Amazon
Joseph Fowler and Iris Jumbe
January 16, 2024
Davos AM24 - The Crystal Awards 2024 - Original
- International edition
- Australia edition
- Europe edition
The 100 best nonfiction books of all time: the full list
After two years of careful reading, moving backwards through time, Robert McCrum has concluded his selection of the 100 greatest nonfiction books. Take a quick look at five centuries of great writing
- Robert McCrum reflects on his 100 greatest nonfiction books list
- The 100 best novels written in English: the full list
- What did Robert miss? Leave your thoughts in the comments
1. The Sixth Extinction by Elizabeth Kolbert (2014) An engrossing account of the looming catastrophe caused by ecology’s “neighbours from hell” – mankind.
2. The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion (2005) This steely and devastating examination of the author’s grief following the sudden death of her husband changed the nature of writing about bereavement.
3. No Logo by Naomi Klein (1999) Naomi Klein’s timely anti-branding bible combined a fresh approach to corporate hegemony with potent reportage from the dark side of capitalism.
4. Birthday Letters by Ted Hughes (1998) These passionate, audacious poems addressed to Hughes’s late wife, Sylvia Plath, contribute to the couple’s mythology and are a landmark in English poetry.
5. Dreams from My Father by Barack Obama (1995) This remarkably candid memoir revealed not only a literary talent, but a force that would change the face of US politics for ever.
6. A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking (1988) The theoretical physicist’s mega-selling account of the origins of the universe is a masterpiece of scientific inquiry that has influenced the minds of a generation.
7. The Right Stuff by Tom Wolfe (1979) Tom Wolfe raised reportage to dazzling new levels in his quest to discover what makes a man fly to the moon.
8. Orientalism by Edward Said (1978) This polemical masterpiece challenging western attitudes to the east is as topical today as it was on publication.
9. Dispatches by Michael Herr (1977) A compelling sense of urgency and a unique voice make Herr’s Vietnam memoir the definitive account of war in our time.
10. The Selfish Gene by Richard Dawkins (1976) An intoxicating renewal of evolutionary theory that coined the idea of the meme and paved the way for Professor Dawkins’s later, more polemical works.
11. North by Seamus Heaney (1975) This raw, tender, unguarded collection transcends politics, reflecting Heaney’s desire to move “like a double agent among the big concepts”.
12. Awakenings by Oliver Sacks (1973) Sacks’s moving account of how, as a doctor in the late 1960s, he revived patients who had been neurologically “frozen” by sleeping sickness reverberates to this day.
13. The Female Eunuch by Germaine Greer (1970) The Australian feminist’s famous polemic remains a masterpiece of passionate free expression in which she challenges a woman’s role in society.
14. Awopbopaloobop Alopbamboom by Nik Cohn (1969) This passionate account of how rock’n’roll changed the world was written with the wild energy of its subject matter.
15. The Double Helix by James D Watson (1968) An astonishingly personal and accessible account of how Cambridge scientists Watson and Francis Crick unlocked the secrets of DNA and transformed our understanding of life.
16. Against Interpretation by Susan Sontag (1966) The American novelist’s early essays provide the quintessential commentary on the 1960s.
17. Ariel by Sylvia Plath (1965) The groundbreaking collection, revolving around the poet’s fascination with her own death, established Plath as one of the last century’s most original and gifted poets.
18. The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan (1963) The book that ignited second-wave feminism captured the frustration of a generation of middle-class American housewives by daring to ask: “Is this all?”
19. The Making of the English Working Class by EP Thompson (1963) This influential, painstakingly compiled masterpiece reads as an anatomy of pre-industrial Britain – and a description of the lost experience of the common man.
20. Silent Spring by Rachel Carson (1962) This classic of American advocacy sparked a nationwide outcry against the use of pesticides, inspired legislation that would endeavour to control pollution, and launched the modern environmental movement in the US.
21. The Structure of Scientific Revolutions by Thomas S Kuhn (1962) The American physicist and philosopher of science coined the phrase “paradigm shift” in a book that is seen as a milestone in scientific theory.
22. A Grief Observed by CS Lewis (1961) This powerful study of loss asks: “Where is God?” and explores the feeling of solitude and sense of betrayal that even non-believers will recognise.
23. The Elements of Style by William Strunk and EB White (1959) Dorothy Parker and Stephen King have both urged aspiring writers towards this crisp guide to the English language where brevity is key.
24. The Affluent Society by John Kenneth Galbraith (1958) An optimistic bestseller, in which JFK’s favoured economist promotes investment in both the public and private sectors.
25. The Uses of Literacy: Aspects of Working-Class Life by Richard Hoggart (1957) This influential cultural study of postwar Britain offers pertinent truths on mass communication and the interaction between ordinary people and the elites.
26. Notes of a Native Son by James Baldwin (1955) Baldwin’s landmark collection of essays explores, in telling language, what it means to be a black man in modern America.
27. The Nude: A Study of Ideal Art by Kenneth Clark (1956) Clark’s survey of the nude from the Greeks to Picasso foreshadows the critic’s towering claims for humanity in his later seminal work, Civilisation.
28. The Hedgehog and the Fox by Isaiah Berlin (1953) The great historian of ideas starts with an animal parable and ends, via a dissection of Tolstoy’s work, in an existential system of thought.
29. Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett (1952/53) A bleakly hilarious, enigmatic watershed that changed the language of theatre and still sparks debate six decades on. An absurdist masterpiece.
30. A Book of Mediterranean Food by Elizabeth David (1950) This landmark recipe book, a horrified reaction to postwar rationing, introduced cooks to the food of southern Europe and readers to the art of food writing.
31. The Great Tradition by FR Leavis (1948) The controversial critic’s statement on English literature is an entertaining, often shocking, dissection of the novel, whose effects are still felt to this day.
32. The Last Days of Hitler by Hugh Trevor-Roper (1947) The historian’s vivid, terrifying account of the Führer’s demise, based on his postwar work for British intelligence, remains unsurpassed.
33. The Common Sense Book of Baby and Child Care by Dr Benjamin Spock (1946) The groundbreaking manual urged parents to trust themselves, but was also accused of being the source of postwar “permissiveness”.
34. Hiroshima by John Hersey (1946) Hersey’s extraordinary, gripping book tells the personal stories of six people who endured the 1945 atom bomb attack.
35. The Open Society and Its Enemies by Karl Popper (1945) The Austrian-born philosopher’s postwar rallying cry for western liberal democracy was hugely influential in the 1960s.
36. Black Boy: A Record of Childhood and Youth by Richard Wright (1945) This influential memoir of a rebellious southern boyhood vividly evokes the struggle for African American identity in the decades before civil rights.
37. How to Cook a Wolf by MFK Fisher (1942) The American culinary icon was one of the first writers to use food as a cultural metaphor, describing the sensual pleasures of the table with elegance and passion.
38. Enemies of Promise by Cyril Connolly (1938) Connolly’s dissection of the art of writing and the perils of the literary life transformed the contemporary English scene.
39. The Road to Wigan Pier by George Orwell (1937) Orwell’s unflinchingly honest account of three northern towns during the Great Depression was a milestone in the writer’s political development.
40. The Road to Oxiana by Robert Byron (1937) Much admired by Graham Greene and Evelyn Waugh, Byron’s dazzling, timeless account of a journey to Afghanistan is perhaps the greatest travel book of the 20th century.
41. How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie (1936) The original self-help manual on American life – with its influence stretching from the Great Depression to Donald Trump – has a lot to answer for.
42. Testament of Youth by Vera Brittain (1933) Brittain’s study of her experience of the first world war as a nurse and then victim of loss remains a powerful anti-war and feminist statement.
43. My Early Life: A Roving Commission by Winston Churchill (1930) Churchill delights with candid tales of childhood and boy’s own adventures in the Boer war that made him a tabloid hero.
44. Goodbye to All That by Robert Graves (1929) Graves’s account of his experiences in the trenches of the first world war is a subversive tour de force.
45. A Room of One’s Own by Virginia Woolf (1929) Woolf’s essay on women’s struggle for independence and creative opportunity is a landmark of feminist thought.
46. The Waste Land by TS Eliot (1922) Eliot’s long poem, written in extremis, came to embody the spirit of the years following the first world war.
47. Ten Days That Shook the World by John Reed (1919) The American socialist’s romantic account of the Russian revolution is a masterpiece of reportage.
48. The Economic Consequences of the Peace by John Maynard Keynes (1919) The great economist’s account of what went wrong at the Versailles conference after the first world war was polemical, passionate and prescient.
49. The American Language by HL Mencken (1919) This declaration of linguistic independence by the renowned US journalist and commentator marked a crucial new chapter in American prose
50. Eminent Victorians by Lytton Strachey (1918) Strachey’s partisan, often inaccurate but brilliant demolitions of four great 19th-century Britons illustrates life in the Victorian period from different perspectives.
51. The Souls of Black Folk by WEB Du Bois (1903) The great social activist’s collection of essays on the African American experience became a founding text of the civil rights movement.
52. De Profundis by Oscar Wilde (1905) There is a thrilling majesty to Oscar Wilde’s tormented tour de force written as he prepared for release from Reading jail.
53. The Varieties of Religious Experience by William James (1902) This revolutionary work written by Henry James’s less famous brother brought a democratising impulse to the realm of religious belief.
54. Brief Lives by John Aubrey, edited by Andrew Clark (1898) Truly ahead of his time, the 17th-century historian and gossip John Aubrey is rightly credited as the man who invented biography.
55. Personal Memoirs by Ulysses S Grant (1885) The civil war general turned president was a reluctant author, but set the gold standard for presidential memoirs, outlining his journey from boyhood onwards.
56. Life on the Mississippi by Mark Twain (1883) This memoir of Samuel Clemens’s time as a steamboat pilot provides insight into his best-known characters, as well as the writer he would become.
57. Travels With a Donkey in the Cévennes by Robert Louis Stevenson (1879) The Scottish writer’s hike in the French mountains with a donkey is a pioneering classic in outdoor literature – and as influential as his fiction.
58. Nonsense Songs by Edward Lear (1871) The Victorians loved wordplay, and few could rival this compendium of verbal delirium by Britain’s “laureate of nonsense”.
59. Culture and Anarchy by Matthew Arnold (1869) Arnold caught the public mood with this high-minded but entertaining critique of Victorian society posing questions about the art of civilised living that still perplex us.
60. On the Origin of Species by Charles Darwin (1859) Darwin’s revolutionary, humane and highly readable introduction to his theory of evolution is arguably the most important book of the Victorian era.
61. On Liberty by John Stuart Mill (1859) This fine, lucid writer captured the mood of the time with this spirited assertion of the English individual’s rights.
62. The Wonderful Adventures of Mrs Seacole in Many Lands by Mary Seacole (1857) A gloriously entertaining autobiography by the widely revered Victorian sometimes described as “the black Florence Nightingale”.
63. The Life of Charlotte Brontë by Elizabeth Gaskell (1857) Possibly Gaskell’s finest work – a bold portrait of a brilliant woman worn down by her father’s eccentricities and the death of her siblings.
64. Walden by Henry David Thoreau (1854) This account of one man’s rejection of American society has influenced generations of free thinkers.
65. Thesaurus by Dr Peter Mark Roget (1852) Born of a Victorian desire for order and harmony among nations, this guide to the English language is as unique as it is indispensable.
66. London Labour and the London Poor by Henry Mayhew (1851) The influence of the Victorian journalist’s detailed, dispassionate descriptions of London lower-class life is clear, right up to the present day.
67. Household Education by Harriet Martineau (1848) This protest at the lack of women’s education was as pioneering as its author was in Victorian literary circles.
68. Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave by Frederick Douglass (1845) This vivid memoir was influential in the abolition of slavery, and its author would become one of the most influential African Americans of the 19th century.
69. Essays by RW Emerson (1841) New England’s inventor of “transcendentalism” is still revered for his high-minded thoughts on individuality, freedom and nature expressed in 12 essays.
70. Domestic Manners of the Americans by Frances Trollope (1832) Rich in detail and Old World snobbery, Trollope’s classic travelogue identifies aspects of America’s national character still visible today.
71. An American Dictionary of the English Language by Noah Webster (1828) Though a lexicographical landmark to stand alongside Dr Johnson’s achievement, the original sold only 2,500 copies and left its author in debt.
72. Confessions of an English Opium-Eater by Thomas De Quincey (1822) An addiction memoir, by the celebrated and supremely talented contemporary of Coleridge and Wordsworth, outlining his life hooked on the the drug.
73. Tales from Shakespeare by Charles and Mary Lamb (1807) A troubled brother-and-sister team produced one of the 19th century’s bestselling volumes and simplified the complexity of Shakespeare’s plays for younger audiences.
74. Travels in the Interior Districts of Africa by Mungo Park (1799) The Scottish explorer’s account of his heroic one-man search for the river Niger was a contemporary bestseller and a huge influence on Conrad, Melville and Hemingway.
75. The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin by Benjamin Franklin (1793) The US founding father’s life, drawn from four different manuscripts, combines the affairs of revolutionary America with his private struggles.
76. A Vindication of the Rights of Woman by Mary Wollstonecraft (1792) This radical text attacked the dominant male thinkers of the age and laid the foundations of feminism.
77. The Life of Samuel Johnson LLD by James Boswell (1791) This huge work is one of the greatest of all English biographies and a testament to one of the great literary friendships.
78. Reflections on the Revolution in France by Edmund Burke (1790) Motivated by the revolution across the Channel, this passionate defence of the aristocratic system is a landmark in conservative thinking.
79. The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano by Olaudah Equiano (1789) The most famous slave memoir of the 18th century is a powerful and terrifying read, and established Equiano as a founding figure in black literary tradition.
80. The Natural History and Antiquities of Selborne by Gilbert White (1789) This curate’s beautiful and lucid observations on the wildlife of a Hampshire village inspired generations of naturalists.
81. The Federalist Papers by ‘Publius’ (1788) These wise essays clarified the aims of the American republic and rank alongside the Declaration of Independence as a cornerstone of US democracy.
82. The Diary of Fanny Burney (1778) Burney’s acutely observed memoirs open a window on the literary and courtly circles of late 18th-century England.
83. The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by Edward Gibbon (1776-1788) Perhaps the greatest and certainly one of the most influential history books in the English language, in which Gibbon unfolds the narrative from the height of the Roman empire to the fall of Byzantium.
84. The Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith (1776) Blending history, philosophy, psychology and sociology, the Scottish intellectual single-handedly invented modern political economy.
85. Common Sense by Tom Paine (1776) This little book helped ignite revolutionary America against the British under George III.
86. A Dictionary of the English Language by Samuel Johnson (1755) Dr Johnson’s decade-long endeavour framed the English language for the coming centuries with clarity, intelligence and extraordinary wit.
87. A Treatise of Human Nature by David Hume (1739) This is widely seen as the philosopher’s most important work, but its first publication was a disaster.
88. A Modest Proposal by Jonathan Swift (1729) The satirist’s jaw-dropping solution to the plight of the Irish poor is among the most powerful tracts in the English language.
89. A Tour Through the Whole Island of Great Britain by Daniel Defoe (1727) Readable, reliable, full of surprise and charm, Defoe’s Tour is an outstanding literary travel guide.
90. An Essay Concerning Human Understanding by John Locke (1689) Eloquent and influential, the Enlightenment philosopher’s most celebrated work embodies the English spirit and retains an enduring relevance.
91. The Book of Common Prayer by Thomas Cranmer (1662) Cranmer’s book of vernacular English prayer is possibly the most widely read book in the English literary tradition.
92. The Diary of Samuel Pepys by Samuel Pepys (1660) A portrait of an extraordinary Englishman, whose scintillating firsthand accounts of Restoration England are recorded alongside his rampant sexual exploits.
93. Hydriotaphia, Urn Burial, or A Brief Discourse of the Sepulchral Urns Lately Found in Norfolk by Sir Thomas Browne (1658) Browne earned his reputation as a “writer’s writer” with this dazzling short essay on burial customs.
94. Leviathan by Thomas Hobbes (1651) Hobbes’s essay on the social contract is both a founding text of western thought and a masterpiece of wit and imagination.
95. Areopagitica by John Milton (1644) Today, Milton is remembered as a great poet. But this fiery attack on censorship and call for a free press reveals a brilliant English radical.
96. Devotions Upon Emergent Occasions by John Donne (1624) The poet’s intense meditation on the meaning of life and death is a dazzling work that contains some of his most memorable writing.
97. The First Folio by William Shakespeare (1623) The first edition of his plays established the playwright for all time in a trove of 36 plays with an assembled cast of immortal characters.
98. The Anatomy of Melancholy by Robert Burton (1621) Burton’s garrulous, repetitive masterpiece is a compendious study of melancholia, a sublime literary doorstop that explores humanity in all its aspects.
99. The History of the World by Walter Raleigh (1614) Raleigh’s most important prose work, close to 1m words in total, used ancient history as a sly commentary on present-day issues.
100. King James Bible: The Authorised Version (1611) It is impossible to imagine the English-speaking world celebrated in this series without the King James Bible, which is as universal and influential as Shakespeare.
- 100 best nonfiction books of all time
- Biography books
- Autobiography and memoir
- Science and nature books
- Reference and languages books
- Politics books
Comments (…)
Most viewed.
The 100 Must-Read Books of 2022
Gripping novels, transporting poetry, and timely nonfiction that asked us to look deeper Andrew R. Chow, Lucy Feldman, Mahita Gajanan, Annabel Gutterman, Angela Haupt, Cady Lang, and Laura Zornosa
A Heart That Works
All the lovers in the night, all this could be different, an immense world, ancestor trouble, anna: the biography, bitter orange tree, the book of goose, butts: a backstory, calling for a blanket dance, the candy house, carrie soto is back, chef's kiss, civil rights queen, constructing a nervous system, cover story, the crane wife, the daughter of doctor moreau, dirtbag, massachusetts, ducks: two years in the oil sands, easy beauty, eating to extinction, the emergency, the employees, the escape artist, everything i need i get from you, the extraordinary life of an ordinary man, the family outing, fellowship point, fiona and jane, the furrows, getting lost, half american, the hero of this book, his name is george floyd, honey & spice, how far the light reaches, the hurting kind, i came all this way to meet you, i'm glad my mom died, if an egyptian cannot speak english, if i survive you, index, a history of the, the invisible kingdom, learning to talk, lesser known monsters of the 21st century, liberation day, life between the tides, the light we carry, lost & found, lucy by the sea, the man who could move clouds, maps of our spectacular bodies, the marriage portrait, mouth to mouth, the naked don't fear the water, night of the living rez, nightcrawling, now is not the time to panic, nuclear family, olga dies dreaming, our missing hearts, the rabbit hutch, the revolutionary: samuel adams, scattered all over the earth, the school for good mothers, shrines of gaiety, signal fires, siren queen, south to america, strangers to ourselves, ted kennedy: a life, this time tomorrow, time is a mother, tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow, the trayvon generation, under the skin, when we were sisters, woman without shame, the world keeps ending, and the world goes on, young mungo.
by Rob Delaney
by Abdulrazak Gurnah
by Mieko Kawakami
by Sarah Thankam Mathews
by Maud Newton
by Nuar Alsadir
by Amy Odell
by R.F. Kuang
by Jokha Alharthi
by Yiyun Li
by David Quammen
by Heather Radke
by Oscar Hokeah
by Jennifer Egan
by Taylor Jenkins Reid
by TJ Alexander
by Tomiko Brown-Nagin
by Margo Jefferson
by Susan Rigetti
by CJ Hauser
by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
by Lydia Millet
by Isaac Fitzgerald
by Kate Beaton
by Chloé Cooper Jones
by Dan Saladino
by Elif Batuman
by Thomas Fisher
by Olga Ravn
by Jonathan Freedland
by Kaitlyn Tiffany
by Paul Newman
by Jessi Hempel
by Alice Elliott Dark
by Viola Davis
by Jean Chen Ho
by Namwali Serpell
by Annie Ernaux
by NoViolet Bulawayo
by Tochi Onyebuchi
by Matthew F. Delmont
by Elizabeth McCracken
by Robert Samuels and Toluse Olorunnipa
by Bolu Babalola
by Sabrina Imbler
by Ada Limón
by Jami Attenberg
by Jennette McCurdy
by Noor Naga
by Jonathan Escoffery
by Amy Bloom
by Dennis Duncan
by Meghan O’Rourke
by Hilary Mantel
by George Saunders
by Adam Nicolson
by Michelle Obama
by Kathryn Schulz
by Elizabeth Strout
by Ingrid Rojas Contreras
by Bernardine Evaristo
by Maddie Mortimer
by Maggie O’Farrell
by Isaac Butler
by Antoine Wilson
by Matthieu Aikins
by Morgan Talty
by Leila Mottley
by Kevin Wilson
by Joseph Han
by Xochitl Gonzalez
by Celeste Ng
by Tess Gunty
by Stacy Schiff
by Yoko Tawada
by Jessamine Chan
by Sarah Weinman
by Kate Atkinson
by Dani Shapiro
by Imani Perry
by Jay Hopler
by Rachel Aviv
by John A. Farrell
by Emma Straub
by Sara Freeman
by Ocean Vuong
by Gabrielle Zevin
by Elizabeth Alexander
by Hernan Diaz
by Linda Villarosa
by Blake Crouch
by Julia May Jonas
by Fatimah Asghar
by Sandra Cisneros
by Franny Choi
by Douglas Stuart
This project is led by Lucy Feldman and Annabel Gutterman, with writing, reporting, and additional editing by Andrew R. Chow, Mahita Gajanan, Angela Haupt, Cady Lang, Rachel Sonis, and Laura Zornosa; photography editing by Whitney Matewe; art direction by Victor Williams; video by Erica Solano; audience strategy by Alex Hinnant, Kari Sonde, and Kim Tal; and production by Nadia Suleman.
Join Discovery, the new community for book lovers
Trust book recommendations from real people, not robots 🤓
Blog – Posted on Wednesday, Oct 13
The 100 best classic books to read.
Ever been caught up in a conversation about books and felt yourself cringe over your literary blind spots? Classic literature can be intimidating, but getting acquainted with the canon isn't just a form of torture cooked up by your high school English teacher: instead, an appreciation for the classics will help you see everything that's come since in a different light, and pick up on allusions that you'll begin to notice everywhere. Above all, they're just great reads — they've stood the test of time for a reason!
If you've always wanted to tackle the classics but never knew quite where to begin, we've got you covered. We've hand-selected 100 classic books to read, written by authors spanning continents and millennia. From love stories to murder mysteries, nonfiction to fantasy, there's something for everybody.
1. One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez
This milestone Spanish novel may as well be titled 100 Years on Everyone’s Must-Read List — it’s just a titan in the world literature canon. We could go on about its remarkable narrative technique, beguiling voice, and sprawling cast of characters spanning seven generations. Its famous first line may be all that’s needed to win you over: “Many years later, as he faced the firing squad, Colonel Aureliano Buendía was to remember that distant afternoon when his father took him to discover ice.”
2. The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton
Newland Archer, one of 1900s New York’s most eligible bachelors, has been looking for a traditional wife, and May Welland seems just the girl — that is until Newland meets entirely unsuitable Ellen Olenska. He must now choose between the two women — and between old money prestige and a value that runs deeper than social etiquette.
3. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
This allegorical tale, often recommended as a self-help book , follows young shepherd Santiago as he journeys to Egypt searching for a hidden treasure. A parable telling readers that the universe can help them realize their dreams if they only focus their energy on them, Coelho’s short novel has endured the test of time and remains a bestseller today.
Looking for something new to read?
Trust real people, not robots, to give you book recommendations.
Or sign up with an email address
4 . All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque
Erich Maria Remarque’s wartime classic broke ground with its unflinching look at the human cost of war through the eyes of German soldiers in the Great War. With a lauded 1930 film adaptation (only the third to win Best Picture at the Oscars), All Quiet on the Western Front remains as powerful and relevant as ever.
5 . American Indian Stories, Legends, and Other Writings by Zitkála-Šá
Zitkála-Šá’s stories invite readers into the world of Sioux settlement, sharing childhood memories, legends, and folktales, and a memoir account of the Native American author ’s transition into Western culture when she left home. Told in beautiful, fluid language, this is a must-read book.
The World's Bestselling Mystery \'Ten . . .\' Ten strangers are lured to an isolated island mansion off the Devon coast by a mysterious \'U.N. Owen.\' \'Nine . . .\' At dinner a recorded message accuses each of them in turn of having a guilty secret, and by the end of the night one of the guests is dead. \'Eight . . .\' Stranded by a violent storm, and haunted by a nursery rhyme counting down one by one . . . one by one they begin to die. \'Seven . . .\' Who among them is the killer and will any of them survive?
6 . And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
First, there were ten who arrived on the island. Strangers to one another, they shared one similarity: they had all murdered in the past. And when people begin dropping like flies, they realize that they are the ones being murdered now. An example of a mystery novel done right, this timeless classic was penned by none other than the Queen of Mystery herself .
7 . Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
Tolstoy’s celebrated novel narrates the whirlwind tale of Anna Karenina. She’s married to dull civil servant Alexei Karenin when she meets Count Vronsky, a man who changes her life forever. But an affair doesn’t come without a moral cost, and Anna’s life is soon anything but blissful.
8 . The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
Sylvia Plath’s only novel follows the young, ambitious Esther Greenwood, who falls into a depression after a directionless summer, culminating in a suicide attempt. But even as Esther survives and receives treatment, she continues wondering about her purpose and role in society — leading to much larger questions about existential fulfillment. Poetically written and stunningly authentic, The Bell Jar continues to resonate with countless readers today.
9. Beloved by Toni Morrison
Many books are said to have helped shape the world — but only a few can really stake that claim. Toni Morrison’s Beloved is one of them. One of the great literary luminaries of our time, her best-known novel is the searingly powerful story of Sethe, who was born a slave in Kentucky. Though she’s since escaped to Ohio, she is haunted by her dead baby, whose tombstone is engraved with one word: Beloved .
10 . The Bloody Chamber and Other Stories by Angela Carter
Before the recent fad of feminist retellings of fairy tales, there was The Bloody Chamber . But Angela Carter’s retold tales, including twisted versions of Little Red Riding Hood and Beauty and the Beast, are more than just feminist: they’re original, darkly irreverent, and fiercely independent. This classic book is exactly what you’d expect from the author who inspired contemporary masters like Neil Gaiman, Sarah Waters, and Margaret Atwood.
11. Breakfast at Tiffany's by Truman Capote
Though the title evokes Audrey Hepburn, this novella came first — and the literary Holly Golightly is a very different creature from the 'good-time girl' who falls for George Peppard. Clever and chameleonic, she crafts her persona to fit others’ expectations, chasing her own American Dream while letting men think they can have it with her… only to slip through their fingers. A fascinating character study and a triumph of Capote’s wit and humanity.
12. Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh
Set in the opulent inter-war era in England, Brideshead Revisited chronicles the increasingly complex relationship between Oxford student Charles Ryder, his university chum Sebastian, whose noble family they visit at their grand seat of Brideshead. A lush, nostalgic, and passionate rendering of a bygone era of English aristocracy.
13. A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking
Welcome to Theoretical Physics 101. If it sounds daunting, you aren’t alone, and Stephen Hawking does a beautiful job guiding layperson readers through complex subjects. If you’re keen to learn more about such enigmas as black holes, relativity theory, quantum mechanics, and time itself, this is a perfect first taste.
14. The Call of the Wild (Reader's Library Classics) by Jack London
London's American classic is the bildungsroman of Buck: a St. Bernard/Scotch Collie mix who must adapt to life as a sled dog after a domesticated upbringing. Thrown into a harsh new reality, he must trust his instincts to survive. When he falls into the hands of a wise, experienced outdoorsman, will he become loyal to his new master or finally answer the call of the wild?
15. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
Salinger’s angsty coming-of-age tale is an English class cornerstone for a good reason. The story follows Holden Caulfield, a 17-year-old boy fed up with prep school “phonies.” Escaping to New York in search of authenticity, he soon discovers that the city is a microcosm of the society he hates. Relentlessly cynical yet profoundly moving, The Catcher in the Rye will strike a chord not just with Holden’s fellow teens but with earnest thinkers of all ages.
16. A Christmas Carol (Bantam Classics) by Charles Dickens
If you’re not acquainted with Dickens , then his evergreen Christmastime classic is the perfect introduction. Not only is it one of his best-loved works, but it’s also a slim 104 pages — a true yuletide miracle from an author with a tendency towards the tome! This short length means it’s the perfect book with which to cozy up in winter, just when you want to feel that warm holiday glow.
17. The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
En route to his wedding, merchant sailor Edmond Dantès is shockingly accused of treason and thrown in prison without cause. There, he learns the secret location of a great fortune — knowledge that incites him to escape his grim fortress and take revenge on his accusers. With peerlessly propulsive prose, Dumas spins an epic tale of retribution, jealousy, and suffering that deserves every page he gives it.
18. Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
A masterclass in character development , the very title of Dostoyevsky’s Crime and Punishment is essentially an idiom for 'epic literature.' It centers around Raskolnikov, an unremarkable man who randomly murders someone after convincing himself that his motives are lofty enough to justify his actions. It turns out that it’s never that simple, and his conscience begins to call to him more and more.
19. Dangerous Liaisons by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos
The inspiration for the seminal 90s teen drama Cruel Intentions , Laclos's epistolary classic is a heady pre-revolutionary cocktail of sex and scandal that paints a damning portrait of high society. Laclos expertly plays with form and structure, composing a riveting narrative of letters passed between the Marquise de Merteuil and the Vicomte de Valmont — aristocratic former lovers who get in over their heads when they start playing with people's hearts.
20. The Death of Artemio Cruz by Carlos Fuentes
In this highly atmospheric book, Fuentes draws the reader in with hypnotic, visceral descriptions of the final hours of its title character: a multifaceted tycoon, revolutionary, lover, and politician. As with many classic books, death here symbolizes corruption — yet it’s also impossible to ignore as a physical reality. As well as being a powerful statement on mortality, it's a moving history of the Mexican Revolution and a landmark in Latin-American literature .
21. Diary of a Madman, and other stories by Lu Xun
This collection is a modern Chinese classic containing chilling, satirical stories illustrating a time of great social upheaval. With tales that ask questions about what constitutes an individual's life, ordinary citizens' everyday experiences blend with enduring feudal values, ghosts, death, and even a touch of cannibalism.
22. Samuel Pepys The Diaries by Samuel Pepys
Best known for his recording the Great Fire of London, Samuel Pepys was a man whose writings have provided modern historians with one of the greatest insights into 17th-century living. The greatest hits of his diary include eyewitness accounts of the restoration of the monarchy and the Great Plague. The timelessness of this book, however, is owed to the richness of Pepys's day-to-day drama, which he records in unsparing, lively detail.
23 . A Doll's House and Other Plays (Penguin Classics) by Henrik Ibsen
Ibsen’s A Doll’s House is a powerful play starring the seemingly frivolous housewife Nora. Her husband, Torvald, considers her to be a silly “bird” of a companion, but in reality, she’s got a much firmer grasp on the hard facts of their domestic life than he does. Readers will celebrate as she finds the voice to speak her true thoughts.
24. Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes
Entranced by tales of chivalry, a minor nobleman reinvents himself as a knight. He travels the land jousting giants and delivering justice — though, in reality, he’s tilting at windmills and fighting friars. And while Don Quixote lives out a fantasy in his head, an imposter puts it to the page, further blurring the line between fiction and reality. Considered by many to be the first modern novel, Don Quixote is undoubtedly the work of a master storyteller.
25. The Dream of The Red Chamber by Cao Xueqin
A treasured classic of Chinese literature, Dream of the Red Chamber is a rich, sprawling text that explores the darkest corners of high society during the Qing Dynasty. Focusing on two branches of a fading aristocratic clan, it details the lives of almost forty major characters, including Jia Baoyu, the heir apparent whose romantic notions may threaten the family's future.
26. Dune by Frank Herbert
A dazzling epic science fiction classic, Dune created a now-immortalized interstellar society featuring a conflict between various noble families. On the desert planet of Arrakis, House Atreides controls the production of a high-demand drug known as "the spice". As political conflicts mount and spice-related revelations occur, young heir Paul Atreides must push himself to the absolute limit to save his planet and his loved ones.
27. The Fellowship of the Ring by J. R. R. Tolkien
Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings trilogy became the blueprint for countless fantasy series , and this first installment is its epic start. In The Fellowship of the Ring, we meet Frodo Baggins and his troupe of loyal friends, all of whom embark on a fateful mission: to destroy the One Ring and its awful powers forever.
28. The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan
Betty Friedan’s disruptive feminist text sheds light on the midcentury dissatisfaction of homemakers across America. Her case studies of unhappy women relegated to the domestic sphere, striving for careers and identities beyond the home, cut deep even now — and in retrospect, were a clear catalyst for second-wave feminism in the United States.
29. Frankenstein by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley
Shelley’s hugely influential classic recounts the tragic tale of Victor Frankenstein: a scientist who mistakenly engineers a violent monster. When Victor abandons his creation, the monster escapes and threatens to kill Victor’s family — unless he’s given a mate. Facing tremendous moral pressure, Victor must choose: foster a new race to possibly destroy humanity, or be responsible for the deaths of everyone he’s ever loved?
30. Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin
A defining entry in the LGBTQ+ canon , Giovanni’s Room relates one man’s struggle with his sexuality, as well as the broader consequences of the toxic patriarchy. After David, our narrator, has traveled to France to find himself, he begins a relationship with messy, magnetic Giovanni — the perfect foil to David’s safe, dull girlfriend. As more trouble arises, David agonizes over who he is, what he wants, and whether it is even possible to obtain it in this world.
31. The Golden Notebook by Doris Lessing
This inventive meta novel is the first of Lessing’s “inner space” works, dealing with ideas of mental and societal breakdown. It revolves around writer Anna Wulf, who hopes to combine the notebooks about her life into one grand narrative. But despite her creative strides, Anna has irreparably fragmented herself — and working to re-synthesize her different sides eventually drives her mad.
32. Goodbye To All That by Robert Graves
Few people possess enough raw material to pen a memoir at the age of 34. Robert Graves — having already lived through the First World War and the seismic shifts it sparked in English society and sensibilities — peppers his sober account of social and personal turmoil with moments of surprising levity. Graves would later go on to write I, Claudius, a novel of the Roman Empire that is considered one of the greatest books ever written.
33. The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
Following one Oklahoma family’s journey out of the Dust Bowl in search of a better life in California, Steinbeck’s classic is a vivid snapshot of Depression-era America, and about as devastating as it gets. Both tragic and awe-inspiring, The Grapes of Wrath is widely considered to be Steinbeck's best book and a front-runner for the title of The Great American Novel.
34. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
When talking of the Great American Novel, you cannot help but mention this work by F. Scott Fitzgerald. More than just a champagne-soaked story of love, betrayal, and murder, The Great Gatsby has a lot to say about class, identity, and belonging if you scratch its surface. You probably read this classic book in high school, but a return visit to West Egg is more than justified.
35. The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers
Meet John Singer, a deaf and nonverbal man who sits in the same café every day. Here, in the deep American South of the 1930s, John meets an assortment of people and acts as the silent, kind keeper of their stories — right up until an unforgettable ending that will blow you away. It’s hard to believe McCullers was only 23 when she penned this Southern gothic classic.
36. The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by Edward Gibbon
An epic work that befits its lengthy title, The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire chronicles thirteen centuries of Roman rule. It chronicles its leaders, conflicts, and the events that led to its collapse— an outcome that Gibbon lays at the feet of Christianity. This work is an ambitious feat at over six volumes, though one that Gibbon pulls off with great panache.
37. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
Arthur Dent is an Englishman, an enjoyer of tea — and the only person to survive the destruction of the Earth. Accompanied by an alien author, Dent must now venture into the intergalactic bypass to figure out what’s going on. Though by no means the first comedic genre book, Douglas Adams’s masterpiece certainly popularized the idea that science fiction doesn't have to be earnest and straight-faced.
38. The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Arthur Conan Doyle’s world-famous detective needs no introduction. Mythologized in film and television many times over by now, this mystery of a diabolical hound roaming the moors in Devon is perhaps Sherlock Holmes’s most famous adventure.
39. The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende
Few first-time novelists have had the kind of impact and success enjoyed by Isabel Allende with her triumphant debut. Found at the top of pretty much every list of ‘best sweeping family sagas,’ The House of the Spirits chronicles the tumultuous history of the Trueba family, entwining the personal, the political, and the magical.
40. How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie
A perennial personal development staple, How to Win Friends and Influence People has been flying off the shelves since its release in 1936. Full of tried-and-true tips for garnering favor in both professional and personal settings, you’ll want to read the classic book that launched the entire self-help industry.
41. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
From a small Southern town to San Francisco, this landmark memoir covers Maya Angelou’s childhood years growing up in the United States, facing daily prejudice, racism, and sexism. Yet what shines the brightest on every page is Maya Angelou’s voice — which made the book an instant classic in 1969 and has endured to this day.
42. I, Robot by Isaac Asimov
You don’t have to be a sci-fi buff (or a Will Smith fan) to understand I, Robot’s iconic status. But if you are one, you’ll know the impact Isaac Asimov’s short story collection has had on subsequent generations of writers. Razor-sharp and thought-provoking, these tales of robotic sentience are still deeply relevant today.
43. If This Is a Man by Primo Levi
Spare, unflinching, and horrifying, If This Is a Ma n is Italian-Jewish writer Primo Levi’s autobiographical account of life under fascism and his detention in Auschwitz. It serves as an invaluable historical document and a powerful insight into the atrocities of war, making for a challenging but essential read.
44. Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison
From Ellison’s exceptional writing to his affecting portrayal of Black existence in America, Invisible Man is a true masterpiece. The book’s unnamed narrator describes experiences ranging from frustrating to nightmarish, reflecting on the “invisibility” of being seen only as one’s racial identity. Weaving in threads of Marxist theory and political unrest, this National Book Award winner remains a radical, brilliant must-read for the 21st century.
45. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
Like a dark, sparkling jewel passed down through generations, Charlotte Brontë’s exquisite Gothic romance continues to be revered and reimagined more than 170 years after its publication. Its endurance is largely thanks to the intensely passionate and turbulent relationship between headstrong heroine Jane and the mysterious Mr. Rochester — a romance that is strikingly modern in its sexual politics.
46. The Journey to the West by Wu Cheng'en
Journey to the West is an episodic Chinese novel published anonymously in the 16th century and attributed to Wu Cheng’en. Today, this beloved text — a rollicking fantasy about a mischievous, shape-shifting monkey god and his fallen immortal friends — is the source text for children’s stories, films, and comics. But this classic book is also an insightful comic satire and a monument of literature comparable to The Canterbury Tales or Don Quixote.
47. Kindred by Octavia E. Butler
A science fiction novel by one of the genre's greats, Kindred asks the toughest “what if” question there is: What if a modern black woman was transported back in time to antebellum Maryland? Octavia Butler sugarcoats nothing in this incisive, time-traveling inquisition into race and racism during one of the most horrifying periods in American history.
49. The Lonely Londoners by Samuel Selvon
The Lonely Londoners occupies a unique historical position as one of the earliest accounts of the Black working-class in 20th-century Britain. Selvon delves into the lives of immigrants from the West Indies, most of whom feel disillusioned and listless in London. But with its singular slice-of-life style and humor, The Lonely Londoners is hardly a tragic novel — only an unflinchingly honest one.
50. Lord of the Flies by William Golding
Another high school English classic, Lord of the Flies recounts the fate of a group of young British boys stranded on a desert island. Though they initially attempt to band together, rising tensions and paranoia lead to in-fighting and, eventually, terrible violence. The result is a dark cautionary tale against our own primitive brutality — with the haunting implication that it's closer to the surface than we'd like to think.
51. Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert
Flaubert’s heroine Emma Bovary is the young wife of a provincial doctor who escapes her banal existence by devouring romance novels. But when Emma decides she remains unfulfilled, she starts seeking romantic affairs of her own — all of which fail to meet her expectations or rescue her from her mounting debt. Though Flaubert’s novel caused a moral outcry on publication, its portrayal of a married woman’s affair was so realistic, many women believed they were the model for his heroine.
52. The Man Who Would Be King by Rudyard Kipling
This short novella tells the story of two British men visiting India while the country is a British colony. Swindlers and cheats, the men trick their way to Kafiristan, a remote region where one of them comes to be revered as king. A cautionary tale warning against letting things go to your head, this funny and absurd read has also been made into a classic film starring Michael Caine and Sean Connery.
53. Middlemarch by George Eliot
Subtitled A Study of Provincial Life , this novel concerns itself with the ordinary lives of individuals in the fictional town of Middlemarch in the early 19th century. Hailed for its depiction of a time of significant social change, it also stands out for its gleaming idealism, as well as endless generosity and compassion towards the follies of humanity.
54. Midnight's Children by Salman Rushdie
Born in the first hour of India’s independence, Saleem Sinai is gifted with the power of telepathy and an extraordinary sense of smell. He soon discovers that there are 1,001 others with similar abilities — people who can help Saleem build a new India. The winner of the Booker prize in 1981, Salman Rushdie’s groundbreaking novel is a triumphant achievement of magical realism .
55. Moby-Dick by Herman Melville
Moby-Dick is more than the story of a boy on-board a whaling ship, more than an ode to marine lore and legend, and even more than a metaphysical allegory for the struggle between good and evil. Herman Melville’s “Great American Novel” is a masterful study of faith, obsession, and delusion — and a profound social commentary born from his lifelong meditation on America. The result will fill you with wonder and awe.
56. My Antonia by Willa Cather
Willa Cather’s celebrated classic about life on the prairie, My Ántonia tells the nostalgic story of Jim and Ántonia, childhood friends and neighbors in rural Nebraska. As well as charting the passage of time and the making of America, it’s a book that fills readers with wonder and a warm feeling of familiarity.
57. The Name Of The Rose by Umberto Eco
Originally published in Italian, The Name of the Rose is one of the bestselling books of all time — and for good reason. Umberto Eco plots a wild ride from start to finish: an intelligent murder mystery that combines theology, semiotics, empiricism, biblical analysis, and layers of metanarratives that create a brilliant labyrinth of a book.
58. The Nether World by George Gissing
A masterpiece of realism, The Nether World forces the reader to spend time with the type of marginalized people routinely left out of fiction: the working class of late 19th century London, a group whose many problems are intertwined with money. Idealistic in its pessimism, this fantastic novel insists that life is much more demanding than fiction lets show.
59. Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell
George Orwell’s story of a heavily surveilled dystopian state was heralded as prescient and left a lasting impact on popular culture and language (“Room 101”, “Big Brother,” and “Doublethink” were all born in its pages, to name a few). Just read it, if only to recognize its references, which you’ll begin to notice everywhere .
60. North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell
Uprooted from the South, a pastor's daughter, Margaret Hale, finds herself living in an industrial town in England's North. She encounters the suffering of the local mill workers and the mill owner John Thornton — and two very different passions ignite. In North and South, Elizabeth Gaskell fuses personal feeling with social concern, creating in the process a heroine that feels original and strikingly modern.
61. The Odyssey by Homer
This timeless classic has the heart-racing thrills of an adventure story and the psychological drama of an intricate family saga. After ten years fighting in a thankless war, Odysseus begins the long journey home to Ithaca — where his wife Penelope struggles to hold off a horde of suitors. But with men and gods standing in their way, will Odysseus and Penelope ever be reunited?
62. The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway
Ernest Hemingway ’s career culminated with The Old Man and the Sea, the last book he published in his lifetime. This ocean-deep novella has a deceptively simple premise — an aging fisherman ventures out into the Gulf Stream determined to break his unlucky streak. What follows is a battle that’s small in scale but epic in feeling, rendered in Hemingway’s famously spare prose.
63. On The Origin of Species by Charles Darwin
Questioning the idea of a Creator — and therefore challenging the beliefs of most of the Western world — in The Origin of Species , Darwin explored a theory of evolution based on laws of natural selection. Not only is this text still considered a groundbreaking scientific work, but the ideas it puts forward remain fundamental to modern biology. And it’s totally readable to boot!
64. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey
The subjective nature of “sanity,” institutional oppression, and rejection of authority are just a few of the issues tackled in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest . The rebellious Randle McMurphy is this story’s de facto hero, and his clashes with the notorious Nurse Ratched have not only inspired a host of spin-offs but arguably a whole movement of fiction related to mental health.
65. One Thousand and One Nights by Anonymous
Embittered by his first wife’s infidelity, King Shahryar takes a new bride every night and beheads her in the morning — until Scheherazade, his latest bride, learns to use her imagination to stave off death. In this collection of Arabic folk tales, the quick-witted storyteller Scheherazade demonstrates the power of a good cliffhanger — on both the king and the reader!
66. Orientalism by Edward W. Said
An intelligent critique of the way the Western world perceives the East, Orientalism argues that the West’s racist, oppressive, and backward representation of the Eastern world is tied to imperialism. Published in 1978, Edward Said’s transformative text changed academic discourse forever.
67. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Thanks to the wit and wisdom of Jane Austen, the love story of Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy (pioneers of the enemies-to-lovers trope) is not merely a regency romance but a playful commentary on class, wealth, and the search for self-knowledge in a world governed by strict etiquette. Light, bright, and flawlessly crafted, Pride and Prejudice is an Austen classic you’re guaranteed to love.
68. The Princesse de Clèves by Madame de Lafayette
Often called the first modern novel from France, The Princesse de Cleves is an account of love, anguish, and their inherent inseparability: an all-too-familiar story, despite the 16th-century setting. Though the plot is simple — an unrequited love, unspoken until it’s not — Madame de Lafayette pours onto the pages a moving and profound analysis of the fragile human heart.
69. The Reader by Bernhard Schlink
The Reader is set in postwar Germany, a society still living in the shadow of the Holocaust. The book begins with an older woman’s relationship with a minor, though it isn’t even the most shocking thing that happens in this novel. Concerned with disconnection and apathy, Schlink’s book grapples with the guilty weight of the past without flinching from the horror of the present.
70. Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
“Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again.” Du Maurier’s slow-burning mystery has been sending a chill down readers’ spines for decades, earning its place in the horror hall of fame. It’s required reading for any fan of the genre, but reader beware: this gorgeously gothic novel will keep you up at night.
71. A Room of One's Own by Virginia Woolf
A mainstay of feminist literature , A Room of One’s Own experimentally blends fiction and fact to drill down into the role of women in literature as both subjects and creatives. Part critical theory, part rallying cry, this slender book still packs a powerful punch.
72. Season of Migration to the North by Tayeb Salih
Described by Edward Said as one of the great novels in the oeuvre of Arabic books, Season of Migration to the North is the revolutionary narrative of two men struggling to re-discover their Sudanese identities following the impact of British colonialism. Some compare it to Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness , but it stands tall in its own right.
73. The Second Sex by Simone de Beauvoir
A foundational feminist text , Simone de Beauvoir's treatise The Second Sex marked a watershed moment in feminist history and gender theory. It rewards the efforts of those willing to traverse its nearly 1,000 pages with eye-opening truths about gender, oppression, and otherness.
74. The Selfish Gene by Richard Dawkins
How do genes work? And what does that mean for our chances of survival? Often cited as one of the most influential science books of all time, Richard Dawkins’ The Selfish Gene seeks to answer these pressing questions and more. It also touts the dubious glory of introducing the word “meme” into the public consciousness.
75. The Shining by Stephen King
Jack Torrance is the new off-season caretaker at the Overlook Hotel. Providing his family with a home and him with enough time to write, it’s the perfect job, but for one tiny problem: the hotel may be haunted. And it’s only going to get worse once winter sets in. If you only read one horror book in your lifetime, you could do much worse than Stephen King’s The Shining .
76. Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse
The story of a man casting off his worldly possessions in the pursuit of self-discovery and enlightenment, Siddhartha may seem intimidatingly philosophical at first glance. In reality, though, Herman Hesse’s German-language classic is surprisingly accessible, and as page-turning and readable as it is spiritually enlightening.
77. The Sorrows Of Young Werther by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
A defining work in early Romanticism that influenced the likes of Mary Shelley and Thomas Mann, The Sorrows of Young Werther is an epistolary novel that tells of a young writer infatuated with someone else’s betrothed. Drawing heavily on his own experience of ill-fated love, as well as the death of his good friend, Goethe makes the pages hum with angst and repressed desire.
78. The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson
Dr. Jekyll’s attempt to indulge in his vices transforms him into the horrific Mr. Hyde. The more Jekyll yields to his urges, the more powerful Hyde becomes until even Jekyll can’t control him. The result is a thrilling story of supernatural horror and a potent allegory that warns against giving in to one’s dark side.
79. The Stranger by Albert Camus
The Stranger opens with Meursault, our hero, learning of the death of his mother. His reaction to the news is put under intense scrutiny from those around him. The reader is led in a strange dance of absurdism and existentialism that sees Meursault confront something even crueler than mortality: society’s expectations.
80. A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth by Vikram Seth
Recently adapted into a hit drama by the BBC, A Suitable Boy is one of the newer books on our list but has already landed classic status. At nearly 1,500 pages long, the story of 19-year-old Lata's attempts to resist her family's efforts to marry her off to "a suitable boy" is astonishing in its execution and eye-opening look at class, religion, and gendered expectations in mid-century India.
81. The Tale of Genji by Murasaki Shikibu
The Tale of Genji follows the romantic and political misadventures of a young official born to one of the emperor’s consorts. With no place in the line of succession, Genji makes his way through life using his good looks and charm — but these gifts ultimately bring him more sorrow than joy. Elegant and immersive, this captivating classic is often touted as the first in-depth character study.
82. Tess of the D'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy
Set against sweeping landscapes and wind-torn fields, Tess of the D’Urbervilles focuses on the life of young Tess Durbeyfield, who, by her family’s great poverty, is forced to claim kinship with the wealthy D’Urberville family. What follows is a devastating tragedy, as Tess meets harsher and harsher treatment at the hands of men.
83. Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
After being caught kissing down-and-out Johnny Taylor, sixteen-year-old Janie is promptly married off to an older man. Following her journey through adolescence, adulthood, and a string of unsatisfying marriages with unblinking honesty, Their Eyes Were Watching God is one of the seminal masterpieces of African American literature .
84. Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
Chinua Achebe’s magnum opus follows Okonkwo, an Igbo man whose sole aim is to rise above his father’s weak legacy. Okonkwo is strong and fearless, but his obsession with masculinity leads him to violently dominate others — until he goes too far one day. The following events form an unparalleled tragedy, made all the more gripping by rich details of pre-colonial Igbo culture and timeless questions about tradition and honor.
85. Thousand Cranes by Yasunari Kawabata
When a young man meets his late father’s mistress at a tea ceremony, he succumbs to a desire that is both transgressive and overpowering. While the tragic consequences of their love affair unfold, Kawabata delicately guides us through a world of passion, regret, and exquisite beauty. No wonder Thousand Cranes helped him land a Nobel Prize.
86. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
This unforgettable classic centers on race relations and justice in the Depression-era South. Narrated by our protagonist as an adult, it looks back to her childhood when her father defended a Black man falsely accused of rape. She muses on what their small town’s reactions to the trial taught her about prejudice and morality. Despite the heavy subject matter, Scout’s warm, insightful voice makes To Kill a Mockingbird a joy to read; no wonder it’s often cited as the Great American Novel.
87. The Trial by Franz Kafka
The Trial begins with a bank cashier, Josef K., accused of an unspecified crime and told to await a court summons. Josef attempts to figure out what he has “done” but is met only with chaos and despair, and his sanity continues to fray as he goes through this maddening ordeal.
88. The Turn of the Screw by Henry James
Henry James’ brilliance arguably reached a pinnacle with The Turn of the Screw , a Gothic novella about a governess who cares for two children in the estate of Bly. She grows convinced that the grounds are haunted by ghosts — but are they, really?
89. Twelve Years a Slave by Solomon Northup
Steve McQueen’s Oscar-winning adaptation recently drew renewed attention to this vital work by Solomon Northup, a memoir that takes a well-deserved place on every complete list of classic books. As a free and educated man kidnapped and sold into slavery, Northup was able to write an extraordinarily full account of life on a cotton plantation that exposes the brutal truth from the uniquely cutting viewpoint of both an outsider and a victim.
90. Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne
This classic sci-fi book features the original Nemo — not, regrettably, an adorable clownfish, but the captain of a submarine called Nautilus. Captain Nemo, his crew, and three scientists go on a fantastical journey in the shadowy depths of the sea. From underwater forests to walking the seafloor and finding Atlantis, this is no ordinary adventure.
91. Ulysses by James Joyce
Though it’s a long book, Ulysses traces the progress of a single day in the life of Irishman Leopold Bloom and his acquaintances. A groundbreaking modernist work, this novel is characterized by innovative literary experimentation and a stream-of-consciousness flow that winds elusively along the streets of Dublin.
92. Under the Net by Iris Murdoch
Iris Murdoch’s best-known novel is much like its protagonist: brimming with equal parts charisma and chaos. Down-and-out writer Jake Donaghue is the man of the hour, and the reader charts him all over London as he runs into increasingly odd characters and situations.
93. Untouchable by Mulk Raj Anand
Untouchable follows a day in the life of Bakha, a sweeper and toilet cleaner who is rendered “untouchable” under India’s rigid caste system. Only 166 pages long, Anand presents a powerful case study of injustice and the oppressive systems that perpetuate it.
94. A Vindication of the Rights of Woman by Mary Wollstonecraft
A commanding manifesto by author-activist Mary Wollstonecraft, A Vindication of the Rights of Woman birthed the tenets of modern feminist thought. Defying the commonly held notion that women were naturally inferior to men, it argued that a lack of education for women fostered inequality. One to pick up if you want to feel good about how far gender equality has come — or if you want to fuel your fire for the distance yet to be traveled.
95. The War of the Worlds by H. G. Wells
Two worlds must do epic battle: humankind and Martians. And only one can survive. This seminal science fiction work caused widespread panic in 1938 when its radio adaptation—narrated and directed by Orson Welles—made people across the United States think that an actual alien invasion was taking place right outside their front doors.
96. Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys
Are you tired of being told to read Jane Eyre ? Then we suggest you pick up Wide Sargasso Sea : the feminist prequel written by Jean Rhys in 1966. Rhys reshapes the Bronte classic forever by writing from Bertha Mason’s point of view: no longer the madwoman in the attic, but a Jamaican caught in a patriarchal society from which she cannot escape.
97. Wizard of the Crow by Ngugi wa Thiong'o
This book takes its reader to a fictional African nation called the Free Republic of Aburiria and brings a postcolonial edge to folk storytelling. Featuring tricksters, lovers, and magical elements, Wizard of the Crow is a hilarious satire of autocracy and an experimental feat that cleverly incorporates oral traditions into its grand vision.
98. Women, Race & Class by Angela Davis
Women, Race, and Class is a must-read for anyone who wants to know about the intersectionality of the abolitionist and women’s suffrage movements. Civil rights activist Angela Davis unpacks white feminism, sexism, and racism in clear, incisive prose as she makes a resounding call for equality.
99. Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
Amid a terrible snowstorm, a man takes shelter at Wuthering Heights, where he learns the story of the manor’s former inhabitants: Catherine and Heathcliff. Set against the bleak and feral backdrop of the Yorkshire Moors, it’s a story of impossible desire, cruel betrayal, and bitter vengeance that rages with as much life and power as the fierce winds outside.
100. The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
One of the early feminist triumphs, The Yellow Wallpaper is the famous short story chronicling the slow breakdown of a woman imprisoned in a room with (spoiler alert) yellow wallpaper—presumably to cure her “temporary nervous depression.” Highly recommended, especially since it’s only a 10-minute read.
Still hungry for more classic reads? Check out our picks for the best books of all time . If you'd like to try something a little more contemporary, we've got you covered with our favorite novels of the 21st century .
Continue reading
More posts from across the blog.
Zlibrary: 20 Alternatives to Borrow Ebooks in 2023
Wondering where to find the best digital libraries? Look no further. We’ve compiled a list of 20 legitimate alternatives to Zlibrary, where you can borrow and find ebooks for free.
The 20+ Best Places To Find Free Audiobooks Online
It’s not hard to see why audiobooks have recently grown in popularity: there’s something uniquely magnetic about stories brought to life by professional actors who can add texture to various personalities. If you want to absorb stories while you walk, do your chores, or lie do...
The 60 Best Fantasy Books for Kids
No matter how old you are, it’s never too early to start reading fantasy — especially with so many incredible works out there! And of course, bolstered by a kid’s imagination, the...
Heard about Reedsy Discovery?
Or sign up with an
Or sign up with your social account
- Submit your book
- Reviewer directory
Which book should you read next?
Discover the perfect book for you. Takes 30 seconds!
The 50 Most Famous Books of All Time, Free!
* If you have doubts about how to download free books from InfoBooks, visit our guide to downloading books .
Welcome to our incredible collection of the 50 most famous books of all time, available for free!
These books have transcended cultural and linguistic barriers, becoming fundamental pillars of world literature. What makes these books famous? There are several criteria that set them apart.
First and foremost, these books have significantly influenced literature and left a lasting impact on culture. Their stories, characters, and themes have resonated in the collective consciousness, transcending the passage of time.
Moreover, these books have been widely studied in academic programs, becoming references in the literary field.
The popularity and relevance of these books are also reflected in their translation into multiple languages, making them accessible to a global audience.
Lastly, many of these books have been adapted into movies, theater, and other media forms, increasing their popularity and leading to wider dissemination.
From thrilling adventures to profound explorations of the human condition, this collection of the 50 most famous books of all time, available for free in PDF format , invites you to immerse yourself in unforgettable literary worlds.
Famous Books of Classic Literature
Classic literature has given life to a collection of famous books that have left an indelible mark on the history of literature. These timeless works have endured throughout the centuries and have been appreciated by generations of readers around the world.
From the witty and satirical pages of Miguel de Cervantes’ “Don Quixote” to the exploration of social and emotional challenges in Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice,” classic literature invites us to immerse ourselves in worlds rich in characters, universal themes, and masterful narratives.
These famous books of classic literature have not only left a literary legacy but have also influenced culture, philosophy, and human thought.
Pride and Prejudice
Jane Austen
Crime and Punishment
Fyodor Dostoevsky
Little Women
Louisa May Alcott
Don Quixote
Miguel de Cervantes
Herman Melville
Charlotte Bronte
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
Frankenstein
Mary Shelley
Nineteen Eighty-Four
George Orwell
One Hundred Years of Solitude
Gabriel García Márquez
Famous Books of Fantasy Literature
Fantasy literature immerses us in a universe of wonder and awe, where the boundaries of reality blur and imagination reaches new heights.
Among the famous books of this genre, we find a selection of works that transport us to extraordinary worlds and captivate us with their unforgettable stories.
From the magical journey to Oz in “The Wizard of Oz” to the daring adventures of “One Thousand and One Nights,” these famous books of fantasy literature envelop us in a kaleidoscope of fascinating characters and unexpected situations.
The Wonderful Wizard of OZ
L. Frank Baum
The Wind in the Willows
Kenneth Grahame
The Thousand and One Nights
J.M. Barrie
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
The Portrait of Dorian Gray
Oscar Wilde
Bram Stoker
Around the World in Eighty Days
Jules Verne
The Last of the Mohicans
James Fenimore Cooper
The Count of Monte Cristo
Alexandre Dumas
The Mysterious Island
Famous Books of Mystery Literature
Mystery literature has produced some of the most iconic works of universal storytelling. These books revolutionized the crime genre with ingenious plots that keep readers on the edge of their seats.
Their authors created intriguing detective characters who unveil crimes through observation and deductive logic. They explore fascinating themes such as dual personalities, ancestral secrets, and unsolved mysteries.
Famous books of mystery literature continue to influence the genre to this day. New generations still find stimulating stories and enduring characters within their pages, transcending the time in which they were written.
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
Arthur Conan Doyle
The Strange Case of Doctor Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Robert Louis Stevenson
The Murders In The Rue Morgue
Edgar Allan Poe
The Hound of the Baskervilles
The Woman in White
Wilkie Collins
File No. 113
Émile Gaboriau
The Mystery of the Yellow Room
Gaston Leroux
The Mystery of Marie Rogêt
The Valley of Fear
Northanger Abbey
Famous Books of Children’s Literature
There are works that have accompanied entire generations in their discovery of reading and imagination. These classics captivated young readers with magical worlds, endearing characters, and life lessons hidden within exciting adventure stories.
Through their pages, children embarked on fabulous journeys into the jungle, fantastic societies, or cartoonish countries. These famous books of children’s literature cherished the wonder of childhood and elevated the imagination.
Their legacy endures over time thanks to the generations who, upon accessing their pages, discovered the joy of the unknown and the infinite universe that unfolds between the pages of a good book.
The Little Prince
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
The Jungle Book
Rudyard Kipling
Guilliver's Travels
Jonathan Swift
Treasure Island
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
Lewis Carroll
The Adventures of Pinocchio
Carlo Collodi
Hansel y Gretel
Hermanos Grimm
Famous Books of Classic Theater
Certain works have transcended their time to become true universal references in the world of drama. Through complex plots and eternal characters, these classics delved into the deepest aspects of the human being.
Themes such as destiny, excessive ambition, archetypes of good and evil, and the fragility of the human condition were presented to the audience through dense dialogues and narratives that shocked their era.
Over the centuries, these famous books of classic theater continue to be performed worldwide and resonate with new generations due to their ability to portray with rawness but also beauty the eternal nature of the human soul and its most universal conflicts.
Romeo e Julieta
William Shakespeare
A Tempestade
Famous Books of Classic Poetry
Certain works have immortalized the beauty of words in memorable verses. Through them, great poets explored the complexities of the human soul and captured their vision of the world with lyrical mastery.
Universal themes such as love, nature, politics, or the human condition were presented with the delicacy of meter and the overflowing imagination of their authors.
Their influence endures in new artists who, by turning to them, renew the candor with which classic poetry captured the human condition through the famous books of classic poetry.
Divine Comedy
Dante Alighieri
The Flowers of Evil
Charles Baudelaire
Emily Dickinson
Leaves of Grass
Walt Whitman
Here ends our selection of free Famous books in PDF format. We hope you liked it and already have your next book!
If you found this list useful, do not forget to share it on your social networks. Remember that “Sharing is Caring” .
Various Topics
| Adventure Books
| Agriculture Books
| Agronomy Books
| Airplanes Books
| Alcoholism Books
| Anthropology Books
| Astronomy Books
| Books about Adolescence
| Books for Parents
| Books for Teenagers
| Books On Weight Loss
| Books to Learn Sign Language
| Books you must read Before you Die
| Comedy Books
| Communication Books
| Cowboy Books
| Criminalistics Books
| Criminology Books
| Drama Books
| Environmental Pollution Books
| Ergonomics Books
| Erotic Books
| Fantasy Books
| Feminist Books
| Geography Books
| Geology Books
| Heartbreak Books
| Hydroponics Books
| Industrial Maintenance Books
| Interesting Books
| Jokes Books
| Learn to Play the Guitar Books
| Learn to Play the Piano Books
| Learn to Sing Books
| Learning Books
| LGBT Books
| Metaphysics Books
| Montessori Method Books
| Most Read Books
| Movie Books
| Numismatics Books
| Pedagogy Books
| Political Science Books
| Pregnancy Books
| Public Speaking Books
| Sad Books
| Science Fiction Books
| Shorthand Books
| Sustainable Development Books
| Topography Books
| Tourism Books
| YouTubers Books
Alternative Therapy
Art & Photography
Children's
Computer Science
Engineering
Esotericism
Food & Drinks
French Books
Mystery and Thriller
Portuguese Books
Self Improvement
Short Stories
Spanish Books
HELP US SPREAD THE HABIT OF READING!
InfoBooks is a website to download free books legally.
LINKS OF INTEREST:
- Craft and Criticism
- Fiction and Poetry
- News and Culture
- Lit Hub Radio
- Reading Lists
- Literary Criticism
- Craft and Advice
- In Conversation
- On Translation
- Short Story
- From the Novel
- Bookstores and Libraries
- Film and TV
- Art and Photography
- Freeman’s
- The Virtual Book Channel
- Behind the Mic
- Beyond the Page
- The Cosmic Library
- The Critic and Her Publics
- Emergence Magazine
- Fiction/Non/Fiction
- First Draft: A Dialogue on Writing
- Future Fables
- The History of Literature
- I’m a Writer But
- Just the Right Book
- Lit Century
- The Literary Life with Mitchell Kaplan
- New Books Network
- Tor Presents: Voyage Into Genre
- Windham-Campbell Prizes Podcast
- Write-minded
- The Best of the Decade
- Best Reviewed Books
- BookMarks Daily Giveaway
- The Daily Thrill
- CrimeReads Daily Giveaway
The 10 Most Famous Bookstores in the World
For dedicated tourists who also want to buy books.
Yesterday was the anniversary of the birth of Sylvia Beach—probably the most notorious bookstore owner in modern history, and the founder of what is still arguably the most famous bookstore in the world: Paris’s Shakespeare and Company. On the occasion of this, her 131st birthday, I was inspired to look into the history of Beach and the bookstore—as well as the stories behind some of the other best, most visited, and most talked-out bookstores around the world. NB that fame, literary and otherwise, necessarily depends on your viewpoint, and because of where I’m standing, this list has something of an American bias. Which is only to say that I’d love to hear about which international bookstores are most famous in the minds of readers in other countries—whether the list is very similar or very different.
Shakespeare and Company, Paris
Shakespeare and Company is often described as the most famous bookstore in the world—but which one is the most famous? There have actually been three versions: the first was opened by Sylvia Beach in 1919 on the rue Dupuytren. When the store outgrew its walls a few years later, she moved it to the rue de l’Odéon. It was from this location that Beach published Joyce’s Ulysses , and where Joyce, along with Ernest Hemingway, Djuna Barnes, Ezra Pound, Anaïs Nin, Julio Cortázar,James Baldwin, etc etc etc, hung out. But the bookstore was forced to close during the occupation of Paris in WWII. According to the store’s website , it was because Beach didn’t want to sell book to Nazis:
One day that December, a Nazi officer entered her store and demanded Beach’s last copy of Finnegans Wake . Beach declined to sell him the book. The officer said he would return in the afternoon to confiscate all of Beach’s goods and to close her bookstore. After he left, Beach immediately moved all the shop’s books and belongings to an upstairs apartment. In the end, she would spend six months in an internment camp in Vittel, and her bookshop would never reopen.
But in 1951, a man named George Whitman opened a bookstore, called “Le Mistral,” on the rue de la Bûcherie, and in the late ’50s, Beach offered Whitman the name. “I created this bookstore like a man would write a novel, building each room like a chapter,” he told The Washington Post . “I like people to open the door the way they open a book, a book that leads into a magic world in their imaginations.” Shakespeare & Company was reborn, and readers and writers have been flocking to it ever since, even sleeping there. In fact, some 30,000 “ Tumbleweeds ” have spent some amount of time living in the store , “sleeping on intermittently bedbug-infested cots and benches scattered throughout the store in exchange for a couple of hours of work a day and a promise to spend at least some of their downtime reading and writing; a one-page autobiography is mandatory.” Whitman died in 2011; the bookshop is now run by his daughter, whom he named Sylvia Beach Whitman.
The Strand, New York City
Imagine a New York City in which 48 bookstores were happily (and, one presumes, profitably) crammed into a five-block stretch of what was then Fourth Avenue, a stretch known as “Book Row.” It was here that a Lithuanian immigrant named Benjamin Bass founded the Strand in 1927 . It is now the only bookstore from Book Row left in business (due, apparently, to the Bass family’s relationship to the family that owned many of the buildings on the blocks in question). With its famous 18 miles of books, it seems it may have eaten a few of the others. In 1956, Fred Bass, Benjamin’s son, took over bookstore operations, and the next year, he moved the store to its current location. Now, the Strand famous not only for its enormous selection of new, used, and rare books, but also its “books by the foot” sales and the quiz its employees have to ace. Fred Bass died earlier this year; his daughter Nancy Bass Wyden is now the owner.
“The Strand is part of an extinct breed of bookstores in New York City,” one employee told Literary Hub . “We have the best range of used books, including recently published titles. We also have the best and most diverse art book selection in New York, and possibly in the world.”
But what about the future? As Christopher Bonanos put it in New York Magazine in 2014: “the Strand is, when you get down to it, a real-estate business, fronted by a bookstore subsidized by its own below-market lease and the office tenants upstairs. The ground floor of 828 Broadway is worth more as a Trader Joe’s than it is selling Tom Wolfe. When a business continues to exist mostly because its owners like it, the next generation has to like it just as much. Otherwise they’ll cash out. If Nancy stays, the Strand stays. If her kids do, too, it stays longer. Simple as that.”
City Lights Books, San Francisco
One of the most famous Beat strongholds, City Lights was founded in 1953 by poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti (and Peter D. Martin, who named the store—after the Chaplin film—but sold his share after two years), and was, according to its website , the country’s first all-paperback bookstore. This, Executive Director Elaine Katzenberger told Literary Hub , “was an intentionally democratizing move at a time when most books were still sold in hardcover only.”
Quality paperbacks were very new at the time, and mostly unavailable outside of news racks in New York and spinners in drugstores here and there. Bookshops in San Francisco at the time kept banker’s hours, serving a businessman’s downtown clientele, and the atmosphere wasn’t particularly welcoming for the young writers and readers who wanted a place to congregate and engage with books—and with each other. The idea from the beginning was to create a “literary meetingplace,” which became the City Lights masthead.
Like Shakespeare & Company, City Lights was not just a meeting point for many of its talented clientele, but also their publisher: City Lights published Allen Ginsberg’s Howl in 1956, and the ensuing obscenity trial made the bookstore-cum-publishing house—and the Beats—notorious. It’s been a major tourist spot ever since, and in 2001, San Francisco named it an official historic landmark, citing its “seminal role in the literary and cultural development of San Francisco and the nation, for stewarding and restoring City Lights Bookstore, for championing First Amendment protections, and for publishing and giving voice to writers and artists everywhere.”
El Ateneo Grand Splendid, Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires has been dubbed the bookshop capital of the world —containing, as it does, more bookstores per capita than any other city: in 2015, the Guardian listed the figures as 734 for a population of 2.8 million, or about 25 bookstores for every 100,000 people. The most famous (and not coincidentally, the most beautiful) of these is El Ateneo Grand Splendid. Built by architects Peró and Torres Armengol, it first opened as an opulent theater in 1919, particularly famous for its tango performances . Ten years later, it was converted into a cinema, and was the first in the city to screen films with sound. In 2000, the theater was in danger of demolition, but it was purchased by Grupo Ilhsa, refurbished and reopened as a bookstore, with the beautiful original opera boxes and ceiling frescoes intact. It now draws 1 million visitors a year.
Libreria Acqua Alta, Venice
Tell a certain sort of person that you’re going to Venice, and the first thing they’ll ask you is: are you going to the floating bookstore? Your answer should be yes, though of course the bookstore, founded by Luigi Frizzo in 2004, isn’t really floating (or at least, not any more than all of Venice is floating). It’s the books that float, because they’re kept in bathtubs, and rowboats, and plastic bins, and one full-size gondola—all so that when that acqua alta (Venice’s famous periodic high water) comes, they’ll rise above it.
Powell’s, Portland, Oregon
There’s a reason people call it the City of Books—Powell’s is the largest independent bookstore in the world (according to them, anyway—but I’ve never heard the claim disputed, and anyway it occupies a whole city block), which makes it a shoo-in for this list. Powell’s is a family business, but in this case the bookseller’s itch was passed upwards, from son —Michael Powell, who started his first bookstore on a $3,000 loan in 1970 in Chicago)—to father: Walter Powell, who worked with his son for a summer in his Chicago store and liked it so much that he went home to Portland and opened his own bookstore the year after. Soon, Michael joined his father, and now the store is run by Michael’s daughter, Emily.
“We have about a million books at our flagship store, the City of Books,” CEO Miriam Sontz told Literary Hub . “I don’t think any other bookstore comes close. But size is not the issue—we have picked a million of the best books. That’s an accomplishment, and because we sell some every day, we need to be constantly choosing the next best books to put on our shelves.”
Selexyz Dominicanen, Maastricht, The Netherlands
If you worship books, look no further. This 13th-century church served as a grand place of worship until Napoleon Bonaparte turned it into a storage space in 1794; and after he abandoned it, it was used as a warehouse. By 2005, when it was turned into a bookstore designed by architecture firm Merkx + Girod, the church was being used to stash bikes. These days, according to the Guardian , the space “could hardly be more popular. The beautifully restored building is an attraction in its own right, and yet the installation of a towering, three-storey black steel bookstack in the long, high nave, together with a fashionable if somewhat noisy cafe in the choir, works extraordinarily well. Church and bookshop look as if they might have been made for one another.” Merkx + Girod won the Lensvelt de Architect Interior Prize in 2007 for their work on the site.
Atlantis Books, Oía, Santorini, Greece
In 2002, two American undergrads (philosophy majors, natch) went to Santorini, soon ran out of reading material, realized there was no bookstore on the island, and—over wine—decided to move there and open one. Sure, we’ve all been those undergrads—but Craig Walzer and Oliver Wise actually made it happen. They enlisted a few partners, built their own bookshelves out of salvaged wood. Inspired by Shakespeare and Company , the beautiful store comes complete with beds, where the rotating staff members sleep. But it’s safe to say that the view, of the Aegean sea, is better than any other bookstore’s in the world.
Livraria Lello, Porto, Portugal
Another bookstore frequently name-checked as the most beautiful in the world, Livraria Lello is famous for its old-world opulence—and its undulating staircase, which reportedly inspired frequent customer J.K. Rowling’s descriptions of Hogwarts. Opened in 1906 by brothers José and António Lello—by then already booksellers and part of the intelligentsia of the era—and designed by architect Xavier Esteves, Livraria Lello is now such a successful tourist destination that they can charge three euros to get in (this can be recouped if you buy a book).
Honesty Bookshop, Hay-on-Wye, Wales
Really, the little town of Hay-on-Wye should count as a single famous bookstore itself, its shelves merely split up by streets and pubs—it’s by far the most famous of all the “book towns,” with some 40 bookshops in a town with 1,400 residents, as well as the annual Hay-on-Wye literary festival, which draws tons of tourists. If I have to narrow it down, one of the best bookish attractions they have going is the Honesty Bookshop, which has been around in various forms since the ’60s. It’s exactly what it sounds like: a huge outdoor swath of books, each priced at one euro (paperbacks 50p), the bookshelves unmanned. There’s simply a box for you to drop your payment, which goes to the Hay Castle Trust.
- Share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on Google+ (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
Emily Temple
Previous article, next article, to the lithub daily, support lit hub..
Join our community of readers.
Popular Posts
Follow us on Twitter
What It's Like to Travel With a Guide Dog
- RSS - Posts
Literary Hub
Created by Grove Atlantic and Electric Literature
Sign Up For Our Newsletters
How to Pitch Lit Hub
Advertisers: Contact Us
Privacy Policy
Support Lit Hub - Become A Member
Become a Lit Hub Supporting Member : Because Books Matter
For the past decade, Literary Hub has brought you the best of the book world for free—no paywall. But our future relies on you. In return for a donation, you’ll get an ad-free reading experience , exclusive editors’ picks, book giveaways, and our coveted Joan Didion Lit Hub tote bag . Most importantly, you’ll keep independent book coverage alive and thriving on the internet.
Become a member for as low as $5/month
How many of the most popular books of the last 100 years have you read?
Posted: June 18, 2023 | Last updated: June 18, 2023
The most popular book the year you were born
There is nothing quite like settling into a book you love. But finding a real page-turner can be challenging and has only gotten more difficult as of late, as the amount of choices has grown exponentially. In 2022, roughly 542.6 million print books were sold in the U.S., according to Publisher's Weekly. Walking through a bookstore as you seek your next read can be frustrating if you don't know what you're looking for.
Book popularity year by year can offer a fascinating insight into what topics occupied the minds of Americans over the last century. Many stories that captivated the country explore such topics as race, class, and the changing cultural roles of different people. While many books reflect the biases of their time, providing a window into outdated mindsets, some narratives pushed back on the cultural limitations of the era, providing a place where the hypothetical or even futuristic can become tangible.
Running the gamut from political memoir to fantasy, Stacker used data from Publisher's Weekly to compile a list of the most popular books in America each year since 1920. From John Steinbeck classics to modern memoirs, browse the list below for a look into what was popular the year you were born—you might even find your next favorite.
1920: 'The Man of the Forest' by Zane Grey
Set in the American West, Zane Grey solidified the symbols associated with the West in the minds of American readers. These images provided the imagery that inspired many plots and American folklore stories. "The Man of the Forest" is an exciting story about a protagonist who saves a rancher's niece after he overhears a plot to kidnap her.
During its publication, Grey was traveling and going on outdoor excursions frequently. He often contributed to Outdoor Life magazine, which may explain why his connection with the wild manifested itself vividly in his work.
1921: 'The Brimming Cup' by Dorothy Canfield
Dorothy Canfield was one of the early bestselling novelists in American literature. "The Brimming Cup" explores one woman's identity as she adjusts to motherhood and her new marriage. As she finds herself attracted to another man, she reassesses the values on which her marriage is based.
1922: 'If Winter Comes' by A.S.M. Hutchinson
A.S.M. Hutchinson's bestseller centers around an unhappy marriage and deals with issues of divorce and suicide. A movie based on "If Winter Comes" was released by MGM in 1947.
1923: 'Black Oxen' by Gertrude Atherton
This book was a controversial bestseller in the 1920s that was eventually adapted into a silent film. The novel centers around a woman who becomes revitalized by using hormone treatments.
1924: 'So Big' by Edna Ferber
"So Big" was inspired by the life of Antje Paarlberg, a widow in a South Holland, Illinois, farming community. The book follows the life of a young woman who becomes a teacher and encourages a young man to pursue his artistic interests. Over the years, there have been multiple popular adaptations of this novel.
1925: 'Soundings' by A. Hamilton Gibbs
A. Hamilton Gibbs was a London-born citizen who moved to the U.S. in 1920. "Soundings" follows a young girl from England as she grows and travels abroad, where she falls in love with her American roommate's brother. The novel raised new ideas about women's freedom and sexuality when it was published.
1926: 'The Private Life of Helen of Troy' by John Erskine
Adapted into a silent film in 1927, "The Private Life of Helen of Troy" is a story set after the events of Homer's "The Iliad," in which Helen goes back to Sparta and deals with her daughter's engagement to Orestes.
1927: 'Elmer Gantry' by Sinclair Lewis
Sinclair Lewis, a staple of American literature, masters the study of hypocrisy through the protagonist's journey as an evangelist who lives a double life filled with self-indulgence. This novel was later adapted into a film featuring Burt Lancaster and Jean Simmons.
1928: 'The Bridge of San Luis Rey' by Thornton Wilder
"The Bridge of San Luis Rey" is a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel that begins when a bridge in Peru breaks, and five travelers fall into the gulf to their deaths. The protagonist aims to determine the underlying cause of the tragedy, uncovering deep mysteries along the way.
1929: 'All Quiet on the Western Front' by Erich Maria Remarque
Erich Maria Remarque is a German novelist whose works centered around war. This novel is a story of a German soldier who joins the army during World War I and describes the horrifying trenches and mental anguish of warfare that marked a generation of soldiers.
1930: 'Cimarron' by Edna Ferber
This novel gets its name from the Cimarron Territory, an unsettled area between the Midwest and the West. It is a story about the collision of cultures on the frontier in fictional Osage, Oklahoma, a territory opened in 1889. Edna Ferber, a native of Michigan, was fascinated and inspired by stories her parents used to tell her about the West, where they had previously settled. The story has been adapted into two films.
1931 and 1932: 'The Good Earth' by Pearl S. Buck
Awarded the Pulitzer Prize for best novel in 1932, "The Good Earth" is a work of historical fiction that has become a renowned modern classic. It provides an image of 1920s China through the protagonist, a farmer during the rule of the last emperor.
1933 and 1934: 'Anthony Adverse' by Hervey Allen
Adapted into a film shortly after its publication, "Anthony Adverse" is a story of an orphan who goes on to experience a lifetime of adventure across the world. This novel is seen as Hervey Allen's most successful and widely known work.
1935: 'Green Light' by Lloyd C. Douglas
"Green Light" follows a surgeon's destroyed career after he takes the blame for a lethal failed operation performed by his mentor. The theme guiding this novel is that despite the challenges life brings, the light will turn green for all one day. This novel was made into a 1937 film of the same name, directed by Frank Borzage and starring Errol Flynn and Anita Louise.
1936 and 1937: 'Gone with the Wind' by Margaret Mitchell
A Pulitzer Prize-winning novel that later became an iconic film , "Gone with the Wind" is a story of a plantation owner's daughter and her struggles to secure her true love. It is set during the Civil War era and explores themes present in the South at the time.
1938: 'The Yearling' by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings
Translated into multiple languages and adapted into film, theatrical, and musical works, "The Yearling" is a story of a young boy on a farm who is refused a pet. He eventually finds an orphaned fawn that he takes in, prompting a difficult coming-of-age as he strives to maintain his new friend amid his rural surroundings.
1939: 'The Grapes of Wrath' by John Steinbeck
Set during the Great Depression, this novel follows a family stuck in the Dust Bowl on a journey to California from their Oklahoma home in search of better fortune. It was adapted into a film in 1940.
1940: 'How Green Was My Valley' by Richard Llewellyn
This is the story of a South Wales mining family, centering on the struggles and successes of families who work in the coal mines. Published during World War II, "How Green Was My Valley" resonated with its audience as the mining industry suffered a labor shortage due to the loss of men to the war effort. The book was later adapted into a film by John Ford that earned an Oscar for Best Picture, beating out "Citizen Kane."
1941: 'The Keys of the Kingdom' by A.J. Cronin
"The Keys of the Kingdom" is a story of a Scottish Catholic priest's struggle to build a mission in China. The novel has six parts and was adapted into a 1944 film starring Gregory Peck.
1942: 'The Song of Bernadette' by Franz Werfel
A work that spent over a year on The New York Times Best Sellers list, the novel tells the story of Bernadette Soubirous and Our Lady of Lourdes. It was adapted into a film in 1943 starring Jennifer Jones.
1943: 'The Robe' by Lloyd C. Douglas
"The Robe" is a historical novel about the crucifixion of Jesus based on Lloyd C. Douglas' career as a minister. He was inspired to write the story after receiving a letter from a fan asking him what he thought had happened to Jesus' clothing after he was crucified. The story was on The New York Times Best Sellers list for nearly a year and was later adapted into a film.
1944: 'Strange Fruit' by Lillian Smith
Banned for its lewdness and crude language, "Strange Fruit" explores the theme of interracial relationships. It takes place in Georgia in the 1920s and centers around a young white man who falls in love with a Black woman.
1945: 'Forever Amber' by Kathleen Winsor
Set in 17th-century England, "Forever Amber" tells the story of a young woman who seeks to improve her social status by sleeping with and marrying successful and important men. Although 14 U.S. states banned it, it became a bestselling novel and sold over 3 million copies.
1946: 'The King's General' by Daphne du Maurier
"The King's General" is a passionate love story that details the broken union between a young woman who falls in love with a young man who eventually becomes a soldier in the English Civil War. A well-researched novel, du Maurier strove for historical precision and accuracy in this story.
1947: 'The Miracle of the Bells' by Russell Janney
Eventually adapted into a drama film by RKO Pictures, Russell Janney's debut novel centered around a Broadway manager and a young movie star who has just passed away. The novel juxtaposes two worlds—the big city and the small American town.
1948: 'The Big Fisherman' by Lloyd C. Douglas
Set two decades before Jesus started prophesying, "The Big Fisherman" is centered around an arranged matrimonial alliance between a Jewish king's son and an Arab king's daughter.
1949: 'The Egyptian' by Mika Waltari
This historical novel is the only Finnish novel to be adapted into a Hollywood film. The story is set in ancient Egypt, and the protagonist is a royal physician who tells the story of Pharaoh Akhenaten.
1950: 'The Cardinal' by Henry Morton Robinson
This book garnered immediate success as a bestselling novel, sold millions of copies, and was eventually published in multiple languages. Based partly on the life of Francis Cardinal Spellman, the Archbishop of New York, the novel follows the story of an American protagonist from the lower-middle class who seeks to become a cardinal of the Catholic church.
1951: 'From Here to Eternity' by James Jones
The debut novel of James Jones, "From Here to Eternity" is a story of members of a United States Army infantry company stationed in Hawaii before the attack on Pearl Harbor.
1952: 'The Silver Chalice' by Thomas B. Costain
"The Silver Chalice" is a historical novel that incorporates first-century biblical historical figures into a fictional story about how the silver chalice, holding the Holy Grail, is made. The actual archeological discovery of the silver chalice inspired it.
1953: 'The Robe' by Lloyd C. Douglas
First published in 1943, "The Robe" saw a resurgence in popularity in 1953 when it was adapted into a film featuring Richard Burton and Jean Simmons.
1954: 'Not As a Stranger' by Morton Thompson
"Not As a Stranger" details the world of a young doctor who sacrifices everything for his career. The novel became a film in 1955.
1955: 'Marjorie Morningstar' by Herman Wouk
"Marjorie Morningstar" is the love story of a young woman who accepts a job in New York, leaving her traditional Jewish family to become immersed in the theater world.
1956: 'Don't Go Near the Water' by William Brinkley
"Don't Go Near the Water" is a comedic war novel set in 1945 after the invasion of Iwo Jima. It details the adventures of relations officers for the United States Navy during World War II. William Brinkley was inspired by his own experiences, having served as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Navy with public relations duties.
1957: 'By Love Possessed' by James Gould Cozzens
A novel that spans 49 hours, "By Love Possessed" is focused on the harried personal and professional life of Arthur Winner Jr., a New England lawyer. It was adapted into a film in 1961.
1958: 'Doctor Zhivago' by Boris Pasternak
First published in Italy, the book is titled after the main character, Yuri Zhivago. It is set during the Russian Revolution and Civil War and tells the story of a doctor caught between his love life and the deepening conflicts.
1959: 'Exodus' by Leon Uris
"Exodus" is a historical novel that retells the founding of the state of Israel through the voyages of the Exodus, a 1947 immigration ship.
1960: 'Advise and Consent' by Allen Drury
A Pulitzer Prize-winning novel that spent over 100 weeks on The New York Times Best Seller list, "Advise and Consent" centers around politics, exploring the nominee for a secretary of state who was formerly involved with the Communist Party.
1961: 'The Agony and the Ecstasy' by Irving Stone
"The Agony and the Ecstasy" is one of Irving Stone's most well-known biographical novels, detailing the life of Michelangelo Buonarroti. It is inspired by his time in Italy as an apprentice to a marble sculptor. Stone had 495 letters from Michelangelo's correspondence translated into English, which he used as primary source material for the novel.
1962: 'Ship of Fools' by Katherine Anne Porter
Eventually adapted into a film, this novel details a voyage of a group of characters on a German passenger ship sailing from Mexico to Europe.
1963: 'The Shoes of the Fisherman' by Morris West
"The Shoes of the Fisherman" is a story that deals with breaking traditions and centers around the election of a Russian pope who was formerly a prisoner. He leads the Catholic Church in dealing with contemporary issues.
1964: 'The Spy Who Came in from the Cold' by John le Carre
This was the first novel to earn John Le Carre critical acclaim. "The Spy Who Came in from the Cold" is a Cold War spy novel that details the story of a British agent sent to East Germany. It was adapted into a film and appeared on Time magazine's All-Time 100 Novels list.
1965: 'The Source' by James A. Michener
"The Source" is a novel that takes readers through the history of the Jewish faith and the land of Israel. It strays from the format of other James A. Michener novels by not following a chronological order and is set in the 1960s.
1966: 'Valley of the Dolls' by Jacqueline Susann
"Valley of the Dolls" tells the story of three girls in show business in New York City. As they strive to make it to the top, the novel explores themes of sex and drugs. It was inspired by Jacqueline Susann's personal journey on Broadway.
1967: 'The Outsiders' by S.E. Hinton
A story of a clash between two groups of teenage gangs—the "greasers" and the "socs"—this story explores the murder of a soc by a greaser. The novel was later adapted for the screen and stage.
1968: 'Airport' by Arthur Hailey
An airport manager, pilot, stewardess, and maintenance man pull together in the face of disaster in this novel centered around a blizzard near Lincoln International Airport outside Chicago. The film adaptation was released in 1970 with a star-studded cast featuring Burt Lancaster and Dean Martin.
1969: 'Portnoy's Complaint' by Philip Roth
An immediate bestselling novel after its publication, "Portnoy's Complaint" sparked controversy due to its portrayal of sexuality. The novel is structured as a single, continuous monologue by its protagonist to his therapist.
1970: 'Love Story' by Erich Segal
A story of two opposites that attract, "Love Story" was released on Valentine's Day and became one of the top-selling works of fiction. Erich Segal based the book partly on Al Gore's life, whom he met at Harvard University.
1971: 'Wheels' by Arthur Hailey
A novel that was adapted into a television series, "Wheels" details the automobile industry and its operations. Based on Ford Motor Company, the storylooksk at the corporate world and all of the people within it.
1972 and 1973: 'Jonathan Livingston Seagull' by Richard Bach
A personified story about a seagull trying to learn to fly, it topped The New York Times Best Sellers list for 38 weeks and was reissued in 2014.
1974: 'Centennial' by James A. Michener
Based in the Weld County city of Greeley, Colorado, this novel is about the legacy of life on the frontier. It was eventually adapted into a television miniseries.
1975: 'Ragtime' by E.L. Doctorow
"Ragtime" details one family's interesting life in New York. The novel is set in the early 1920s and is recognized for incorporating historical figures and important ideas in American history.
1976: 'Trinity' by Leon Uris
A story centered around Ireland during a time of division, "Trinity" focuses on two protagonists from opposing religious backgrounds—one Catholic and one Protestant—who ultimately come together.
1977: 'The Silmarillion' by J.R.R. Tolkien and Christopher Tolkien
"The Silmarillion," developed as a sequel following the success of "The Hobbit ," is a vast five-part novel that outlines the sphere in which Middle-earth and other related worlds exist. The epic novel, published posthumously by J.R.R. Tolkien's son, is renowned by hardcore Tolkien fans for its narrative history and detail that some compare to the Bible.
1978: 'Chesapeake' by James A. Michener
Centered around the forming of the Chesapeake nation that covers 400 years of regional history, "Chesapeake" takes readers through the settling of the Native Americans to Capt. John Smith's landing, the Revolutionary War, and modern Chesapeake.
1979: 'The Matarese Circle' by Robert Ludlum
Based on the Trilateral Commission, this story is about a U.S. intelligence agent and a Soviet KGB agent investigating a group known as the Matarese.
1980: 'The Covenant' by James A. Michener
Set in South Africa, this novel explores the mixture between five different populations and their interactions and conflicts.
1981: 'Noble House' by James Clavell
Over 1,000 pages long and later adapted for a television miniseries, "Noble House" is filled with action, crime, and natural disaster. Set in 1960s Hong Kong, the story explores themes of money and power with plenty of plot twists along the way.
1982: 'E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial' by William Kotzwinkle
A novelization of the famous film directed by Steven Spielberg , this science fiction story of a boy who befriends a creature from another world became a national favorite.
1983: 'Return of the Jedi' by James Kahn
The bestselling novel of 1983, this science-fiction novel is based on the movie's script of the same name. It was published less than two weeks ahead of the film's release.
1984: 'The Talisman' by Stephen King and Peter Straub
"The Talisman" is a fantasy novel centered around Jack Sawyer, a young boy chosen to make a journey into another realm. This story is still considered one of the most influential fantasy works of all time.
1985: 'The Mammoth Hunters' by Jean M. Auel
This historical fiction novel is centered on a female protagonist who goes to the land of Mamutoi (the Mammoth Hunters). She must learn their way of life while faced with life-changing decisions of her own.
1986: 'It' by Stephen King
"It" is Stephen King's epic story about a murderous shape-shifting clown who terrorizes the citizens of Derry, Maine, from the depths of its sewers. The book has received several adaptations, including a '90s TV miniseries starring Tim Curry and the 2017 film interpretation "It" and its 2019 sequel, "It Chapter 2."
1987: "The Tommyknockers" by Stephen King
A science fiction novel set in Haven, Maine, "The Tommyknockers" is about residents who come under the influence of an object buried in the woods. Stephen King, a native of Maine, sets many of his stories in his home state.
1988: 'The Cardinal of the Kremlin' by Tom Clancy
Tom Clancy, known for his military-science storylines, wrote this novel as a sequel to "The Hunt for Red October" about the Strategic Defense Initiative development. Like many Clancy books, the systems in the book are based on real life.
1989: 'Clear and Present Danger' by Tom Clancy
Protagonist Jack Ryan, featured in many of Tom Clancy's novels, is given the position of acting deputy director of the Central Intelligence Agency, where he discovers his colleagues are conducting a major discreet operation.
1990: 'The Plains of Passage' by Jean M. Auel
"The Plains of Passage" is another novel that features the character Ayla, who appears in several of Jean M. Auel's books, as she journeys west. This novel is the sequel to "The Mammoth Hunters" and follows Ayla on a long journey.
1991: 'Scarlett' by Alexandra Ripley
A sequel to Margaret Mitchell's "Gone with the Wind," this work made The New York Times Best Seller list and was adapted into a television miniseries. It begins where "Gone with the Wind" leaves off, with Scarlett at the funeral for her former sister-in-law Melanie Wilkes.
1992: 'Dolores Claiborne' by Stephen King
Stephen King strays from his usual writing style with this novel with this first-person narrative. The book reads like a spoken monologue, with no breaks or double spacing. Dedicated to King's mother, the novel centers around a 65-year-old woman suspected of murdering her wealthy employer.
1993: 'The Bridges of Madison County' by Robert James Waller
"The Bridges of Madison County" is a bestselling novel centered on an Italian American married woman's life. Set in the 1960s, the protagonist lives in Madison County, Iowa, where she engages in an affair with a photographer who has traveled there to photograph the city's bridges. With more than 60 million copies sold, it is widely read and was even adapted into a feature film and musical.
1994: 'The Chamber' by John Grisham
"The Chamber" is a legal thriller about a young lawyer who takes on a case for a tough client facing the death penalty. Grisham was one of the decade's most popular authors, and "The Chamber" certainly helped set the tone for his next several novels.
1995: 'The Rainmaker' by John Grisham
"The Rainmaker" is another legal novel about an inexperienced lawyer facing one of the largest cases of his career. The novel was later adapted into a film, with Matt Damon playing the lead as attorney Rudy Baylor.
1996: 'The Runaway Jury' by John Grisham
John Grisham's seventh novel is about a jury for a tobacco trial suspected of being controlled by someone with ulterior motives. Set in rural Mississippi, this mystery dives into a small town where corporate interests compete with a fair-and-balanced trial.
1997: 'The Partner' by John Grisham
"The Partner" is a story about a law partner who fakes his own death and steals millions from his firm, only to be found years later by his disgruntled former associates.
1998: 'The Street Lawyer' by John Grisham
John Grisham's ninth novel, "The Street Lawyer," is about a lawyer whose career is on the rise until his life changes after a violent encounter with a homeless person.
1999: 'The Testament' by John Grisham
This novel centers around an eccentric billionaire who—just hours before dying by suicide—rewrites his will to almost completely cut out his family. Mystery ensues as his family fights for what they feel is theirs, leading them down a path of stories unknown to them regarding their former husband and father.
2000: 'The Brethren' by John Grisham
"The Brethren" is a novel about a white-collar prison home to three former judges who call themselves the Brethren. The three manage an ingenious mail scam from prison until they hook an unlikely victim, leading to chaos and mystery.
2001: 'Desecration' by Jerry B. Jenkins and Tim LaHaye
The ninth book in a series, "Desecration" was on The New York Times Best Sellers list for 19 weeks and centers around the end of the world and the fate of humankind.
2002: 'The Summons' by John Grisham
"The Summons" features a newly divorced law professor whose life takes a turn after he is summoned to his hometown by his dying father, who leaves a mysterious secret before passing away.
2003: 'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix' by J.K. Rowling
The fifth in the bestselling series, "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" follows Harry and his friends as they face the looming threat of Voldemort paired with the creeping influence of the Ministry of Magic at Hogwarts.
2004: 'The Da Vinci Code' by Dan Brown
"The Da Vinci Code" is a thriller about a Harvard professor's business trip to Paris, where he discovers hidden messages in the works of Leonardo da Vinci. Later adapted into a feature film with Tom Hanks as the lead, this was the edition to become one of the bestselling series in history.
2005: 'The Broker' by John Grisham
"The Broker" is a suspense novel about Joel Backman, a disgraced Washington D.C. power broker forced to hide in Bologna, Italy, after a presidential pardon places him out of jail and into the crosshairs of enemies who want his secrets. An international espionage thriller, "The Broker" takes the reader through a world of CIA agents, deception, and conspiracy.
2006: 'For One More Day' by Mitch Albom
"For One More Day" is a touching novel about protagonist Charley, who deals with losing his parents. On a night he plans to take his life, he ends up back in the house he grew up in only to find his mother (who has been dead for many years) waiting for him. Spending one last day with his deceased mother helps put a new spin on life for Charley.
2007: 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows' by J.K. Rowling
The finale to the bestselling children series of all time, "Deathly Hallows" follows Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger as they prepare for a final showdown with Voldemort's army.
2008: 'The Appeal' by John Grisham
The novel follows two lawyers who succeed in a multi-million dollar case against a chemical company. However, the company's lawyers appeal the case, and despite the deaths caused by the company's pollution, the case's outcome is unclear.
2009: 'The Lost Symbol' by Dan Brown
A follow-up to "The Da Vinci Code," "The Lost Symbol" is set in Washington D.C. among hidden chambers, tunnels, and temples as the protagonist strives to unlock the secrets of a mysterious object.
2010: 'The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest' by Stieg Larsson
The finale of the Millennium trilogy, "The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest" follows protagonist Lisbeth Salander as she fights for her life while potentially facing trial for three murders.
2011: 'The Litigators' by John Grisham
"The Litigators" is a novel about two partners who operate a small firm and take on an unexpectedly successful lawyer facing rock bottom as they all team up to tackle a large case.
2012: 'Fifty Shades of Grey' by E.L. James
"Fifty Shades of Grey" took the nation by storm, bringing erotic fiction to the mainstream. The story follows a literature student who becomes attracted to a mysterious millionaire with whom she interviews and quickly becomes entwined, introducing deep fantasies that soon become her own. The Fifty Shades franchise was adapted into three films starring Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan in the leading roles, culminating with 2018's "Fifty Shades Freed."
2013: 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Hard Luck' by Jeff Kinney
Part of a series of bestselling books with over 80 million copies sold, "Hard Luck" details the protagonist's experiences in middle school after he must find new friends.
2014: 'The Fault in Our Stars' by John Green
Adapted for the screen shortly after its release, "The Fault in Our Stars" is a love story of a young girl going through chemotherapy who falls in love with a boy. Throughout the story, both learn about life and happiness while enjoying their fleeting time together.
2015: 'Go Set a Watchman' by Harper Lee
"Go Set a Watchman" is the much-anticipated follow-up to Harper Lee's classic "To Kill a Mockingbird," focusing on a grown-up Scout as she returns home to visit her father. Set in the civil rights era, the protagonist returns to find uncomfortable truths about her family.
2016: 'The Girl on the Train' by Paula Hawkins
"The Girl on the Train" caught the world's attention in 2016 with its first-person narrative and mysterious plot. Following the disappearance of a young woman, this emotional novel deals with relationships, trust, and the mysterious ways our lives are connected.
2017: 'Diary of a Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Getaway' by Jeff Kinney
In the 12th book of the "Wimpy Kid" series, instead of Christmas at home this year, the protagonist's family decides to spend the holiday at a resort out of town. However, the holiday isn't as relaxing as the Heffleys expected.
2018: 'Becoming' by Michelle Obama
"Becoming" is former first lady of the United States Michelle Obama's memoir, in which she discusses her early life and the experiences that led her to be the woman she is today. From growing up on the South Side of Chicago to arriving at the White House, Obama's memoir is described as deeply personal.
2019: 'Where the Crawdads Sing' by Delia Owens
" Where the Crawdads Sing ," a novel that is at once a coming-of-age tale and murder mystery, nudged out former first lady Michelle Obama's "Becoming" for the distinction of the bestselling book of 2019. Author Delia Owens is also the co-author of three internationally bestselling nonfiction books that detail her experiences living in Africa while working as a wildlife scientist.
In 2022, upon the release of the film adaptation of "Crawdads," an explosive article in The Atlantic exposed Owens and her husband as potentially involved in their own real-life murder mystery decades earlier.
2020: 'A Promised Land' by Barack Obama
Former president Barack Obama's memoir "A Promised Land" details his life from college through the beginnings of his political career and his first four years as president of the United States. The book also gives an account of the raid of Osama bin Laden's hideout and his assassination in 2011. Intended to take a year to write, Obama's book ended up being a three-year, almost 800-page undertaking, written entirely by himself rather than a ghostwriter.
2021: 'Dog Man #10: Mothering Heights' by Dav Pilkey
Written and illustrated by the creator of the "Captain Underpants" series, "Dog Man" is set in the same universe and features a half-dog, half-man cop. This installment of the series finds Dog Man protecting his neighborhood against forces of darkness and explores themes like acceptance and love. The book's success came amid backlash from racial justice advocates and police brutality protestors against media glorifying police.
2022: 'The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times' by Michelle Obama
Blending memoir-style personal anecdotes with advice for getting through difficult times, "The Light We Carry" is Michelle Obama's follow-up to her highly successful memoir "Becoming." The book details Obama's tendency toward worrying and her experiences of feeling like an outsider, both in her young adulthood and during her husband's presidency. Published during the COVID-19 pandemic, she offers tools for navigating fraught spaces and times by drawing on her own history.
More for You
Calmes: I watched a Trump rally so you don't have to. But you need to know what he's saying
Texas school legally punished Black student over hairstyle, judge says
Republican dysfunction drives a wave of House retirements
Madame Web is beyond abysmal – it’s the most entertaining superhero film in ages
$24.6 billion mega deal rocked by Colorado AG’s claim supermarkets colluded not to hire each other’s workers
COVID Vaccine Maker Sued Over Deaths
Donald Trump’s sneaker stunt stole from the Black culture he’s vilified
Home Depot Broke Law By Making Workers Remove 'Black Lives Matter,' NLRB Rules
Dems turn to Maryland Gov. Wes Moore to weaken Larry Hogan’s surprise Senate bid
Ukraine hit a company of Russian troops with HIMARS while they waited around for a visiting general
‘I gave up a job that I loved passionately’: My husband secretly set up a trust that includes our home and his investments. What should I do?
NFL announces punishment for Chiefs' Nick Bolton
Texas Newspaper Turns on Greg Abbott: 'Spewing Lies'
I Was Warned Not To Speak Out On Palestine. But Because of What Happened to My Grandfather, I Must.
17 Things You Should Never Leave Your Children When You Die
Endless shrimp contributed to an $11 million loss at Red Lobster. Now it’s offering endless lobster (but only to a few people)
What might happen after another inauguration of Donald Trump
Chinese Restaurant in California Closes After 44 Years: “Cannot afford any longer to stay in this location”
Trump clemency recipient Philip Esformes pleads guilty in Medicare fraud case
Fox News host eviscerates Republicans over ‘embarrassing’ Biden impeachment inquiry
Books | Why the Bee Gees were like the Brontë Sisters…
Share this:.
- Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
- Click to print (Opens in new window)
- Food & Drink
- Amusement Parks
- Theater & Arts
Things To Do
Books | why the bee gees were like the brontë sisters and more from bob stanley’s new book, the musician and journalist is the author of “the story of the bee gees: children of the world,” out this month from pegasus books..
If you’re mainly familiar with The Bee Gees as the 1970s-era superstars behind the blockbuster “Saturday Night Fever” soundtrack , there’s a shock that comes with first hearing the band’s wrenching and emotional earlier songs: “New York Mining Disaster 1941,” “I Started a Joke” or “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart.”
How did the group behind disco’s biggest bangers write some of the saddest songs ever?
SEE ALSO : Sign up for our free Book Pages newsletter about bestsellers, authors and more
“If you do listen to their catalog chronologically, you can join the dots,” says Bob Stanley, author of “The Story of the Bee Gees: Children of the World,” out now in stores from Pegasus Books. “[But] because there’s a five-year gap between ‘How Can You Mend a Broken Heart’ and ‘You Should Be Dancing,’ I think it’s quite hard to see how they could possibly be the same group.”
Stanley is a music journalist whose previous books include “Let’s Do It: The Birth of Pop Music” and “Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!: The Story of Pop Music from Bill Haley to Beyoncé,” as well as a DJ and co-founder of the long-running British indie pop group Saint Etienne . In his latest book, the U.K.-based author explores the lives and music of Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb. Through an incredibly thorough examination of the brothers’ work, as well as the cultural climate and events surrounding their songwriting and recording, he makes sense of a band whose catalog reflects everything from psychedelic pop to country to funk.
“That’s one of the things that I love about them,” says Stanley. “They’re such huge music fans; they’re just absorbing what’s going on around them and then recreating it in their own style, which is quite distinctive.”
Stanley notes that he’s been a fan of The Bee Gees for much of his life. He recalls hearing their songs on the K-Tel and Ronco compilations in his parents’ collection and receiving a tape with the band’s 1960s tunes from his uncle.
“The stuff I remember was the ‘60s stuff and the very melancholy stuff, which is really what hooks me and made me a fan,” he recalls. “Once I got into that, “ Saturday Night Fever” came out soon after, so I lived through that in real-time.”
The Bee Gees, with their use of the Mellotron and early adoption of drum machines and loops, impacted the music that Stanley made as well. “Pete Wiggs from Saint Etienne was also a fan from way back,” he says. “We grew up together, so we always played each other things from when we were small kids.”
Stanley acknowledges that part of the impetus for writing this book was to both bring together the musicians’ personal stories with their music and to consider the albums that are often overlooked.
“There are plenty of albums that people almost never discuss, which I think are quite remarkable, especially the ones that didn’t sell so well,” he says.
While writing, Stanley listened to “ Trafalgar ,” the 1971 album that is home to “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart?” alongside 11 other songs that are not as well remembered. He also listened to “ Living Eyes ,” which is perhaps best known as the ill-fated follow-up to the monster hit album “ Spirits Having Flown .”
“It was an incredible fall from grace and it’s a lovely record; it just wasn’t what people wanted to hear in 1981,” Stanley says.
“The Story of The Bee Gees” benefits not just from Stanley’s longtime admiration for the band, but his knack for digging deep into their catalog.
In the acknowledgments, he thanks a friend who helped him obtain some of the band’s Australian 45s. “Finding the Australian singles and seeing how they would have sounded to someone putting them on in Brisbane in 1965 is a real thrill,” he says. “It does get you closer to how it would have felt to hear that record for the first time.”
From the early singles to the biggest hits – as well as their solo efforts and the music of younger brother Andy Gibb – Stanley presents an eye-opening look into a prolific band who exuded a quiet influence across genres with their idiosyncratic style.
In the book, Stanley brings up a quote from Robin comparing the Gibb brothers to the Brontë sisters insofar as they created their own world. It’s a quote that’s reflected throughout the book.
“I was really pleased to have found that. They’re so much like that, especially with the early records, where they’re doing these character sketches of invented people,” says Stanley. “And the fact that they’re all different characters, like the Brontës as well,” he adds.
“It’s a very good parallel,” he says. “I was pleased that he said that because I hadn’t thought of it.”
- Newsroom Guidelines
- Report an Error
IMAGES
VIDEO
COMMENTS
The Greatest Books of All Time This list represents a comprehensive and trusted collection of the greatest books in literature. Developed through a specialized algorithm, it brings together 200 'best of' book lists to form a definitive guide to the world's most acclaimed literary works.
According to Goodreads, some of the most popular books of all time include "The Great Gatsby," "Pride & Prejudice," and "The Hunger Games." Amazon; Rachel Mendelson/Insider When you buy through...
Written by Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy, the eight-part towering work of fiction tells the story of two major characters: a tragic, disenchanted housewife, the titular Anna, who runs off with her young lover, and a lovestruck landowner named Konstantin Levin, who struggles in faith and philosophy.
On this list were four books bij J.R.R. Tolkien which did not belong here, as they are not on the original list, see Wikipedia's Bokklubben World Library. The books were added to this list as numbers 101, 102, 103 1nd 104, even though it cleary says at the top "This is a pre-established list.PLEASE DO NOT ADD ANY BOOKS TO THE LIST".
Having sold more than 600 million copies worldwide, [13] Harry Potter by J. K. Rowling is the best-selling book series in history. The first novel in the series, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, has sold in excess of 120 million copies, [14] making it one of the best-selling books of all time.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. Set in early 19th-century England, this classic novel revolves around the lives of the Bennet family, particularly the five unmarried daughters. The narrative explores themes of manners, upbringing, morality, education, and marriage within the society of the landed gentry.
This now-famous book about a man's hunt for the great whale is considered one of the greatest American novels ever written. Moby Dick is heavy on symbolism, but is also famous for the detailing of the whaling industry in the 19th century and its many different narrative styles and structures. 1984 by George Orwell.
10. Frankenstein Mary Shelley. Inspired by spending too much time with Shelley and Byron. Robert McCrum's 100 best novels: Frankenstein. 11. Nightmare Abbey Thomas Love Peacock. A classic ...
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen It is a truth universally acknowledged that nerds like me will start a description of Pride and Prejudice with that opening line. Of Austen's small but mighty catalog, the story of the Bennet sisters and their mother's tireless quest to marry them off has endured the test of time.
The Book of the City of Ladies by Christine de Pizan (c. 1405) Vexed by the unkind objectification of women in popular literature, Christine de Pizan set out to give women the representation they deserve. ... Arguably the world's most famous erotic novel, The Plum in the Golden Vase seems to shape-shift depending on the angle you view it from.
Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr The Code Breaker by Walter Isaacson The Committed by Viet Thanh Nguyen The Copenhagen Trilogy by Tove Ditlevsen Covered with Night
The book is a blend of magical realism and historical fiction, providing a unique perspective on the horrors of World War II and the post-war era in Germany. Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe This novel explores the life of Okonkwo, a respected warrior in the Umuofia clan of the Igbo tribe in Nigeria during the late 1800s.
"The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue" is a genre-bending fantasy book about a young woman named Addie who, in 1714, makes a bargain with a dark god and becomes cursed to be forgotten by everyone...
AP. 30. Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe (1958) Nigerian author Chinua Achebe's first novel explores the colonization of Africa through the eyes of Okonkwo, a young Igbo man whose world ...
by Rebecca Skloot (2010) Henrietta Lacks was a black American who died in agony of cancer in a "coloured" hospital ward in 1951. Her cells, taken without her knowledge during a biopsy, went on ...
The Passenger by Cormac McCarthy. According to The Atlantic, Cormac McCarthy's The Passenger, published in 2022, along with its follow-up, Stella Maris, are "the richest and strongest work of ...
September 1998, Citadel. Media type. Print ( hardcover and paperback) ISBN. 978-0806520001. OCLC. 38258131. The 100 Most Influential Books Ever Written: The History of Thought from Ancient Times to Today (1998) is a book of intellectual history written by Martin Seymour-Smith, a British poet, critic, and biographer. [1]
1. On the Origins of Species Author: Charles Darwin Published: 1859 Why you should read it: It's simple: "No work has so fundamentally changed the way we think about our very being and the world around us," says Alan Staton, head of marketing at the Booksellers Association. 2. The Communist Manifesto Author: Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels
Orientalism by Edward Said (1978) This polemical masterpiece challenging western attitudes to the east is as topical today as it was on publication. 9. Dispatches by Michael Herr (1977) A ...
Ansary discusses the history of the Islamic world from the time of Mohammed, through the various empires that have ruled the Middle Eastern region and beyond, right up to contemporary conflicts and the status of Islam in a modern, globalizing world. 7. Salt: A World History by Mark Kurlansky. Buy on Amazon.
The 100 Must-Read Books of 2022. Gripping novels, transporting poetry, and timely nonfiction that asked us to look deeper. Andrew R. Chow, Lucy Feldman, Mahita Gajanan, Annabel Gutterman, Angela ...
14. The Call of the Wild (Reader's Library Classics) by Jack London. London's American classic is the bildungsroman of Buck: a St. Bernard/Scotch Collie mix who must adapt to life as a sled dog after a domesticated upbringing. Thrown into a harsh new reality, he must trust his instincts to survive.
These timeless works have endured throughout the centuries and have been appreciated by generations of readers around the world. From the witty and satirical pages of Miguel de Cervantes' "Don Quixote" to the exploration of social and emotional challenges in Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice," classic literature invites us to ...
Shakespeare and Company is often described as the most famous bookstore in the world—but which one is the most famous? There have actually been three versions: the first was opened by Sylvia Beach in 1919 on the rue Dupuytren. When the store outgrew its walls a few years later, she moved it to the rue de l'Odéon.
The ninth book in a series, "Desecration" was on The New York Times Best Sellers list for 19 weeks and centers around the end of the world and the fate of humankind. Goodreads 2002: 'The Summons ...
In the book, Stanley brings up a quote from Robin comparing the Gibb brothers to the Brontë sisters insofar as they created their own world. It's a quote that's reflected throughout the book ...
3. The World and All That It Holds by Aleksandar Hemon. Release date: Jan. 24, 2023 If you love an unflinching historical fiction novel, you'll love Bosnian American author Aleksandar Hemon's ...