10 Essential Books to Read

There are many great books out there to read but how do you decide which books to read? That is why we have made a list of the 10 essential books to read. Keep reading to find out which books made our list!

If you love reading and want to read some of the best works of fiction, then there are a bunch of books to read. Just reading the classics will take decades. We have compiled a list of the 10 books that we believe are essential and must reads.

That doesn’t mean that there aren’t others but these are ones that take priority. Many of these novels are influential and have led to importance discourse. It is no wonder that many of these books are banned or censored. You can see the full list below!

10 Essential Books to Read

• The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood  
• Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen 
• To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee 
• 1984 by George Orwell
• The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien   
• Lord of the Flies by William Golding   
• Frankenstein by Mary Shelley    
• Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad   
• The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton   
• Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë   

The Handmaid’s Tale

One of the most popular dystopian novels must be The Handmaid’s Tale. Some people may have read it in school while others read it for fun but either way, it is an impactful novel. Another classic dystopian novel that is up there is 1984. They both tackle serious issues and make us imagine the worst-case scenarios. 

To Kill a Mockingbird

Like many readers, I first read To Kill a Mockingbird in school and couldn’t put the novel down. The story is told by the viewpoint of Jean Louise Finch and tells the story of Atticus Finch defending Tom Robinson, a black man who has been accused of raping a white woman in Maycomb, Alabama.

The Lord of the Rings

If you love fantasy novels, then you have to read The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien. Not only is it an amazing series but it is the formula that many fantasy authors have used to write their novels. If you have read a bunch of fantasy novels, then you have most likely come across troupes that were popularized by Tolkien.  

Frankenstein

If you like horror novels, then you will love Frankenstein. It is a classic that has aged well over the past two centuries. Read the novel that many consider the first sci-fi novel and a novel that asks philosophical questions that readers are still thinking about.  

The Outsiders

While The Outsiders isn’t considered as important as the ones mentioned above, it is essential in my opinion. It is the first novel that piqued my interest and I ended up reading ahead of the assigned reading. It is a great novel for young adults and for teenagers who might not have found a book that speaks to them.

Conclusion

These are the 10 essential books to read. There is a good chance some of these novels might because your favorite and it is also likely you may not like some of them. Everyone has different preferences but as far as well written books, you will see why these novels are considered essential reading.

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