Knowing which books to read isn’t always easy. There are books you read for fun and others to read and see why readers love them. That is why we have made a list of the 25 must read books of all time. Keep reading to find out which books made the list!  

vintage books on shelves by a window
The 25 Must Read Books of All Time    

By only selecting 25 books, many great novels were left out as a result. This list contains the 25 must read books of all time but it should only be the beginning. Hopefully, this list encourages you to check out other must read books and other novels from authors mentioned on this list. You can see the full list below!      

The 25 Must Read Books of All Time    

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee  

Like many readers, I first read To Kill a Mockingbird in high school and couldn’t put the novel down even if I wanted to. 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 by J.R.R. Tolkien  

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.  

1984 by George Orwell  

A sci-fi novel that has risen to popularity in modern times is 1984 by George Orwell. When some ideas in this sci-fi and dystopian novel came true, people’s interest in the novel rose. The novel touches on issues such as mass surveillance, a controlling regime, and disinformation. Few novels have become as mainstream as this novel because of current events.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak   

One of my favorite novels of all time is The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. It tells a chilling story about a family that hides a Jewish man in Germany during World War II. The writing is incredible but what I love the most is using death as a narrator. If you haven’t read this timeless classic, then you are missing out.

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger  

A classic novel that readers see to either love or hate is The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger. After revisiting this novel, I do believe it deserves the recognition it has gotten over the decades. There is a lot to take away and the novel is even more relevant in this day and age. I do think the novel hasn’t aged as gracefully as other classics but it still captures childhood innocence that we are all familiar with.

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini  

A novel that has stayed with me ever since I read it is The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. It is a powerful novel about two unlikely friends that takes place in Afghanistan, where the regime is collapsing. Hosseini tackles heavy subjects as love, betrayal, family, identity, and redemption. Find out yourself why this novel is one of the best selling historical fiction novels of all time.

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas  

One of my favorite classics of all time has to be The Count of Monte Cristo. It is an adventure novel unlike anything else. The book is entertaining and has held up well centuries later. Who doesn’t love a good revenge story? Even after a couple centuries, this novel is still considered one of the best works of literature.

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams  

One of my all-time favorite novels and series on the list has to be The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. The writing is brilliant and the humor is timeless. The fate of planet Earth is at stake yet Adams has the reader laughing throughout the book. This novel changed the way I saw sci-fi novels and became a lifelong fan after reading the series. 

Dracula by Bram Stoker    

A classic horror novel that has become mainstream is Dracula by Bram Stoker. First published in 1897, the novel was considered the best vampire novel written in its time and labeled as too frightening for many readers. While Stoker didn’t invent vampires, his take on the creatures is the one that has come to define them.

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald   

Set in 1925 and told from Nick Carraway’s point of view, The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald is an American classic novel that captures the 1920s. The novel tells the story of Jay Gatsby, a millionaire with a mysterious past who wants to reunite with his former lover Daisy Buchanan. This novel has come to define the 1920s and it helps that is has a beautiful book cover.

Beloved by Toni Morrison  

A powerful novel that everyone should read is Beloved by Toni Morrison. It is a story of a former Kentucky slave that is haunted by her past life. The novel went on to win the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. It is considered one of the best works of fiction and there is no other novel like it.

The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood   

Even if you aren’t always reading books, there is still a good chance you have read The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood. It is taught in most schools across the United States. The brilliant dystopian novel tackles heavy themes which has made it one of the most censored books in the world.

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

If you like horror novels, then you will love Frankenstein. It is worth reading the novel that many consider the first sci-fi novel and a novel that asks philosophical questions that readers are still thinking about to this day. Even over two centuries after the novel was published, it is still a great read and the monster created by Dr. Frankenstein lives to this day in many people’s mind.

Conclusion  

That wraps up this list of the 25 must read books of all time. How many of these books have you read? Which other titles should we include in our next list? Let us know in the comments below!

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