21 Classics That Everyone Should Read At Least Once

Many people read books for fun and often times ignore the amazing classic novels that have been written over the centuries. But once you give them a chance, you realize just why they are heralded as classics in the first place. That is why we will be listing 21 classics that everyone should read at least once!

Like most people, I was not a fan of the classics as I got into reading. A big reason for that is that reading them reminded me of high school and college and reading to pass a test is not the best encouragement.

I did end up enjoying classics after taking AP English and seeing classic novels through another lense. But it was only after college that I really decided to read classic novels and I realized that they were some of the best books I came across.

That doesn’t mean books that aren’t classics aren’t great. But to become a classic novel that are read by many generations, the novel has to be great and offer something.

There is a reason most people’s book lists contain a bunch of classics. And in this article, we will be choosing 21 that we think are ones that everyone should read at least once in their life. You can see the full list below!

21 Classics That Everyone Should Read

• The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas   
• The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde 
• Animal Farm by George Orwell 
• Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen 
• Lord of the Flies by William Golding 
• Dracula by Bram Stoker 
• Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell 
• Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll 
• The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry 
• The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
• Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck 
• One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez
• Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky 
• The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck 
• Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
• The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway 
• The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
• Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
• Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. 
• The Secret History by Donna Tartt

The Count of Monte Cristo

When I first gave The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas a read, I did not know that I would love this novel as much as I did. It is a brilliant book and one that everyone who loves reading should read at least once.

The novel tells the story of Edmond Dantès who has just been named the captain of the ship Pharaon. He plans to propose to his girlfriend but never happens as Edmond is accused of treason and locked up in an island fortress.

After years of imprisonment, Edmond escapes the prison and searches for the hidden treasure that his cellmate hid before getting arrested. Now, with newfound wealth and fame, Dantès seeks to get revenge on the people who falsely accused him and ruined his life.

What I love about The Count of Monte Cristo is that it reads like a soap opera. The drama and plot twists as well as the long plans for revenge would make a few good seasons for any TV show. maybe that is why it is still popular to this day. And who doesn’t love a good revenge story?

It is a long novel with a page count of about 1200 to 1500 pages depending on what version you read. That is why I haven’t read it again but I hope to soon. I’ve read hundreds of novels since I last read it and can’t wait to see what feelings it evokes the second time around.

Pride and Prejudice

Seeing Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen on this list is refreshing. While it wouldn’t be my pick as the best classic novel ever written, it is still pretty high on my list. It is a novel that I enjoyed a lot and as someone that doesn’t read much romance books, it says a lot.

Elizabeth Bennett is one of five daughters and the novel follows her and Mr. Darcy, who moves near the Bennetts. Elizabeth’s older sister Jane falls in love with Bingley who is a close friends with Mr. Darcy.

Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth interact at a party and while Mr. Darcy falls for Elizabeth, she insults him after he is rude to her. Jane and Bingley seem like they are made for each other but suddenly, things go awry. Elizabeth guesses that somebody doesn’t want them to get married.

A turn of events scares the Bennett family and Elizabeth turns to Mr. Darcy to help. Will Jane and Bingley get married? And how does Elizabeth feel about Mr. Darcy? Jane Austen spins a tale like no other that has remained relevant centuries later and is considered one of the best historical fiction books ever written.

The Picture of Dorian Gray

A short read that I recommend to everyone is The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde. It is about a vain character who sells his soul to stay forever young. Even a couple centuries later, this short story still leaves many reader in awe.

First published in 1890, the novel was controversial but has gone on to be recognized as a classic. Few novels can say so much with so little words and this gem by Wilde is a fun and wild adventure that is unlike anything else written.

Dracula

Many people know of Dracula but few have read the original source material. The novel is a fun read and when it was published in 1897, it terrified many people. You will be amazed to find out some of Dracula’s abilities and how many of his powers have changed over the years and is a lot different than what the mainstream portrays.

The Great Gatsby

While I enjoyed The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, I don’t have it high on my list of the best classic novels. That is just me and I’m sure that many people enjoy it for what it is. I just think there are better classic novels that have more interesting storylines.

Jay Gatsby has recently arrived to the West Egg part of Long Island and rumors of his extravagant parties have made him famous. Nobody knows how he accumulated his wealth but everyone wants to befriend the millionaire. 

Gatsby himself has his own plans and right the wrongs of the past. He wants to reunite with his lost love no matter the cost. This timeless classic novel captures the magic of the roaring twenties before the Great Depression. 

One Hundred Years of Solitude

One of my all time favorite novels has to be One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez. Every page is better than the last and the storytelling is unmatched.

After killing Prudencio Aguilar because of an argument, José Arcadio Buendía and his wife Úrsula Iguarán leave town to search for another place to live. Eventually, they settle near a riverbank and call their new home Macondo.

What follows is the story of seven generations of the Buendía family and the rise and fall of Macondo. The stories of the family go from happy to sad and happy again as the town they live in goes through changes, sweeping the family along as a result.

Every single page of this novel was perfect and I am glad that I did read this. It is easily one of the best books I read in 2025 and one I will revisit next year. in 1982, Gabriel García Márquez won the Nobel Prize for Literature because of this novel.

The Outsiders

The first book that I read in school (junior high school) that got me reading because I enjoyed the book was The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton. Not only did I read this novel ahead of the given reading assignment, I ended up reading other books be Hinton as a result.

One night out changes the life of Ponyboy. The Socs, a gang of rich kids, enjoy beating up the Greasers, a poor gang that Ponyboy is a part of. A chance encounter leads to a fight that leads to Ponyboy and his friends running away for their lives. It is up to Ponyboy’s brothers and friends to help them escape trouble and the Socs who want revenge.

This coming of age story has stayed with me over the course of my life and it is a novel I revisit often. It is still hard to believe Hinton began writing this classic novel when she was 16. Now, it is taught in schools all across the U.S.

The Secret History

Unlike most of the novels on this list, The Secret History by Donna Tartt is not as old as the other books on this list. It hasn’t been given a classic label yet but I think it has earned it. When a novel is this iconic and also leads to a new sub-genre, it deserves that label.

This novel is one of the best works of fiction in my opinion and it appears on many lists for a reason. Tartt is an exceptionally gifted author that can do no wrong. My one criticism of her is that she takes a decade or more to release a novel but the results are always worth it!

Conclusion

These are the 21 classics that everyone should read at least once in their lives. You might not be a fan of the classics yet but after reading most of these books, you will have a deeper appreciation for them.

Classic novels are sometimes judged harshly because many are taught in schools. And we know most students hate anything relating to school. But we hope this list breaks many people out of their shell and give classic novels a try. Because they are some considered classics for a reason after all.

How many of these books have you read or plan tor read? What other classics should have made the list? Let us know in the comments below. Until next time, happy reading!

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