Fox News Released a List of 18 Must-Read Classic Books and the Choices Are Interesting

Seeing Fox and books in the same sentence without the word “ban” attached to it is honestly surprising. But that is exactly what happened after Fox released a list of 18 must-read classic books. And while the list itself is decent, some of the choices — and omissions — definitely stood out to me.

Whenever a major media outlet puts together a list of essential books, people are going to have opinions. That is especially true when it comes to classic literature because there are so many novels that shaped generations of readers. Some books feel impossible to leave off a classics list.

Looking at Fox’s selections, it almost feels like the people behind the list were trying very carefully to avoid controversy. That caution is noticeable throughout the list, especially when you think about the current conversations surrounding banned books and censorship.

Ironically, one of the books included is Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, a novel entirely centered around book banning and censorship culture. That inclusion alone makes the list unintentionally funny.

And while the list includes several undeniable classics, there are also some omissions that are difficult to ignore. A novel like The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood feels like an obvious inclusion for any modern classics conversation. Whether people agree with its themes or not, its cultural impact is undeniable.

Still, despite my criticisms, I actually think this is a decent list overall. If even a small portion of Fox’s audience decides to pick up one of these books and start reading more classics, that is ultimately a positive thing.

The only book on the list that I genuinely dislike is The Scarlet Letter, which remains one of my least favorite assigned school readings of all time. But even then, I appreciate seeing classic literature continue to get mainstream attention.

Here are the books that made Fox’s list.

Classic Fiction Books

• The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
• To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
• Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
• Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
• The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne
• Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
• Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
• Dracula by Bram Stoker
• Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
• Les Misérables by Victor Hugo
• 1984 by George Orwell

Classic Nonfiction Books

• The Diary of Anne Frank by Anne Frank
• In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
• Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass by Frederick Douglass
• Walden by Henry David Thoreau
• A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking
• Hiroshima by John Hersey
• I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

One of the least surprising books on this list is The Great Gatsby. At this point, it feels impossible to create a classic American literature list without it.

Set during the Roaring Twenties and narrated by Nick Carraway, the novel follows the mysterious millionaire Jay Gatsby and his obsession with rekindling his romance with Daisy Buchanan. Beneath the glamorous parties and wealth, Fitzgerald explores themes of class, ambition, illusion, and the corruption hiding behind the American Dream.

What makes the story even more interesting is that the novel was initially considered a commercial disappointment. Fitzgerald reportedly believed he would be forgotten after the book failed to sell well during his lifetime. Decades later, it became one of the defining American novels taught in schools across the country.

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Like many readers, I first read To Kill a Mockingbird in high school. Unlike a lot of assigned reading, though, this was one of the rare books that I genuinely could not put down.

Told through the perspective of Scout Finch, the novel centers around her father, Atticus Finch, defending Tom Robinson, a Black man falsely accused of raping a white woman in Alabama.

Even decades after publication, the novel still sparks conversations about racism, justice, morality, and empathy. There is a reason this book continues to be taught in schools and recommended to new readers.

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

Including Fahrenheit 451 on this list feels unintentionally hilarious considering the political conversations surrounding books right now.

Bradbury’s dystopian novel imagines a future where books are outlawed and burned by firemen tasked with destroying literature. The protagonist, Guy Montag, begins questioning the society around him and eventually rebels against the system.

The novel’s themes surrounding censorship, anti-intellectualism, and media manipulation feel just as relevant now as when the book was first published.

While I enjoyed the novel, I will admit it does not rank among my personal favorite sci-fi books. Still, it absolutely deserves its place among the classics.

1984 by George Orwell

Few novels have become as culturally relevant in modern discussions as 1984.

George Orwell’s dystopian masterpiece explores a totalitarian society built on surveillance, propaganda, fear, and disinformation. Terms like “Big Brother” and “doublethink” have become part of everyday political conversations because of this novel.

Every few years, interest in 1984 spikes again as readers compare aspects of the book to real-world events. Whether those comparisons are exaggerated or not, the fact that Orwell’s work still resonates nearly a century later says everything about its impact.

The List Feels Safe…Sometimes Too Safe

That is probably my biggest issue with Fox’s selections. The list feels extremely safe.

Most of these books are standard high school reading material or universally accepted classics that nobody would argue against including. There is nothing wrong with that, but it also makes the list feel a little predictable.

I would have liked to see more modern classics included alongside the traditional choices. Books like The Handmaid’s Tale, Beloved, or Slaughterhouse-Five would have added more depth and personality to the recommendations.

Instead, the list mostly avoids taking risks.

Still, there are undeniably great books here. 1984, Frankenstein, Pride and Prejudice, To Kill a Mockingbird, and The Diary of Anne Frank are all books that continue to influence readers generations after publication.

And honestly, if lists like this encourage more people to pick up classic literature, that is something I can support.

Conclusion

These are Fox’s 18 must-read classic books, featuring a mix of classic fiction and nonfiction titles that many readers will already recognize from school reading lists.

While I think the selections play things very safe, there are still several incredible books here worth reading. The irony of seeing Fahrenheit 451 included on the list definitely gave me a laugh, though.

How many of these classics have you read? And what books do you think should have made the list instead? Let us know in the comments below. Until next time, happy reading!

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