11 Books Readers Think Everyone Should Read at Least Once

Every reader has that one book they can’t stop recommending. It’s the novel they immediately bring up when someone asks for reading suggestions. Sometimes it’s a life-changing classic. Other times it’s a wildly entertaining fantasy novel that reminded them why they fell in love with reading in the first place.

Book lovers are passionate people, and if there’s one thing they enjoy talking about, it’s the books that stayed with them long after they turned the final page.

At a recent book festival in Los Angeles, readers and authors were asked a simple question: What is one book you think everyone should read? The answers ended up being a fascinating mix of modern bestsellers, literary classics, nonfiction favorites, and emotionally devastating novels.

Like any list of recommendations, some picks are stronger than others. A few choices surprised me, and one in particular made me question humanity for a second. But overall, the variety of books mentioned proves just how personal reading can be. One reader’s favorite fantasy romance might sit right next to a nineteenth-century gothic classic, and somehow both belong in the same conversation.

What stood out most to me is that many of these books have endured for years because they connect with readers on a deeper level. They challenge people emotionally, introduce unforgettable characters, or completely change the way readers see the world.

Here are the books readers believe everyone should experience at least once.

Books Readers Think Everyone Should Read at Least Once

• Twilight by Stephanie Meyer
• Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
• Finding Me by Viola Davis
• Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
• The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton
• The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom by Don Miguel Ruiz
• When God Was A Woman by Merlin Stone
• Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin
• Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari
• 12 Rules For Life: An Antidote to Chaos by Jordan B. Peterson
• Homegoing by Yaa Gyas

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

I’ll be honest: seeing Twilight appear near the top of the recommendations immediately caught me off guard.

There’s no denying the impact this series had on pop culture. It dominated bookstores, inspired massive fandoms, and helped launch the modern YA fantasy boom. Millions of readers became obsessed with Bella, Edward, and Jacob during the late 2000s.

But is it a book everyone needs to read? That’s where I hesitate.

That being said, I also understand why readers still recommend it. For many people, Twilight was the book that made them fall in love with reading. Nostalgia plays a huge role in how readers remember certain novels, and there’s something powerful about a book that creates lifelong readers.

Even if I wouldn’t personally place it on a universal must-read list, its influence on publishing is impossible to ignore.

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

This recommendation makes a lot more sense to me.

Fourth Wing has completely taken over the fantasy world over the last few years. Between the dragons, deadly training academy, political intrigue, and fast-paced romance, it’s easy to understand why readers became obsessed with it.

What impressed me most about the novel is how accessible it is. Fantasy can sometimes feel intimidating for newer readers because of dense worldbuilding and complicated lore. Fourth Wing avoids that problem by throwing readers directly into the action.

It’s entertaining from the very first chapter and never really slows down.

While it may not become a timeless literary classic, I absolutely understand why readers recommend it to everyone. Sometimes people forget that books do not always need to be serious or intellectual masterpieces to matter. A genuinely fun reading experience can be just as important.

And honestly, if a book gets more people excited about reading fantasy, that’s a good thing.

Finding Me by Viola Davis

Memoirs only work when the author is willing to be brutally honest, and Finding Me succeeds because Viola Davis refuses to hold anything back.

Readers connected deeply with this memoir because it feels raw and authentic. Davis writes openly about poverty, trauma, ambition, and the struggles she faced throughout her life and career.

Celebrity memoirs can sometimes feel overly polished or carefully controlled, but this one feels deeply personal. It’s the kind of book that reminds readers how powerful vulnerability can be.

Even readers who are unfamiliar with Viola Davis’s work would probably find something meaningful here.

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

I was genuinely happy to see Frankenstein mentioned because it remains one of the greatest novels ever written.

What makes the book so impressive is how modern it still feels. Despite being published over two hundred years ago, the themes surrounding isolation, ambition, and humanity continue to resonate with readers today.

A lot of people go into Frankenstein expecting a horror novel about a monster, but the story is far more philosophical and emotional than many realize. The creature is tragic, intelligent, and deeply lonely, which makes the novel surprisingly heartbreaking.

It’s also one of those rare classics that actually deserves the hype.

If someone told me they had never read a classic before and wanted a good starting point, Frankenstein would absolutely be one of my first recommendations.

The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton

Edith Wharton deserves far more attention from modern readers.

The Age of Innocence is a beautifully written novel about love, social expectations, and the invisible rules that control people’s lives. Wharton captures the suffocating nature of high society incredibly well.

What makes the novel fascinating is how restrained it feels emotionally. So much of the tension exists beneath the surface, hidden behind politeness and societal expectations.

It may not be as immediately accessible as some modern novels on this list, but readers willing to invest in it will find an incredibly rewarding story.

The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz

Self-help books can be very hit-or-miss, but The Four Agreements continues to resonate with readers because of its simplicity.

The book focuses on four principles designed to help people live with greater freedom and peace of mind. Its advice is straightforward and easy to understand, which probably explains why it has remained so popular for years.

Even readers who normally avoid self-help books often find something useful here.

When God Was a Woman by Merlin Stone

This was one of the more unexpected picks on the list.

Merlin Stone’s nonfiction book explores ancient religions and societies that worshipped female deities before patriarchal systems became dominant. It’s a book that sparked conversations about religion, history, and gender roles for many readers.

Whether readers agree with all of its arguments or not, it’s the kind of book that encourages people to think differently about history and culture.

And honestly, those are often the most memorable books.

Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin

James Baldwin was one of the greatest writers of the twentieth century, and Giovanni’s Room remains one of his most powerful works.

The novel explores identity, love, shame, and loneliness with devastating emotional precision. Baldwin’s writing is stunning throughout the entire book.

This is one of those novels that leaves an emotional mark on readers long after they finish it. It’s heartbreaking, intimate, and incredibly human.

I was very happy to see it included because more readers absolutely should experience Baldwin’s work.

Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari

Few nonfiction books have become as widely discussed as Sapiens.

Harari examines the history of humanity in a way that feels accessible and engaging even for readers who normally avoid history books. The book tackles everything from early civilizations to modern capitalism and technology.

What makes it so compelling is that it constantly challenges readers to rethink assumptions about society and human progress.

Even people who disagree with some of Harari’s conclusions usually admit the book is fascinating.

12 Rules for Life by Jordan B. Peterson

This is definitely one of the more divisive books on the list.

Some readers find Peterson’s advice deeply meaningful and motivating, while others strongly disagree with his worldview and ideas. Regardless of where people stand, there’s no denying the book sparked enormous cultural conversations.

Personally, I think books that generate discussion and debate often become influential for a reason. Not every recommendation has to be universally loved.

Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi

If there’s one book on this list that deserves even more attention, it’s probably Homegoing.

Yaa Gyasi tells a multigenerational story that follows the descendants of two sisters across centuries of history. The novel explores slavery, identity, trauma, family, and survival in an incredibly powerful way.

What makes the book remarkable is how emotionally connected readers become to each generation despite the story constantly moving through time.

It’s ambitious, heartbreaking, and beautifully written.

This is exactly the kind of novel I would recommend to readers looking for modern literary fiction that truly leaves an impact.

The Best Recommendation Lists Mix Classics and Modern Books

One thing I appreciated about these recommendations is the balance between older classics and newer releases.

Too often, reading discussions become overly divided between people who only read classics and people who only read contemporary fiction. The truth is that great books exist in every genre and every era.

A reader can enjoy Frankenstein and Fourth Wing. They can appreciate James Baldwin while also loving fantasy romance novels.

That variety is part of what makes reading so enjoyable.

Personally, if I could add one more novel to this list, it would easily be To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. It remains one of the most important and emotionally impactful novels I’ve ever read, and it’s a book I genuinely believe everyone should experience at least once.

Final Thoughts

These reader recommendations prove that there’s no single definition of a “must-read” book. Some readers connect with emotional literary fiction while others gravitate toward fantasy adventures or thought-provoking nonfiction.

Even the books I personally disagree with still say something interesting about the reading community and the stories that resonate with people.

Outside of Twilight, which I still have questions about, I think this is a genuinely strong collection of books. There are timeless classics, modern hits, emotionally devastating novels, and books that challenge readers to see the world differently.

And honestly, that’s exactly what a great recommendation list should do.

What book would you add to this list? Until next time, happy reading!

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