20 classic books that everyone must read

The ultimate classic, you can’t call yourself a fan of American fiction if you haven’t read The Great Gatsby. F. Scott Fitzgerald created other notable works, but this one is unique for its enduring themes and undeniable glamour.

A coming-of-age story that many young readers have found The Catcher in the Rye understandable, as are many adults. JD Salinger’s work is one of his best – and the best – work of all time.

It is rare that a single person invents a slogan, but that is exactly what Joseph Heller did with Catch-22. Whether you’ve read the book or not, you know what the sentence means, and that shows how important and pervasive this work still is.

Poor Sylvia Plath will be remembered more for the cause of her death than for her work, but she made significant literary contributions during her lifetime. The glass bell to be one of them. To better understand her tragic end, read this book as it is partly autobiographical.

You might be put off by pride and Prejudiceconsidering the typical target audience that loves the 2005 movie, but trust the literary experts who say this book is worth reading. It’s over 200 years old, but it still has the same impact.

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott is another old novel that has stood the test of time. Many read it again and again, especially around the holidays, because it is the literary equivalent of a cozy blanket. Of course, there is heartbreak and suspense, but that is part of its charm.

To disturb the nightingale is required reading for many American students, but if you got through high school without reading this Harper Lee classic, give it a try. It will seem as relevant today as it did when it was written.

Frankenstein seems to be a read only in October, but horror fans and fans of good literature will appreciate this book even outside of Halloween. The book grew out of a challenge to Mary Shelley to write the scariest story she could, and she ended up with an American classic.

1984 is another book so influential that its themes precede its content. If you want more context on George Orwell’s views on authoritarianism, read this book.

A book that was way ahead of its time. Wuthering Heights made waves when it was released thanks to its intense themes. Although it was once a banned book, modern readers know it to be an important piece of literature.

Beloved by Toni Morrison is a relatively new book, especially compared to the others on this list, but it’s important nonetheless. The novel became an instant classic, won multiple awards, and deals with a harrowing topic that all Americans need to discuss.

For some Moby-Dick is just a story about a fish. For others, it’s one of the greatest works of literature of all time. Read it yourself and see which side you end up on.

When it comes to American classics, none seems to have captured the culture of the South in the mid-19th century as well as The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Thanks to contributions like this, Mark Twain remains one of the most famous authors of all time.

If there was one thing the Brontë sisters could do, it was writing. Jane Eyre was published just a few months before Wuthering Heightswhich made it a great year for the whole family. Both books have always been popular with literature fans.

If you don’t read the whole book, at least read the first paragraph of A tale of two citiesso you know what all the hype is about. But try reading at least one novel by Charles Dickens. The man could write.

A shocking story that may tear your heart out, The diary of a young girl by Anne Frank is a must-read for anyone living in the 21st century. If it wasn’t required reading in school, you should put it on your list immediately.

If you are a fan of dystopian novels, check out one of the best: Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. If any book makes you want to read more of this genre, it’s this one.

reading Gone with the wind is not an easy task because it is insanely long. But you will feel incredibly accomplished when you finish it, and you will have read one of the best books of all time.

Experts claim that Lewis Carroll was not under any influence when writing Alice in Wonderlandand we just believe them. But he must have been an eccentric person to write this book.

Although it is not technically a novel, Romeo and Juliet is a classic and definitely worth reading. The good news is that if you don’t get everything while reading, there are plenty of sources you can read later to get the gist.