22 of the best classic books to read in your lifetime

A Pulitzer Prize-winning classic book

“Beloved” by Toni Morrison, available at Amazon and Bookshop, from $9.31

In 1988, Toni Morrison won the Pulitzer Prize for her 1987 novel “Beloved,” chosen as “a work of assured, immense distinction, destined to become an American classic.” The book follows Sethe, a woman who was born a slave and escaped to Ohio, haunted by her early memories and the ghost of her unnamed baby, whose grave is only marked “Beloved.” This is a deeply emotional and profoundly moving story about the resilience of the human spirit, psychological wounds, and hope despite the pain of our pasts.

A classic novel about four sisters set during the Civil War

“Little Women” by Louisa May Alcott by Amazon and Bookshop, from $13.79

“Little Women” was first published in 1869 and is based on Louisa May Alcott’s early life with her own family. It follows four sisters — Jo, Beth, Meg, and Amy — who are trying to survive in New England during the Civil War. Depending on only each other while their father fights in the war and their mother struggles to support them, the girls can think of little else but their father’s safety in this story of love, sisterhood, war, and identity. Readers love this novel for its beauty and simplicity, for the timeless life lessons, and the captivating individualism of each sister.

A classic story of teenage angst and rebellion

“Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger, available at Amazon and Bookshop, from $9.19

This classic was published in 1951 and garnered significant attention in the ’50s and ’60s for its use of profanity and sexual language. This story of teenage angst takes place over three days, following 16-year-old Holden Caulfield between the conclusion of his school term in Pennsylvania and his return home to Manhattan. Holden is regularly admired as a complex character with both a childish and adult-like voice, on the cusp of adulthood though far from emotionally prepared. Though told from Holden’s perspective, J.D. Salinger manages an emotional undercurrent to the story that allows readers to understand the boy’s psyche deeper than even he himself can. 

A classic, award-winning feminist staple

“The Color Purple” by Alice Walker, available at Amazon and Bookshop, from $14.99

“The Color Purple” won both the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award in 1983, chosen for the latter because it is “rich with passion, pain, inspiration, and an indomitable love of life.” This story is about sisters Celie and Nettie who were separated at birth and reconnected through letters. This book is known and still revered for its heartbreakingly honest truths, one of the first novels to shed light on the domestic and sexual abuse suffered by Black women, and a vulnerable story of redemption and bravery. 

A swoon-worthy classic romance

“Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen, available at Amazon and Bookshop, from $6.26

In a whirlwind romance novel starring Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy, “Pride and Prejudice” is a funny and flirty high society love story. Elizabeth is an independent and headstrong woman juxtaposed to Mr. Darcy’s arrogant and conceited ways. Though neither character is particularly fond of the other in the beginning, their romance evolves from a budding friendship built on snide remarks and witty banter, culminating to an iconic love story that tackles big themes of class, marriage, and first impressions that’s been cherished since its debut in 1813.

A 1957 classic novel about Japanese internment camps

“No-No Boy” by John Okada, available at Amazon and Bookshop, from $15

During World War II, “no-no boys” were young men who answered “no” twice on a military questionnaire which asked if they would serve in the armed forces and pledge loyalty to the United States. This novel is about a fictional man named Ichiro who spent two years in an internment camp and another two years in prison after becoming a “no-no boy,” an important memorialization of the long withstanding suffering of Asian people in America.

A classic sci-fi dystopian novel

“1984” by George Orwell, available at Amazon and Bookshop, from $7.48

In this 1949 novel that predicted a dystopian future, political satirist George Orwell introduced the concept of “Big Brother,” the idea of an all-seeing government that aims to control not only the narrative of the public, but of individuals. Winston Smith works for the Ministry of Truth, rewriting histories with lies that fit Big Brother’s agenda. This story is imaginative and powerful, a startlingly frightening world through which readers continue to find lasting messages as our idea of privacy shifts with the growth of technology. 

A classic fictional memoir about a biracial man

“The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man” by James Weldon Johnson, available at Amazon and Bookshop, from $5.99

This is a fictional memoir which was originally published anonymously in 1912, a portrait of Blackness in America during the time. The narrator is an unnamed man, a biracial jazz musician who closets his African-American identity and allows himself to “pass” as a white man after witnessing a horrific act of racism. This classic stands as a testament to the complexities of race in America at the turn of the century, an extraordinary novel that influenced and inspired writers during the Harlem Renaissance.

A masterpiece of classic literature

“To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee, available at Amazon and Bookshop, from $7.19

Considered one of the great American classics, “To Kill a Mockingbird” takes place during a time of turbulent prejudice and racism in the American South. Through the perspective of a young girl, Scout, the story is part coming-of-age and part courtroom fiction as Scout’s father defends an innocent Black man accused of a terrible crime. This book is heart-wrenching, both a struggle against blind hatred and the growing understanding of morality in the growth towards conscious adulthood. 

A gothic, romantic classic

“Jane Eyre” by Charlotte Brontё, available at Amazon and Bookshop, from $8.28

Jane is an orphaned young woman who, after finishing school, is offered a governess position at Thornfield Hall, where she meets and begins to fall in love with the mysterious and brooding Mr. Rochester. When the two decide to get married, secrets from Mr. Rochester’s past are quickly revealed and Jane risks heartbreak once again. This novel is gothic and romantic, but readers still love this vivid 1846 classic today for Jane’s strong, intelligent, and independent character.

A 1937 classic book of love and identity

“Their Eyes Were Watching God” by Zora Neale Hurston, available at Amazon and Bookshop, from $7.30

This book is about Janie Crawford, an African-American woman who recounts her life as she searches for her identity through the stories of her past. “Their Eyes Were Watching God” was out of print for nearly 30 years until 1978, initially rejected by readers for its strong Black female protagonist. In Janie’s search to be defined as something other than property, this novel is an impressive story of one woman’s love for her husbands, her life, and her destiny despite trials and abuses that would otherwise crush a spirit. 

A foundational classic

“The Dream of the Red Chamber” by Cáo Xuěqín, available at Amazon and Bookshop, from $11.95

One of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature, “The Dream of the Red Chamber” was finally published in 1791 when Gao E and Cheng Weiyun collected the manuscripts and finished the novel. It is a captivating family story of the rise and fall of a wealthy and significant house as well as the romantic plot of a young heir and his love interests. This novel weaves entertaining scenes with elegant descriptions in a story that is as insightful and psychological as it is riveting and enchanting.

A 19th century classic horror novel

“Dracula” by Bram Stoker, available at Amazon and Bookshop, from $8.80

“Dracula” is a gothic horror novel far more evil and complex than the vampire stories of modern literature. Written as a series of letters, newspaper articles, and diary entries, the story follows Count Dracula as he moves from Transylvania to England on a mission to spread the undead curse as a group of civilians hunt him. This novel swirls with horror and gothic themes but also portrays messages about Victorian-era fears surrounding sexuality and disease. 

A classic story of one Indian man’s journey to holiness

“The Guide” by R.K. Narayan, available at Amazon, $17

Raju has just been released from prison and finds refuge in an abandoned temple. When a man comes to the temple seeking advice, Raju is mistaken for a holy man and decides to fake his new role. Soon, word of Raju’s holiness spreads. When a drought hits, it seems as though God himself is testing Raju’s newfound role. The author uses a simple writing style to convey the complex issues in this novel, a classic fiction tale with an ambiguous ending.

A classic novel about the Dust Bowl migration

“Grapes of Wrath” by John Steinbeck, available at Amazon and Bookshop, from $12.29

A tale of the Dust Bowl migration during the Great Depression, this 1939 classic won the Pulitzer Prize in 1940. “Grapes of Wrath” features the Joad family as they leave their family farm in Oklahoma to travel towards a promise of greater opportunity in California. Many families, including the Joads, were driven from their farms due to nearly hopeless economic and agricultural prospects, and this novel is a fictional yet historically accurate epic chronicle of the pain felt by powerless families during the Great Depression. 

An important classic book by an adored poet

“Not Without Laughter” by Langston Hughes, available at Amazon and Bookshop, from $14.49

Langston Hughes was best known as a poet and social activist during the Harlem Renaissance, remembered for portraying the honest hardships and triumphs of Black life. “Not Without Laughter” is a story of racial division, one of Sandy’s, the protagonist, coming-of-age post-slavery. Langston Hughes addresses poverty and racism with an air of hope for the future while understanding the generational hardships of the past. Readers meet Sandy’s family, learning their histories and dreams in a novel that radiates with the beauty of Hughes’ poetry.

A young adult allegorical classic

“Lord of the Flies” by William Golding, available at Amazon and Bookshop, from $5.99

Noted still today as a tale of morality, “Lord of the Flies” is a young adult novel from 1954 about a group of British boys who are stranded on an island after a mysterious plane crash. Though they initially celebrate the lack of adult supervision, the boys soon attempt to govern themselves, any small established order quickly deteriorating in the face of evil. While superficially a thrilling adventure story, this novel is one of great contrasting themes: individualism vs. societal mentalities, morality vs. immorality, and selfishness vs. selflessness. 

A thoughtful classic novel with a nameless narrator

 “Invisible Man” by Ralph Ellison, available at Amazon and Bookshop, from $10.31

Led by a nameless protagonist, this book addresses complex racial issues within nationalism, societal expectations, and individualism. The narrator feels like an invisible man because he struggles to secure an identity where his thoughts, opinions, and desires aren’t subject to judgment. Though initially published anonymously, “Invisible Man” won the National Book Award in 1953, making Ralph Ellison the first Black man to be awarded the prestige. This is a touching story about the uncertainty of identity for many Black people in the 1900s. 

A 1937 Steinbeck classic

“Of Mice and Men” by John Steinbeck, available at Amazon and Bookshop, from $8.18

George and Lennie share an unlikely friendship but the same dream: To own a home and land of their own. While working as laborers in California fields, the men are hired on a farm with a chance at their dream until a terrible accident changes their friendship and their future. This book is an exciting roller coaster of emotion, boasting tense moments evoking fear and heartbreak for characters readers can’t help but want to protect. With a heartbreaking ending, this Great Depression-era classic is one loved for the brilliant simplicity and cruelty within the pages. 

A classic publication about World War II

“Catch-22” by Joseph Heller, available at Amazon and Bookshop, from $12.22

“Catch-22” is a World War II novel remembered for its humor despite danger, destruction, and insanity. This classic is about Yossarian, a pilot in Italy during World War II whose biggest concern isn’t his enemy, but the continued expectation to complete dangerous missions. Itching for an out, Yossarian knows his request will be in violation of Catch-22, where men are considered mad if they continue to fly perilous combat missions, but sane and ineligible for relief if they request resignation. With the author’s personal experience as a bombardier, this novel is a perfect depiction of the chaotic, traumatic, and taxing aspects of war. 

An ancient classic novel that brings Japanese culture to life

“The Tale of Genji” by Murasaki Shikibu, available at Amazon and Bookshop, from $15.64

Known as one of the world’s first novels, “The Tale of Genji” dates back approximately to the year 1001 and is hailed as a hallmark of classic Japanese literature. This book is a portrait of medieval Japanese culture, following the romantic courts of the prince Genji and his search for the meaning of life. Over 1,000 pages long, the lush descriptions and intermittent poetry hold this classic as an esteemed masterpiece. 

A startling dystopian classic

“Brave New World” by Aldous Huxley, available at Amazon and Bookshop, from $11.55

In “Brave New World”, author Aldous Huxley imagines a dystopian society that may appear utopian with remarkable advancements in genetics, pharmaceuticals, and technology. In this imagined World State, humans are artificially produced and sorted into predetermined classes, tasked to serve a ruling order and challenged only by Bernard Marx, an outsider who values individuality despite his status as an outcast. This novel continues to terrify readers with the realities it mirrors, eerily relevant despite its original publication in 1932.