If you have not already read any of the following titles, you are in for a treat. Tennessee Williams’ play “The Glass Menagerie” is a classic, and it was one of his first major works. The play features a wealthy family in a small town and the upheaval of a gentleman calling in.
Arundhati Roy’s novel “The God of Small Things” is an amazing read, and even though it was originally published 20 years ago, it is still a must-read today. And while it might seem a little dated now, the novel only gets better with age.

There are so many great books to read in this world. From The Lord Of The Rings to the Adventure Of Tom Sawyer, we will find books to satisfy the needs of almost every reader. We will also look at books such as 1984, The Boy In Striped Pajamas, and more. The list is endless! But which ones should you pick? Here are some suggestions for you. Enjoy! Listed below are some of the most famous and inspiring works of literature in the past couple of centuries.
15 Amazing Must-Read Books That Everyone Should Read
- The Great Gatsby
- The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes
- Great Expectations
- For Whom The Bell Tolls
- V For Vendetta
- Gitanjali
- Charlie And The Chocolate Factory
- I Capture the Castle
- The Lord Of The Rings
- The Adventure Of Tom Sawyer
- The Boy In Striped Pajamas
- 1984
- The Harry Potter Series
- To Kill A Mockingbird
- Little Women
- Frankenstein
The Great Gatsby
If you’re a fan of fiction and want to experience high life, the Great Gatsby is an amazing choice. This classic tale is set in the 1920s in New York and follows a mysterious millionaire, Jay Gatsby, who is on the trail of Daisy Buchanan. Despite his unorthodox circumstances, the story is filled with heartbreak, scandal, and hope, and focuses on man’s quest for love.
A classic novel about the jazz age, The Great Gatsby follows the life of Jay Gatsby as he pursues Daisy Buchanan, the love of his life five years before the story begins. As Gatsby moves from poverty to riches, he experiences peaks and valleys along the way. This teaches us that true happiness lies in contentment and pursuing what brings you joy.
The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes
The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes is an anthology of stories based on the fictional detective’s adventures. The first story is called “A Scandal in Bohemia” and is what started the whole fandom. Despite being one of the most popular books, the stories in The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes are not the first ones published. These tales typically run about 20 pages. Although some of the stories have a mystical element, others are just simple mystery tales.
The first Sherlock Holmes novel was published in 1887, and it introduced the late Victorian detective and his companion Watson. The first two books establish the dynamic between the two characters, as Watson tries to figure out the superior mind of Sherlock. The book also reveals the origin of Sherlock Holmes and his many different characters, from the mysterious Lady Jane Watson to the evil Lord Moriarty.
Great Expectations
A masterpiece of childhood literature, Great Expectations is a classic story of the importance of a good education. The story revolves around the lives of Pip, who becomes a clerk apprentice at Joe’s shoe factory and is exposed to the world of the rich and privileged, and the refined and haughty Estella. He eventually runs away to London and turns his back on those who raised him. Despite the novel’s wonderful message of hope, the novel ends on a rather unhappy note.
Advertisement
The novel is a classic that many people have read and enjoyed. Its timeless quality has made it one of the 15 amazing must-read books everyone should read. Set in a crumbling mansion, it features a vulnerable boy who gets caught up in a game. Great Expectations is a love story and a coming-of-age tale that will enthrall readers for decades to come.
For Whom The Bell Tolls
“For Whom the Bell Toll” is a masterpiece of American literature. It’s a retelling of the events of the Battle of Waterloo, set over 68 hours, and is a compelling read for readers of all ages. This is a war story that’s reminiscent of many classics. It’s also an excellent example of war literature, with its intense and complex characters.
Advertisement
“For Whom the Bell Tolls” is a classic novel by Ernest Hemingway. The story centers around a young man named Robert Jordan, who is attached to a guerilla unit in Spain during the Spanish Civil War. In a story that spans three days, he confronts the perils of war and his own life as he struggles to find his place in society. Although this is fiction, it will transport you to Spain.
V For Vendetta
The world of fiction is full of fantastical characters, and V for Vendetta is no exception. It is a riveting thriller that is sure to snare readers. The novel contains numerous allusions to pop culture and history. The title character V (the name is derived from his father’s surname, Vendela) is a fictional person who tortures Evey by using an incredibly destructive technology called a gun. And the book is also filled with several symbols that are relatable, but not necessarily literary. It is also a fascinating look at a character whose mind and body are affected by a profound sense of fear.
Advertisement
Despite its controversial nature, V for Vendetta is one of the most important books ever written. It was published nearly four decades ago and has remained a classic, even after being adapted into movies. The story revolves around an anarchist revolutionary named V who takes on a fascist oligarchy in a fictionalized Britain. It’s a fascinating book, with a narrator that he finds unreliable and “good” somewhere in the middle.
Gitanjali
A book of poetry written by Rabindranath Tagore, Gitanjali is a masterpiece. Published in 1910, it was later reissued as a collection of prose poems. Its English translation was prefaced by W.B. Yeats, who had read Tagore’s earlier works. Tagore drew inspiration from medieval Indian devotional lyrics to write Gitanjali, a book that stresses love as its principal subject. The work became widely acclaimed for its musicality and rhythmic poetry, earning him the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1913.
Advertisement
The work has been translated into many languages, including Russian. Tagore’s views on the Soviet Union have been a source of much debate. In 1917, there were already several Russian translations of Gitanjali available, and by the late 1920s, several English translations had been made. Later, in the 1950s, Boris Pasternak translated the novel into Russian.
Charlie And The Chocolate Factory
In 1964, the book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was published. It instantly became a bestseller. This classic tale about the life of a child who runs a chocolate factory is a morality tale for children and adults alike. Roald Dahl uses this story to warn parents against spoiling their children and indulging in self-indulgence. Children can relate to this story because of the twisted characters in the book.
The story revolves around a boy named Charlie Bucket, who lives outside a chocolate factory with his elderly grandparents. His grandfather tells him about the legendary chocolatier Willy Wonka, who once lived in the same town as him. However, a rival chocolate maker sent spies to his factory and the workers was sent home. The factory closed down, but Willy Wonka reopened it three years later. He decided to make candy from the people who had spied on him.
The story is set in the 1920s, and the world of the chocolate factory is an enchanting place. In the story, Willy Wonka invites the five children to live in the factory. The children fall in love with the characters, and the story makes them adore chocolate. The story also has a powerful message to young people about the power of a good book.
I Capture the Castle
I Capture the Castle is a novel about an eccentric family who lives in a crumbling English castle. The protagonist, Cassandra, is seventeen and keeps a diary of her life for over a year. Her family includes an eccentric father, an artistic stepmother, and a devoted sister, Rose. The book is an entertaining and thought-provoking read, and if you’re looking for a new read, I Capture the Castle is a great choice.
A mysterious American couple appears just beyond the castle walls, changing the course of Cassandra’s life. But before she can decide to give them the castle, she must first learn about them. She begins to suspect them of plotting against her family and changing the course of history. Luckily for Cassandra, her family and the people in her life, the Americans, help her get her inheritance.
Cassandra Mortmain lives in a posh castle that is slowly falling apart. Her father is an author suffering from writer’s block but has published one well-received novel. Cassandra’s stepmother walks the castle grounds in wellington boots. Her father’s new wife, Topaz, is an artist’s model.
Advertisement
The Lord Of The Rings
The Lord of the Rings is a fantasy novel that is an enduring classic. It popularized the fantasy genre, spawned the counterculture movement, and snowballed into a global phenomenon. Its early 2000s film adaptations made it even more popular and spawned endless memes. Even though the novel is based on fantasy events, it’s still appropriate for a broad audience and can be enjoyed for its fantasy elements.
It is an epic fantasy novel by J.R.R. Tolkien, which spans thousands of years and dozens of other works. Tolkien’s world is full of magical creatures, conflicted heroes, and enchanting landscapes. A must-read for everyone! If you want the perfect read for your next adventure, try The Lord of the Rings.
Although The Lord of the Rings is a classic, some readers have trouble getting into The Silmarillion. This book is written in a more biblical style than The Hobbit. You may not like Ainulindale and Valaquenta, but if you love fantasy, you’ll want to read it. A good summary of the storyline will tell you which parts of the book you should read.
The Adventure Of Tom Sawyer
The Adventure Of Tom Sawyer is a classic tale of friendship, survival, and adventure. A 12-year-old boy named Tom is courting his classmate Becky and witnesses a murder with his best friend Huck. He goes on a mission to find the missing treasure, but accidentally gets himself and his crush in danger. While in the story, Tom confronts social issues and realizes that his unconventional way of looking at things isn’t such a bad thing after all.
Tom Sawyer is a young orphan who dreams big and has a devilish streak. His idyllic life is not a happy one and he struggles to fit in with society. He spends his time trying to romance the daughter of the local judge, Becky Thatcher. In addition to committing various crimes, Tom also hoodwinks the local boys to whitewash Aunt Polly’s fence. However, despite his mischievous ways, nothing can stop him from causing mischief.
The Boy In Striped Pajamas
The Boy In Striped Pajamas by John Boyne is a classic story about an innocent nine-year-old who is uprooted from his home in Berlin to a strange fenced-in complex. His father is a Nazi Party officer, but he never mentions the Nazi camp of Auschwitz. In this book, the reader will meet Bruno, a boy who is unable to leave his new home. Despite his age, Bruno’s world is filled with hope, and he learns to deal with the world around him.
While the story has many elements of fantasy and science fiction, the central conflict is a tragedy that no one can predict, making The Boy In Striped Pajamas one of the best novels of the year. The book is powerful and poignant, and it explicitly addresses the problems that are exacerbated by sex inequality in the world. For instance, the character of Bruno’s mother is a submissive wife to her husband, and his grandmother publicly berates her son. Nonetheless, Bruno’s companion, “the Fury,” defies these norms in subtle ways.
1984
1984 is a dystopian novel by George Orwell, and it has become the standard of dystopian fiction ever since. This novel introduces the term “Big Brother” into the everyday language, and it’s a classic of dystopian literature. It’s a bleak tale about life in 19th-century Louisiana, ruled by an authoritarian government that crushes dissenters. It explores issues of human nature, such as prejudice, love, and innocence. It’s also a dystopian novel, which follows the journey of Winston Smith, who is caught between the power of his society and the need to find his place in nature.
Another dystopian classic, this book follows the lives of four sisters growing up in 19th-century New England. It has a very unlikely plot, but it’s widely considered to be similar to George Orwell’s 1984. The book also contains a message about Western society’s addiction to media and conformity. It’s a great read for the entire family and is recommended for children and adults alike.
The Harry Potter Series
For fans of fantasy novels, The Harry Potter Series is an excellent choice, but it’s also worth reading if you’re a regular reader. This series of seven novels have sold over 400 million copies worldwide and has been adapted into several popular films. Not only are the books full of fantasy, but they’re also entertaining and full of relatable characters. And if you’re looking for a great read that won’t take too much time to finish, then look no further.
The second series is The Mortal Instruments, by Anthony Doerr. In this series, teenagers Sophie and Agatha train to become heroes of fairy tales, and their quest for power will ultimately lead them to battle the dark forces of the supernatural. While these stories have plenty of fantasy and science fiction elements, they are perfect for middle-grade readers and fantasy fans alike.
To Kill A Mockingbird
To Kill A Mockingbird is an iconic piece of American literature. First published in 1960, this novel has since been translated into over 40 languages. It has remained in print ever since its publication and has been used in education as part of the American national curriculum. The novel also received some extra-literary fame, as it was published the year JFK was elected president. The book captured the mood of the civil rights movement, and its movie adaptation starred Gregory Peck.
This Pulitzer Prize-winning novel explores issues of societal racism. It is written from the point of view of the young Scout and tells the story of her father, Atticus, who defends a black man in a racist court. It was also the subject of a Gregory Peck movie, and its messages are still relevant today. If you’re a literary lover, you should read this classic.
Little Women
While there are many reasons why Little Women should be on everyone’s list, its unique story is the first. While it’s written from a female perspective, the lessons and situations are universal. Readers from all walks of life will identify with the March family and the issues they face as they grow older. Unlike many novels from the 19th century, Little Women is not a preachy book. It’s a story of friendship and family loyalty.
Classic novels have the power to capture the imagination and are a staple on high school reading lists. While they may be timeless favorites, they took time to gain the recognition they deserve. Some authors simply didn’t live long enough to see their books become so popular. This list includes a variety of classics, from Little Women to Wuthering Heights. It’s important to note that some books are classics because they’re acclaimed for their greatness.
Frankenstein
Frankenstein is a classic horror novel by Mary Shelley, a young woman who had a strong impact on the genre and is considered one of the first science fiction novels. The story centers around the creation of the monster “Frankenstein” by a mad scientist, Victor Frankenstein. It explores various themes, including science, ego and pride, and what it means to be human. The short story has been a timeless favorite since its 1818 publication.
As a classic novel, Frankenstein has been adapted into many movies and TV shows. Many of these have wrongly represented the classic story, but the book is still one of the most powerful and complex. Everyone should read this book. It will help you appreciate classic literature in the best way possible. Listed below is some classic literature that will give you the inspiration to discover new works.
Advertisement