In a world where there are film adaptations of almost every book ever written, we run the risk of forgetting the joy that reading a book can truly bring. a fancy cover, the feel of the paper, that new book (or old book) smell – these are things a movie just can’t provide.
here are a couple of our favorite classic novels to help you reconnect with reading:
You are reading: Top 20 classics books
1. the catcher in the rye | jd salinger
The original coming-of-age novel, The Catcher in the Rye was one of the first novels written from a distinctly adolescent point of view. The main character, Holden, is pretty intense, but if you pretend you weren’t so distraught when you were young, you’re lying to yourself.
2. to kill a mockingbird | harper lee
Despite being known for its warmth and humor, To Kill a Mockingbird touches on some pretty heavy themes. Harper Lee covers racial inequality, prejudice, class, sexual abuse, and corruption in this classic novel. Telling it from a girl’s perspective offers an interesting twist in examining racism in America’s Deep South.
3. the outsiders | it track
A groundbreaking novel of its time, The Outsiders was written for teenagers while the author was a teenager. Published when she was just 18 years old, Hinton’s work deals with themes of family, friendship, identity, violence and alcohol, things that surrounded Hinton at home and at school. Hinton’s passionate, honest voice will have you laughing, crying, and cheering outsiders in no time. stay golden, ponyboy.
4. the great gatsby | F. scott fitzgerald
Considered one of the greatest American novels, The Great Gatsby unfolds the idea of the American dream in a way that few other books have. Whether it’s because of the flowing prose, the social criticism, the opulence of the flapper decade, or simply because the movie has your Leo boy in it, you’re sure to fall in love with this story of ambition, desire, and betrayal like so many before it. you.
5. wuthering heights | emily brontë
the dark and twisted romance of cathy and heathcliff is one of the most famous love stories of all time. In a story where no one is the good guy, you’ll have a hard time deciding who you dislike more, but the passion at the heart of the novel will captivate you from start to finish.
6. the grapes of wrath | john steinbeck
See Also: What Do Golfers Write In Their Notebooks? (5 Things)
The brutal portrayal of Steinbeck’s life during the Great Depression has made The Grapes of Wrath a modern classic. Follow the Joad family’s journey from Oklahoma to California in search of a better life. you will hope and dream together with them and feel every bump in the road as if you were there too. don’t worry if you shed a tear, worry if you don’t.
7. pride and prejudice | Jane Austen
mr. Darcy is without a doubt one of the most famous romantic heroes of all time and it’s easy to see why after a reading of Pride and Prejudice. His strong, quiet demeanor contrasts with Elizabeth’s spirit and cheekiness seems like an impossible combination, but the pleasant predictability of Austen’s stories means you know everything will turn out for the best. there are also some pretty fantastic universal truths about life, love and relationships; after all, everyone knows that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in need of a wife.
8. 1984 | George Orwell
1984 is pretty much everyone’s worst nightmare come true. no, it’s not giant spiders taking over the city, but it’s pretty close! the dystopian novel sees the world fall to Big Brother, an omnipresent governing body that constantly watches over the populace. 1984 is even scarier these days, in our technology and information society. beware, it will change the privacy settings on all your devices and social media platforms after just a few pages.
9. frankenstein | mary shelley
Written by a woman in a time when women didn’t write, Frankenstein is one of the earliest examples of science fiction. Shelley blurs the lines between humans and monsters and finds elements of each in the other. scary stuff!
10. great expectations | charles dickens
You can’t make a list of classic books without including at least one Dickens novel. Great Expectations follows the story of Pip, a young orphan, and details his growth and development. This novel is quite long, but Dickens’ colorful cast of characters will keep you coming back for more.
11. the adventures of sherlock holmes | sir arthur conan doyle
surprise! Sherlock Holmes existed long before Robert Downey Jr. or benedict cumberbatch, who knows? Well I hope you are, because each and every Sherlock Holmes novel is a classic in its own right and you’d better get your hands on it ASAP. Prepare to be amazed by the legendary Sherlock Holmes, as well as the mastermind behind him, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
12. romeo and juliet | william shakespeare
oh romeo, romeo, why are you romeo? If this is all you know about Romeo and Juliet, find out right now. this bittersweet story of young love has it all: humor, passion, innocence, blood, betrayal. don’t be intimidated by shakespearian language, just add -est to everything and you’ll be sweet.
13. the odyssey | home run
A classic of the classical period (see what we did there?), the odyssey is by far the oldest book on the list. dating from the 8th century BC. C., The Odyssey is an epic poem that follows the travels of the Greek hero Odysseus. if you like myths, gods and cyclops, this is for you.
14. dorian gray’s photo | Oscar wilde
See Also: 20 Best Zombie Audiobooks to Satisfy Your Cravings | Audible.com
Most of Oscar Wilde’s works are fairly light-hearted, but his only novel, The Picture of Dorian Grey, is much more serious and philosophical. Part horror, part social criticism, Dorian Gray tells the terrifying story of a young man so consumed by vanity that he would sell his very soul to protect his beauty.
15. the old man and the sea | ernest hemingway
Perhaps Hemingway’s most famous work, The Old Man and the Sea, depicts the troubles of an elderly and unlucky Cuban fisherman, Santiago. he sets out on a grand journey to end his losing streak and faces challenges that test his courage and tenacity. for a novel that is essentially about a man who goes fishing, the old man and the sea is quite inspiring.
16. a room of your own | virginia wool
More of a lengthy essay than a novel, this work explores women in fiction, both as writers and as characters. As a woman in fiction, Woolf creates a literal and figurative space, a room of her own, for female writers in an area traditionally dominated by men.
17. on the way | jack kerouac
Considered a defining novel of the 1950s counterculture movement, On the Road is based on Kerouac’s own travels across the United States. Set in a world of jazz, poetry, and drugs, on the road is both gritty and glamorous, expressing the angst of the entire beat generation.
18. breakfast at tiffany’s | truman capote
Behind every great movie is a great novel and this certainly rings true for Audrey Hepburn’s classic film, Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Uncovering details, thoughts, and motivations that can’t be communicated through the screen, American geisha Holly Golightly de Capote will surprise and delight you.
19. the secret story | donna pie
Most murder mysteries begin with the murder and end with the murderer being exposed, but not the secret story. the mystery of this novel is not who did it, but why. the eerily slow pace of this story builds tension and heightens the horror of the event.
20. go alone | roald dahl
this is really a two for one deal as going solo is a sequel to dahl’s autobiography boy, which is also great. If you think Roald Dahl’s works of fiction are wild, they have nothing to do with the crazy adventures he had while in the Royal Air Force. Said in his trademark style, going alone will have you in stitches and you won’t be able to put it down.
Are you a real bookworm? here are 10 books that will change the way you think.
See Also: How Authors Can Use QR Codes In Books And Engage Readers Better