Best 13 Classics to Read Before You Die 2024
Finding the best ‘100 classics to read before you die’ can feel like looking for a needle in a haystack. We focus on books that stand the test of time, have strong characters, and tell unforgettable stories. Our picks cover a wide range of genres and styles but all promise to leave a lasting impression. Whether you like drama, fantasy, or deep philosophical tales, there’s something here for everyone.
On this list:
13 Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Pride and Prejudice is a witty comedy of manners, filled with dashes of romance. It’s like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get with Mr. Darcy!
12 1984 by George Orwell
‘1984’ is a chilling prophecy about the future. I read it and couldn’t sleep for a week. Big Brother is always watching!
11 To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
This book made me want to move to Maycomb and have Scout as my best friend! A powerful look at racial injustice.
10 Moby-Dick by Herman Melville
Moby-Dick is a whale of a tale! Literally. Adventure on the high seas with Captain Ahab. Just skip some of the whale anatomy parts.
9 The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Gatsby throws the best parties, but his life is one sad selfie. A look at the American Dream’s dark side.
8 War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy
This book is like eating an elephant, one bite at a time. Epic tale of love and war. Bring a bookmark, a big one.
7 Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
This one’s a love story wrapped in mystery. Jane Eyre is the ultimate survival story, with a side of romance.
6 Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
In this wild ride of dystopia, ‘Brave New World’ makes you question if progress is progress. It’s sci-fi at its mind-bending best.
5 Lord of the Flies by William Golding
This is what happens when you leave kids unsupervised! A dark look at human nature that’s both horrifying and fascinating.
4 Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
Anna Karenina is like a soap opera set in Russia. It’s love, betrayal, and drama galore. Tolstoy knows how to keep us guessing!
3 Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Ever had a bad day? This book will put it in perspective! It’s a wild ride through guilt and redemption.
2 One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez
A magical world where reality blends with fantasy. It’s like getting lost in a dream you never want to wake up from.
