Best 8 Classics to Read Before You Die in 2025

In this list of '100 classics to read before you die', War and Peace transports you to a different era.

To Kill a Mockingbird cover1984 coverPride and Prejudice cover

Ah, the thrill of the classics! We’ve pored through the pages of ‘100 classics to read before you die’ and chosen eight incredible reads that deliver more than just fancy words. Our list includes stories that mix gripping plots, unforgettable characters, and the kind of wisdom that sticks with you like gum on a shoe. We love a book that makes us think, laugh, and maybe even cry a little—sometimes all at once! Whether you’re a seasoned bookworm or just starting your literary journey, these picks are perfect companions. So, grab your reading glasses and a comfy chair, because we’re diving into the best of the best!

On this list:

8 To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

To Kill a Mockingbird cover

  • Genre: Southern Gothic, Legal Story
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
  • Year released: 1960
  • Pages: 281

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This book explores themes of racial injustice and moral growth in the Deep South. Lee’s writing is both engaging and eye-opening, making it a must-read.

7 1984 by George Orwell

1984 cover

  • Genre: Dystopian, Political Fiction
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
  • Year released: 1949
  • Pages: 328

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Orwell’s dystopian novel portrays a chilling world of totalitarianism. It’s a thought-provoking read that leaves you questioning reality.

6 Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Pride and Prejudice cover

  • Genre: Romance, Satire
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
  • Year released: 1813
  • Pages: 279

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Austen’s witty exploration of class and romance in Regency England is timeless. It’s a delightful read full of memorable characters.

5 The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

The Great Gatsby cover

  • Genre: Tragedy, Historical Fiction
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
  • Year released: 1925
  • Pages: 180

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Fitzgerald’s novel captures the Jazz Age in America perfectly. It’s a fascinating look into the decadence and excess of the 1920s.

4 Moby-Dick by Herman Melville

Moby-Dick cover

  • Genre: Adventure, Epic
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
  • Year released: 1851
  • Pages: 635

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Melville’s epic tale of obsession and revenge on the high seas is a challenging but rewarding read.

3 Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

Brave New World cover

  • Genre: Dystopian, Science Fiction
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
  • Year released: 1932
  • Pages: 268

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Huxley presents a future world where technology controls society. It’s a haunting, insightful book that’s as relevant today as ever.

2 Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky

Crime and Punishment cover

  • Genre: Psychological Fiction, Philosophical Fiction
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
  • Year released: 1866
  • Pages: 671

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Dostoevsky dives deep into the mind of a man tormented by guilt and redemption. A profoundly psychological and gripping novel.

1 War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy

War and Peace cover

  • Genre: Historical Fiction, Epic
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
  • Year released: 1869
  • Pages: 1225

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Tolstoy’s masterpiece is more than a book; it’s a journey. It blends historical events with deep character studies, and it’s undeniably the best in the ‘100 classics to read before you die’ list.

Steve Peterson Cartoonified
Steve Peterson

Hi there! I'm Steve Peterson, a passionate reading enthusiast who loves nothing more than getting lost in a good book. My love for literature spans across genres, from thrilling mysteries and gripping fantasy to thought-provoking non-fiction.

I hope my reviews help you find the perfect next book to dive into!