Best 2025: Top 8 Classics to Read Before You Die

'100 classics to read before you die' includes intriguing stories like 'Moby Dick', offering thrilling adventures and timeless lessons for readers.

To Kill a Mockingbird cover1984 coverPride and Prejudice cover

Choosing the 8 best books from the ‘100 classics to read before you die’ is no easy task. We focus on timeless stories, engaging characters, and unforgettable life lessons. We’ve handpicked novels that capture the human spirit with humor, depth, and a touch of adventure. Some of these tales made us laugh out loud, while others prompted introspective chats over coffee. These books provide a delightful escape and a thought-provoking journey. Get ready to explore the best of the ‘100 classics to read before you die’!

On this list:

8 To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

To Kill a Mockingbird cover

  • Genre: Fiction
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
  • Year released: 1960
  • Pages: 281

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A tale that whisked us back to our childhood, this book taught us about justice and friendship.

7 1984 by George Orwell

1984 cover

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

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Orwell paints a picture of a dystopian future; reading it felt like peeking into a crystal ball.

6 Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Pride and Prejudice cover

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

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An amusing romance that made us giggle and taught us about love’s unexpected turns.

5 The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

The Great Gatsby cover

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

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Gatsby’s world enchanted us with its glitz, glamor, and a touch of mystery.

4 Moby Dick by Herman Melville

Moby Dick cover

  • Genre: Adventure
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
  • Year released: 1851
  • Pages: 585

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A whale of a tale! This book made us question the meaning of obsession.

3 Les Misérables by Victor Hugo

Les Misérables cover

  • Genre: Historical Fiction
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
  • Year released: 1862
  • Pages: 1463

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Les Misérables fits into the epic story category, loved for its gripping tale of redemption and justice. Perfect for those who enjoyed War and Peace.

2 The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

The Catcher in the Rye cover

  • Genre: Fiction
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
  • Year released: 1951
  • Pages: 214

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Holden’s rebellious spirit has us questioning the world well into adulthood.

1 Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky

Crime and Punishment cover

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

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The best of the lot! This psychological thriller enthralls with moral dilemmas and emotional depth.

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!