Best 12 Classics to Read Before 2025

Explore '100 classics to read before you die' with timeless tales, unforgettable characters, and captivating plots that endure forever.
Pride and Prejudice cover1984 coverTo Kill a Mockingbird cover

Looking for the ultimate ‘100 classics to read before you die’ list? Well, we’ve been there, surrounded by stacks of books, scratching our heads. We’ve picked 12 novels that combine depth, unforgettable characters, and plots that make you laugh, cry, or question the meaning of life itself. These stories have universal themes, and each book, in its own unique way, packs a punch. Whether you’re looking for social commentaries, epic adventures, or tales of personal growth, these timeless classics won’t disappoint!

On this list:

12 Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Pride and Prejudice cover

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

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We picked it for its timeless romance and witty commentary on social norms.

11 1984 by George Orwell

1984 cover

  • Genre: Science Fiction, Dystopian
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook, Audiobook
  • Year released: 1949
  • Pages: 328

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Orwell’s vision of a dystopian future still scares us today.

10 To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

To Kill a Mockingbird cover

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

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Its powerful themes of racial injustice and moral growth resonate deeply.

9 The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

The Great Gatsby cover

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

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A tale of wealth, love, and tragedy in the Roaring Twenties.

8 Moby Dick by Herman Melville

Moby Dick cover

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

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An epic tale of obsession and revenge on the high seas.

7 War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy

War and Peace cover

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

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A gigantic novel that explores life, love, and war in Russia.

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

The Catcher in the Rye cover

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

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Salinger explores teenage angst and alienation in America.

5 Catch-22 by Joseph Heller

Catch-22 cover

  • Genre: Satire, Historical Fiction
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook, Audiobook
  • Year released: 1961
  • Pages: 453

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The absurdity of war captured in a darkly comedic style.

4 Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky

Crime and Punishment cover

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

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A deep dive into morality and redemption in Tsarist Russia.

3 The Odyssey by Homer

The Odyssey cover

  • Genre: Epic Poetry, Mythology
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook, Audiobook
  • Year released: 8th Century BC
  • Pages: 541

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A thrilling adventure of heroes, monsters, and gods.

2 Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

Jane Eyre cover

  • Genre: Gothic Fiction, Romance
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook, Audiobook
  • Year released: 1847
  • Pages: 500

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A strong and independent heroine defies the odds.

1 Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes

Don Quixote cover

  • Genre: Fiction, Satire
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook, Audiobook
  • Year released: 1605
  • Pages: 1072

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Considered one of the greatest works of literature, Don Quixote’s adventures mix comedy with deep themes. Despite its age, the book feels fresh and funny. Cervantes explores identity and reality, making readers think while they laugh. The protagonist’s quest for glory and justice becomes a mirror for our own dreams and follies. Its lively characters and imaginative plot make it the best choice for any ‘100 classics to read before you die’ list. A classic for both fun and thought, it’s a treasure trove that rewards you each time you read it.

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!