2025’s Best American Books: Top 6 Must-Read Reviews

For those seeking the best American books, these classics offer stories that captivate, inspire, and remain timeless in our hearts.

The Great Gatsby coverTo Kill a Mockingbird coverBeloved cover

Picking the ‘best American books’ isn’t easy, but we got your back. We focus on books that grab your heart and won’t let go. We’ve got stories with rich history, unforgettable characters, and themes that resonate today. Whether you’re into dazzling parties, courtroom dramas, or epic quests, our list has something for everyone. Dive into these classics and experience the magic of the best American books for yourself!

On this list:

6 The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

The Great Gatsby cover

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

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Ah, the roaring 20s! A time of flapper dresses and jazz music. Reading this book feels like attending a wild party without the hangover. It transports us to a world of riches and dreams, and reminds us how elusive the American Dream can be.

5 To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

To Kill a Mockingbird cover

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

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This book is like a warm Southern breeze. It’s got humor, drama, and moral lessons all wrapped into one neat package. It shows us life through the innocent eyes of Scout Finch, making us question our own biases.

4 Beloved by Toni Morrison

Beloved cover

  • Genre: Fiction
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook
  • Year released: 1987
  • Pages: 324

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Reading this book is like navigating a haunted house. Seriously, there’s a ghost! But it’s not just about scares; it tackles the heavy and dark history of slavery and its impacts that echo through time.

3 Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

Catcher in the Rye cover

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

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Holden Caulfield is the teen we wish we never were! Full of angst and rebellion, this book acts as a rite of passage. It’s like reliving your teenage years without the acne!

2 Moby-Dick by Herman Melville

Moby-Dick cover

  • Genre: Fiction
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook
  • Year released: 1851
  • Pages: 635

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Ever tried to catch a whale? This book feels like a giant adventure at sea with Captain Ahab leading the charge. Its epic scale and philosophical depths still resonate today, even though the whale might have ghosted us!

1 The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck

The Grapes of Wrath cover

  • Genre: Fiction
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook
  • Year released: 1939
  • Pages: 464

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The Grapes of Wrath tops our list for its heart-wrenching chronicle of the Great Depression. Steinbeck paints a vivid image of American resilience through the Joad family’s journey. As we read, it felt like a cinematic road trip through hardship and hope. The one constant was family. Despite dust storms and the banks relentlessly knocking on doors, the book showcases the American spirit surviving adversity. It’s like the grandparent of all modern roadtrip movies. Plus, no raisins were harmed in the making of this title. It’s a masterpiece that everyone must read to understand a critical part of American history.

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!