11 Best American Books of 2025 Reviewed

Looking for the best American books? Our list includes classics like 'The Great Gatsby' and 'To Kill a Mockingbird'.

To Kill a Mockingbird coverThe Great Gatsby coverBeloved cover

Hold onto your reading glasses, folks! We have crafted a list of the 11 best American books. When picking books for this list, we focused on stories that have gripped us tighter than a toddler clinging to their favorite blanket. These books have left us laughing, crying, and occasionally wondering why we stayed up all night. Whether you’re into tales of adventure, drama, or existential musings, our list of the best American books has something for everyone!

On this list:

11 To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

To Kill a Mockingbird cover

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

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We all wish we had a neighbor like Atticus Finch. The book deals with serious themes but in a way that even a bird could understand.

10 The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

The Great Gatsby cover

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

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Who doesn’t love a good party? Gatsby’s got them, set against the glittering and troubled backdrop of the Roaring Twenties.

9 Beloved by Toni Morrison

Beloved cover

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

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This book haunts us more than a cat who wants dinner. It’s deep, it’s emotional, and it asks hard questions.

8 Moby-Dick by Herman Melville

Moby-Dick cover

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

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A whale of a tale! Captain Ahab’s obsession is something we can’t forget, much like that catchy tune you can’t stop singing.

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

The Catcher in the Rye cover

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

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Holden Caulfield makes everyone question adulthood. It’s like watching teenagers sulk through a beautiful painting called life.

6 The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn cover

  • Genre: Adventure
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle
  • Year released: 1884
  • Pages: 366

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It’s all about friendship and not giving up. Huck and Jim make us believe that river trips beat road trips any day.

5 Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison

Invisible Man cover

  • Genre: Fiction
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle
  • Year released: 1952
  • Pages: 581

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Talk about staying power! This book’s exploration of identity is as relevant today as it was when it first hit the shelves.

4 East of Eden by John Steinbeck

East of Eden cover

  • Genre: Fiction
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle
  • Year released: 1952
  • Pages: 601

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The American dream, family, and a bit of drama. This book’s like a BBQ with all the right fixings and a tasty mystery sauce.

3 Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe

  • Genre: Fiction
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle
  • Year released: 1852
  • Pages: 295

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This book made waves and got people talking. It’s like watching a compelling documentary and wishing the world could just change.

2 The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck

The Grapes of Wrath cover

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

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The heart-wrenching journey of the Joads pulls us into their world of hardship and hope, a true classic that still resonates.

1 Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman

Leaves of Grass cover

  • Genre: Poetry
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle
  • Year released: 1855
  • Pages: 544

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It’s poetic, it’s bold, and it’s more American than apple pie. Whitman’s words sweep us off our feet like a Fourth of July parade.

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!