12 Best Authors of All Time Reviewed in 2024

Finding books by the best authors of all time is fun. Grab Dostoevsky, Austen, and Twain for a great start!
Pride and Prejudice cover1984 coverTo Kill a Mockingbird cover

Sit back and relax as we take you on a literary journey through the works of the best authors of all time. When picking books for this list, we focus on timeless stories that have left a mark on readers’ hearts, sparked conversations, and stood the test of time. From tales of love and rebellion to stories of war and peace, these books represent the pinnacle of storytelling by the greatest writers ever. Whether you’re a seasoned reader or just starting out, these masterpieces will surely enlighten and entertain you with their vibrant characters and thought-provoking themes.

On this list:

12 Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Pride and Prejudice cover

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

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Jane Austen spins a delightful tale of manners, marriage, and misjudgments. Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy are unforgettable characters.

11 1984 by George Orwell

1984 cover

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

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A dystopian classic that still feels relevant. Orwell shows us a world of surveillance and totalitarianism in a mind-bending way.

10 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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Scout Finch’s childhood in the racially charged South teaches us empathy and the importance of fighting injustice.

9 Moby Dick by Herman Melville

Moby Dick cover

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

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A mesmerizing tale of obsession and revenge on the high seas. Captain Ahab and the great white whale will hook you.

8 The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

The Great Gatsby cover

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

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With glam and gloom, Fitzgerald captures the Jazz Age. Jay Gatsby’s tragic quest for love is haunting.

7 Catch-22 by Joseph Heller

Catch-22 cover

  • Genre: War Fiction, Satire
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
  • Year released: 1961
  • Pages: 453

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Heller’s satire on the madness of war is both hilarious and dark. Yossarian’s plight is something you’ll never forget.

6 One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

One Hundred Years of Solitude cover

  • Genre: Magical realism
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
  • Year released: 1967
  • Pages: 417

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Marquez’s magical realism paints a rich picture of the Buendía family. The storytelling feels like a dream.

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

The Catcher in the Rye cover

  • Genre: Fiction, Coming-of-Age
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
  • Year released: 1951
  • Pages: 214

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Holden Caulfield’s rebellious journey speaks to the youth in all of us. Salinger’s voice is so authentic.

4 Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

Brave New World cover

  • Genre: Dystopian, Science Fiction
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
  • Year released: 1932
  • Pages: 311

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Huxley’s vision of a controlled society is chilling. His exploration of technology and humanity gives you a mental workout.

3 War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy

War and Peace cover

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

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Tolstoy masterfully interweaves history and personal stories. This epic takes you through Napoléon’s invasion of Russia.

2 The Odyssey by Homer

The Odyssey cover

  • Genre: Epic Poetry
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
  • Year released: Around 8th century BC
  • Pages: 541

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This ancient tale of adventure and heroism holds up. Odysseus’s journey home is still thrilling.

1 The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky

The Brothers Karamazov cover

  • Genre: Philosophical fiction
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
  • Year released: 1880
  • Pages: 776

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Dostoevsky delves into the human psyche with a gripping story of family, faith, and philosophy.

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!