15 Best Authors of All Time Reviewed for 2025
From Shakespeare to Rowling, the best authors of all time have crafted stories that shaped us, even if we forgot the ending.
You know those moments when you’re standing in a bookstore, sweating over which book will finally make you look smart at parties? We’ve all been there. In this post, we’re on a quest to figure out the best authors of all time, based on the books that make us cry, laugh, and—sometimes—wonder if we’ve actually understood any of it. We picked these books because they’ve stood the test of time, sparked debates with our friends, and even helped us escape awkward dinner conversations. So, if you want to know which books by the best authors of all time are actually worth reading (or pretending to read), you’ve come to the right place!
On this list:
15 To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
This book lands on every best authors of all time list for a reason. The story packs a punch and the cast is hard to forget. We still get mad at Bob Ewell. Harper Lee’s writing is easy to read but deep, like a pool with a warning sign.
14 1984 by George Orwell
Orwell scares us with his future. We keep looking over our shoulders after reading this one. He earns his spot among the best authors of all time with his sharp, biting style. Also, Big Brother is always watching, so play nice.
13 Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Jane Austen writes about love and manners so well we almost want to time travel to her world… almost. Her wit and charm make her a queen in the best authors of all time club. Darcy still makes our hearts race.
12 The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
We tried to throw a Gatsby-style party after reading this and only ended up with a mess. Fitzgerald’s words shine, and his tragic story about the American dream is unforgettable. He belongs with the best authors of all time.
11 Moby-Dick by Herman Melville
Moby-Dick is wild. It has whales, obsession, and more whale facts than we ever asked for. Melville is a legend with a pen – a must for any best authors of all time collection. Just don’t read it on a fishing trip.
10 One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez
If you like magic and family drama, this is your jam. Márquez fills every page with imagination. We got lost in Macondo and didn’t want to leave. One of the true best authors of all time.
9 The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
Holden Caulfield’s voice sticks with you, for better or worse. We sometimes see a bit too much of ourselves in him. Salinger makes it onto this list of best authors of all time for nailing the messy teenage brain.
8 Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky
This is heavy stuff, with guilt and moral questions that had us pacing the living room. Dostoevsky’s writing is powerful and deep, earning him a seat at the best authors of all time table.
7 Beloved by Toni Morrison
We will never forget Beloved. Morrison’s words are haunting and beautiful at once. She paints a hard picture of history, but we’re better for reading it. She stands out as one of the best authors of all time.
6 The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
Tolkien set the rulebook for fantasy and left us all wanting to go on strange trips with a bunch of friends and a ring. No list of the best authors of all time is complete without him. Our precious.
5 Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
Tolstoy gives us love, drama, and trains (you’ll see). He writes about real people with all their flaws. We wanted to yell at the characters, which means the guy knows how to write. Another legend among best authors of all time.
4 Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison
If you want to read something that makes you think, pick this up. Ellison’s story is sharp and moving. He stands tall with the best authors of all time. After finishing it, we needed a cookie.
3 Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
Pip’s tale is funny, sad, and full of strange people. Dickens knows how to keep a story rolling (and rolling). His imagination alone is enough for a spot in the best authors of all time.
2 Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
Hurston’s writing sparkles. Her characters feel alive and full of hope. She pulls us into her world and doesn’t let go. Another strong contender for the title best authors of all time.
1 Collected Works of William Shakespeare by William Shakespeare
We saved the best for last. Shakespeare isn’t just a writer; he’s a whole event. Every page has something new, even if he can be confusing at times (we had to read the footnotes). Still, no one captures all of life’s ups and downs quite like him. His plays have been around for ages, and people still talk about them. That’s real staying power. Drama, love, fights, and a lot of jokes, all in one package. We tried acting some of it out, and let’s just say, we’re glad no one was watching. If you want the true starting point for the best authors of all time, you need to start here.
