Best Writers of All Time: 14 Top Picks for 2025
We explore the best writers of all time, sharing our favorite books to help you choose your next great read.
When picking the 14 best books by the best writers of all time, we focus on storytelling, character depth, and their impact on literature. These books bring together humor, drama, and thought-provoking themes that resonate across generations. Although each one is unique, they all hold a special place in the hearts of readers around the world. Join us as we explore these masterpieces and why they continue to inspire readers today.
On this list:
14 War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy
Tolstoy spins a gigantic epic. You might need a compass. But boy, it’s got great characters and themes!
13 Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Austen’s wit and romance are unbeatable. Her characters are complex, just like my attempts at parallel parking.
12 The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Fitzgerald captures the Jazz Age like no other. It’s more tragic than my attempt to cook pasta.
11 1984 by George Orwell
Orwell’s dystopian world makes Big Brother look like my mom spying on my social media.
10 Moby-Dick by Herman Melville
Melville’s whale tale is deep. Like how deep I dig into a tub of ice cream on bad days.
9 Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Dostoevsky knows a thing or two about guilt. I felt guilty just reading it. Steep learning curve but worth it!
8 To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Lee’s classic on justice is impactful. It’s as unforgettable as that time I tried karaoke. Yikes!
7 Catch-22 by Joseph Heller
Heller’s absurdity matches my electric bill. The catch is you’ll need a cozy chair. You’ll laugh, maybe cry, definitely smile!
6 The Odyssey by Homer
Homer’s adventure is timeless. It’s like a road trip without the flat tires and bad motel stays.
5 Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
Tolstoy again! Love and tragedy never looked so good, unlike my teenage yearbook photo.
4 The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Dostoevsky strikes again with family drama thicker than gravy on Thanksgiving. Pulls you in faster than a Netflix series.
3 Ulysses by James Joyce
Joyce’s modernist style is a brain workout, like figuring out IKEA furniture instructions.
2 The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
Salinger captures teenage angst like nobody else. As relatable as my failed New Year’s resolutions.
