Best Classic Authors Books to Read in 2025: Top 8

Read the finest works from classic authors. These books bring timeless stories that engage new readers.
Pride and Prejudice coverMoby-Dick coverGreat Expectations cover

The ultimate guide to the best books by classic authors invites you to explore the literary world with our top picks. We’ve curated a list focusing on timeless storytelling, character depth, and societal impact, ensuring a rich reading experience. This list includes unforgettable tales of love, adventure, and social commentary, reflecting why classic authors still captivate readers today. So grab a cup of coffee and prepare to lose yourself in these masterpieces.

On this list:

8 Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Pride and Prejudice cover

  • Genre: Romance
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook, Audiobook
  • Year released: 1813
  • Pages: 279

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Jane Austen writes with wit and precision about love and society. This book is a favorite for its humor and memorable characters.

7 Moby-Dick by Herman Melville

Moby-Dick cover

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

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Melville offers a thrilling sea adventure. We recommend it for its depth and compelling characters, even if you skim some whale facts.

6 Great Expectations by Charles Dickens

Great Expectations cover

  • Genre: Fiction
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook, Audiobook
  • Year released: 1861
  • Pages: 505

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Dickens crafts an unforgettable tale of ambition and growth. We enjoyed Pip’s journey, despite the occasional long-windedness.

5 To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

To Kill a Mockingbird cover

  • Genre: Southern Gothic
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook, Audiobook
  • Year released: 1960
  • Pages: 281

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Harper Lee delivers a powerful, timeless story about justice and humanity. It’s moving and well worth the read.

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

The Catcher in the Rye cover

  • Genre: Fiction
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook, Audiobook
  • Year released: 1951
  • Pages: 277

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Salinger captures adolescent angst with a unique voice. We loved Holden’s raw honesty and relatable struggles.

3 Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Frankenstein cover

  • Genre: Gothic Fiction
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook, Audiobook
  • Year released: 1818
  • Pages: 280

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Mary Shelley explores the dangers of unchecked ambition. This gothic tale raises questions about morality and science.

2 The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

The Great Gatsby cover

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

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Fitzgerald’s classic examines the pursuit of the American Dream. We admired its rich symbolism and poignant themes.

1 1984 by George Orwell

1984 cover

  • Genre: Dystopian fiction
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook, Audiobook
  • Year released: 1949
  • Pages: 328

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Orwell creates a chilling dystopian world. We chose this as the best for its thought-provoking themes and continued relevance.

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!