2025’s Best: Top 9 Time 100 Best Novels Reviewed

Explore our top picks from the time 100 best novels list, including classics that captivate and entertain every reader.
1984 coverThe Great Gatsby coverBeloved cover

When we sat down to pick the top 9 ‘time 100 best novels,’ we weren’t just looking for grand titles—we were hunting for those gripping reads that make you laugh, cry, and maybe even chuck your book across the room. We’ve crafted this list with a mix of gripping plots, memorable characters, and stories that stick with you like that time we got lost trying to find a book in the library! Our focus? To ensure each pick leaves you pondering about life, society, and the occasional mind-bending paradox. Ready to uncover our top choices?

On this list:

9 1984 by George Orwell

1984 cover

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

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Imagine living in a world where your own thoughts betray you. George Orwell’s ‘1984’ redefines paranoia.

8 The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

The Great Gatsby cover

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

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Lush parties and dark secrets. Fitzgerald captures the Jazz Age glamour and despair perfectly.

7 Beloved by Toni Morrison

Beloved cover

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

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Morrison’s haunting tale of a mother and her past. It’s both heart-wrenching and beautiful.

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

The Catcher in the Rye cover

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

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Teen angst and rebellion. Perfect for those feeling misunderstood.

5 Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison

Invisible Man cover

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

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Identity and race are at the core of Ellison’s masterpiece. A must-read if you ask us.

4 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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Justice and morality wrapped in a coming-of-age story. Scout Finch’s world is as relevant today.

3 Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut

Slaughterhouse-Five cover

  • Genre: Science Fiction
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
  • Year released: 1969
  • Pages: 275

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Time travel and war mix in this classic satire. Vonnegut’s wit will have you questioning reality.

2 Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov

Lolita cover

  • Genre: Fiction
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
  • Year released: 1955
  • Pages: 336

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Controversial and beautifully written. Nabokov’s prose is as captivating as it’s unsettling.

1 Catch-22 by Joseph Heller

Catch-22 cover

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

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The king of satire, ‘Catch-22’ tops our list. Experience the absurdity of war, all while laughing out loud. Why is this the best? It’s the ultimate satire, hilariously revealing the madness of war and bureaucracy. Each character, spun with absurd brilliance, leaves readers questioning sanity. Heller’s witty lines stick with you long after, forcing laughter amid chaos. ‘Catch-22’ offers layers of humor and insight, making it timelessly relevant. It tops the ‘time 100 best novels’ theme effortlessly, providing an entertaining, mind-boggling experience.

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!