Best 14 Books by Top Writers of All Time 2024

For a journey through literary greatness, check our list of books by some of the top writers of all time.
Pride and Prejudice cover1984 coverMoby-Dick cover

Welcome to our list of the 14 best books by the top writers of all time! When picking these books, we focus on timeless stories, unforgettable characters, and the impact they had on literature. You’ll find classics that brought us joy, made us think, and even kept us up at night. From heart-wrenching dramas to thrilling adventures, these books showcase the genius of some of the top writers of all time. So, grab a cup of coffee, get cozy, and let’s explore these amazing reads together!

On this list:

14 Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Pride and Prejudice cover

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

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Jane Austen is one of the top writers of all time. This classic tale of love and societal expectations never gets old.

13 1984 by George Orwell

1984 cover

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

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Orwell’s dystopian novel is a must-read. It’s a scary look at a future that, thankfully, hasn’t come to pass.

12 Moby-Dick by Herman Melville

Moby-Dick cover

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

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This one’s a bit of a whale (pun intended). Melville knew how to spin a tale about adventure and obsession.

11 To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

To Kill a Mockingbird cover

  • Genre: Drama
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
  • Year released: 1960
  • Pages: 281

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Harper Lee’s only novel for many years. It gives us a powerful look at racial injustice in America.

10 The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

The Great Gatsby cover

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

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Fitzgerald captured the Jazz Age like nobody else. You’ll love reading about Gatsby’s lavish parties and tragic love story.

9 War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy

War and Peace cover

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

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Tolstoy’s epic is a bit of a commitment, but it’s worth it for its deep dive into Russian history and aristocracy.

8 One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez

One Hundred Years of Solitude cover

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

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Márquez brings magic realism to life in this multi-generational story that will stick with you long after you’ve read it.

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

The Catcher in the Rye cover

  • Genre: Realistic fiction
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
  • Year released: 1951
  • Pages: 214

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Holden Caulfield’s tale is still relatable today. Salinger’s only novel has left an indelible mark on literature.

6 Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky

Crime and Punishment cover

  • Genre: Psychological fiction
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
  • Year released: 1866
  • Pages: 430

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Dostoevsky’s exploration of guilt and redemption is gripping. It’s one of those books you can’t put down.

5 The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

The Hobbit cover

  • Genre: Fantasy
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
  • Year released: 1937
  • Pages: 310

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Tolkien is one of the top writers of all time. This prelude to the Lord of the Rings is a must for any fantasy lover.

4 Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

Jane Eyre cover

  • Genre: Gothic fiction
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
  • Year released: 1847
  • Pages: 532

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Brontë’s novel captures the struggle for independence and love, with a touch of gothic mystery.

3 The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky

The Brothers Karamazov cover

  • Genre: Philosophical fiction
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
  • Year released: 1880
  • Pages: 796

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Another Dostoevsky masterpiece. It’s a deep dive into morality, free will, and family dynamics.

2 Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë

Wuthering Heights cover

  • Genre: Gothic fiction
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
  • Year released: 1847
  • Pages: 416

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Emily Brontë brings us a dark and stormy tale of love and revenge that will leave you breathless.

1 The Odyssey by Homer

The Odyssey cover

  • Genre: Epic poetry
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
  • Year released: 800 BC (estimated)
  • Pages: 541

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This epic poem is one of the oldest and greatest stories ever told. Homer’s tale of Odysseus’ journey home is timeless.

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!