Reading is one of the best ways to broaden your horizons. Nothing can help you understand the power of literature like digesting the classics.
However, because of the countless number published, it can be hard to know which books to be aware of.
Wondering what books are still considered timeless? Check out this list of classic books that have stood the test of time.
List of Classic Books
This guide will look at ten examples of classic literature. The beauty of choosing from the iconic reads is the availability. Because these books are so widely published, you can cheaply and easily buy and sell your used books online.
This list will span many genres. A sentence or two on each will sell you on the prospect of cracking the spine. Let’s find your next novel.
Moby Dick – Herman Melville (1851)
A young sailor joins a whaling expedition on the Pequod. Under command of the monomaniacal Captain Ahab, they chase a legendary white whale. Everything you ever needed to know about man vs beast is in the greatest American novel of all time.
The Red Badge of Courage – Stephen Crane (1895)
A powerful tale examining the life of soldiers. Crane captures the realism and horror of the American Civil War. Courage overcomes cowardice. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a more profound war novel.
The Great Gatsby – F. Scott Fitzgerald (1925)
Nick Carraway befriends an unsettled millionaire in Long Island during the Jazz age. Jay Gatsby helps you both understand and question the heights of the American Dream. Fitzgerald was never better.
For Whom the Bell Tolls – Ernest Hemingway (1940)
A young American professor volunteers to join a band of rebels against Franco’s forces during the Spanish Civil War. The greatest American author to ever live taught us his greatest lesson: grace under pressure.
The Fountainhead – Ayn Rand (1943)
Individuality and collectivism butt heads. Howard Roark, a young architect, creates and destroys much more than just buildings. Rand was denied by many publishers. Today it stands as a significant literary achievement.
1984 – George Orwell (1949)
The consequences of totalitarian government are examined in this classic. Big brother is always watching. Orwell describes a bleak future. Is it a warning or a premonition?
The Catcher in the Rye – J.D. Salinger (1951)
Salinger created the war drum for adolescent rebellion. Holden Caulfield is among the most famous characters in the history of literature. Everyone can relate to his angst. Did your youth have the same impact?
Dune – Frank Herbert (1965)
Possibly the most significant achievement in science fiction history. A young prince shows his stoicism as he becomes a new messiah in a harsh world. The genre will never forget Muad’dib. Many have borrowed from Herbert’s world.
Money – Martin Amis (1984)
John Self is a commercial and film director who indulges in every whim. The book is funny, gross, poignant, and compelling. Amis shows us that there truly is no business like show business. A shocking ending keeps the novel lingering long after you finish it.
American Tabloid – James Ellroy (1995)
Three lawmen weave their way into the fibers of American History. The master of crime fiction puts his fingers on the pulse of a generation. Ellroy’s incendiary style explodes in the first book of his Underworld USA trilogy.
Find Your Next Book
This list of classic books will point you in the direction of your next read. There is something for everyone with these must-read books. A classic never goes out of style.
If you found this article interesting, stick out the blog for more literary delights.