100 Books you should read once in your lifetime

Do you want to read more books? – Suppose your answer is a bold YES! Look no further, my friend! 

I created the ultimate list of 100 books you should at least read once in your lifetime!

Recently I thought about the fact that, at least for myself, it’s pretty challenging to get awareness about the books that were the real pioneers for all successful books that have come after. 

Every day new books are published from all around the world, and I think that’s fantastic! But what about the books written before we saw the movies made of them? The books our parents and grandparents read?

Therefore, I researched what books were the ones that had the most impact on our society in the past. And honestly, it surprised me that many of the most well-known movies from the past 30 years originated in the books below. 

Maybe you, too, are curious about what books I’m talking about or need some inspiration for your next reading marathon. For this reason, I have compiled the ultimate list of 100 books I highly recommend you read at least once in your lifetime. 

But what is so special about these 100 books?

Today, we’ll discuss the timeless classics that have significantly impacted the Western world over the past 200 years. We are talking about 100 books written by the most talented authors ever. About 100 books that changed our world.

Now you may ask yourself, how did I create this list?

As you may assume, it can be a challenge to find 100 books that fit into the following categories A, a classic, and B, worth reading. Fortunately, I received some guidance.

I went through the following seven lists of 100 must-read books, and let me tell you, all of these 100 books per list are worth reading at least once in your lifetime.

• Penguin – 100 must-read classics
• Goodreads – 100 books to read before you die
• List Challenges – BBC’s Top 100 books you need to read before you die
• Amazon – 100 books to read in a lifetime
• The Guardian – the 100 greatest novels of all time
• Harvard Book Store – top 100 books
• Telegraph – 100 best books that make good holiday reads

After compiling all seven lists and gathering all the books mentioned, the result was a list of 640 books! However, some lists provided less than 100 books, resulting in a lower final number.  

Next, I sorted and organised the books, eliminating all listed more than once, leaving me with 386 individual books. Despite this, it’s still an impressive amount of books if you ask me.

With the data collected, the next step was to create my list of 100 books, starting with the most frequently mentioned books across all seven lists appearing on top, followed by those mentioned less. Eventually, I made my top list of 100 books you should read at least once in your lifetime. 

With no further ado, let´s dive into the ultimate list of 100 books you should read once in your lifetime. 

1. Catch-22 by Joseph Heller

During World War II, the American bombardier, Captain John Yossarian, based off the coast of Italy, is making desperate attempts to stay alive.

2. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Nick Carraway, the book’s narrator, depicts his interactions with self-made millionaire Jay Gatsby and his efforts to reunite with his former lover, Daisy Buchanan.

3. The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

“The Lord of the Rings” is an epic fantasy novel by J.R.R. Tolkien that follows the journey of hobbit Frodo Baggins and his companions as they seek to destroy the One Ring and defeat the Dark Lord Sauron.

4. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

The book explores the roots and consequences of racism in the Deep South of the 1930s.

5. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carrol

The protagonist Alice tumbles down a rabbit hole into a fantasy world with anthropomorphic characters, and an extraordinary adventure begins. 

6. Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy

Aristocrat Anna Karenina, the protagonist, feels her life empty until she encounters Officer Count Vronsky, with whom she starts an affair. 

7. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

The book follows the story of Jane Eyre, a young, orphaned girl, through her life’s battles where she finds love.

8. Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov

The protagonist, a middle-aged college professor, Humbert Humbert, falls in love with his landlady’s twelve-year-old daughter Lolita and is prepared to do anything to possess her.

9. Midnight’s Children by Salman Rushdie

The story follows Saleem, born at the exact moment when India became independent of English rule and what possessed him magical powers.

10. Moby Dick by Hermann Melville

Narrator Ishmael and his crew follow its captain Ahab on his quest to find and kill the white whale Moby Dick, that maimed him once.

11. One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

“One Hundred Years of Solitude” is a novel that tells the story of the Buendía family over multiple generations in the fictional town of Macondo, blending magical realism with political commentary.

12. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

“Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen is a classic novel that follows the romantic yet turbulent entanglements of the Bennet sisters and their interactions with the wealthy Mr Darcy while facing societal pressures in 19th-century England.

13. The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood

“The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood is a dystopian novel set in the Republic of Gilead that replaced the United States of America. In this totalitarian theocracy, women are oppressed and forced into reproductive servitude.

14. Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky

“Crime and Punishment” is a novel about a young man named Raskolnikov who commits a murder and suffers the consequences of his actions.

15. Great Expectations by Charles Dickens

“Great Expectations” is a coming-of-age story about a young orphan named Pip who dreams of becoming a gentleman and rising above his humble beginnings in 19th-century England.

16. Les Miserables by Victor Hugo

Victor Hugo’s “Les Miserables” is a novel that follows the life of ex-convict Jean Valjean as he seeks redemption and evades the relentless pursuit of Inspector Javert in France during the 19th century.

17. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

“Little Women” by Louisa May Alcott is a coming-of-age novel about the four sisters, Amy, Beth, Jo and Meg, growing up in New England during the Civil War and their challenges of womanhood.

18. Middlemarch by George Eliot

“Middlemarch” by George Eliot is a complex novel that explores the lives and relationships of the residents of a small town in England during the 1830s and 1840s.

19. On the Road by Jack Kerouac

“On the Road” by Jack Kerouac is a novel that chronicles the journey of two friends as they travel across America, exploring the counterculture of the Beat Generation.

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

“The Catcher in the Rye,” tells the story of Holden Caulfield, a teenage boy expelled from his prep school and embarking on a self-discovery journey in New York City.

21. The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame

“The Wind in the Willows” is a classic children’s book that follows the adventures of anthropomorphic animals, including the wealthy and adventurous Mr Toad, as they navigate life along the riverbank.

22. Ulysses by James Joyce

“Ulysses” by James Joyce is a complex novel that follows a day in the life of Leopold Bloom as he navigates various encounters and experiences in Dublin.

23. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

“Wuthering Heights” by Emily Bronte is a novel that explores Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff’s intense and destructive love.

24. 1984 by George Orwell

“1984” by George Orwell is a dystopian novel that depicts a totalitarian society in which the government has complete control over its citizens.

25. Atonement by Ian McEwan

“Atonement” by Ian McEwan is a novel about a young girl’s lie that leads to devastating consequences for her and those around her.

26. Beloved by Toni Morrison

“Beloved” by Toni Morrison is a novel about the haunting legacy of slavery and the persistence of memory.

27. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

Aldous Huxley’s “Brave New World” portrays a dystopian society in which individuals are conditioned to conform to a rigid social hierarchy and seek pleasure above all else.

28. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl

“Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” by Roald Dahl is about a young boy named Charlie Bucket who wins a golden ticket to tour a magical chocolate factory owned by the eccentric Willy Wonka.

29. Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White

“Charlotte’s Web” by E.B. White tells the heartwarming story of a pig named Wilbur and his unlikely friendship with a spider named Charlotte.

30. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

“Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley is a classic novel that revolves around the creation of a monster and the consequences that follow.

31. Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling

The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling is a beloved collection of books that follow the magical adventures of a young wizard named Harry Potter and his friends.

32. Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert 

“Madame Bovary” by Gustave Flaubert is a novel about Emma Bovary, who is unhappy with her provincial life and seeks excitement and passion through extramarital affairs.

33. Mrs Dalloway by Virginia Woolf

“Mrs Dalloway” by Virginia Woolf is a novel that follows a day in the life of Clarissa Dalloway as she navigates through her personal and social obligations while reflecting on her past and contemplating the meaning of her existence.

34. The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

“The Count of Monte Cristo” by Alexandre Dumas is a story of revenge and redemption. Edmond Dantès, a young sailor, is betrayed by his friends and imprisoned for years before escaping and seeking vengeance against those who wronged him.

35. The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck

“The Grapes of Wrath” by John Steinbeck is a powerful novel that follows the struggles of a family during the Great Depression as they migrate from Oklahoma to California in search of work and a better life.

36. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

“The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” is a humorous science fiction novel that follows the adventures of an unwitting human and his alien friend as they travel through space and encounter various bizarre creatures and situations.

37. Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe

“Things Fall Apart” by Chinua Achebe is a novel that chronicles the life of an Igbo warrior named Okonkwo and his struggles with the arrival of European colonisers in Nigeria.

38. A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

“A Tale of Two Cities” by Charles Dickens is a historical novel that takes place during the French Revolution, following the lives of Charles Darnay, a French aristocrat, and Sydney Carton, a drunken lawyer who falls in love with Darnay’s wife.

39. David Copperfield by Charles Dickens

“David Copperfield” by Charles Dickens is a coming-of-age novel that follows the life of an orphan boy named David as he navigates his way through various trials and tribulations.

40. Dracula by Bram Stoker

“Dracula” by Bram Stoker is a Gothic horror novel that tells the story of Count Dracula and his attempt to spread his curse of the undead among Victorian London.

41. Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad

“Heart of Darkness” by Joseph Conrad is a novel that follows the journey of Marlow as he travels up the Congo River to meet a mysterious and enigmatic figure named Kurtz.

42. His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman

“His Dark Materials” by Philip Pullman is a trilogy that follows the adventures of a young girl named Lyra and her daemon as they navigate a world filled with magic, daemons, parallel universes, and the struggle between good and evil.

43. If on a Winter’s Night a Traveller by Italo Calvino

“If on a Winter’s Night, a Traveller” by Italo Calvino is a postmodern novel that challenges traditional narrative structures by exploring the relationship between the reader and the text.

44. Lord of the Flies by William Golding

William Golding’s “Lord of the Flies” is a classic novel that delves into the dark side of human nature through the story of a group of boys stranded on a deserted island.

45. Scoop by Evelyn Waugh

“Scoop” by Evelyn Waugh is a satirical novel about a hapless journalist sent to cover a civil war in a fictional African country. Still, it ends up reporting on a completely different story altogether.

46. Tess of the d’Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy

“Tess of the d’Urbervilles” by Thomas Hardy is a novel about a young woman named Tess who struggles against the constraints of society and her demons.

47. The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

“The Little Prince” by Antoine de Saint-Exupery is a heartwarming and thought-provoking story about a young prince who travels the universe in search of friendship and understanding.

48. The Secret History by Donna Tartt

“The Secret History” by Donna Tartt is a compelling novel that explores the dark and twisted secrets of a group of elite college students.

49. The Stranger by Albert Camus

“The Stranger” by Albert Camus is a philosophical novel about a detached and indifferent man embroiled in a murder case.

50. Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray

“Vanity Fair” by William Makepeace Thackeray is a satirical novel that explores the lives and ambitions of a group of upper-class characters in 19th-century England.

51. Watership Down by Richard Adams

“Watership Down” by Richard Adams is a novel about a group of rabbits searching for a new home.

52. A Bend in the River by V.S. Naipaul

“A Bend in the River” by V.S. Naipaul is a novel that explores the complexities of post-colonial Africa through the eyes of an Indian shopkeeper in a small town on the Congo River.

53. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

“A Christmas Carol” is a timeless story by Charles Dickens that tells the tale of a miserly older man, Ebenezer Scrooge, who is visited by ghosts on Christmas Eve, leading him to transform into a kinder, more generous person.

54. A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole

“A Confederacy of Dunces” by John Kennedy Toole is a comedic novel about the misadventures of a highly educated but lazy and eccentric man named Ignatius J. Reilly in New Orleans.

55. A Passage to India by E.M. Forster

“A Passage to India” by E.M. Forster explores the complex relationships and cultural clashes between British colonisers and Indian natives during the early 20th century.

56. A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving

“A Prayer for Owen Meany” by John Irving is a poignant and unforgettable tale of a small but heroic boy and his impact on those around him.

57. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle

A young girl, accompanied by her brother and friend, journeys through time and space to rescue her father from evil forces in Madeleine L’Engle’s “A Wrinkle in Time.”

58. Animal Farm by George Orwell

“Animal Farm” is a novel by George Orwell that tells the story of a group of farm animals who rebel against their human farmer in hopes of creating a society where animals can be equal, accessible, and happy.

59. Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

“Anne of Green Gables” is a classic coming-of-age novel by L.M. Montgomery about an imaginative and spirited orphan girl whom two siblings on Prince Edward Island adopt.

60. Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh

“Brideshead Revisited” is a novel by Evelyn Waugh that explores the themes of religion, love, and class in the early 20th century.

61. Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell 

“Cloud Atlas” by David Mitchell is a complex and interconnected novel that explores the themes of reincarnation, interconnectedness, and the power of storytelling.

62. Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons

“Cold Comfort Farm” is a witty and satirical novel by Stella Gibbons that pokes fun at the romanticised idealisation of rural life.

63. Don Quixote by Miguel De Cervantes

“Don Quixote” is a novel by Miguel de Cervantes that follows the adventures of an idealistic knight-errant who sets out on a quest to right the world’s wrongs.

64. Dune by Frank Herbert

“Dune” by Frank Herbert is a complex and captivating science fiction novel exploring power, politics, religion, and ecology in a distant, desert planet.

65. Emma by Jane Austen

“Emma” by Jane Austen is a classic novel that follows the story of a young woman who meddles in the romantic lives of those around her, ultimately leading to her self-discovery and growth.

66. Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell

“Gone with the Wind” by Margaret Mitchell is a captivating novel that portrays the struggles and triumphs of protagonist Scarlett O’Hara during the Civil War and Reconstruction era.

67. Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift

“Gulliver’s Travels” is a satirical novel written by Jonathan Swift, which follows the journey of Lemuel Gulliver to various imaginary lands.

68. Housekeeping by Marilynne Robinson

In “Housekeeping” by Marilynne Robinson, the two sisters, Ruth and Lucille, are upended when their unconventional aunt comes to live with them.

69. In Cold Blood by Truman Capote

“In Cold Blood” by Truman Capote is a nonfiction true crime novel that tells the story of the murder of the Clutter family and the events that lead the killers to murder.

70. In Search of Lost Time by Marcel Proust

In “In Search of Lost Time,” Marcel Proust explores memory’s complex and intricate nature and how it shapes our world perception.

71. Life of Pi by Yann Martel

“Life of Pi” by Yann Martel is a captivating tale of a young Indian boy named Pi who survives a shipwreck and finds himself stranded in the Pacific Ocean with only a Bengal tiger for company.

72. Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden

The “Memoirs of a Geisha”, written by Arthur Golden, is a historical fiction novel that follows the life of Nitta Sayuri and provides a captivating and intricate look into the world of Japanese geishas before, during and after World War II.

73. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

“Of Mice and Men” by John Steinbeck is a classic novel that explores the themes of loneliness, friendship, and the American Dream through the story of two migrant workers, George and Lennie, during the Great Depression.

74. Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens

“Oliver Twist” is a classic novel by Charles Dickens that tells the story of a young orphan boy’s journey through poverty and crime in 19th-century London.

75. Persuasion by Jane Austen 

“Persuasion”, written by Jane Austen, is a story of love, family, and societal pressures that explores the themes of regret, second chances, and the importance of staying true to oneself.

76. Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

“Rebecca” by Daphne du Maurier is a novel about obsession, secrets, and the power of the past to influence the present.

77. Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe

“Robinson Crusoe” by Daniel Defoe is a classic novel about a man who survives a shipwreck and lives on a deserted island for several years.

78. Suite Francaise by Irene Némirovsky

“Suite Francaise” by Irene Nemirovsky is a powerful and poignant novel that captures the complexities of life during the German occupation of France in World War II.

79. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

“The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” is a classic novel by Mark Twain. It follows the journey of a young boy named Huck and his runaway slave friend, Jim, as they navigate the Mississippi River and encounter various obstacles and adventures.

80. The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton

“The Age of Innocence” by Edith Wharton is a novel that explores the societal expectations and constraints of upper-class New York in the late 19th century.

81. The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

“The Bell Jar” by Sylvia Plath is a novel that explores the mental health struggles of a young woman in the 1950s.

82. The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler

“The Big Sleep” by Raymond Chandler is a classic detective novel featuring private investigator Philip Marlowe and his investigation into a wealthy family’s secrets.

83. The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz

“The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao” by Junot Diaz is a captivating and tragic story that explores the life of a young Dominican boy growing up in New Jersey.

84. The Call of the Wild by Jack London

“The Call of the Wild” by Jack London is a thrilling novel that follows the journey of a domesticated dog named Buck as he adapts to the harsh and brutal conditions of the Yukon during the Klondike Gold Rush.

85. The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis

“The Chronicles of Narnia” by C.S. Lewis is a beloved series of seven fantasy novels that follow the adventures of siblings Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy as they journey through the magical world of Narnia.

86. The Color Purple by Alice Walker

“The Color Purple” by Alice Walker is a powerful novel that explores themes of racism, sexism, and the resilience of the human spirit.

87. The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank

“The Diary of a Young Girl” is a compelling and poignant memoir by Anne Frank, a Jewish girl who documented her experiences hiding from the Nazis during World War II.

88. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

“The Hobbit” by J.R.R. Tolkien is a classic fantasy novel about a hobbit named Bilbo Baggins who embarks on an epic adventure with a group of dwarves to reclaim their stolen treasure from the dragon, Smaug.

89. The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov

“The Master and Margarita” by Mikhail Bulgakov is a satirical novel exploring censorship, power, and the supernatural in Soviet society.

90. The Portrait of a Lady by Henry James

“The Portrait of a Lady” by Henry James is a novel that explores the life and choices of a young American woman named Isabel Archer as she navigates social expectations, love, and her sense of independence in both Europe and America.

91. The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark

“The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie” by Muriel Spark is a captivating novel that follows the story of a charismatic teacher and the students she influences in 1930s Edinburgh.

92. The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne

“The Scarlet Letter” by Nathaniel Hawthorne is a novel that explores the consequences of adultery in Puritan society through the story of Hester Prynne.

93. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

“The Secret Garden” by Frances Hodgson Burnett is a heartwarming tale of a young girl named Mary Lennox who discovers a hidden garden and learns to heal from the past with the help of nature and friendship.

94. The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas

“The Three Musketeers” by Alexandre Dumas is a swashbuckling adventure tale of love, betrayal, and honour set in 17th-century France.

95. The Trial by Franz Kafka

“The Trial” by Franz Kafka is a haunting exploration of a man’s struggle to navigate a labyrinthine legal system that seems to have no rhyme or reason.

96. The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera

“The Unbearable Lightness of Being” by Milan Kundera is a philosophical novel that explores the concepts of love, sex, and the human condition through the lives of four main characters.

97. The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins

“The Woman in White” by Wilkie Collins is a thrilling Victorian-era novel that follows the intertwined lives of two half-sisters, a handsome artist and a mysterious woman in white.

98. To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf

“To the Lighthouse” by Virginia Woolf is a novel that explores the complexities of human relationships and the passage of time through the lens of a family’s summer trip to a lighthouse.

99. War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy

“War and Peace” by Leo Tolstoy is a historical novel that portrays the lives of several Russian aristocratic families during the Napoleonic Wars.

100. Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys

“Wide Sargasso Sea” by Jean Rhys is a novel that explores the life and experiences of Antoinette Cosway, a Creole woman from Jamaica, and the events that led to her becoming the infamous “madwoman in the Attic” in Charlotte Bronte’s “Jane Eyre.”

That’s it, you guys!

This is my ultimate list of 100 books you should at least read once in your lifetime. 

If you came across this list today, I hope you will be inspired by it. Reading 100 books can look scary since it can be a real commitment. But don’t worry!

Reading is nothing like a race or competition. 

You can always start with only one book and go further from there. Also, you can read at your own pace. Sometimes it’s even better the slower you go through a book. 

Because all books above are fantastic, if not the best, you could read. Therefore, I recommend you read every page precisely so that you can enjoy any book you choose thoroughly. This way, you can enjoy it more than someone going as quickly as possible through them.

If you want to start reading today at your own pace and under your conditions, an excellent classic is always a good idea to start. Let this list be an inspiration for you in times when you have yet to decide what novel you want to read next. 

Or do you need some more candidates to join your reading list? With this list, it’s no problem at all!

No matter what, if it’s just curiosity or if you needed some inspiration today, hopefully, my list of 100 books you should read at least once in your lifetime was an excellent help!

Until next time,

Keep on evolving into your most glorious self!