There are so, SO many great books to choose from. Even if you have a specific genre you prefer, picking a book to read next can be overwhelming. The worst bit? So many good books to read but so little time to relish them all. As with many fun activities you want to do in life, so with books, you must prioritize which ones to read first.
If you are an avid reader, you should have a list of books to read before you die. And hopefully, that list is long enough because, buddy, you probably haven’t yet lived the best of it! And if you are just starting your list or willing to add a few more reads, we advise you to look at the most frequent suggestions of books everyone should read at least once. There’s a reason why these written works are granted the title of best books of all time. Some of the best books ever have the capacity to change how one sees the world, and if a book written before you were even born can do that—we deem it a worthy pick on the list. Some time ago, a member of the AskReddit community asked fellow bookworms, “What’s a book everyone should read at least once in their lives?” And Redditors left dozens of suggestions for great books to read that will stick with you for a long time after turning the last page.
We’ve selected some of the most upvoted picks from the thread and compiled them into a list of books that everyone should read at least once. Do you agree with the most popular selections? If so, upvote the ones you have read and would recommend reading to others. Also, are there any other books everyone should read at least once in a lifetime missing from this list? Let us know in the comments!
#1 The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy By Douglas Adams
"Hitchhiker's guide is a book I read at least once a year, more if I'm having a particularly rough patch in life. Arthur Dents biscuit story gets me every time and hearing the late, great Douglas Adams tell it, as it apparently happened to him, is ice cream for the soul."
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35points
#2 To Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee
unchartedfour said:
"To Kill a Mockingbird."
"To Kill a Mockingbird."
Mission_Eagle_7611 replied:
"I put off reading Go Set A Watchman because I couldn’t bear the thought of my favourite character being pushed off his pedestal. Finished the book with on a flight absolutely sobbing because of exactly that."
"I put off reading Go Set A Watchman because I couldn’t bear the thought of my favourite character being pushed off his pedestal. Finished the book with on a flight absolutely sobbing because of exactly that."
Awkward_Dog replied:
"I re-read this once a year. I swear I see new details every time. I suspect Atticus played a substantial role in my becoming a legal academic researching on human rights."
"I re-read this once a year. I swear I see new details every time. I suspect Atticus played a substantial role in my becoming a legal academic researching on human rights."
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29points
#3 Animal Farm By George Orwell
epikninja123 said:
"Animal Farm by George Orwell."
"Animal Farm by George Orwell."
xfjqvyks replied:
"If it wasn't for the comical levels of irony, I'd be really pissed that so many Americans think 1984 alludes to what's going on today more than Animal Farm. It's crazy."
"If it wasn't for the comical levels of irony, I'd be really pissed that so many Americans think 1984 alludes to what's going on today more than Animal Farm. It's crazy."
Shadowguynick replied:
"Animal Farm is more of a retelling of the story of the foundation of the Soviet Union. 1984 serves better as a general government control story."
"Animal Farm is more of a retelling of the story of the foundation of the Soviet Union. 1984 serves better as a general government control story."
Commenter replied:
"I disagree. 1984 alludes to the human condition (and language use) on so many levels. Animal farm is just a more specific metaphor about a certain type of socialism."
"I disagree. 1984 alludes to the human condition (and language use) on so many levels. Animal farm is just a more specific metaphor about a certain type of socialism."
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25points
#4 Fahrenheit 451 By Ray Bradbury
plato_thyself said:
"Fahrenheit 451 should be on this list."
"Fahrenheit 451 should be on this list."
FlyingChange replied:
"I agree 100%. What's really eerie about Bradbury are the details that he throws at you and then just lets float on by. Like, bits about how advertising boards are stretched out so that you have to look at them or the parts about how the children are more interested in electronic baubles than books and human interaction."
"I agree 100%. What's really eerie about Bradbury are the details that he throws at you and then just lets float on by. Like, bits about how advertising boards are stretched out so that you have to look at them or the parts about how the children are more interested in electronic baubles than books and human interaction."
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25points
#5 The Hobbit By J. R. R. Tolkien
Nowhereman50 said:
"The Hobbit. It's just such a nice book."
"The Hobbit. It's just such a nice book."
BiceRankyman replied:
"If you haven't read this yet and start, a word of advice... if it starts to drag, hold out for Gandalf to come back. Everything always picks up when Gandalf comes back."
"If you haven't read this yet and start, a word of advice... if it starts to drag, hold out for Gandalf to come back. Everything always picks up when Gandalf comes back."
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20points
#6 All Quiet On The Western Front By Erich Maria Remarque
"It's All Quiet on The Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque is an important book I feel. Truly showed the first World War as it was from the perspective of a German soldier."
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19points
#7 And Then There Were None By Agatha Christie
thunder_by_blunder said:
"And then there were none by Agatha Christie.
"And then there were none by Agatha Christie.
A quick and mind stimulating read that will keep you engaged throughout."
Th4tGamerChick replied:
"Agatha Christie has written some incredible novels. She’s overall a fantastic writer."
"Agatha Christie has written some incredible novels. She’s overall a fantastic writer."
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19points
#8 The Metamorphosis By Franz Kafka
Plastic_Pinocchio said:
"The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka is a story I'll never forget. You can read it in a couple of hours."
"The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka is a story I'll never forget. You can read it in a couple of hours."
ceryssienna replied:
"I read this about 2 months ago and it is an unforgettable story! It's something I never would've read myself but ended up doing so as I had nothing to read but I'm glad that that's what I chose!"
"I read this about 2 months ago and it is an unforgettable story! It's something I never would've read myself but ended up doing so as I had nothing to read but I'm glad that that's what I chose!"
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18points
#9 A Short History Of Nearly Everything By Bill Bryson
sewmuchmarish said:
"A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson."
"A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson."
thebohomama replied:
"Bill Bryson is such an engaging writer. I can't get enough of his travel books."
"Bill Bryson is such an engaging writer. I can't get enough of his travel books."
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17points
#10 The Very Hungry Caterpillar By Eric Carle
MEUP14 said:
"The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. I know this book isn't like the other great novels listed, but it definitely brings me back to when I was a kid and my parents read it to me."
"The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. I know this book isn't like the other great novels listed, but it definitely brings me back to when I was a kid and my parents read it to me."
MDTashley replied:
"This book tells the story of every attempt I have at dieting. By Saturday, I eat like absolute sh*t, then have 1 green leaf on Sunday to make it right again."
"This book tells the story of every attempt I have at dieting. By Saturday, I eat like absolute sh*t, then have 1 green leaf on Sunday to make it right again."
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17points
#11 Night By Elie Wiesel
"I highly recommend 'Night' by Eli Wiesel. I read it in high school and it got me into reading. The ways that Wiesel describes the horrific scenes are so powerful."
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16points
#12 The Picture Of Dorian Gray By Oscar Wilde
raptor_mkii said:
"The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde! His plays are great too if you're looking for less serious and lighter reads."
"The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde! His plays are great too if you're looking for less serious and lighter reads."
Foreigner4ever replied:
"I had to read this in high school and had the same experience with it as with pretty much every other 'classic' they made us read. Hated it when reading it, but after it’s over I appreciated it and still think of it years later."
"I had to read this in high school and had the same experience with it as with pretty much every other 'classic' they made us read. Hated it when reading it, but after it’s over I appreciated it and still think of it years later."
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16points
#13 Flowers For Algernon By Daniel Keyes
1ShadowStar1 said:
"Flowers for Algernon is truly a great book. I borrowed it from the library and enjoyed it so much I bought it and I'm not one to reread books. So many great life lessons in it."
"Flowers for Algernon is truly a great book. I borrowed it from the library and enjoyed it so much I bought it and I'm not one to reread books. So many great life lessons in it."
heresybob replied:
"Ugh, makes me cry horribly."
"Ugh, makes me cry horribly."
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15points
#14 American Gods By Neil Gaiman
Grogslog said:
"American Gods by Neil Gaiman."
"American Gods by Neil Gaiman."
knighttim replied:
"Not bad, but personally I enjoyed Neverwhere more."
"Not bad, but personally I enjoyed Neverwhere more."
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15points
#15 Man's Search For Meaning By Viktor E. Frankl
ionhazmat said:
"Man's search for meaning - Viktor Frankl."
"Man's search for meaning - Viktor Frankl."
Commenter replied:
"When I was 17, I was hospitalized in a psychiatric ward for the first time. My boss, from a fast food joint called Harvey's (it's Canadian, great food, 20 years later I still run into her outside of the restaurant!) got my call saying I'd need a couple weeks off, and I trusted her enough to tell her where I was.
"When I was 17, I was hospitalized in a psychiatric ward for the first time. My boss, from a fast food joint called Harvey's (it's Canadian, great food, 20 years later I still run into her outside of the restaurant!) got my call saying I'd need a couple weeks off, and I trusted her enough to tell her where I was.
Half hour later she shows up with 2 books, that being 1 of them. I read it that night. I still have it. It is a great book, it really helped. I read it a few times over my 3 week stay, and I had brought a lot of books and we had a library. It was just good, and inspiring.
She also gave everyone gift cards to the restaurant. She was great. She visited a few times. Thank you, Anne."
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15points
#16 Lord Of The Flies By William Golding
tropiqz said:
"Lord of the Flies - William Golding."
"Lord of the Flies - William Golding."
entroyfan2 replied:
"When I came to the USA I started 9th grade. My English was not good, had a thick accent, and culture shock. My peers used to make fun of me a lot so I threw my self into books. My first English through read was the Lord of the flies. It was a mind f*ck."
"When I came to the USA I started 9th grade. My English was not good, had a thick accent, and culture shock. My peers used to make fun of me a lot so I threw my self into books. My first English through read was the Lord of the flies. It was a mind f*ck."
Tim_Buk2 replied:
"I hated this book - it was part of the school study list when I was 13 and still part of the school study list in the UK 30 years later when my kids did it.
"I hated this book - it was part of the school study list when I was 13 and still part of the school study list in the UK 30 years later when my kids did it.
It probably kick-started my misanthropy."
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14points
#17 Of Mice And Men By John Steinbeck
TheBrassDancer said:
"Going to suggest Of Mice And Men by John Steinbeck. A real eye-opener about how grim the Great Depression was."
"Going to suggest Of Mice And Men by John Steinbeck. A real eye-opener about how grim the Great Depression was."
Mackteague replied:
"I would have loved this book if I didn't have to analyse it to hell in school."
"I would have loved this book if I didn't have to analyse it to hell in school."
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14points
#18 The Kite Runner By Khaled Hosseini
boogieafterhours said:
"The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini."
"The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini."
melike_moonchild replied:
"This is the book I was thinking about too, A thousand splendid suns is imo even better than The Kite Runner."
"This is the book I was thinking about too, A thousand splendid suns is imo even better than The Kite Runner."
Ace_of_the_skies replied:
"LOVE Khaled Hosseini. Read a few of his other books as well, so good."
"LOVE Khaled Hosseini. Read a few of his other books as well, so good."
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14points
#19 Catch-22 By Joseph Heller
NostalgiaRocks said:
"Catch 22 is one of those books that's been recommended to me for easily 7+ years and that I have been meaning to read, but the idea of not actively reading it with somebody so we can discuss it as we experience it together frustrates me. I should find a little book club or something to read that with, because I want it to be fresh in people's minds when we talk about it."
"Catch 22 is one of those books that's been recommended to me for easily 7+ years and that I have been meaning to read, but the idea of not actively reading it with somebody so we can discuss it as we experience it together frustrates me. I should find a little book club or something to read that with, because I want it to be fresh in people's minds when we talk about it."
RutCry replied:
"Do it. Read this book. Drop what you are doing and go get it now. The fact that you are reading this list at all is enough evidence that you will be hooked within the first few paragraphs. You will regret turning the last page because the journey through it will have come to an end. Read. This. Book!"
"Do it. Read this book. Drop what you are doing and go get it now. The fact that you are reading this list at all is enough evidence that you will be hooked within the first few paragraphs. You will regret turning the last page because the journey through it will have come to an end. Read. This. Book!"
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13points
#20 Cosmos By Carl Sagan
MasterbeaterPi said:
"Cosmos by Carl Sagan. I know it's an adaption of a television show but it is the history of science."
"Cosmos by Carl Sagan. I know it's an adaption of a television show but it is the history of science."
kadyrovs_cat replied:
"Read this about two years ago and still remember the lessons it taught me to this day. Absolutely fantastic read and incredibly educational. Highly recommend to everyone."
"Read this about two years ago and still remember the lessons it taught me to this day. Absolutely fantastic read and incredibly educational. Highly recommend to everyone."
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13points