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!
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#21 The Giver By Lois Lowry
hisamsmith said:
"The Giver- that book made my 9-10 year old mind really think about what was important in society. It was the first time the idea of 'good' things having a negative consequence was presented to me. I think what makes it work is that we are learning how this whole society really works along side a character who has lived in it his whole life. As the facade of the utopian society begins to fall away to show devastating consequences of the 'perfect life and society' the reader not only feels their shock but the main character’s shock. This was a book I read in school 4 times- once in 5th grade and once in 10th for English and then in both high school and college sociology classes. This book written for 9-13 year olds made for great discussions."
"The Giver- that book made my 9-10 year old mind really think about what was important in society. It was the first time the idea of 'good' things having a negative consequence was presented to me. I think what makes it work is that we are learning how this whole society really works along side a character who has lived in it his whole life. As the facade of the utopian society begins to fall away to show devastating consequences of the 'perfect life and society' the reader not only feels their shock but the main character’s shock. This was a book I read in school 4 times- once in 5th grade and once in 10th for English and then in both high school and college sociology classes. This book written for 9-13 year olds made for great discussions."
tommyleepasta replied:
"Fun fact, The Giver was written by a woman who was from a military family going to department of defense schools, but she was on these bases during the Cold War. The theme of the book itself is very anti-communist because of her early life environment."
"Fun fact, The Giver was written by a woman who was from a military family going to department of defense schools, but she was on these bases during the Cold War. The theme of the book itself is very anti-communist because of her early life environment."
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13points
#22 East Of Eden By John Steinbeck
"I just read it a few weeks ago and it blew me away. He's such a masterful writer. It was an amazing read and I'll probably do it again in a decade."
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12points
#23 The Little Prince By Antoine De Saint-Exupéry
PrimateOnAPlanet said: "Not exactly a long novel, but I feel like everyone should read 'The Little Prince.'" pulsetract replied: "We had to read this in French class in elementary school (French immersion). I never realized it's depth until I was much older." hungryczito replied: "In Poland we have to read it twice during our education - once in primary school, when we are around 8 y old, and in secondary school (early high school), around 15 y old. It really is a different book both times."
12points
#24 The Canterbury Tales By Geoffrey Chaucer
newleafkratom said:
"The Canterbury Tales - Geoffrey Chaucer."
"The Canterbury Tales - Geoffrey Chaucer."
crunrun replied:
"I read this for a Medieval Literature class in college and it really changed some of my assumptions about older literature. I was not expecting s*x and fart jokes of the same caliber as George Carlin. The Middle English takes some getting used to, but once you grasp it you can find some of the best tongue-in-cheek humor out there. Some of this sh*t had me in stitches which really surprised me."
"I read this for a Medieval Literature class in college and it really changed some of my assumptions about older literature. I was not expecting s*x and fart jokes of the same caliber as George Carlin. The Middle English takes some getting used to, but once you grasp it you can find some of the best tongue-in-cheek humor out there. Some of this sh*t had me in stitches which really surprised me."
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12points
#25 The Jungle By Upton Sinclair
washheightsboy3 said:
"I'd recommend The Jungle by Upton Sinclair."
"I'd recommend The Jungle by Upton Sinclair."
zdh989 replied:
"I remember trying to read this when I was like 12 because I thought it was about...you know...a jungle. Couldn't make it through 5 pages. Then I picked it up again before me and my wife went on a cruise to read at leisure on the decks because I am a huge meat eater and was a chef at the time. Halfway through the book, I couldn't put it down. I became so invested in Jurgis. The book is about so much more than the meat packing industry in Chicago at that time, which is really what I thought it was all about. Anyway, I say all that to say, I agree."
"I remember trying to read this when I was like 12 because I thought it was about...you know...a jungle. Couldn't make it through 5 pages. Then I picked it up again before me and my wife went on a cruise to read at leisure on the decks because I am a huge meat eater and was a chef at the time. Halfway through the book, I couldn't put it down. I became so invested in Jurgis. The book is about so much more than the meat packing industry in Chicago at that time, which is really what I thought it was all about. Anyway, I say all that to say, I agree."
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12points
#26 The Count Of Monte Cristo By Alexandre Dumas
I_paintball said:
"The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas.
"The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas.
Such a great book."
skundrik replied:
"Oh my god yes. I love this book for being the s*x, drugs and rock and roll of the classics world. It is lengthy but has revenge, treasure, plots and schemes and drugs. There is nothing stuffy about this classic."
"Oh my god yes. I love this book for being the s*x, drugs and rock and roll of the classics world. It is lengthy but has revenge, treasure, plots and schemes and drugs. There is nothing stuffy about this classic."
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12points
#27 The Grapes Of Wrath By John Steinbeck
newleafkratom said:
"The Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck."
"The Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck."
Commenter replied:
"I read this book in middle school. I remembered I barely understand English back then but it made me cry."
"I read this book in middle school. I remembered I barely understand English back then but it made me cry."
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11points
#28 The Catcher In The Rye By J.D. Salinger
BRONXSBURNING said:
"The Catcher in the Rye is such a powerful and great book, I'd recommend it 100%!"
"The Catcher in the Rye is such a powerful and great book, I'd recommend it 100%!"
jaleel131 replied:
"Honestly, I've never been so impacted by a book before. I read it when I was 17 and severely depressed and it found me at the right time. 'I don't know exactly what I mean by that, but I mean it.'"
"Honestly, I've never been so impacted by a book before. I read it when I was 17 and severely depressed and it found me at the right time. 'I don't know exactly what I mean by that, but I mean it.'"
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11points
#29 The Phantom Tollbooth By Norton Juster
chadtewks said:
"The Phantom Tollbooth."
"The Phantom Tollbooth."
kiltedturtle replied:
"I love 'Point of View' where they are in mid-air and as they grow older their feet touch the ground. That means their point of view never changed as they get older. Unlike silly Milo who as he grows 'up' his point of view is constantly changing.
"I love 'Point of View' where they are in mid-air and as they grow older their feet touch the ground. That means their point of view never changed as they get older. Unlike silly Milo who as he grows 'up' his point of view is constantly changing.
In the last few years I've used that snippet with people that seem to grow down, instead of growing up as they get older. I've had a few that actually get the point."
wort_hog replied:
"Maybe one of my favorite literary moments…
"Maybe one of my favorite literary moments…
Milo: 'Many of the things I’m supposed to know seem so useless that I can’t see the purpose of learning them at all.'
Princess of Sweet Rhyme: '...what you learn today, for no reason at all, will help you discover the wonderful secrets of tomorrow.'"
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11points
#30 The Stranger By Albert Camus
Elctro-Blak said:
"The Stranger by Albert Camus."
"The Stranger by Albert Camus."
thirdaccountmaybe replied:
"I was gonna say the myth of Sisyphus."
"I was gonna say the myth of Sisyphus."
tirkman replied:
"I remember absolutely hating the stranger and existentialism in general in high school. Maybe now that I’m older I’ll view the book differently."
"I remember absolutely hating the stranger and existentialism in general in high school. Maybe now that I’m older I’ll view the book differently."
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11points
#31 Frankenstein By Mary Shelley
boop-oop-a-doop said:
"Frankenstein. It’s a classic for a reason & no movie adaptation has ever really done it justice."
"Frankenstein. It’s a classic for a reason & no movie adaptation has ever really done it justice."
buddaaaa replied:
"I read it my sophomore year of high school along with another set of books in small groups where we each had to read one of the three books given and lead discussions for our teammates and do other stuff I don’t remember. Anyway, I got 'stuck' with Frankenstein (I believe I was absent the day we chose). Completely lucked out, that book kicks a**."
"I read it my sophomore year of high school along with another set of books in small groups where we each had to read one of the three books given and lead discussions for our teammates and do other stuff I don’t remember. Anyway, I got 'stuck' with Frankenstein (I believe I was absent the day we chose). Completely lucked out, that book kicks a**."
Conair24601 replied:
"I read Frankenstein last year and was absolutely stunned by it. As you say, no movie comes even close to the book. It's gothic and cozy to read but just so impactful and ahead of It's time. How Shelley wrote it at 17 is beyond me."
"I read Frankenstein last year and was absolutely stunned by it. As you say, no movie comes even close to the book. It's gothic and cozy to read but just so impactful and ahead of It's time. How Shelley wrote it at 17 is beyond me."
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11points
#32 Holes By Louis Sachar
nefarioustortellini said:
"Holes."
"Holes."
swallowtails replied:
"Great book. I feel like Louis Sachar (sp?) is an underrated author. I remember reading his book 'There's a Boy in the Girl's Bathroom' and just loving that. It's a look into a boy's life... One who is a failing student with no friends, is sort of a bully. It's so good! I definitely recommend picking it up."
"Great book. I feel like Louis Sachar (sp?) is an underrated author. I remember reading his book 'There's a Boy in the Girl's Bathroom' and just loving that. It's a look into a boy's life... One who is a failing student with no friends, is sort of a bully. It's so good! I definitely recommend picking it up."
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11points
#33 Slaughterhouse-Five By Kurt Vonnegut
JananayBanana said:
"Slaughterhouse five."
"Slaughterhouse five."
zodwa_wa_bantu replied:
"Couldn't finish it. Sent through an Existentialist crisis, doubting my reality and myself and whatnot. Great book though."
"Couldn't finish it. Sent through an Existentialist crisis, doubting my reality and myself and whatnot. Great book though."
BiceRankyman replied:
"Read it three times. Still in the existential life crisis. So it goes."
"Read it three times. Still in the existential life crisis. So it goes."
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11points
#34 One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest By Ken Kesey
"Absolutely. This is probably my favourite book of all time, both from a story and writing standpoint. A very close second is All Quiet on the Western Front though."
10points
#35 Watership Down By Richard Adams
"I love Watership Down. It's so moving and exciting at the same time. I especially like the fact that the author was never set out to be an author. He simply began making up stories about rabbits and telling them to his daughters who then convinced him to write it all down."
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10points
#36 Where The Red Fern Grows By Wilson Rawls
moxin84 said:
"'Where The Red Fern Grows' - Wilson Rawls."
"'Where The Red Fern Grows' - Wilson Rawls."
PervisMCR replied:
"Read that in 4th grade. The poor hounds."
"Read that in 4th grade. The poor hounds."
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10points
#37 A Tree Grows In Brooklyn By Betty Smith
"A Tree Grows in Brooklyn changed my life."
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10points
#38 Shogun By James Clavell
"When I was going through basic training as a US Marine officer at Quantico an instructor in tactics strongly recommended Shogun, so I picked it up, but didn't have time to start it during training. My newly wed wife saw it and started reading it. She became so engrossed that she would ask if I minded her bringing it into restaurants to read during our dinner. Tired of eating and watching her read, I bought a second copy and totally understood where she was coming from. It has the wonderful quality of being nearly 1200 pages that I didn't want to end."
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10points
#39 The Power Of Myth By Joseph Campbell
KnowsGooderThanYou said:
"The Power of Myth by Joseph Campbell."
"The Power of Myth by Joseph Campbell."
m1nt_ replied:
"I'm reading this now, and despite only being about halfway through it, I've already reconsidered my approach to stories and their value. It's fantastic, and I would definitely recommend either The Power of Myth or his other book The Hero with a Thousand Faces."
"I'm reading this now, and despite only being about halfway through it, I've already reconsidered my approach to stories and their value. It's fantastic, and I would definitely recommend either The Power of Myth or his other book The Hero with a Thousand Faces."
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9points
#40 The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle By Haruki Murakami
Neuroxian said:
"The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle - Haruki Murakami."
"The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle - Haruki Murakami."
MotherBeef replied:
"Personally I would suggest Colourless or Norwegian wood. But really, any Murakami.
"Personally I would suggest Colourless or Norwegian wood. But really, any Murakami.
What I love about his books is I feel everyone has a different favourite and I believe that's due to how much each book is able to capture a different theme and therefore relates to different people. The existential crisis and understanding of love/belonging that so many of his characters seem to go through is something that resonated so intensely with me during my 20s. It's what keeps Murakami at the top of my list, nothing else has ever made me question more, want to change and yet feel so content with the basics."
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9points