While the classics are probably something that you don’t look forward to reading in high school, they eventually grow on many of us. If you’re anything like me, you go back and raid your bookshelf and fall in love with certain classics. There’s something about growing up and gaining some life experience that makes many of them hit a bit deeper. With that in mind, here are 25 classics that you should read right now!
#1: The Great Gatsby
I’m putting this first both because it’s my all-time favorite and because it’s incredibly relevant in today’s America. Hailed as the Great American novel, Fitzgerald’s most famous story covers themes of class and wealth, love and marriage, corruption, and past vs. present. It was published exactly 100 years ago, and while its Jazz Age setting has provided for many an aesthetic, it also has many similarities to the changes and challenges we face today.
Almost everyone has seen the movie, but the beautiful writing and tragically portrayed truth are reason enough to dive into the book.
#2: Pride and Prejudice
It’s a great love story, a win for women writers, and a fantastic work of literature. On top of that, it’s also one of the most retold stories in our media today. Think about it–everything from Bridget Jones’s Diary to Pride, Prejudice, and Other Flavors and Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. If you want to understand these references and enjoy some wit, spend some time with Jane Austen. If rom-coms are your thing, it’s an absolute must.
#3: To Kill a Mockingbird
Beyond giving us an up-close look into a difficult time and topic in America’s history (racism and prejudice in the 1930s), To Kill a Mockingbird is also an excellent example of the power of perspective, point of view, and unreliable narrators. It’s a quick and relatively easy read, but there is so much power to Harper Lee’s words, and much of what the book explores is still relevant today.
As a bonus point, after reading this book side by side in English and Italian, I have gained even more appreciation for the way the author uses dialect and slang to enhance the story. If you’re interested in foundational American literature, this is a must-read!
#4: Inferno / The Divine Comedy
This is one of the two main key texts in Italian schools (this and The Betrothed), and for good reason. It’s an absolute masterpiece that blends history, politics, religion, literature, and philosophy. Dante takes us on an imaginative journey through hell (and purgatory and heaven in the subsequent two texts), introducing us to several characters from history and mythology. Beyond its cultural importance and how foundational it is to the Western literature canon, it is also a fantastic, albeit difficult, read that will truly enrich you.
#5: Rebecca
This novel is genre-bending. Gothic horror, romance, mystery, courtroom drama, women’s fiction–it has it all. That’s what makes it such a riveting read. I feel like Rebecca is a bit slept on today, although it did have a bit of a brief revival when the new movie came out in 2020. If you like beautiful Gothic writing, domestic suspense, and a story that keeps you guessing, this is the one for you.
#6: Brave New World
Brave New World is upsetting to some because of the way it depicts sex, drugs, and an overall depressing dystopian future. However, this very depiction is what makes it such a compelling, relevant read, as well as a poignant warning that rings true almost a century after it was published. In this futuristic society obsessed with perfection, efficiency, and technology, individualism and passion are intentionally suppressed, and when these values are challenged, difficulty ensues for the dissidents. Sound like something we’ve seen globally over the last century? That’s why it’s worth the read.
#7: The Catcher in the Rye
This was my favorite book in high school, and every time I reread it, I gain something new from it. For me, that ability to elicit such reflection is a sign that a piece of literature is incredibly valuable. J.D. Salinger tells the story of an angsty teenage boy trying to make sense of the world and “come of age,” so to speak. While the story can be crass at times, it speaks a lot of truth to the process of growing older and the frustrations that come with it.
#8: Franny and Zooey
While The Catcher in the Rye is Salinger’s most famous book, Franny and Zooey is right behind it. I won’t lie. It’s existential crisis-inducing, and it makes me very thoughtful whenever I reread it. However, that’s precisely the reason why it’s worth reading. The story covers a college-aged girl going through the crisis that most of us go through at that age (at least a few times)–Is this all there is? What will I do with my life? Is everything meaningless–and her dialogues and reflections with her brother. This combination of philosophy and compelling, snarky characters is irresistible.
#9: The Book of Disquiet
This is another one of those philosophy-meets-literature selections. Fernando Pessoa is fascinating because he uses one of his many alter egos to explore and express his thoughts. In this fragmented “autobiography,” he explores his persona Bernardo Soares’s life, thoughts, and often melancholy outlook. It is reflective, poignant, and beautiful, and there is so much in it that resonates in today’s society.
#10: The Count of Monte Cristo
This is the classic revenge story, and it is incredibly satisfying. Dumas leads us through one man’s triumphant return–and path to avenge the wrongs done to him–after being wrongfully imprisoned for years. The Count of Monte Cristo is a textbook example of the Romantic Period, and its themes of justice, mercy, hope, and more are sure to resonate with any reader.
Side note–if you ever watched the ABC primetime soap Revenge, it was based on this!
#11: Meditations
We’re diving into a bit of Stoic philosophy here. Stoicism is my favorite school of thought, and Marcus Aurelius was the one to introduce me to its brilliance. What I love most about this book, which is a collection of his writings in journals, is that it’s incredibly straightforward and relevant today. In a world where we’re constantly stressed and struggling with mental health, Meditations almost feels like a how-to guide for life. It focuses primarily on temperance, justice, wisdom, and courage, and it’s a great reminder that our struggles are not unique to today.
#12: The Iliad
If you read basically any classic mythology or Renaissance-era literature, The Iliad is sure to come up. It’s the key to understanding the Trojan War, and it’s extremely valuable because of how it reflects the Greek culture of the time. Values, mythology, beliefs, and traditions are all put forth in the epic, and beyond being a story of war, it is a study of the culture.
I won’t lie and say that it’s light reading. However, because of its cultural relevance and the amount of times its events come up in current literature (think Greek myth retellings like Psyche and Eros), it is a great reference to have. If you don’t want to sit through the whole book (although I recommend it!), I’d suggest at least watching a summary and in-depth analysis.
#13: The Odyssey
The Odyssey picks up after The Iliad, and it’s the classic example of the hero’s journey. The themes it deals with are universal, its contribution to Western literature is irrefutable, and its role within mythology makes it important for anyone who loves Greek myths. If you love action, adventure, and beautiful language, this one is for you.
#14: Frankenstein
It’s a female-written Gothic masterpiece. Enough said. Beyond being culturally prominent, it’s also a reflection on our current fears and the constant desire to push the limits and play God. Full of emotion, horror, and thought-provoking ideas, this 280 page novel is worth the brief read.
#15: Beloved
Known for its asynchronous writing and graphic scenes, Beloved is an emotional story of a previously enslaved family navigating life primarily during the Reconstruction Era. It focuses on a woman’s home, which is haunted by the ghost of her oldest daughter, and the relationships that take place inside and outside of the house. Covering topics like slavery, familial relationships, trauma, violence, and forgiveness, it’s not an easy book to read, nor a comfortable one, but it’s critical to understanding this time and perspective in American history. Toni Morrison also delivers a masterclass in using a non-linear narrative structure, which furthers the story’s importance in the body of classic literature.
#16: Great Expectations
I’ll share a secret. I don’t always love Charles Dickens. However, this coming-of-age novel is a literary touchstone. Like I say for Gone with the Wind below, Pip’s character development and growth over an extended period is fascinating to watch and holds literary merit. Plus, this is one of Dickens’ most celebrated pieces, and it’s a great introduction to Victorian England and notable characters like Miss Havisham.
If you take the AP Lit exam, this is one that is pretty easy to tie back to almost anything in the “Literary Argument” essay, so I’d definitely recommend it.
#17: East of Eden
Okay, so this is another one that I personally didn’t love reading (maybe because it was assigned summer reading in high school). However, there’s still a lot of value in it. It may be long and heavy, but it is filled with Biblical allusions, family struggle, and a look into the US of the early 1900s. If you want a male-centric version of The House of the Spirits set in the US and without the magical realism, you’d definitely like this one. Spanning years and generations, diving deep into characters, and examining the famous question of fate vs free will, there is a ton to take away from East of Eden. Just pace yourself well, and it will be rewarding.
#18: Anna Karenina
About 800-900 pages, Tolstoy’s most famous novel isn’t light reading. However, it’s a mix of romance, social commentary, political insight, and beautiful writing that can’t be missed. It’s not the happiest of novels, but it is moving and relevant, and for that, I’d recommend making your way through it, one chapter at a time.
#19: The Art of War
I wrote a summary of the most important lessons here and how it applies to today’s world here. This ancient text is fantastic not just for lovers of military history or philosophy, but also for people wishing to strategically approach the way they deal with people. For me, it’s right up there with communication books and How to Win Friends and Influence People. At its heart, The Art of War is a tract on leadership. That makes it valuable for everyone in today’s day and age.
#20: Gone with the Wind
Now known as one of the most sweeping romances because of the movie with Clark Grant and Vivien Leigh, it’s also an interesting perspective of the fall of the South during and after the Civil War. Romance is a critical and compelling part of the story, yes, but Scarlett’s character growth over twelve years and the course of 1000-ish pages is one of the best examples I’ve ever seen of character development. If you like history, romance, or dramatic novels, this is one for you.
#21: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Mark Twain’s 1884 novel, set in the same universe as Tom Sawyer, can be a challenging and uncomfortable read, but it is also an important critique of racism, slavery, and the South. Often criticized and banned for its language and content, Huck Finn offers a satirical look at challenging commonly-held perspectives in society. Much like To Kill a Mockingbird, it’s told from the eyes of a child and forces us to confront uncomfortable realities, making it a critical addition to the body of American literature.
#22: Fahrenheit 451
Ray Bradbury’s 1953 novel feels like it predicted the future in many ways. Like Brave New World, it expresses many concerns about the growing technology, and it also reminds us of the dangers of not thinking for ourselves and reading. Dystopian, easy to understand, and incredibly engaging, it’s one of my favorite books to teach, and a favorite of my students, as well.
#23: A Doll’s House
Probably Henrik Ibsen’s most famous play, this story gives us a glimpse into gender roles and a woman’s awakening in Norway in the late 1800s. I’m not always a huge plays person, but Ibsen’s work is thoroughly enjoyable across the board. While Ghosts is a close runner up, A Doll’s House is my favorite of his works because of how groundbreaking it was in a time when divorce was practically unheard of and women were secondary characters in their own lives.
A Doll’s House is intriguing and notable not only for its plot–several events and revelations make a woman re-evaluate her place in society and in her marriage–but also for its character development and use of foils. This is my first suggestion to students who want to familiarize themselves further with plays, as it is much easier than Shakespeare and very enjoyable.
#24: The Alchemist
This is one of my favorite books, and it’s no wonder why many other people agree. Told in an incredibly easy way to understand, this story follows a little shepherd boy on his quest to find treasure. On the way, he learns incredibly important lessons about following his dreams and gaining wisdom.
The Alchemist is one of those books that I like to read every couple of years. Not only is it a quick, easy read, but it’s uplifting and a great reminder of what we should be focusing on. It’s a great story for that transition period from high school to college to adulthood, and it even has a “spiritual sequel” called Warrior of the Light, which I also enjoyed. Coelho bridges philosophy and literature well, making it accessible for pretty much anyone.
#25: Twelfth Night
It wouldn’t be a complete list without at least one of Shakespeare’s works. Twelfth Night is my favorite because it is perhaps the easiest to connect with. Of course Romeo and Juliet is his most famous work, and others like Hamlet and Othello are equally important. However, I love Twelfth Night because it is a comedy that–when done in the right way–manages to still entertain students today. Filled with love triangles (or polygons), mistaken identity, gender swapping, and general chaos, there’s a lot going, but the excitement also makes the antiquated English easier to work through. Shakespeare might be better known today for his tragedies, but I’d recommend giving this comedy a chance.
If you’ve ever watched She’s the Man, it’s a retelling of this!
A Final Word
There are tons of classics out there, and these 25 books only scratch the surface. I really had to debate about which ones to add, and it wasn’t easy because of how many great, important books we have to pick from. Which ones would you like to see on the list?
