When you’re creating your must-read list, consider these classics that Harpers Bazaar insists everyone should read at least once in their life. New books hit the shelves every day, but when you want a classic book that has a great literary grounding, you can’t go wrong with any of these books. Check out these 10 must-read classics that will leave you craving more while satisfying your need for a good book.
To Kill A Mocking Bird
This book by Harper Lee is set in 1930s Alabama and follows the story of the white lawyer, Atticus Finch, as he fights to save Tom Robinson, a black man falsely accused of raping a white woman. The book is narrated by the Finch’s 6-year-old daughter Scout.
The Great Gatsby
F. Scott Fitzgerald writes this modern tragedy set in the roaring twenties. It follows the downfall of Jay Gatsby, a newly minted millionaire, as he fights to win back the love of Daisy Buchanan, who has married another wealthy man.
Wuthering Heights
Emily Bronte’s Wuther Heights is a gothic romance set within a frame narrative and spans two generations. This book describes the destructive relationship between Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw.
Great Expectations
Charles Dickens writes about an orphaned child, Pip, who expects very little in life. This book follows Pip through his journey of meeting a criminal, a mysterious old lady, the beautiful Estella, and ending up with a sum of money.
In Cold Blood
Truman Capote writes a non-fiction novel about the appalling murder of a Kansas family that terrified America in the 1950s. If you enjoy true crime shows and podcasts, this book is a remarkable read.
The Catcher In The Rye
J.D. Salinger sets the book at Christmas and follows Holden Caulfield after he’s been expelled from another school. The story goes to show how Holden navigates the busy New York City Streets, soaking in fleeting encounters and always thinking of his younger sister Phoebe.
Things Fall Apart
This book by Chinua Achebe follows Okonkwo, a famous wrestler, and warrior known throughout West Africa. Okonkwo’s world is turned upside down when he accidentally kills a clansman.
Beloved
Written by Toni Morrison, this book is part ghost story, part profound reflection of the evils of slavery. This book tells the story of Sethe, who is living with her daughter in Cincinnati after being abandoned by her sons and is traumatized by her life as a slave in Kentucky.
1984
This book is written by the brilliant George Orwell. Orwell’s masterpiece is a depiction of a totalitarian society, which is set in a future but unrecognizable London.
The Handmaid’s Tale
Written by Margot Atwood, The Handmaid’s Tale is set in a dystopian future. The story imagines a world in which an environmental catastrophe has led many of the female population to become infertile. When fundamentalist religious groups take over the United States, all the fertile women are rounded up. They are then trained to be silent and nameless ‘handmaids,’ who are forced to procreate with the men in power.
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Start Reading Today
If you’re ready to start reading, then head to the bookstore or your local library to find the book you want to immerse yourself in. You can’t go wrong with classics, and you may also find books that you never read before that pique your interest. The possibilities are endless, so grab a classic and start reading.
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