Another Top 10 Books You NEED to Read Before You Die
#10: “The Lord of the Rings”
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J. R. R.Tolkien Many lists of the greatest novels of all time exclude genre fiction like science fiction and fantasy, but there have to be a few exceptions for works that have truly transcended into the mainstream. There’s no question that J.R.R.Tolkien’s epic novel “The Lord Of The Rings” is one of those exceptions. Since it was released in the 1950s, this property has influenced the fantasy genre, paving the way for other series like “A Song of Ice and Fire”. The story of Frodo’s quest to destroy the one ring was brought to a whole new generation when the incredible film adaptations were released in the early aughts, but the novel itself remains well worth reading.
#9: “Jane Eyre”
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Charlotte Brontë It often happens – for whatever reason - when composing lists of essential reads to end up with only male authors, but it would be impossible to exclude novels like this one. “Jane Eyre” is a haunting gothic novel by Charlotte Brontë, who has been called the "first historian of the private consciousness" because of her tendency to focus on the first person perspective. Not only is “Jane Eyre” written by a woman, it is also told from the female perspective. The story is about an orphaned girl and is a coming of age tale that features some dark elements and which was ahead of its time in terms of social perspective.
#8: “The Stranger”
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Albert Camus Originally published as “L’Étranger” in France, Albert Camus’s deeply philosophical novel is a must read for anyone interested in existentialism. The story is about a man who has committed a murder and is split in half, with part looking at the protagonists life before the crime took place and the other half taking place afterwards. The novel has something of an absurdist style, and looks at themes of apathy and alienation and looks at the effects of French colonization of Algiers. It may not exactly be an uplifting read, but it’s an essential one and one that will inevitably broaden your philosophical horizons.
#7: “Frankenstein”
MsMojoNotes: Frankenstein
Mary Shelley Can you believe that one of the most well known stories in our cultural lexicon was written by a teenager? Well, it's true. Mary Shelley penned her story “Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus” when she was just 18 and it was published when she was still 20. It’s perhaps the best known horror novel ever released, and although nearly everyone is familiar with the plot of the story, many have never actually read the original source material. Shelley’s novel is a fantastic work of science fiction and horror that still holds up even some 200 years after its initial publication.
#6: “One Hundred Years of Solitude”
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Gabriel García Márquez Colombian author Gabriel García Márquez is known for his novel “Love in the Time of Cholera” as well as this seminal work which is considered his “magnum opus”. A novel featuring magical realism, “One Hundred Years of Solitude” tells the story of a Colombian family through several generations. One more reason to read it now is that in March of 2019, Netflix announced that they would be adapting the story into a Spanish-language series for their streaming service. Considering the novel has never been adapted for the big or small screen, this is exciting news for Márquez fans!
#5: “The Great Gatsby”
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F. Scott Fitzgerald What is there to say about “The Great Gatsby” that hasn’t already been said? Considered by many to exemplify the concept of the “Great American Novel”, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s slim novella manages to pack a huge punch. Narrated by Nick Carraway but telling the story of the enigmatic Jay Gatsby, this story is one that is placed solidly in the time period in which it is set, and yet still feels relatable and compelling to modern readers as it has for decades. It looks at gender, class and the American dream in ways that still has us asking questions all these years later.
#4: “The Picture of Dorian Gray”
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Oscar Wilde Oscar Wilde is a well known and respected historical figure, but you may not realize that he only ever penned one novel, this one: “The Picture of Dorian Gray”. Originally published as a magazine story, this tale has been mired with controversy from the very start, with critics calling it “indecent”. Much of this criticism came due to the homoeroticism present in the story, which of course would not be considered scandalous to modern readers. The plot is about a man who essentially sells his soul to never age or have consequences for his sins, and tackles themes of mortality and the idea of eternal youth.
#3: “In Search of Lost Time”
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Marcel Proust Known by three different names, “À la recherche du temps perdu”, “Remembrance of Things Past” or “In Search of Lost Time”, it is a tale told in seven volumes, beginning with what is perhaps the best known: “Swann’s Way”. It’s an experimental novel and has come to exemplify Proust’s work. Edmund White even went as far as to call it "the most respected novel of the twentieth century". We’re not going to lie, this massive tome is not an easy read. It’s known for being one of the most challenging classics that a reader can tackle, but trust us that the journey will be worth your trouble.
#2: “The Count of Monte Cristo”
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Alexandre Dumas If you can’t handle stories about long prison terms after wrongful accusations, it might be better to skip this one. Alexandre Dumas’ much-loved adventure novel was originally published in French and tells the story of Edmond Dantès, who is imprisoned and ultimately seeks revenge on those who wronged him. According to literary critic Luc Sante, "The Count of Monte Cristo has become a fixture of Western civilization's literature, as inescapable and immediately identifiable as Mickey Mouse, Noah's flood, and the story of Little Red Riding Hood.” And you know what, we can’t argue with that! Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. “Of Mice and Men” John Steinbeck “Through the Looking-Glass” Lewis Carroll “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” Mark Twain “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” Victor Hugo “Don Quixote” Miguel De Cervantes
#1: “War and Peace”
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Leo Tolstoy While many may consider “Anna Karenina” to be Leo Tolstoy’s most notable work, we’re going with his other novel, “War and Peace” for our number one pick. Like “Anna Karenina”, this novel looks at the Russian aristocracy and its story is somewhat hard to essentialize. Even the author himself said “War and Peace” was, "not a novel, even less is it a poem, and still less a historical chronicle." It breaks the typical form of narrative fiction on several occasions, switching to become more of a philosophical text. Like some of the other books on our list, this is by no means an easy read, but it’s definitely a rewarding one.
