Top 10 Books to Read Before You Die

Have you ever wondered which books have the power to leave a lasting impact on your life?

With the average person reading only about 12 books a year, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of incredible stories and profound lessons waiting to be discovered.

That’s why we’ve created this friendly guide of the top 10 books to read before you die – timeless classics and modern masterpieces that resonate deeply, shaping our thoughts, values and perspectives long after we turn the final page.

Whether you’re a seasoned bibliophile or just beginning your literary journey, these 10 books you must read before you die will inspire you to reflect, dream and grow, while connecting you to the shared human experience in ways you never thought possible.

How We Came Up with the Top 10 Books You Have to Read Before You Die

To compile the top 10 books to read before you die, we had to dig into a treasure trove of authoritative sources blending insights from places like Goodreads, literary critics and other trusted publications.

Picture a lively book club debate where we sifted through reader favourites and expert picks to find the ones that kept popping up.

The result? A carefully curated list of timeless books that have captivated generations, each with a unique spark that makes it unforgettable.

Top 10 Books to Read Before You Die

1. 1984 by George Orwell

• Genre: Dystopian Fiction
• Author: George Orwell
• Summary: In a totalitarian society, Winston Smith rebels against the government’s control only to be captured and brainwashed into conformity.
• Additional Information: Written in 1949, this classic warns against totalitarianism, emphasizing individual freedom and truth. It remains relevant today.

2. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

• Genre: Romance, Historical Fiction
• Author: Jane Austen
• Summary: Elizabeth Bennet, a quick-witted young woman navigates love and marriage in early 19th-century England, challenging societal norms and her own biases in her relationship with the proud Mr. Darcy.
• Additional Information: First published in 1813, it’s renowned for social commentary and has inspired numerous film and TV adaptations making it a timeless read.

3. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

• Genre: Historical Fiction, Coming-of-Age
• Author: Harper Lee
• Summary: Set in the 1930s, this novel follows Scout, a young girl as her father Atticus, a lawyer, defends a black man accused of rape in a racially divided Southern town, teaching her about justice and prejudice.
• Additional Information: Harper Lee’s only published novel. It won the 1961 Pulitzer Prize and was adapted into an Academy Award-winning film in 1962. It’s a staple in American literature.

4. The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

• Genre: Fantasy, Epic Fantasy
• Author: J.R.R. Tolkien
• Summary: Frodo Baggins, a hobbit, is tasked with destroying the One Ring to prevent the Dark Lord Sauron from regaining power. With the help of the Fellowship of the Ring, he embarks on a dangerous journey across Middle-earth to Mount Doom.
• Additional Information: Originally published as a three-volume novel between 1954 and 1955, it’s considered a cornerstone of fantasy literature selling over 150 million copies worldwide.

5. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott FitzGerald

• Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance
• Author: F. Scott FitzGerald
• Summary: Set in the 1920s, this novel tells the story of Jay Gatsby, a mysterious millionaire and his quest to reunite with Daisy Buchanan, the woman he loves, through the eyes of Nick Carraway, a young man from the Midwest.
• Additional Information: First published in 1925, it’s FitzGerald’s magnum opus, a classic of American literature depicting the Jazz Age and exploring the American Dream.

6. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland

• Title: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
• Genre: Literary nonsense
• Author: Lewis Carroll (pen name of Charles Lutwidge Dodgson)
• Summary: A young girl named Alice falls through a rabbit hole into a fantasy world filled with peculiar creatures where she experiences a series of surreal events.
• Additional Information: First published in 1865, it’s a classic of children’s literature and has been adapted into numerous films and plays. It’s known for its imaginative characters and its influence on popular culture.

7. Animal Farm

• Title: Animal Farm
• Genre: Satire, Dystopian
• Author: George Orwell (pen name of Eric Arthur Blair)
• Summary: A group of farm animals rebel against their human owner and establish a socialist community only to have their ideals corrupted by power and greed, leading to a totalitarian regime.
• Additional Information: Published in 1945, it’s a political satire that allegorizes the events leading up to the Russian Revolution and the early years of the Soviet Union. It’s considered one of the most important works of the 20th century.

8. Anna Karenina

• Title: Anna Karenina
• Genre: Realist fiction, Romance
• Author: Leo Tolstoy
• Summary: The novel follows the life of Anna Karenina, a married woman who begins an affair with a young officer leading to her social ostracization and eventual suicide. It also explores the lives of other characters, particularly Levin and his marriage to Kitty.
• Additional Information: First published in 1878, it’s considered one of the greatest novels ever written and a prime example of 19th-century Russian literature.

9. Ulysses

• Title: Ulysses
• Genre: Modernist novel
• Author: James Joyce
• Summary: Set in early 20th-century Dublin, the novel follows the lives of several characters over a single day, most notably Leopold Bloom and Stephen Dedalus with parallels to Homer’s Odyssey.
• Additional Information: First published in 1922, it’s a landmark work of modernism known for its experimental narrative techniques including stream-of-consciousness and complex symbolism.

10. Brave New World

• Title: Brave New World
• Genre: Dystopian, Science Fiction
• Author: Aldous Huxley
• Summary: It is set in a future where society is controlled by the government through genetic engineering, conditioning and the use of a pleasure-inducing drug called soma. The novel follows the story of Bernard Marx who is discontent with the status quo and his journey with John, a “savage” from a reservation.
• Additional Information: Published in 1932, it’s a cautionary tale about the dangers of totalitarian control and the loss of individuality in a technologically advanced society.

Last Word on the Top 10 Books to Read Before You Die

The above top 10 books to read before you die offer a diverse range of perspectives and experiences that can enrich your life in countless ways. 

Each title invites us into different worlds, challenges our thinking and helps us grow as individuals. 

Whether you’re seeking adventure, wisdom or a deeper understanding of humanity, these books you should read before you die have something valuable to offer everyone.