Top 10 Books to Read Before You Die
Check out this list of the top 10 books to read before you die if you don't want to miss out on the best ones.
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Do you fear missing out on some incredible books?
Yes, I hear you!
As Frank Zappa rightly said, "So many books, so little time."
If you also have a lengthy to-read list and are too fond of books, I'm sure you're concerned about finishing them all in a lifetime. That is why I've compiled a list of the top 10 best books of all time (that you probably need to read before you die). So that you don't miss out on the best ones!!
So, let's jump into this list of the top 10 books to read before you die.
Top 10 Must-Read Books of All Time
1. Catch-22 by Joseph Heller
GENRE: Satire, Dark Comedy, War Fiction
Catch-22 is a satirical depiction of World War II, published in 1961. It is indeed one of the most celebrated novels by the American author Joseph Heller.
The story centers around Captain John Yossarian, an American bombardier who strives to stay alive at all costs and avoids flying any more combat missions.
The story and characters may be fictional but still are inspired by Heller's life as a bombardier. As a result, this book is not exactly a beach read but worth reading at least once in your life.
2. The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger
GENRE: Realistic Fiction, Coming-of-age Fiction, Young Adult
The Catcher in the Rye is a classic teenage boy angst novel published in 1951 that still speaks to people.
The narrator is a 16-year-old Holden Caulfield who recalls the events that took place over a two-day period the previous December, following his expulsion from yet another school.
The novel deals with many complex issues of innocence, loss, and depression which the younger readers will be able to relate to more.
3. The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
GENRE: Historical Fiction
The Grapes of Wrath, written by John Steinbeck and published in 1939, is regarded as an American classic.
The story is set during the American Great Depression and revolves around the Joads. Tom Joad and his family of tenant farmers move from Dust Bowl Oklahoma to California in search of a better life along with thousands of others.
It is a story of unity, love, and survival that illustrates the hardships suffered by migrant laborers during that time.
4. Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov
![Lolita, 50th Anniversary Edition [Paperback] [1989] (Author) Vladimir Nabokov](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41wPn34w3mL._SL160_.jpg)
GENRE: Erotic Literature
Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov, published in 1955, is one of the most controversial novels of the twentieth century..!
It is the story of a middle-aged man named Humbert Humbert (the protagonist) who has a paedophilic obsession with his 12-year-old stepdaughter.
As creepy as it sounds, Lolita is not a love story but a unique tale that could be frightening and disturbing. Overall, it's a well-written and fascinating book to read once in your life.
5. Lord of the Flies by William Golding
GENRE: Allegory, Young Adult Fiction
Lord of the Flies is a 1954 novel by William Golding that explores aspects of human's evil nature, especially fear.
It is a tale of a group of schoolboys from Britain who find themselves stranded on a tropical island in the middle of a war without adult supervision and how they strive to survive until rescued.
Overall, the story is engaging, timeless, and relevant even now.
6. Midnight's Children by Salman Rushdie
GENRE: Magical Realism, Historical Fiction
Midnight's Children is a 1981 novel by the author Salman Rushdie.
The story begins with a dramatic plot where a baby boy born to Muslim parents is switched at birth with a baby boy born to Hindus. Further, it revolves around Saleem Sinai, who was one of those kids born at midnight when India got independence from the British Empire.
Overall, it's a brilliant work of fiction that explores themes like revolution, migration, and identity.
7. Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell
GENRE: Dystopian, Political Fiction, Social Science Fiction
The list would be incomplete without George Orwell's thrilling classic novel Nineteen Eighty-Four.
The novel, published in 1949, follows the life of Winston Smith, who went against "the party" in a Dystopian world; in 1984. It illustrates the corrupt society of Oceania filled with totalitarian practices and constant surveillance.
The novel serves as a cautionary tale against totalitarianism and what might happen if people give their governments too much power.
The story may appear frightening (and super REAL) as it was written nearly 70 years ago by Orwell, yet it perfectly depicts our current world.
8. On the Road by Jack Kerouac
GENRE: Roman à clef, Autobiographical Novel
Published in 1957, On the Road is a novel written by a well-known Beat Generation writer Jack Kerouac (where the term "Beat Generation" refers to a group of writers who began a countercultural movement in the 1940s and 1950s).
As the title suggests, the book does include multiple road trips, documenting the cross-country travels of two friends, Sal Paradise and Dean Moriarty. It explores themes like society, freedom, and friendship.
Despite the fact that the book is considered fiction, it is based on Kerouac's real-life experiences.
9. The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark
GENRE: Bildungsroman, Psychological Fiction
The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, Muriel Spark's most famous novel and a modern classic, was published in 1961.
This short novel, set in the 1930s, tells the story of Miss Jean Brodie, an eccentric teacher (and one of the most intriguing characters) who has a great deal of influence on the lives of six students at the Marcia Blaine School for Girls in Edinburgh, Scotland. It explores themes of innocence, control, betrayal, and femininity.
10. Ulysses by James Joyce
GENRE: Modernist novel
Ulysses, written by Irish writer James Joyce and published in 1922, is a challenging and rewarding work of English literature.
The story takes place on June 16, 1904, in Dublin. The plot revolves around three major characters - Stephen Dedalus, Leopold Bloom, and Molly Bloom, with Leopold Bloom as the protagonist. He is a middle-aged advertisement canvasser who has to travel across the city on a regular basis.
This novel is a must-read for all book lovers, especially those into modernist literature.
This concludes the list of 10 must-read books of all time.
I hope this post on the top 10 books to read before you die helped you choose the next book to read.
Happy Reading!
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