There are a lot of great books on the market that are worth your time, but with so many options to choose from it can be hard to create a bucket list. However, there are some classics that have been penned by some of the greatest literary minds in the world that you should read at least once in your lifetime. Even if you are not a bibliophile, there are titles that are worth going out of your way to consume. We have put together a list of some best books you should read in your lifetime.

1984 – George Orwell

1984 seems like it was a whole different world, and in many ways it was. This George Orwell title follows the life of a character named Winston Smith who lives in a totalitarian, dystopian world. Fear and lies are used to control the populace and love, free will, and individuality are forbidden. Even in modern times, a lot of similarities make this the perfect book to add to your list of must-have reads.

Gone with the Wind – Margaret Mitchell

Movies are a great part of history, but nothing compares to the tear-inducing original storylines that you will find in a novel. Gone with the Wind is a classic written by Margaret Mitchell that is set during the time of The Civil War. The South is a place fraught with avarice, jealously, and slavery, but there are plenty of redeeming points for many of the characters. While most stories these days have happy endings, this title follows more along the lines of real-life with justice taking the cake for the South and Scarlett in the end.

To Kill a Mockingbird – Harper Lee

This Harper Lee title was published in 1960 but the flavor and the history that is the deep south still resonates with readers even today. Prejudice is always going to be a part of history, and this novel teaches readers lessons about love, innocence, hatred, and hypocrisy in a way that has yet to be replicated. It is an important read for people of all ages and backgrounds.

The Book Thief – Markus Zusak

Knowledge is power but for those under Nazi rule, books became a scarce resource that was used to punish. The story of the book thief is set in late 1939 in Germany. The main character would travel from place to place to save books from being destroyed during the time of Nazi rule. This harrowing tale is only a glimpse into the darkness of the time and is worth a read for people of all ages.

The Hobbit – J.R.R. Tolkien

Fantasy writing has the power to make readers suspend belief as they travel to another world within the pages. J.R.R. Tolkien has an exceptional ability to create fantastical worlds that capture the hearts of the minds of readers of all ages. The Hobbit may have started off as a children’s book, but the title and following series have transformed into a whole new universe that should be among the top choices of your reading bucket list.

The Great Gatsby – F. Scott Fitzgerald

There is something elegant and alluring about the world that was the Jazz Age. This title by F. Scott Fitzgerald was published in 1925 and follows the chronicles of a man coming of age and looking for love. Even the indulgent nature of those in high society was not enough to buy the love he so desired which is one of the reasons this classic story remains a favorite a decade later.

If you have already made it through half of the books on this list, or if you are interested in expanding your options we can help. Our other blog post covers 100 books to read before you die. These are great novels whose stories have withstood the test of time that are worth adding to your collection.