World Book Day: Top Ten Classic Books to Read
World Book Day image
Reading is one of the best life-changing habits you can develop. But if you’ve never read a book before, getting started can be challenging. On this World Book Day, start your reading journey with these ten amazing books.
To Kill a Mockingbird
Let’s begin the list with one of the greatest novels ever written – To Kill a Mockingbird. Written by Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird is a classic tale set in the 1930s. The story follows the life of a white lawyer trying to save the life of a black man falsely accused of raping a white woman.
Into the Wild
If you love watching movies, you probably already have watched the cinematic depiction of this biography by John Krakauer that goes by the same name. It’s the biography of a man, Christopher McCandless, who hitchhiked to Alaska in 1992, disappeared into the wilderness, and was found deceased in his shelter five months later.
The Great Gatsby
Although the movie with Leonardo Dicaprio was brilliant, The Great Gatsby was originally a 1925 novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald. It is set in the Jazz Age on Long Island, USA, and depicts the narrator Nick Caraway’s interactions with the mysterious multi-millionaire Jay Gatsby as well as Gatsby’s obsession to reunite with his former lover Daisy.
One Hundred Years of Solitude
One Hundred Years of Solitude narrates the story of seven generations of the Buendía family, along with its establishment, destruction, and last of the family’s descendants. It’s a combination of prevalence, power, myth, and folktale and is a must-read for every reading geek.
Invisible Man
Don’t confuse this book with “The Invisible Man” by H.G. Wells (though it’s a great read too). Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison is a story of an African American male who faces extreme adversity and discrimination at education and work when he moves to New York.
War and Peace
War and Peace is a legendary masterpiece written by Russian author Leo Tolstoy. The events in the book are set in 1812 Moscow when Napoleon invaded Russia. The book is slightly lengthy, depicts battles in detail, and is synonymous with difficult reading. Hence, this book isn’t for everyone, but if you have the taste, it could be one of the best books you’ve ever read.
Song of Solomon
Written by Nobel Prize-winning author Toni Morrison, Song of Solomon follows the life of an African-American man living in Michigan. The story highlights the deeds of The Seven Days, an organization that kills white people in retaliation for killing black people.
The Shadow of the Wind
The Shadow of the Wind by Cardlon Ruiz Zafon takes place in 1945 Barcelona. It depicts the story of a book dealer’s son who mourns the loss of his mother and finds solace in a mysterious book titled The Shadow of the Wind.
A Beautiful Mind
A Beautiful Mind by Sylvia Nasar is the biography of John Nash, an esteemed mathematician. It delves into the prestigious career of John Nash and how he waged an internal battle against schizophrenia.
How to Win Friends and Influence People
Let’s end this list with one of the best self-help books ever written. How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie includes time-tested life advice on how to make people like you, follow your way of thinking, and change people without arousing resentment.
Wrapping Up
Of course, the books mentioned above aren’t the only good books available out there. You can select the right book for you depending on your taste and the genre you prefer.
