The Web is grand. With its fame for hosting informative, easy-to-skim textual snippets and collaborative written works, people are spending more and more time reading online. Nevertheless, the Web cannot replace the authoritative transmissions from certain classic books that have delivered (or will deliver) profound ideas around the globe for generations.
The 30 books listed here are of unparalleled prose, packed with wisdom capable of igniting a new understanding of the world. Everyone should read these books before their 30th birthday.
- Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse – A powerful story about the importance of life experiences as they relate to approaching an understanding of reality and attaining enlightenment.
- 1984 by George Orwell – 1984 still holds chief significance nearly 60 years after it was written in 1949. It is widely acclaimed for its haunting vision of an all-knowing government which uses pervasive, 24/7 surveillance tactics to manipulate all citizens of the populace.
- To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee – The story surveys the controversial issues of race and economic class in the 1930’s Deep South via a court case of a black man charged with the rape and abuse of a young white girl. It’s a moving tale that delivers a profound message about fighting for justice and against prejudice.
- A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess – A nightmarish vision of insane youth culture that depicts heart wrenching insight into the life of a disturbed adolescent. This novel will blow you away… leaving you breathless, livid, thrilled, and concerned.
- For Whom the Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemingway – A short, powerful contemplation on death, ideology and the incredible brutality of war.
- War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy – This masterpiece is so enormous even Tolstoy said it couldn’t be described as a standard novel. The storyline takes place in Russian society during the Napoleonic Era, following the characters of Andrei, Pierre and Natasha… and the tragic and unanticipated way in which their lives interconnect.
- The Rights of Man by Tom Paine – Written during the era of the French Revolution, this book was one of the first to introduce the concept of human rights from the standpoint of democracy.
- The Social Contract by Jean-Jacques Rousseau – A famous quote from the book states that “Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains.” This accurately summarizes the book’s prime position on the importance of individual human rights within society.
- One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez – This novel does not have a plot in the conventional sense, but instead uses various narratives to portray a clear message about the general importance of remembering our cultural history.
- The Origin of Species by Charles Darwin – Few books have had as significant an impact on the way society views the natural world and the genesis of humankind.
- The Wisdom of the Desert by Thomas Merton – A collection of thoughts, meditations and reflections that give insight into what life is like to live simply and purely, dedicated to a greater power than ourselves.
- The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell – Gladwell looks at how a small idea, or product concept, can spread like a virus and spark global sociological changes. Specifically, he analyzes “the levels at which the momentum for change becomes unstoppable.”
- The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Graham – Arguably one of the best children’s books ever written; this short novel will help you appreciate the simple pleasures in life. It’s most notable for its playful mixture of mysticism, adventure, morality, and camaraderie.
- The Art of War by Sun Tzu – One of the oldest books on military strategy in the world. It’s easily the most successful written work on the mechanics of general strategy and business tactics.
- The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien – One of the greatest fictional stories ever told, and by far one of the most popular and influential written works in 20th-century literature. Once you pick up the first book, you’ll read them all.
- David Copperfield by Charles Dickens – This is a tale that lingers on the topic of attaining and maintaining a disciplined heart as it relates to one’s emotional and moral life. Dickens states that we must learn to go against “the first mistaken impulse of the undisciplined heart.”
- Four Quartets by T.S. Eliot – Probably the wisest poetic prose of modern times. It was written during World War II, and is still entirely relevant today… here’s an excerpt: “The dove descending breaks the air/With flame of incandescent terror/Of which the tongues declare/The only discharge from sin and error/The only hope, or the despair/Lies in the choice of pyre or pyre–/To be redeemed from fire by fire./Who then devised this torment?/Love/Love is the unfamiliar Name/Behind the hands that wave/The intolerable shirt of flame/Which human power cannot remove./We only live, only suspire/Consumed by either fire or fire.”
- Catch-22 by Joseph Heller – This book coined the self-titled term “catch-22” that is widely used in modern-day dialogue. As for the story, its message is clear: What’s commonly held to be good, may be bad… what is sensible, is nonsense. Its one of the greatest literary works of the 20th century. Read it.
- The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald – Set in the Jazz Age of the roaring 20’s, this book unravels a cautionary tale of the American dream. Specifically, the reader learns that a few good friends are far more important that a zillion acquaintances, and the drive created from the desire to have something is more valuable than actually having it.
- The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger – This novel firmly stands as an icon for accurately representing the ups and downs of teen angst, defiance and rebellion. If nothing else, it serves as a reminder of the unpredictable teenage mindset.
- Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky – A smooth-flowing, captivating novel of a young man living in poverty who criminally succumbs to the desire for money, and the hefty phychological impact this has on him and the people closest to him.
- The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli – This book does a great job at describing situations of power and statesmanship. From political and corporate power struggles to attaining advancement, influence and authority over others, Machiavelli’s observations apply.
- Walden by Henry David Thoreau – Thoreau spent two years, two months and two days writing this book in a secluded cabin near the banks of Walden Pond in Concord, Massachusetts. This is a story about being truly free from the pressures of society. The book can speak for itself: “I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.”
- The Republic by Plato – A gripping and enduring work of philosophy on how life should be lived, justice should be served, and leaders should lead. It also gives the reader a fundamental understanding of western political theory.
- Lolita – This is the kind of book that blows your mind wide open to conflicting feelings of life, love and corruption… and at times makes you deeply question your own perceptions of each. The story is as devious as it is beautiful.
- Getting Things Done by David Allen – The quintessential guide to organizing your life and getting things done. Nuff said.
- How To Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie – This is the granddaddy of all self-improvement books. It is a comprehensive, easy to read guide for winning people over to your way of thinking in both business and personal relationships.
- Lord of the Flies by William Golding – A powerful and alarming look at the possibilities for savagery in a lawless environment, where compassionate human reasoning is replaced by anarchistic, animal instinct.
- The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck – Steinbeck’s deeply touching tale about the survival of displaced families desperately searching for work in a nation stuck by depression will never cease to be relevant.
- The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov – This anticommunist masterpiece is a multifaceted novel about the clash between good and evil. It dives head first into the topics of greed, corruption and deception as they relate to human nature.
- BONUS: How To Cook Everything by Mark Bittman – 900 pages of simple instructions on how to cook everything you could ever dream of eating. Pretty much the greatest cookbook ever written. Get through a few recipes each week, and you’ll be a master chef by the time you’re 30.
- BONUS: Honeymoon with My Brother by Franz Wisner – Franz Wisner had it all… a great job and a beautiful fiancée. Life was good. But then his fiancée dumped him days before their wedding, and his boss basically fired him. So he dragged his younger brother to Costa Rica for his already-scheduled honeymoon and they never turned back… around the world they went for two full years. This is a fun, heartfelt adventure story about life, relationships, and self discovery.
Emilee says
Well, I have 10 years to read those books. Already read some of them in high school.
jennifer says
I agree that the bible should be on this list. Everyone should read it; especially anyone claims to disagree with it. How can you argue against it if you’ve never read it?
Zuejay says
Solid list, maybe a bit academic. Maybe write it in terms of authors instead of books such that multiple works by Ayn Rand, Betty Friedan, Virginia Woolf, Naomi Wolf, Thomas Pain, Shakespeare, Socrates, Leonardo DaVinci, Benjamin Franklin and others are covered, though that won’t work for The Constitution, which I recommend everyone read — maybe a history/government textbook is best so you can also read The Declaration of Independence and The Articles of Confederation. Maybe divide the list into modern, historical, ancient…
I’d also recommend “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen Covey. I’m working my way through it now, and it brings a whole new perspective to interacting with the world and claiming control over and responsibility for your own life. Dale Carnegie is also a good choice.
Ruth says
This is a great list! I’ve read a lot of what’s on here, but there are some that I’ve not heard of so will definitely be adding them to my ever growing list. A new one that I would add is Living Life As If Thinking Matters by R. L. Wysong. I’ve just finished it and it’s an amazing read and a great reminder that we can solve all our problems if we only think about them instead of buying into other peoples’ beliefs.
Pablo says
Yup, I agree: The Bible should be on the list.
Ahem. says
The Bible should most definitely NOT be on the list, unless you put every other religion’s Holy Book on there too. Otherwise it’s just Christians asking for preferential treatment, again. (Think Canada’s Catholic school system.)
Brian says
I think you left off The Bible. It only seems fair to include it, considering how influential it is to millions of people, and also considering that you have a book by Charles Darwin on the list.
Lizzy says
Great list. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland and Through The Looking Glass ought to be added on the same grounds as the Wind in the Willows. I’d say that the Lord of the Rings is should be removed, simply because of the fact that it takes so long to get remotely interesting that by the time I finished The Fellowship, I gave up. Like Water For Chocolate is one that ought to be here if for no other reason than that Laura Esquivel knows how to write a sentence better than most authors could ever aspire to.
wade says
‘why i am not a christian’
by
bertrand russell
Quynh says
great list.
Hannah says
I’ve read 6 and I’m 20… another 10 years.. I think I can accomplish that… it’ll give me something to do
DK says
Life of Pi.
Don C. says
I’m actually 30 right now and I have 15 more to read. I remember reading Siddhartha in high school, and it didn’t really click then but I re-read it about 3 years out of high school and it totally changed my outlook on life (for the better). Also, The Great Gatsby is another one I re-read every couple of years.
AJ Kumar says
Great list, I’ve actually read a few of these back in high school.
Wise Finish says
Great list – but you are missing one important book – the Bible, greatest selling and most controversial book of all time. The only book that can really change your life.
jared says
I think you’re taking it a little far with The Origin of the Species. True, its changed the way many look at the world, but so has The Bible, The Koran, The Communist Manifesto, The Talmud, and I could go on.
Josh says
Thanks for the great list, this is the first year I’ve really taken an interest in the simple act of reading books and I plan on finishing this list by 2010. Love the articles and the site!
Amanda J says
I’m 16 and I’ve read 21 of these books. I disagree with your claims of brilliance on the part of several, most notably Rousseau. After all, all it took was a few sentences from a genius to refute practically everything the man ever wrote. He speaks from a position of naivety surpassed only by Nietzsche.
jeff from ASU says
Well, I’m certainly surprised that people are still commenting on this thread a year after publication, which is the only reason I am.
First, I hope your comment of “short” about “For Whom the Bell Tolls” was facetious. Love the book, though.
Second, Amanda J: wow. I was you once, and I’ve probably read more philosophy so I can say with due reverence that Nietzsche himself says a number of things easily refuted in a few sentences, but then again, you’re only 16. As you get older and read more (which, by the sound of it, you certainly will), you’ll realize that just about any philosopher with the possible exception of Wittgenstein, says a number of things that are easily refutable in a few sentences.
Had to say it.
Ivy says
why is “the grapes of wraith” always considered such a classic? I get that it is so full of symbolism but quite frankly it is a dull read. at one point he spends TWO BLOODY PAGES talking about a turtle crossing the road. I do not give a flying rats rear end if the turtle has some deep spiritual symbolic meaning…by the time I read the second page I wanted to leap into the wasteland of this horrible novel just to stomp on the turtle and crush it out of my memory forever…the irony is I -like- animals.
Johnny G says
Atlas Shrugged or The Fountainhead – Ayn Rand. Her books are controversial and influential. Might be good to expose yourself to them even if you don’t agree with them.
Emma says
Ditto, Johnny G.
brittany says
@Noir
I know it’s an old comment, but….
Don’t knock T.S. Eliot just because you don’t like him and don’t recommend a set of poetry if you don’t even know the author.
Walt Wordsworth? Are you kidding me?
“Leaves of Grass” was written by Walt WHITMAN which I’m sure most educated people know.
Sai says
What about the Alchemist?? Paulo Coelho?
steph says
I think East of Eden is even better than Grapes of Wrath.
Erika says
Nice list. I agree about adding more female authors though.
– Erika
Azza says
I’d add “The Power of Now” to the list.
Emily says
I’m 19 and read 5 on the list…I think I’m doing good…you should add Brave New World By Huxley, Autumn:The Human Condition, And at least one Stephen King book….Oh yeah and All of Kurt Vonnegut…
jamie says
I would like to add “Life of Pi” by Yann Martel.
Very very creative and imaginative.
bren says
A modern master is The Road by Cormac McCarthy.
Masterful.
Shot straight into my Top Five book list 🙂
John K says
I’d like to add “Flow. The psychology of optimal experience” by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. Educated and still readable, often recognizable and still with that nice AHA.
And about the bible: Fine when your mother reads you a children’s version as just another story. As a thinking (adult) its totally far out fictional, weird, unnecessarily repetitive, extremely violent, racist and non-timeless. My mother put an end to the futile weirdness when I wanted an explanation about the origins of God himself.
Shawn says
Great list, I still have 15 left to read! I would also include “Things Fall Apart”. It’s a classic african novel and the message is just as powerful now as it was when it was written.
Alex Redmond says
Can I add Lord of the Flies by William Golding? One of the best books I have ever read and illustrates perfectly through the eyes of children, how tribal & savage habits are ingrained in us all forever. A simply fantastic book.
The Undreamt says
Only read one of all the ones listed here…
So damn, better start soon…
Chris says
since everyone is throwing in some, thought I would add ‘Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance’ to the list. Great read and a classic for self improvement junkies like me.
John Shaw says
can’t believe no ‘of mice and men’ by John Steinbeck!
Johnny B. Truant says
Damn, I’ve only read 8 of these. But to be fair, I’ve read all of the ones on my list of 30 before 30.
Chris says
To get over caring what other people think about you and live a principle-driven life: The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand.
The Meaning Of Life says
I have some years left looks like it takes some time to read them all.
D to M says
My addition:
Seeking Wisdom: From Darwin to Munger
http://www.poorcharliesalmanack.com/seekingwisdom.html
Trav says
I have to reiterate
“The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho
my favorite book.
Jake says
All of these books look terrific (though I’ve only read 8 of them).
But you left off The Brothers Karamazov and Atlas Shrugged. Which are the two best books I’ve ever read.
Ulysses by James Joyce should have probably made it on as well.
Joselito says
It was surprising that given the classic self-improvement titles listed, “The Best Salesman in the World” from Og Maldino was not included. Great list, though.
Lteefaw says
I think I’ve read maybe 5-6 of the books on this list and that was when I was in junior high. I couldn’t even tell you what half of them were even about. I think I’ll revisit The Great Gatsby
Misha W says
great list. unfortunately I turned 30 this year. but considering that I feel 25, I still might have some time to go through the 26 I didn’t read…?!!!
Meghashyam says
I am so glad that I am 21 🙂 9 whole years I have to read around 25 of the 30 books!
The world of books is amazing, isn’t it..
Have bookmarked the page.