Every time I walk into a bookstore, I feel like I’ve stepped into a room full of secret doors. The only question is—which one will I open next?
Why the Search for the Best Books to Read Never Ends
I’ve often found myself googling best books to read whenever I finish a novel that leaves me speechless. It’s almost like chasing the next high—you want another story that grips you, inspires you, or teaches you something new. Over time, I’ve realized that the top books to read aren’t always the ones sitting on bestseller lists. Sometimes, they’re the quiet classics or the hidden gems that find you at just the right moment.
So today, I want to take you through some of the must-read books that shaped me as a reader. Think of this less like a checklist and more like a conversation over coffee about the stories that stayed.
Books Everyone Should Read Once in Their Life
There are certain novels that feel like rites of passage. They show up on every books to read before you die list, but more importantly, they give you perspective on life.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee – A timeless story about justice, empathy, and childhood innocence.
1984 by George Orwell – A chilling reminder of how fragile freedom really is.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen – Proof that wit, love, and social critique can live inside the same book.
These are books everyone should read not because they’re old, but because they’re still startlingly relevant.
Classic Books That Never Grow Old
One of the best lessons I’ve learned as a reader is this: classic books to read aren’t meant to intimidate you. They’re meant to be lived with.
When I read Chokher Bali by Rabindranath Tagore,
I was struck by how modern it felt despite being over a century old. The characters were flawed, complex, and deeply human—things we still look for in novels today. If you enjoy discovering stories that transcend time, I’ve written a deeper dive into Chokher Bali on my blog. It’s a reminder of why classics never fade.
Other classics I keep close:
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Popular Books That Deserve the Hype
Sometimes, a book becomes popular for good reason. The stories below aren’t just hype-driven—they’ve actually earned their place among the most popular books right now.
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig – A moving reflection on regret and the lives we don’t live.
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens – A mix of mystery and nature writing that stays with you.
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho – A spiritual fable that people return to over and over again.
These are the kind of best-selling books that manage to connect with readers across the globe because they’re both simple and profound.
Highest Rated Books You Shouldn’t Miss
Whenever I’m unsure about my next read, I sneak into Goodreads’ popular books list to see what’s capturing hearts. Ratings aren’t everything, but certain titles keep appearing again and again.
Some of the highest rated books I’ve read and loved:
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini – Heartbreaking yet deeply hopeful.
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak – Narrated by Death itself, but filled with life.
Educated by Tara Westover – A memoir about resilience and reclaiming one’s story.
Coffee Table Books That Spark Joy
Not every great book needs to be read cover to cover in silence. Some of the top books to read are the ones you can flip through on a lazy afternoon with coffee in hand. Coffee table books like:
Humans of New York by Brandon Stanton
Ansel Adams: 400 Photographs
Atlas Obscura: An Explorer’s Guide to the World’s Hidden Wonders
These aren’t just decorative—they’re conversation starters, mood-lifters, and little windows into the world.
My Personal List of Must-Read Books
If I had to create a “survival kit” of must-read books, it would look something like this:
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini – For understanding friendship and betrayal.
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger – For capturing the messy beauty of youth.
Beloved by Toni Morrison – For reminding us of history’s scars and the resilience of love.
Building Your Own List of the Best Books to Read
In the end, the best books to read aren’t just about critical acclaim, Goodreads stars, or appearing on lists of the most popular books. They’re the ones that meet you where you are in life. For me, reading isn’t about finishing every title on a “100 books before you die” list. It’s about finding the stories that echo long after you close the last page.
Now I’d love to hear from you—what’s on your list of must-read books? Do you reach for the classic books to read or the popular books right now?
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