From the classics to epic series, there are so many must-reads out there. If you are a bit of a bookworm you probably already have a longlist that you are working your way through – but you still may be missing a few of the classics.
Here’s where we can help – as these are the best books of the 20th century, according to the book-lovers’ website Goodreads.
5. Animal Farm by George Orwell
The first book by Orwell to feature on the list, Animal Farm follows a group of farm animals as they revolt against their human owner, Farmer Jones. The book’s main theme of power mirrors society. Initially, the animals achieve equality and therefore success, but quickly, the pigs abuse their power and exploit their fellow animals.
4. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
The Great Gatsby is set in the Jazz age of Long Island in 1920s America. It follows the lives of Jay Gatsby, a self-made millionaire, and Daisy Buchanan, a wealthy young woman whom Gatsby is pursuing and loved in his youth. The book was written in 1925, but it still remains one of the classics and many people’s favourite.
3. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (Harry Potter, #1) by J.K. Rowling
Rowling’s first Harry Potter book is where the wizarding world all began. The book tells the story of Harry Potter, a young boy who lost his parents when he was a baby and discovers he is a wizard. Its popularity among both children and adults is unmatched, and if creating the film version wasn’t enough, a TV series is now under production.
2. 1984 by George Orwell
An incredible book that has influenced the world, and the second of his to feature on this list, Orwell’s 1984 is a dystopian tale that follows one man’s Nightmare Odyssey as he pursues a forbidden love affair through a world that is ruled by warring states and has a tough power structure. The popular reality television show Big Brother was directly inspired by Orwell’s classic tale.
1. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (1960)
Harper Lee’s poignant story follows a young girl and her brother as they deal with the prejudice of their small town. When their father must defend a Black man who is falsely accused of rape, the children must face the harsh realities of racism. The story’s themes include morality and innocence through a young lens.