The top 10 classic books you must read now according to bookworms

With so many classic books out there, knowing where to start can be overwhelming. From sweeping historical sagas and timeless romances to powerful psychological dramas, the literary canon is vast and not every “must-read” speaks to everyone. However, there are some books that despite being written decades or even centuries ago, continue to strike a chord today among millions of readers across the globe. 

They explore universal themes like love, loss, justice, identity or power, or complex characters that remain just as relevant now as when they were first published, drawing in generation after generation of readers. To help narrow things down, Sarah McKenna, Digital Content Manager at Penguin Books UK, and the Penguin editorial team turned to their readers to find out which classics have stood the test of time. From iconic bestsellers to hidden gems, here are ten of the most beloved classics as recommended by real book lovers.

This novel is a witty and romantic tale of love, social status, and self-discovery which remains one of the most beloved novels in the English language. First published in 1813, Pride and Prejudice has sold millions of copies worldwide becoming one of the most popular works in English literature and has also been adapted into several films including the famous adaptation of 2005 that stars Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen. It is a timeless piece of work where the language used by Austen captivates the reader throughout blending complex characters, wit, irony, and sharp social commentary. 

Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel remains a powerful exploration of racial injustice, morality, and compassion in the United States’ Deep South during the 1930s. Told through the innocent yet perceptive eyes of young Scout Finch, the story follows her father, Atticus Finch, a principled lawyer defending a black man wrongly accused of a crime. It has become a key novel of American literature, with Lee’s writing being clear, evocative, and accessible at the same time as he skillfully blends straightforward narration with lyrical moments. 

Set in the roaring 1920s, The Great Gatsby tells the story of the mysterious millionaire Jay Gatsby and his obsessive love for the elusive Daisy Buchanan. Narrated by Nick Carraway, the novel explores the decadence and moral decay beneath the glittering surface of the American Dream. Fitzgerald’s prose is elegant, lyrical, and filled with symbolism, painting a vivid picture of wealth, desire, and heartbreak while critiquing the hollow pursuit of status. 

This epic novel chronicles the rise and fall of the Buendía family over seven generations in the isolated town of Macondo. The magical realist literay work follows the characters through love, war, and tragedy, as their fates intertwine with the history of their town. His poetic and richly descriptive language creates a world where the magical and the real blend together, and where the extraordinary feels natural as the writer explores the themes of destiny, solitude, and the passage of time.

Based on the true story of the brutal 1959 murders of the Clutter family in rural Kansas, In Cold Blood reconstructs the crime, the investigation, and the lives of the killers. Capote’s narrative reads like a suspenseful novel, offering detailed psychological portraits of the murderers and the impact of the crime on the community.

Jean Rhys’s Wide Sargasso Sea is a bold and haunting prequel to Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre, giving a voice to Bertha Mason, the “madwoman in the attic.” Set in Jamaica, the novel explores themes of colonialism, identity, and madness through the story of Antoinette Cosway, a young Creole woman caught between two worlds. The author’s lyrical prose brings depth to the marginalised character, revealing the emotional and cultural turmoil that shaped her tragic fate.

Huxley’s Brave New World paints a chilling vision of a dystopian future where humanity is conditioned for conformity and consumption. The story follows Bernard Marx and John the Savage as they navigate a society that sacrifices individuality for stability through technology, genetic engineering, and drugs.

This charming coming of age novel centers on Cassandra Mortmain, a bright and witty teenage girl growing up in a decaying English castle with her eccentric family. Told through Cassandra’s diary entries, the story captures the struggles of youth, unrequited love, and family dynamics. 

Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre is a groundbreaking Gothic novel that follows the resilient orphan Jane as she overcomes hardship and adversity to find love and independence. Working as a governess at Thornfield Hall, Jane falls for the mysterious Mr. Rochester, but their romance is shadowed by dark secrets. The novel’s deep psychological insight and timeless exploration of morality, identity and social class make it a must-read work of literature. 

Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment is a profound psychological novel published in installments in a Russian literary journal back in 1866. It delves into the mind of Rodion Raskolnikov, a troubled former student who commits a brutal murder in St. Petersburg. As he grapples with guilt, morality, and redemption, the novel explores themes of justice, poverty, and the nature of evil. Written with intense and immersive prose, Dostoevsky captures the torment and complexity of the human soul, making this a gripping and thought provoking classic that.