Best books to read for a taste of the 20th and 21st century

Book lovers know that choosing a new book to read isn’t always easy. With the thousands of novels, graphic novels, and short stories available in every genre imaginable, picking your next good read can be overwhelming.

That’s where this list will come in handy. To get a taste of writing styles and stories from different periods, we’ve compiled a list of classic books from both the 20th and 21st centuries.

Great 20th century books

For a taste of 20th-century literature, here’s a list of books every reader needs to add to their must-read list.

The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood

Published in 1985, The Handmaid’s Tale is a dystopian novel set in the Republic of Gilead after the Second American Civil War. Offred lives in a totalitarian society in which women, named handmaids, are child-bearing slaves.

While working for the Commander and his wife, she thinks of everything she’s lost, including the peaceful life she used to have with her husband and daughter.

1984 by George Orwell

1984 is a dystopian novel set in Oceania, one of the totalitarian states the world has been divided into. Oceania is ruled by a controlling Party known as the Ministry of Truth, which uses extreme surveillance to persecute any expression of individuality, including free thinking and sex.

To prevent any political rebellion, the Party has even forbidden using words related to it. Winston Smith is a member of the Ministry of Truth, but he secretly hates it. His dream of rebellion sees him commit crimes, including keeping a diary with forbidden thoughts and starting a relationship with a colleague.

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

The Great Gatsby is an American novel set in New York City the 1920s. It follows the life story of Jay Gatsby, a self-made millionaire famous for the lavish parties he holds at his house.

The story focuses on his tenacious pursuit of Daisy Buchanan, a young woman he has loved since the first time he met her many years ago. Their love affair only leads to tragic events when her husband discovers the truth.

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

To Kill a Mockingbird was first published in 1960 and became an instant success. In 1961, the novel was awarded a Pulitzer Prize. Even now, the book is widely read in high school in many countries.

This novel deals with complex subjects such as racism, sexual violence, and analyses the complexities of human behavior in the 1930s. Atticus Finch, the main character, is a prominent lawyer appointed to defend Tom Robinson, a black man accused of raping a young white woman.

Great 21st-century books

The 21st century has contributed to classic literature with great sci-fi and nonfiction books. Here are some of the best books to add to your reading list.

Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami

Kafka on the Shore follows the story of Kafka Tamura and Nataka, who are brought together for reasons they seem unable to comprehend.

Kafka has run away from home, and Nataka has decided to follow along on a journey full of peculiar events, including a fish rainstorm, soldiers un-aged since World War II, and ghost-like figures.

The Road by Cormac McCarthy

The Road is a post-apocalyptic novel that follows a father and son on a harrowing journey through a destroyed civilization. Along the way, they meet innumerable challenges, such as starvation, sickness, loss, and despair.

The novel became an instant bestseller and one of the top book recommendations of several book clubs, including Oprah Winfrey’s book club. It was awarded a Pulitzer Prize in 2007.

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

Gone Girl is an intriguing novel full of suspense, lies, and deceit. Nick Dunne would never have imagined what would happen on the morning of his fifth wedding anniversary with Amy.

Amy Dunne has gone missing, and the evidence starts accumulating against Nick. To uncover the truth, he must discover his wife’s darkest secrets.

Atonement by Ian McEwan

Atonement follows the story of Briony Tallis’s coming-of-age in the shadow of an innocent mistake she made as a young girl. She destroys her sister’s boyfriend’s life and the couple’s love story when she accuses him of rape based on a misunderstanding.

Many years later, she’s realized the enormity of her error, but it’s too late to make amends with her sister, who was never able to forgive her.

In 2010, Ian McEwan’s novel made the list of the 100 greatest English-language books.

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FAQ

Which book is No. 1 in the world right now?

According to the New York Times bestselling list, the trending book Encore in Death by J. D. Robb is the No. 1 book at the moment. In this crime thriller, the tenacious homicide cop Eve Dallas must find out who was behind Brant Fitzhugh’s death.

What is the best book to read about life?

A great read about life is Atomic Habits: An Easy and Proven Way to Build Good Habits and Break Bad Ones by James Clear. The author reveals strategies to eliminate bad habits and achieve a healthy lifestyle.

What are the three most-read books in the world?

The most read books in the world polls have The Bible and The Holy Quran on top of the list.

The most read fiction books include the first book of the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, and The Lord of the Rings.

What are the most-read books of 2022?

The most read books of 2022 include Collen Hoover novels Verity, It Ends with Us, and Ugly Love.

Other novels on the most-read list are Ali Hazelwood’s debut novel, The Love Hypothesis, and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid.

What is the best book to read if you want to be a better person?

If you’re looking for a book to help you become a better person, Awaken the Giant Within by Tony Robbins will teach you how to control every aspect of your life.

What are the best books to read for beginners?

The best books to read for beginners include The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho and The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger. Stories of Your Life and Others by Ted Chiang is a good starting point for science fiction fans.