Books are man’s best friend, and their wonders are endless. Most importantly, they are capable of eliminating your stress and increasing your happiness. So if you are just starting out to boost your literary horizons, you should be familiar with certain books before you die.
While there are a plethora of books out there, it’s better not to waste your precious time on average books. However, it can still take much time to find the books that are worth reading, at least once in your life.
That is why we have comprehensively listed the top ten books to read before you die and why they’re great. We’re sure that this jam-packed must-read book list will definitely make your life easier. And even if you are not an avid reader, you’ll love reading these books.
1. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
American author Harper Lee published the novel To Kill a Mockingbird in 1960. Soon, it became enormously popular and was translated into as many as 40 languages. This novel was assigned to most American schools and sold 40 million copies worldwide.
The novel received massive praise for its sensitive treatment of a child’s awakening to prejudice and racism in South America. And in 1961, the author Harper Lee received a Pulitzer Prize for this novel.
To Kill a Mockingbird is a must-read book for you because of two reasons. Firstly, the novel is entirely a young girl’s coming-of-age story. And secondly, it is a dark drama about the roots and consequences of prejudice and racism. The entire novel basically probes how good and evil are capable of coexisting within a single community and individual.
2. The Diary Of A Young Girl by Anne Frank
Jewish teenager Anne Frank chronicled her family’s hiding for two years (1942-44) during World War II. She recounted her day-to-day life within the annex of the concentration camp and made entries in her diary.
This diary was later published as a book, The Diary of a Young Girl, in 1947, two years after her death. The book was also popularly known as The Diary of Anne Frank, which later went on to become a classic of war literature.
The Diary of a Young Girl is a must-read book for you because it is carefully written with remarkable insight, intelligence, and humor. This classic war literature personalizes the Holocaust and offers an incredibly moving coming-of-age story. Once you complete reading the book, it will bestow you with both hope and inspiration.
3. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Australian writer Markus Zusak published his brilliant and highly ambitious new young-adult novel, The Book Thief, in 2005. This intricately structured book about Nazi Germany is narrated by Death itself.
The story is based on 1939 Nazi Germany when the country held its breath. The author goes on to write how Death has never been busier and will continue to be busier still. As portrayed in Zusak’s Nazi Germany, everything is typically upside down.
Here, visions are heard, sounds are tasted, and the strong don’t survive, yet Death has a heart. In other words, the entropy of Zusak’s world is near complete. The Book Thief is a must-read book for you since the author has magnificently crafted his thoughts through his writing. Most importantly, everything written in the book burns down with intensity, thus delivering the most enduring stories of our time.
4. Biohack Your Brain by Kristen Willeumier
Neuroscientist Kristen Willeuier released her book Biohack Your Brain on 29th December 2020. This book is based on the techniques of how to boost cognitive health, performance, and power.
It envisions a top neuroscientist’s science-driven plan on the ways to take better care of your brain. While doing so also determines how to lose weight, enhance memory, and boost vitality and energy. The book basically tells how to build the best life and health only by taking good care of the brain.
Biohack Your Brain is a must-read book for you as the renowned neuroscientist Willeumier reveals exciting things. Here, you will get to know how certain easy and simple modifications in your lifestyle can alter and improve your brain. The author combines revolutionary science with clinical experience to biohack the brain.
And when you finish reading the book, you’ll learn how to biohack your brain. Further, you will know how it can boost your cognitive performance and do much more than you can imagine.
5. Animal Farm by George Orwell
Renowned author George Orwell published his anti-utopian satire Animal Farm in 1945. This political fable is wholly based on the events of the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia. It primarily surrounds the betrayal of the cause by Joseph Stalin.
It basically concerns a group of barnyard animals that completely overthrow and ultimately chase off their otherwise exploitative human masters. Further, they head out to set up an egalitarian society of their own. And eventually, the pigs, the intelligent and power-loving leaders of the animals, subvert the revolution.
Animal Farm is a must-read book for you because it is full of fantasy and well-structured wit. While reading the book, you’ll find how the pigs form a dictatorship with even more heartless and oppressive bondage. The writer went on to prove that “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.”
6. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
British writer Douglas Adams released his first book, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, in 1979. This immensely popular series of comic science fiction novels mocks modern society with extreme cynicism and humor.
As a hero, this book has a profoundly ordinary, hapless Englishman who unfortunately finds himself adrift within an entirely new universe. And surprisingly, this universe is characterized by extreme randomness and absurdity.
Initially, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy appeared as a 12-part series on BBC radio. Later, the five-book series followed, which the author typically called a “trilogy.” The entire series has been widely translated and adapted for theater, television, film, games, etc.
This epic parody that lampoons modern society with pessimism and biting humor is what makes The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy a must-read.
7. The Complete Harry Potter Series by J. K. Rowling
There’s a reason why the Harry Potter series is one of the most popular book series of all time – it’s simply magical. These books are perfect for readers of all ages, and they’re chock full of important life lessons. From friendship and loyalty to love and loss, the Harry Potter series has it all. If you haven’t read these books yet, you definitely should!
The main character, Harry Potter, along with his friends Ron and Hermione, encounter a number of challenges throughout the seven books in the series. They face everything from Voldemort, the evil wizard who killed Harry’s parents, to personal struggles such as unrequited love and loss. No matter what they’re facing, though, they always stand together – which is one of the many important themes in the series.
If you’re looking for a fun yet meaningful read, the Harry Potter series is definitely for you!
8. Body Love: A Journal by Kelly Leveque
The magical journal by Kelly Leveque is basically a 12 weeks practice session. It guides you in practicing positivity, creating momentum, and building a healthy lifestyle.
You can free yourself from typical cravings and food drama just within 90 days with this inspiring and practical companion. When you are actually mindful of your diet, you can quickly identify the food that can affect you.
This book is a must-read for you as it will help you thrive and short-circuit the self-destructive diet cycles. Here, you will also get to learn the unique nutritional requirements that your body demands.
9. How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie
The most influential book by Dale Carnegie, How to Win Friends & Influence People, was published in 1936. Ever since its release, it has successfully sold 15 million copies.
The author’s first book became a timeless bestseller as it is packed with rock-solid advice. It has successfully paved the pathway toward success for several well-known people.
How to Win Friends & Influence People is a must-read for you as you get to learn lots of things. Most importantly, you can learn how to make people like you and how to win them with your way of thinking. Also, you will get to know how to change people without arousing their resentment.
10. Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess by Caroline Leaf
Published in 2021, Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess literally tells how to reduce your stress, anxiety, and toxic way of thinking. While a chaotic world frequently aggravates your mental mess, it is pretty not possible to manage your runaway thoughts.
Here, the author suggests that we should never get carried away and settle into this toxic mental mess. It is because there is lots of hope and help available, and that can actually make things way better.
Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess is a must-read book for you as it is backed by clinical research and illustrated with fascinating case studies. Besides, it also has a scientifically proven five-step plan to find and eliminate the roots of depression and anxiety. After completing the book, you will learn how to improve your mental and physical health within 21 days.
Wrapping Up
You must have heard of the phrase, “so many books, so little time.” Even if it is hard to believe, it’s unfortunately true. The must-read books listed above will help you ensure you don’t miss out on the best books.
And if you are wondering when you should start reading, well, now is the time to get started. Who knows, some of these books might also have a profound impact on your life. Till then, stack your bookshelves and keep reading!
