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Classic works of fiction and nonfiction have been read by generations of readers and have stood the test of time across decades since their original publishing dates.
Many classic books are read in classrooms but can also be enjoyed as leisure reads by the avid book fan who can't get enough of historically reputable novels.
Library shelves are full of classic tales, many of which have been further brought to life on screen. Many fans of popular classic novels first caught wind of various stories written by world-renowned authors when writers turned books into movies.
Often, after films are released, audiences learn that a story was first told across book pages and pick up the book to read.
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Below is a list of just a handful of the many classic books worth adding to your reading list, some of which were later turned into movies starring A-list stars.
- "The Outsiders" by S.E. Hinton
- "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens
- "The Godfather" by Mario Puzo
- "The Diary of Anne Frank" by Anne Frank
- "Fahrenheit 451" by Ray Bradbury
- "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee
- "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote
- "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald
- "Les Misérables" by Victor Hugo
- "Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass" by Frederick Douglass
- "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen
- "The Scarlet Letter" by Nathaniel Hawthorne
- "Walden" by Henry David Thoreau
- "1984" by George Orwell
- "A Brief History of Time" by Stephen Hawking
- "Of Mice and Men" by John Steinbeck
- "Dracula" by Bram Stoker
- "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou
- "Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley
- "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott
- "Hiroshima" by John Hersey
There is an abundance of classic books worth reading. This guide is full of just a few of so many. (iStock)
1. "The Outsiders" by S.E. Hinton
"The Outsiders" is a young adult novel written by S.E. Hinton when she was 15 years old.
When the book was published in 1967, Hinton was 18.
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The book tells the story of two rival gangs in Oklahoma.
In 1983, a movie came out based on the bestselling book. The cast of actors involved in the film includes C. Thomas Howell, Matt Dillon, Ralph Macchio, Patrick Swayze, Rob Lowe and Tom Cruise.
"The Outsiders" was authored by a 15-year-old writer. (Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images)
2. "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens
"A Christmas Carol" is a popular read during the holiday season.
The book was originally published as a novella in 1843 by Charles Dickens.
The story about Ebenezer Scrooge's journey to becoming a better man and changing the outcome of his life through the teachings of ghosts and spirits is one that has greatly expanded since its original creation.
"A Christmas Carol" has been adapted for the stage and for the screen.
A multitude of movies based on the classic tale have been released, including a Disney version of the story that came out in 2009 with Jim Carrey as Scrooge.
Disney came out with an adaptation of "A Christmas Carol" in 2009. (Dave M. Benett/Getty Images)
3 "The Godfather" by Mario Puzo
"The Godfather" is a book originally released in 1969 by Mario Puzo.
The book is about a fictional Mafia family led by Vito Corleone. This was the first book in a wildly successful series.
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The first movie based around the family came out in 1972.
Marlon Brando and Al Pacino both star in the film.
4. "The Diary of Anne Frank" by Anne Frank
"The Diary of Anne Frank" shows the horrors of the Holocaust through the eyes of young Anne Frank, who was hiding in an attic with her family through the horrific time.
The diary begins on her 13th birthday on June 12, 1942, and continues until shortly after her 15th birthday.
The diary was later recovered by Miep Gies, and it was given to Otto Frank, the family's only survivor. The diary was published in 1947.
"The Diary of Anne Frank" was originally published in 1947. (Andrew Burton/Getty Images)
5. "Fahrenheit 451" by Ray Bradbury
In the dystopian novel "Fahrenheit 451," firefighters don't put out fires — they start them.
The 1953 book by Ray Bradbury tells the story of firefighter Guy Montag, who is living in a futuristic time. Montag's job as a firefighter at the time is to destroy any books that are found and the homes in which they are found.
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Most people, including Montag's wife, Mildred, spend their days in solitude surrounded by televisions that span the walls.
Montag's world is turned upside down when he meets young, free-spirited Clarisse, who introduces him to new ways of thinking.
6. "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee
"To Kill a Mockingbird" was published in 1960 and written by Harper Lee.
The setting of the book is Maycomb, Alabama, and mainly covers the childhood of Scout and Jem Finch, along with their friend Dill.
Set during the 1930s, the story is told through the eyes of Scout. Scout and Jem's father, Atticus, is a lawyer defending a Black man who was falsely accused of rape.
"To Kill a Mockingbird" is a classic by Harper Lee and often read in classrooms. (iStock)
7. "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote
"In Cold Blood" is a book written by Truman Capote.
This book is one of the most well-known of the author's and one of the most popular true-crime novels in history.
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"In Cold Blood" tells the true story of the brutal 1959 murder of the Clutter family in Holocomb, Kansas.
8. "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald
"The Great Gatsby" was written by F. Scott Fitzgerald and published in 1925. This was the author's third book.
"The Great Gatsby" is the story of the self-made millionaire and man of mystery Jay Gatsby. The story is set in the 1920s and explores the life of Gatsby filled with lavish parties on Long Island and his love for Daisy Buchanan.
The story is told from the perspective of Nick Carraway, a neighbor of Gatsby and cousin of Buchanan.
"The Great Gatsby" is a well-known work by F. Scott Fitzgerald. (Oli Scarff/Getty Images)
9. "Les Misérables" by Victor Hugo
Like many popular classic novels, "Les Misérables" was made into a film.
Before that, it was adapted into a musical.
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The original novel by Victor Hugo was published in 1862.
The story follows the life of Jean Valjean, an ex-convict arrested for stealing a loaf of bread.
The movie follows Valjean's character on his road to redemption.
Victor Hugo's "Les Misérables" has been turned into an onstage musical and movie. (Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
10. "Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass" by Frederick Douglass
"Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass" was published in 1845.
The book is a memoir by former slave Frederick Douglass.
The nonfiction book is a classic that has continued to be read for generations.
11. "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen
"Pride and Prejudice" has become one of the most popular classic novels of all time.
It was written by Jane Austen and was the author's second published book.
Released in 1813, the novel tells the love story of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy.
"Pride and Prejudice" is one of Jane Austen's most famous novels. (Maurice McDonald - PA Images/PA Images via Getty Images)
12. "The Scarlet Letter" by Nathaniel Hawthorne
Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote the classic novel "The Scarlet Letter," published in 1850.
The book is about a woman named Hester Prynne and her struggle to create a new life in society after she has a daughter, Pearl, with a man she refuses to name and to whom she's not married.
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As punishment for her act, she is forced to wear a scarlet letter "A." The story takes place in Boston in the 1600s.
13. "Walden" by Henry David Thoreau
"Walden" is a work of nonfiction by Henry David Thoreau.
Written in 1854, the book has long been popular.
"Walden" tells of the author's time living in a self-built, secluded cabin on Walden Pond in Massachusetts for just over two years.
"Walden" is a nonfiction book written by Henry David Thoreau. (iStock)
14. "1984" by George Orwell
This dystopian novel by George Orwell was published in 1949.
The story follows protagonist Winston Smith, who is living under the control of a party headed by the watchful Big Brother.
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The people living in this time are constantly under surveillance; there is no free speech or thought permitted.
15. "A Brief History of Time" by Stephen Hawking
Stephen Hawking's "A Brief History of Time" was published in 1988.
The book covers complex ideas about space, time, black holes and quantum theory.
These complicated topics are explained in simpler terms throughout the book.
Stephen Hawking's "A Brief History of Time" was published in 1988. (Firdous Nazir/Eyepix Group/Future Publishing via Getty Images)
16. "Of Mice and Men" by John Steinbeck
"Of Mice and Men" is a 1937 John Steinbeck novel that tells the story of an unlikely duo, George Milton and Lennie Small, migrant workers hopping from place to place looking for work with a dream of owning their own ranch someday. .
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The book takes place during the 1930s. It dives into the bond between the men and the hardships they face.
17. "Dracula" by Bram Stoker
This classic horror story was published in 1897 and written by Bram Stoker.
The story of Count Dracula is written in epistolary form; it's told through letters written by fictional characters, newspaper clippings, journal entries and other documents.
The classic books included in this roundup can be purchased online, in-store or borrowed from your local library. (iStock)
18. "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou
"I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" was the first of seven autobiographical books by Maya Angelou.
She published her first of many books in 1969.
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This particular book covers her childhood from ages 3-16.
19. "Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley
"Frankenstein" is an 1818 fictional novel written by English author Mary Shelley.
The book is about scientist Victor Frankenstein who is successful in giving life to a creature he created from dead bodies.
This is a popular read during the Halloween season.
"Frankenstein" is a popular book by the English author Mary Shelley. (iStock)
20. "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott
"Little Women" follows the lives of sisters Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy from childhood through adulthood.
The novel was written by Louisa May Alcott and was published in two volumes, one in 1868 and another in 1869.
The story is roughly based on the author's own childhood.
21. "Hiroshima" by John Hersey
"Hiroshima" was published in 1946.
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The book is a journalistic work of narrative nonfiction by John Hersey.
"Hiroshima" tells the stories of six survivors of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, Japan.
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