Discover new books on Goodreads
Meet your next favorite book
I am on a mission to read and reread classic literature. I searched far and wide for a decent book list but all seem incomplete to me. Please add your favorite classic books to the list.
Score
A book’s total score is based on multiple factors, including the number of people who have voted for it and how highly those voters ranked the book.
| 300 |
Demons
by
4.30 avg rating — 62,020 ratings
score: 159,
and
2 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 302 |
The Princess and the Pea
by
4.13 avg rating — 18,916 ratings
score: 158,
and
4 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 302 |
Thumbelina
by
Brad Sneed (Adapter, Illustrator)
4.11 avg rating — 16,098 ratings
score: 158,
and
3 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 302 |
We Have Always Lived in the Castle
by
3.91 avg rating — 291,292 ratings
score: 158,
and
3 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 305 |
The Berenstain Bears and the Spooky Old Tree
by
4.18 avg rating — 8,531 ratings
score: 157,
and
4 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 306 |
The Invisible Man
by
3.63 avg rating — 215,794 ratings
score: 155,
and
2 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 307 |
The Complete Poems 1927-1979
by
4.20 avg rating — 13,015 ratings
score: 153,
and
2 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 308 |
My Cousin Rachel
by
4.01 avg rating — 68,558 ratings
score: 149,
and
2 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 309 |
My Ántonia
by
3.84 avg rating — 146,961 ratings
score: 146,
and
5 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 310 |
Good Night, Gorilla
by
4.24 avg rating — 51,699 ratings
score: 145,
and
3 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 310 |
The Painted Veil
by
3.97 avg rating — 51,426 ratings
score: 145,
and
2 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 312 |
Around the World in Eighty Days
by
3.95 avg rating — 280,577 ratings
score: 143,
and
2 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 313 |
The Snow Queen
by
3.73 avg rating — 18,760 ratings
score: 139,
and
3 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 313 |
Night
by
4.38 avg rating — 1,353,950 ratings
score: 139,
and
2 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 315 |
The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie
by
3.70 avg rating — 60,730 ratings
score: 138,
and
4 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 316 |
The Razor’s Edge
by
4.19 avg rating — 53,611 ratings
score: 137,
and
2 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 317 |
The Complete Folk & Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm
by
4.23 avg rating — 220,751 ratings
score: 136,
and
3 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 318 |
the prophet
by
4.23 avg rating — 326,820 ratings
score: 133,
and
3 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 318 |
The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding (Hercule Poirot, #37)
by
3.81 avg rating — 31,439 ratings
score: 133,
and
2 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 320 |
As You Like It
by
3.81 avg rating — 88,598 ratings
score: 131,
and
4 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 321 |
Elizabeth and Her German Garden
by
3.72 avg rating — 5,664 ratings
score: 130,
and
2 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 322 |
Adam Bede
by
3.83 avg rating — 26,384 ratings
score: 129,
and
2 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 322 |
Kidnapped (David Balfour, #1)
by
3.79 avg rating — 67,865 ratings
score: 129,
and
2 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 324 |
Now We Are Six (Winnie-the-Pooh, #4)
by
4.28 avg rating — 23,421 ratings
score: 128,
and
3 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 325 |
Scoop
by
3.79 avg rating — 22,396 ratings
score: 126,
and
3 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 325 |
The Betrothed
by
3.88 avg rating — 17,573 ratings
score: 126,
and
2 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 327 |
Steppenwolf
by
4.13 avg rating — 213,310 ratings
score: 124,
and
2 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 328 |
Leaves of Grass
by
4.11 avg rating — 116,137 ratings
score: 123,
and
2 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 329 |
Katy and the Big Snow
by
4.24 avg rating — 12,615 ratings
score: 121,
and
2 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 330 |
Juno And the Paycock
by
3.62 avg rating — 1,592 ratings
score: 118,
and
2 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 330 |
A Christmas Carol and Other Christmas Writings
by
4.14 avg rating — 39,945 ratings
score: 118,
and
2 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 332 |
Siddhartha
by
4.08 avg rating — 869,085 ratings
score: 114,
and
2 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 333 |
Women in Love
by
3.66 avg rating — 33,404 ratings
score: 113,
and
2 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 334 |
A Child's Garden of Verses
by
4.27 avg rating — 26,728 ratings
score: 109,
and
2 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 335 |
Pinocchio
by
3.84 avg rating — 88,439 ratings
score: 107,
and
2 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 336 |
The Master of Ballantrae
by
3.70 avg rating — 6,479 ratings
score: 106,
and
2 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 337 |
The Taming of the Shrew
by
3.74 avg rating — 180,007 ratings
score: 103,
and
2 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 338 |
Ship of Fools
by
3.67 avg rating — 2,976 ratings
score: 102,
and
2 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 339 |
A Doll's House
by
3.77 avg rating — 162,862 ratings
score: 101,
and
2 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 340 |
Champion: A Story of the Happy Life of Roman Lefthanded Losinski
by
Miles Cobbett (Goodreads Author)
4.11 avg rating — 18 ratings
score: 100,
and
1 person voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 340 |
The Experience of Place: A New Way of Looking at and Dealing with our Radically Changing Cities and Countryside
by
3.82 avg rating — 136 ratings
score: 100,
and
1 person voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 340 |
War in Korea
by
3.56 avg rating — 39 ratings
score: 100,
and
1 person voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 340 |
Barnaby Rudge
by
3.83 avg rating — 11,464 ratings
score: 100,
and
1 person voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 340 |
Pantheisticon: A Modern English Translation
by
3.78 avg rating — 23 ratings
score: 100,
and
1 person voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 340 |
The Scapegoat
by
really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 13,340 ratings
score: 100,
and
1 person voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 340 |
Their Pilgrimage
by
2.40 avg rating — 5 ratings
score: 100,
and
1 person voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 340 |
Damselfly
by
Chandra Prasad (Goodreads Author)
3.37 avg rating — 910 ratings
score: 100,
and
1 person voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 340 |
A Paraphrase of Paradise Lost for Youngsters: The Tragedy of Lucifer
by
Joseph Stemberga (Goodreads Author)
4.33 avg rating — 9 ratings
score: 100,
and
1 person voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 340 |
Ficciones
by
4.40 avg rating — 78,313 ratings
score: 100,
and
1 person voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 350 |
The People of the Abyss
by
4.08 avg rating — 5,398 ratings
score: 99,
and
1 person voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 351 |
A Little Princess
by
4.23 avg rating — 323,278 ratings
score: 98,
and
4 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 351 |
The Torture by Hope
by
3.54 avg rating — 119 ratings
score: 98,
and
1 person voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 353 |
Cousin Pons
by
3.99 avg rating — 1,682 ratings
score: 97,
and
1 person voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 354 |
A Child's Christmas in Wales
by
4.11 avg rating — 8,171 ratings
score: 96,
and
3 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 354 |
The Body in the Library (Miss Marple, #2)
by
3.81 avg rating — 126,274 ratings
score: 96,
and
2 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 354 |
Tartuffe
by
3.66 avg rating — 43,011 ratings
score: 96,
and
1 person voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 354 |
Doctor Thorne
by
4.15 avg rating — 8,355 ratings
score: 96,
and
1 person voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 358 |
Castle Rackrent
by
3.16 avg rating — 4,361 ratings
score: 95,
and
2 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 358 |
After Dark
by
3.80 avg rating — 468 ratings
score: 95,
and
1 person voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 360 |
Lyrical Ballads
by
3.95 avg rating — 13,073 ratings
score: 94,
and
2 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 360 |
Picnic at Hanging Rock
by
3.66 avg rating — 30,470 ratings
score: 94,
and
1 person voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 360 |
Perelandra
by
4.01 avg rating — 59,808 ratings
score: 94,
and
1 person voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 363 |
The Color Purple
by
4.28 avg rating — 748,462 ratings
score: 93,
and
2 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 363 |
The Twelve Caesars
by
4.03 avg rating — 22,690 ratings
score: 93,
and
2 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 363 |
The Crime of Sylvestre Bonnard
by
3.68 avg rating — 766 ratings
score: 93,
and
1 person voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 363 |
That Hideous Strength (Space Trilogy, #3)
by
3.93 avg rating — 45,643 ratings
score: 93,
and
1 person voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 367 |
Quiet American
by
3.98 avg rating — 70,690 ratings
score: 92,
and
1 person voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 367 |
A Simple Soul
by
3.45 avg rating — 9,307 ratings
score: 92,
and
1 person voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 367 |
Ghost Stories of an Antiquary
by
4.05 avg rating — 5,735 ratings
score: 92,
and
1 person voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 370 |
Our Mutual Friend
by
4.09 avg rating — 31,258 ratings
score: 91,
and
1 person voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 370 |
Burmese Days
by
3.87 avg rating — 32,133 ratings
score: 91,
and
1 person voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 370 |
The Castle of Otranto
by
3.19 avg rating — 42,079 ratings
score: 91,
and
1 person voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 373 |
The Inheritance
by
3.65 avg rating — 6,179 ratings
score: 90,
and
2 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 373 |
Death on the Nile (Hercule Poirot, #18)
by
4.12 avg rating — 303,115 ratings
score: 90,
and
1 person voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 373 |
Hedda Gabler
by
3.83 avg rating — 39,241 ratings
score: 90,
and
1 person voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 373 |
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare
by
4.48 avg rating — 57,685 ratings
score: 90,
and
2 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 373 |
The Monk
by
3.86 avg rating — 33,328 ratings
score: 90,
and
1 person voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 378 |
King Henry IV, Part 1
by
3.80 avg rating — 33,158 ratings
score: 89,
and
2 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 378 |
Intentions
by
3.91 avg rating — 716 ratings
score: 89,
and
1 person voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 378 |
In Cold Blood
by
4.09 avg rating — 724,081 ratings
score: 89,
and
2 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 378 |
Vathek
by
3.24 avg rating — 7,305 ratings
score: 89,
and
1 person voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 382 |
Looking Backward: 2000-1887
by
3.29 avg rating — 6,843 ratings
score: 88,
and
1 person voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 382 |
The Littlest Angel
by
4.28 avg rating — 6,366 ratings
score: 88,
and
2 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 382 |
Generals Die in Bed
by
3.82 avg rating — 1,662 ratings
score: 88,
and
1 person voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 382 |
Tales of Unrest
by
3.69 avg rating — 592 ratings
score: 88,
and
1 person voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 382 |
The House on the Borderland
by
3.58 avg rating — 10,891 ratings
score: 88,
and
1 person voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 387 |
Mrs. Warren's Profession
by
3.68 avg rating — 6,813 ratings
score: 87,
and
1 person voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 387 |
Dombey and Son
by
3.96 avg rating — 16,664 ratings
score: 87,
and
1 person voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 389 |
The Weird Orient; Nine Mystic Tales from Morocco
by
3.80 avg rating — 5 ratings
score: 86,
and
1 person voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 390 |
The Duchess of Malfi and Other Plays
by
3.90 avg rating — 2,148 ratings
score: 85,
and
2 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 390 |
The Theory of the Leisure Class
by
3.87 avg rating — 4,002 ratings
score: 85,
and
1 person voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 392 |
The Jolly Postman or Other People's Letters
by
Janet Ahlberg (Illustrator)
4.50 avg rating — 12,685 ratings
score: 84,
and
2 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 392 |
Mary Barton
by
3.74 avg rating — 21,399 ratings
score: 84,
and
1 person voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 392 |
The Prince
by
3.84 avg rating — 380,174 ratings
score: 84,
and
2 people voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 392 |
The Golem
by
3.82 avg rating — 9,118 ratings
score: 84,
and
1 person voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 396 |
Carnacki the Ghost-Finder
by
3.73 avg rating — 2,578 ratings
score: 83,
and
1 person voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 397 |
Behind a Mask: The Unknown Thrillers of Louisa May Alcott
by
3.81 avg rating — 1,644 ratings
score: 82,
and
1 person voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 397 |
Goblin Market
by
4.09 avg rating — 16,457 ratings
score: 82,
and
1 person voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 397 |
Brighton Rock
by
3.69 avg rating — 35,661 ratings
score: 82,
and
1 person voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
|
| 397 |
Uncle Silas
by
3.74 avg rating — 7,142 ratings
score: 82,
and
1 person voted
|
Error rating book. Refresh and try again.
Rate this book
Clear rating
|
634 books ·
522 voters ·
list created June 21st, 2008
by Crystal.
Tags:
classic, literature
Comments Showing 1-7 of 7 (7 new)
date
newest »
newest »
message 1:
by
Tamora
(new)
Apr 04, 2009 11:38AM
I'm just clicking on what I've read, not on what I liked. When you're dealing with books like these, that generally drop into everyone's life before they're 20, what you like and what you don't like is highly individual. I don't think you can really go by the opinion of the next person, because you're all forming your opinions. I liked TARZAN, but had no interest in CHARLOTTE'S WEB. My classmates had spasms over CRIME AND PUNISHMENT, so much so that I never told them that I kinda liked it. They were okay with THE SCARLET LETTER, which made me crazy. You really have to try the books that our parents, teachers, and peers think are probably classic, and decide for yourself if they're good reads as far as you're concerned!
reply
|
flag
I would just like to say that I believe 'Les Miserables' by Victor Hugo is the best book on this list. And nooooo, I'm not basing it on the hit musical (even though I love that as well), because it did get a lot wrong. I'm currently reading A Tale of 2 Cities, nad let me say I've made a lot of connections to Les Miserables. It's just an amzing and epic Book!
I agree with Tamora, There are several books i've been told are must reads by people who don't read much themselves. I have been disappointed in many of them most books are classics because they've been around forever and a day. Much of the language is outdated and stale. occasionally you do stumble upon a book with a plot that holds up but it is a rare find. That being said, I loved Scarlett Letter and The hunchback of Notra Dame but found Pride and Prejudice tedious at best shallow and mindless at worst
i just discovered my interest in reading so i've read only a few. i just finished che's book on social revolution. so far from what i've read dracula is the best they describe the events as if one was there. my second best is lady chaterley's lover
This is a great list! I have this sort of mission too, although I gotta find a good library to hold all of these books. Too bad I don't have it in the area, or money to but some..
@CrystalI've tried adding other books than then ones originally written in English, apart from voting for the ones already on the list I mean, as there are so many great classics worth reading. All of which are available in English translations, by the way. Books I've added are, for instance, Alle fabels, Lustgebed, Avondgezichten, Het hoofdkussenboek, Het boek van Dede Korkoet, Nibelungenlied, De ring van de duif, Het boek der koningen, De rozentuin and Rubaiyat, to name just a few.
By the way, 'Classics' = 'Modern Classics' too? As there are plenty of those on your list.
Related News
As you might expect, we are book people here at Goodreads World Headquarters—rather intense book people, actually. And when the holidays roll...
Anyone can add books to this list.
How to Vote
To vote on existing books from the list, beside each book there is a link vote for this book clicking it will add that book to your votes.
To vote on books not in the list or books you couldn't find in the list, you can click on the tab add books to this list and then choose from your books, or simply search.










