Get personalized recommendations and earn points toward a free book!
Before you go...
Check Out
The Bestselling Books of All Time
See the List
The ReadDown

21 Books You’ve Been Meaning To Read

Reading lists begin as a shelf full of hope until the year flies by, and you find yourself flooded with procrastination. Cheers to the books we’ve been meaning to read all these years and should probably start at some point.

  1. 1
    War and Peace Book Cover Picture
    War and Peace Book Cover Picture

    War and Peace

    by Leo Tolstoy

    A legendary masterpiece, this book is synonymous with difficult reading, so why not challenge yourshelf.
    War and Peace Book Cover Picture
    War and Peace Book Cover Picture

    Buy now from your favorite retailer:

  2. 2
    Song of Solomon Book Cover Picture
    Song of Solomon Book Cover Picture

    Song of Solomon

    by Toni Morrison

    One must always read a novel by this Nobel Prize winning author.
    Song of Solomon Book Cover Picture
    Song of Solomon Book Cover Picture

    Buy now from your favorite retailer:

  3. 3
    Ulysses Book Cover Picture
    Ulysses Book Cover Picture

    Ulysses

    by James Joyce

    “Joyce’s parallel use of The Odyssey…has the importance of a scientific discovery…” –T. S. Eliot
    Ulysses Book Cover Picture
    Ulysses Book Cover Picture

    Buy now from your favorite retailer:

  4. 4
    The Shadow of the Wind Book Cover Picture
    The Shadow of the Wind Book Cover Picture

    The Shadow of the Wind

    by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

    An incredible book by a beloved writer is a must read.
    The Shadow of the Wind Book Cover Picture
    The Shadow of the Wind Book Cover Picture

    Buy now from your favorite retailer:

  5. 5
    The Fellowship of the Ring Book Cover Picture
    The Fellowship of the Ring Book Cover Picture

    The Lord of the Rings

    by J.R.R. Tolkien

    Most people have seen the epic movie, but have you read the book?
    The Fellowship of the Ring Book Cover Picture
    The Fellowship of the Ring Book Cover Picture

    Buy now from your favorite retailer:

  6. 6
    The Satanic Verses Book Cover Picture
    The Satanic Verses Book Cover Picture

    The Satanic Verses

    by Salman Rushdie

    Known as one of Salman Rushdie’s greatest works, this book is definitely on the TBR list.
    The Satanic Verses Book Cover Picture
    The Satanic Verses Book Cover Picture

    Buy now from your favorite retailer:

  7. 7
    Don Quixote Book Cover Picture
    Don Quixote Book Cover Picture

    Don Quixote

    by Miguel de Cervantes

    It’s no surprise that one of the best books of all time should be read.
    Don Quixote Book Cover Picture
    Don Quixote Book Cover Picture

    Buy now from your favorite retailer:

  8. 8
    His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass (HBO Tie-In Edition) Book Cover Picture
    His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass (HBO Tie-In Edition) Book Cover Picture

    The Golden Compass

    by Philip Pullman

    Go on an adventure this year with this thrilling fantasy tale.
    His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass (HBO Tie-In Edition) Book Cover Picture
    His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass (HBO Tie-In Edition) Book Cover Picture

    Buy now from your favorite retailer:

  9. 9
    Catch-22 Book Cover Picture
    Catch-22 Book Cover Picture

    Catch-22

    by Joseph Heller

    If this wasn’t already required reading in your school, it’s about time you’ve read it.
    Catch-22 Book Cover Picture
    Catch-22 Book Cover Picture

    Buy now from your favorite retailer:

  10. 10
    1984 Book Cover Picture
    1984 Book Cover Picture

    1984

    by George Orwell

    We were pretty certain you’ve read one of the best books of all time, but in case you haven’t, now’s your chance.
    1984 Book Cover Picture
    1984 Book Cover Picture

    Buy now from your favorite retailer:

  11. 11
    The Kite Runner Book Cover Picture
    The Kite Runner Book Cover Picture

    The Kite Runner

    by Khaled Hosseini

    The Kite Runner is a 21st century classic. If you’ve read this brilliant book, read it again.
    The Kite Runner Book Cover Picture
    The Kite Runner Book Cover Picture

    Buy now from your favorite retailer:

  12. 12
    Little Women Book Cover Picture
    Little Women Book Cover Picture

    Little Women

    by Louisa May Alcott

    Because you need to know Meg, Beth, Jo, and Amy.
    Little Women Book Cover Picture
    Little Women Book Cover Picture

    Buy now from your favorite retailer:

  13. 13
    Cloud Atlas Book Cover Picture
    Cloud Atlas Book Cover Picture

    The Cloud Atlas

    by David Mitchell

    Another adaptation you’ll want to read to visualize in 2016.
    Cloud Atlas Book Cover Picture
    Cloud Atlas Book Cover Picture

    Buy now from your favorite retailer:

  14. 14
    The Fountainhead (Centennial Edition HC) Book Cover Picture
    The Fountainhead (Centennial Edition HC) Book Cover Picture

    The Fountainhead

    by Ayn Rand

    A groundbreaking novel that everyone should read at least once.
    The Fountainhead (Centennial Edition HC) Book Cover Picture
    The Fountainhead (Centennial Edition HC) Book Cover Picture

    Buy now from your favorite retailer:

  15. 15
    The Picture of Dorian Gray Book Cover Picture
    The Picture of Dorian Gray Book Cover Picture

    The Picture of Dorian Gray

    by Oscar Wilde

    For those who were deprived Oscar Wilde as required reading for school.
    The Picture of Dorian Gray Book Cover Picture
    The Picture of Dorian Gray Book Cover Picture

    Buy now from your favorite retailer:

  16. 16
    Lolita Book Cover Picture
    Lolita Book Cover Picture

    Lolita

    by Vladimir Nabokov

    Poignant novels that are also funny are a must-read rarity.
    Lolita Book Cover Picture
    Lolita Book Cover Picture

    Buy now from your favorite retailer:

  17. 17
    The Help Book Cover Picture
    The Help Book Cover Picture

    The Help

    by Kathryn Stockett

    This powerful book is beautiful, moving, and hilarious: an essential.
    The Help Book Cover Picture
    The Help Book Cover Picture

    Buy now from your favorite retailer:

  18. 18
    The Liars' Club Book Cover Picture
    The Liars' Club Book Cover Picture

    The Liar’s Club

    by Mary Karr

    “The essential American story … a beauty.” —Jonathan Yardley, The Washington Post Book World
    The Liars' Club Book Cover Picture
    The Liars' Club Book Cover Picture

    Buy now from your favorite retailer:

  19. 19
    Moby-Dick Book Cover Picture
    Moby-Dick Book Cover Picture

    Moby-Dick

    by Herman Melville

    Either you’ve read it, or you pretend you’ve read it.
    Moby-Dick Book Cover Picture
    Moby-Dick Book Cover Picture

    Buy now from your favorite retailer:

  20. 20
    Gravity's Rainbow (Classics Deluxe Edition) Book Cover Picture
    Gravity's Rainbow (Classics Deluxe Edition) Book Cover Picture

    Gravity’s Rainbow

    by Thomas Pynchon

    At least one Pynchon novel should be on everyone’s TBR list.
    Gravity's Rainbow (Classics Deluxe Edition) Book Cover Picture
    Gravity's Rainbow (Classics Deluxe Edition) Book Cover Picture

    Buy now from your favorite retailer:

  21. 21
    The Handmaid's Tale (Movie Tie-in) Book Cover Picture
    The Handmaid's Tale (Movie Tie-in) Book Cover Picture

    The Handmaid’s Tale

    by Margaret Atwood

    Same goes for Margaret Atwood, and The Handmaid’s Tale is definitely a classic.
    The Handmaid's Tale (Movie Tie-in) Book Cover Picture
    The Handmaid's Tale (Movie Tie-in) Book Cover Picture

    Buy now from your favorite retailer:

Find other titles in

Consumer Category

Related Lists:

Back to Top

Visit other sites in the Penguin Random House Network

Brightly

Raise kids who love to read
TASTE img

TASTE

An online magazine for today’s home cook

LitFlash

The eBooks you want at the lowest prices

Read it Forward

Read it first. Pass it on!