Classic books to read
Not sure which classic books to read? We ranked 200 of them using 200,026 reader ratings; the average is 8.0/10. Below: three books to start with, then short reads and series starts.
If you read only one, make it Dune by Frank Herbert (8.8/10). If you prefer a series: Middle Earth starts with The Hobbit.
Start here
Three classic books that many readers rate highly — each one a first volume or a book that stands alone.
Short reads: under 300 pages
For a weekend or a commute. 111 of the rated classic books are this short; these score best.
Series worth starting
The first volume of each series, with the full reading order one click away.
Classics from before 1900
Still read, still rated: the older books that hold up best.
Liked this? Try that
Pairs from our similarity data: the same kind of story, a different author.
How long are the rated classic books?
186 of 200 rated titles with a known page count. Largest group: under 300 pages.
Narrow it down with “Find a book”
“Find a book” holds 292 classic books. Pick a shortcut — the filters are already set:
Questions readers ask
What classic books should I read first?
Dune by Frank Herbert: 8.8/10 from 6,680 ratings, and it needs no earlier book. Next on our list: The Fellowship of the Ring and Flowers for Algernon.
What is a good classic book under 300 pages?
Stoner (293 pages, 8.6/10) is the highest-rated one under 300 pages.
Which classic book series should I start?
Middle Earth: begin with The Hobbit, the first of 3 books. The reading order page lists every volume.
How are these books chosen?
Only books with enough reader ratings to be ranked (at least 50) are picked. The score is a weighted average across independent rating sources, pulled toward the category average when ratings are few.