In life, there are things you could do, things you should do, and things you must do. These same categories apply to your choice of what book you should read next. You could read any number of books, for reasons ranging from guilty pleasure to the fact that your book club meets in two days. You should probably read any number of classic novels that will expand your literary palate or teach you a thing or two. And then there are the books you must read, best books of all time we daresay, no matter who you are.

Only a few things can bring as much pleasure and comfort as reading a good book, as any book lover knows. Every bibliophile, on the other hand, feels as if they are missing out on a great work of art. If the sheer number of great books available overwhelms you, take our 1-minute quiz below to quickly narrow it down and receive a personalized book recommendation.

Best books you should read before you die

1.) Pride and Prejudice

The timeless contemporariness of Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” beckons you to read it again and again. This novel is a satire on Georgian England’s stiff and superficial class systems, as well as an expose on the marriage market. However, you may be surprised to learn that society has not changed much in modern times if you read this.

2.) Things Fall Apart

Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe is a fascinating look into African culture and literature. The book is set in a colonized Africa and deals with changing power dynamics. Okonkwo, the protagonist, finds it difficult to obey the rules and regulations imposed on his community. ‘Things Fall Apart is one of the best books to read before you die, according to bibliophiles all over the world, because it broadens your understanding of what civilization and community mean.

3.) Frankenstein

The novel “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelly is a monumental contribution to the world of literature. It is easily the first science fiction novel ever published. The story revolves around Frankenstein, an obsessed scientist, and the monster he creates. Many questions about the ethos and pathos of life will flood your mind after reading this fantastic work of fiction. The most pressing question will be: who is the real Frankenstein monster?

4.) The God of Small Things

If you only have time to read one book before you die, Arundhati Roy’s “The God of Small Things” should be on your list. Roy won the Booker Prize for her first fictional work, which was also her debut novel. It has been described as a hauntingly lovely story about caste taboos and what it means to break them in rigid and orthodox societies by readers.

5.) All About Love

Bell Hooks’ ‘All About Love’ is yet another book that you must read before you die. It’s an incredible book that teaches us all about the most important quality a person can have: love. The novel argues that love is a noun rather than a verb. It also explains how our culture has appropriated and distorted the meaning of the word “love.” Learn how to fall in love, stay in love, and grow love by reading this book.

6.) Never Let Me Go

The intricacies of love, friendship, freedom, youth, loss, and acceptance are explored in this science-fiction (sci-fi) novel by Nobel Prize winner Kazuo Ishiguro. Even though they are “clones” in a dystopic world, the main characters in “Never Let Me Go” are flawed, much like average humans. This is one of the best books to read before you die because it is an emotional read that teaches valuable life lessons.