Top 10 most read books in the last 100 years
10 The Little Prince
Written by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince was published in 1943 and garnered much praise. While it is primarily a children’s book, it gives interesting insights on life and will make you take a deeper look into the nature of human beings. Take the quote, “One sees clearly only with the heart. What is essential is invisible to the eye." For a children’s book, this insight on love and self-consciousness is incredible. The Little Prince is filled with many other messages similar to this which is why people gravitated to it.
More info on Wikipedia9 The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
This work of fiction was written by Douglas Adams, and was published in 1979. It is the 1st part of a 5 part series of comedic novels and serves as a “guide” for hitchhikers who wish to explore the galaxy. It was more popular in the U.K. where it was originally released, but American readers also took to the series as well. The book was also adapted into a movie in 2005 and received mixed reviews.
More info8 The Catcher in the Rye
The Catcher in the Rye is a classic. It’s also one of the most controversial books of all time due to the use of profanity and sexuality throughout the book. It was written by one of the greatest American Writers of all time, J. D. Salinger. The book tells the story of a teenager named Holden Caulfield who struggles with many issue teens of today face. Catcher in the Rye tackles issues such as self-realization and the need that we as humans have to belong. It’s a complex book that people simply couldn’t put down.
More info7 The Diary Of Ann Frank
Perhaps one of the most heart wrenching books of all time, The Diary of Ann Frank reached the hearts of millions. The book is the autobiography of a girl whose family went in hiding due to the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. In the book, she details her experiences and thoughts while her family hid in the attic of her father’s office building to avoid Nazis. The book was adapted into both a play and a movie.
More info6 To Kill a Mockingbird
To Kill a Mockingbird is a fictional book about a Black man who was accused of raping a white woman. It’s told through the point of view of two kids, Scout and Jem Finch. Their father is the defense attorney in the case. The author, Harper Lee manages to explore dark issues such as rape and racism while still being able to add bits of humor at certain points in the book. In 1961 this book earned a Pulitzer Prize in fiction and continues to be a popular read amongst many Americans.
More info5 The Lord of The Rings Series
By now, there’s no doubt you’ve either read the books or have seen the movie adaptations. As far as fantasy books go, it doesn’t get much better than The Lord of the Rings and the sales are proof of that. The series of books continues to sell both in print and digital copies, and has gained a cult following.
More info4 The Great Gatsby
Known as “The Great American Novel”, this masterpiece was crafted by one of the greatest authors of all time, F. Scott Fitzgerald. The original version was released in 1925, but it really garnered attention when it was republished in 1945 and 1953. It tells the story of a lower class man, Jay Gatsby who falls in love with a woman named Daisy. However, Daisy is married to a rich man who although wealthy, abuses her. Without giving too much away, Jay pursues both wealth and Daisy with many twists along the way. Many high schools and colleges have made reading The Great Gatsby mandatory, which helps it make our list of the top 10 most read books of the century.
More info3 The Harry Potter Series
Children and adults fell in love with J.K. Rowling’s book series about a young wizard living in a magical world. There’s no doubt that the series will go down as one of the best of all time. The books have spawned one of the highest grossing movie series of all time and continues to receive much praise. Kids everywhere have dreams of going to Hogwarts and becoming master wizards.
More info2 The Da Vinci Code
When most people think of Dan Brown, they immediately associate him with this thrilling masterpiece that will exercise your mind. Filled with mystery, cover ups, religion, and secrets, this book almost forces you to keep reading to find out what happens next. The Da Vinci Code is one of the best thrillers of all time.
More info1 A Tale of Two Cities
Arguably Charles Dickens’ greatest literary works, A Tale of Two Cities has sold over 200 million copies. Although this book was written in the 1800’s it continues to be read today in schools, as it showcases literary genius. It’s impossible to make a top 10 list of books without paying honor to this classic.
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All the books mentioned in this list have a special place in
literature which is why they are so widely read. Perhaps in later years, this
list will change but for now these books continue to be read all over and have
earned their popularity.