Top 5 classic books everyone must read at least once

Classic novels can be quite intimidating and remain on the reading list for quite some time. Sometimes, we just need a bit of encouragement to get cracking with them. From the iconic best-selling books, you may expect to find lesser-known hidden gems; there is something on this list for everyone.

These are the books that broke boundaries, challenged ideas and became classics in their own right. Here are the top five books you must read, chosen by Penguin readers.

5. In Cold Blood by Truman Capote (1965)

Truman Capote's In Cold Blood is a non-fiction novel that explores the murders of the Clutter family in Holcomb, Kansas, in 1959 and the subsequent investigation of the killers. Capote uses fictional techniques to present the true story and follow the events surrounding the crime, the lives of the victims, as well as the perpetrators and the impact of the murders on the community.

4. One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez (1967)

One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez tells the story of the Buendía family and the founding and decline of the fictional town of Macondo. The novel has been described as a landmark work of magical realism, and it explores themes of solitude, memory, and the impact of history and society on people.

3. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald (1925)

The Great Gatsby is set in the Jazz Age of Long Island in 1920s America. It follows the lives of Jay Gatsby, a self-made millionaire, and Daisy Buchanan, a wealthy young woman whom Gatsby pursued and loved in his youth. The book was written in 1925, but it still remains one of the classics and many people's favourite.

2. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (1960)

Harper Lee's poignant story follows a young girl and her brother as they deal with the prejudice of their small town. When their father must defend a Black man who is falsely accused of rape, the children must face the harsh realities of racism. The story's themes include morality and innocence through a young lens.

1. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (1813)

Jane Austen's most famous book, Pride and Prejudice, follows the Bennet family, particularly Elizabeth, as they navigate the societal pressures of finding husbands in the English countryside in the 19th century. It centres on Elizabeth's relationship with the wealthy and seemingly arrogant Mr. Darcy. It also explores other romantic interests and the complexities of class, social standing and marriage.