A good book will stay with you once it’s done. You’ll think about it over and over, and want to talk to others about it. A truly classic book won’t fade either, and in many cases you’ll want to pick it up soon after you’ve finished it. Here are some novels that fit that mold, which everyone should read at least once in their lives.

1984: George Orwell’s dystopian novel about a clerk who finds himself struggling with human nature in a world that represses human nature is very much a warning for the way things could happen if we give the government too much power. 

The Lord of the Rings: Technically this is three novels you will want to read, but we’re including them all in the list because really who wants to read one book in a trilogy? This fantasy series by J.R.R. Tolkien defines the genre, and introduces you to a world where elves, dwarves, wizards, men, hobbits and even trees fight evil in a battle for the fate of the world. 

The Diary of Anne Frank: This unforgettable novel is not only unforgettable, but a true story as well. It tells the story of Anne Frank in her own words as she hides from the Nazis in World War II. She never gives up hope, no matter what horrors she is faced with, and not once does she ever stop believing in the good of people. 

The Grapes of Wrath: This John Steinbeck novel shows the real struggles people face when the world is struggling with them. It takes place during The Great Depression and follows the story of an Oklahoma family who move to California to try and right their lives. 

Frankenstein: Mary Shelley wrote this masterpiece when she was just 18 years old, and it tells the story of a scientist who creates a monster. In the end though, you will find yourself asking who the real monster is, and how do we define what it is that makes us human. 

To Kill A Mockingbird: Harper Lee’s novel about prejudice, hatred, hypocrisy, love and innocence in the deep south tells the story of a black man accused of raping a white girl, and the lawyer who defends him during his trial.