World Classics: 1039+ Great Books from 15 Literary Traditions

Frequently asked questions

What are the best classic books to read?

It depends on what you enjoy, but readers return again and again to Crime and Punishment and Anna Karenina (Russia), Pride and Prejudice and Great Expectations (Britain), Moby-Dick and Huckleberry Finn (America), Les Misérables and The Count of Monte Cristo (France), Don Quixote (Spain), One Hundred Years of Solitude (Latin America) and Things Fall Apart (Africa). Each hub has a “where to start” list.

Can I read classic books for free?

Yes. Most books published in 1930 or earlier are in the public domain in the United States, including nearly all 19th-century classics. Pagine hosts hundreds of them free in its online e-reader; for newer classics we link to Open Library, where many can be borrowed free.

Can I print or share these reading lists?

Yes. Every hub has a printable reading list you can print, save as a PDF, download, email to yourself or share with a friend, book club or class.

Are these classics suitable for kids?

Most are written for adults and older teens. Books with mature themes are labelled with an age in Pagine. For younger readers, see Pagine’s reading levels and children’s classics.