So many books, so little time. Many book lovers know the temptation of buying a beautiful new hardback, but what are the essential must reads? Spanning all genres and periods, our edit of the best books to read before you die is here to help.

Fiction (Classics & Modern Must-Reads)

"To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee — A powerful novel about justice and race. "1984" by George Orwell — A dystopian look at government control and surveillance. "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald — A tragic look at the American dream. "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho — A philosophical tale about following your dreams. "The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak — A story of love and loss during Nazi Germany.

Self-Improvement & Motivation

"Atomic Habits" by James Clear — About building good habits and breaking bad ones. "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" by Stephen Covey — A timeless guide to personal development. "Think and Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill — A classic on mindset and success. "The Power of Now" by Eckhart Tolle — A spiritual book on mindfulness and living in the present.

Non-Fiction & Biographies

"Sapiens" by Yuval Noah Harari — A brief history of humankind. "Educated" by Tara Westover — A memoir about self-education and resilience. "Steve Jobs" by Walter Isaacson — Insight into the life of Apple’s co-founder. "Becoming" by Michelle Obama — A powerful memoir by the former First Lady.

Science & Technology

"A Brief History of Time" by Stephen Hawking — Complex science explained simply. "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee — The story of human genetics. "Astrophysics for People in a Hurry" by Neil deGrasse Tyson — Quick and fascinating space facts.