Classic works of fiction and nonfiction have been enjoyed for generations, both in classrooms and as leisure reads. Library shelves are filled with classic tales that have also been adapted into movies and TV shows. Some highly anticipated new book releases hitting shelves in Fall 2024 include “The Outsiders” by S.E. Hinton, “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens, “The Godfather” by Mario Puzo, and “The Diary of Anne Frank” by Anne Frank. Other classics worth adding to your reading list are “Fahrenheit 451” by Ray Bradbury, “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee, “In Cold Blood” by Truman Capote, “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald, and many more.
“The Outsiders” by S.E. Hinton tells the story of two rival gangs in Oklahoma and was made into a movie in 1983. “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens is a holiday classic that has been adapted for the stage and screen, with multiple movie versions including a Disney adaptation in 2009. “The Godfather” by Mario Puzo is the first book in a series about a fictional Mafia family, with a movie adaptation starring Marlon Brando and Al Pacino. “The Diary of Anne Frank” by Anne Frank details the horrors of the Holocaust through the eyes of a young girl hiding with her family in an attic.
“Fahrenheit 451” by Ray Bradbury is a dystopian novel where firefighters start fires instead of putting them out, focusing on a future where books are forbidden. “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee is set in Maycomb, Alabama, and follows the childhood of Scout and Jem Finch as their father defends a Black man falsely accused of rape. “In Cold Blood” by Truman Capote tells the true story of the brutal murder of the Clutter family in Kansas. “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald explores the life of Jay Gatsby, a self-made millionaire, and his love for Daisy Buchanan.
“Les Misérables” by Victor Hugo has been adapted into a musical and movie, following the life of Jean Valjean as he seeks redemption. “Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass” by Frederick Douglass is a memoir by the former slave that continues to be read for generations. “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen tells the love story of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy. “The Scarlet Letter” by Nathaniel Hawthorne is about a woman named Hester Prynne who faces societal scrutiny after having a child out of wedlock.
“Walden” by Henry David Thoreau details the author’s experience living in a secluded cabin on Walden Pond. “1984” by George Orwell is a dystopian novel where people are under constant surveillance and forbidden from free thought. “A Brief History of Time” by Stephen Hawking covers complex scientific ideas in simpler terms for readers. “Of Mice and Men” by John Steinbeck follows the bond between two migrant workers during the 1930s. “Dracula” by Bram Stoker is a classic horror story told through various forms of documentation.
“I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” by Maya Angelou covers the author’s childhood from ages 3-16. “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley is about scientist Victor Frankenstein who creates a creature from dead bodies. “Little Women” by Louisa May Alcott follows the lives of four sisters from childhood through adulthood. Lastly, “Hiroshima” by John Hersey tells the stories of six survivors of the atomic bombing in Hiroshima, Japan. These timeless classics continue to captivate readers and provide insight into different periods of history and human experiences.
