30 Essential Books and Movies
Here are my top 30 must-read books and must-watch movies. While I may have forgotten a few favorites (and in no way are these ranked in order), I’m confident that these picks are worth your time. Feel free to share your own recommendations at the bottom!
Grendel by John Gardner
Grendel retells the Beowulf epic from the monster’s perspective, delving into his existential musings and encounters with humans. The novel explores themes of good and evil, the search for meaning, and the nature of storytelling, challenging traditional views of heroism and monstrosity.
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
In a dystopian future where books are banned, fireman Guy Montag questions his role in society and begins to seek truth. As he confronts the oppressive regime, themes of censorship, conformity, and the impact of technology on human connection are explored.
1984 by George Orwell
Orwell’s dystopian novel follows Winston Smith as he struggles against a totalitarian government that controls thought, language, and reality. Themes of surveillance, propaganda, and resistance underscore the novel’s cautionary message about the dangers of absolute power.
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
Holden Caulfield, a disaffected teenager, navigates life in New York City while dealing with the loss of his brother and his own identity crisis. The novel explores themes of alienation, innocence, and the struggle to find meaning in an adult world.
Animal Farm by George Orwell
In this allegorical novella, farm animals overthrow their human owner only to see their new leaders replicate the same tyranny. Orwell critiques the corruption of revolutionary ideals, focusing on the betrayal of the Russian Revolution and the nature of power.
A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah
Beah’s memoir recounts his harrowing experiences as a child soldier in Sierra Leone, detailing the brutality of war and his struggle for rehabilitation. The story is a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable hardship.
The Inferno by Dante Alighieri
The Inferno, part of The Divine Comedy, depicts Dante’s journey through Hell, guided by the poet Virgil. The poem explores themes of sin, justice, and redemption, with each circle representing different forms of human vice and divine punishment.
The Crying of Lot 49 by Thomas Pynchon
Oedipa Maas becomes embroiled in a mysterious conspiracy involving an underground postal service called Tristero. The novel’s themes include communication, entropy, and paranoia, presenting a world where meaning is ambiguous and reality is fragmented.
Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut
Billy Pilgrim, a World War II veteran, becomes "unstuck in time" and experiences moments from his life non-linearly. Blending science fiction and war narrative, the novel critiques the destructiveness of war and explores the illusion of free will.
Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell
Hamnet imagines the life of William Shakespeare’s family, focusing on the death of his son, Hamnet, during the plague. The novel delves into themes of grief, love, and loss, exploring the personal impact of tragedy on one of history’s greatest writers.
No Country for Old Men by Cormac McCarthy
After a drug deal goes wrong, a hunter named Llewelyn Moss finds himself pursued by a psychopathic killer, Anton Chigurh. The novel explores themes of fate, morality, and violence, set against the backdrop of the changing American West.
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Jay Gatsby, a mysterious millionaire, is driven by his love for Daisy Buchanan and his desire to recapture the past. Set in the Roaring Twenties, the novel critiques the American Dream through themes of wealth, love, and moral decay.
Lord of the Flies by William Golding
A group of boys stranded on a deserted island descends into savagery as they attempt to govern themselves. The novel explores the loss of innocence, the fragility of civilization, and the inherent darkness within human nature.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Scout Finch, a young girl in the racially divided South, learns about justice and empathy as her father defends a black man falsely accused of rape. The novel addresses themes of racial inequality, morality, and the innocence of childhood.
Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Raskolnikov, a former student, grapples with guilt and redemption after committing murder. The novel delves into psychological and moral dilemmas, exploring themes of good, evil, and the struggle for meaning in a chaotic world.
The Odyssey by Homer
The Odyssey follows the hero Odysseus on his journey home after the Trojan War, facing mythical creatures and divine beings. The epic explores themes of heroism, loyalty, and the cunning needed to overcome adversity.
Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad
Marlow’s journey up the Congo River leads him to Kurtz, an ivory trader who has embraced madness. The novella critiques colonialism and explores the darkness within the human soul through themes of moral corruption and existential despair.
The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway
Santiago, an aging Cuban fisherman, battles a giant marlin in the Gulf Stream, testing his endurance and willpower. The novella addresses themes of perseverance, dignity, and the struggle for triumph against seemingly insurmountable odds.
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
Okonkwo, a respected warrior in a Nigerian village, faces cultural disruption with the arrival of European colonizers. The novel critiques colonialism and explores the tension between tradition and change in African society.
Ulysses by James Joyce
Paralleling Homer’s Odyssey, Ulysses follows Leopold Bloom through a single day in Dublin. The novel’s stream-of-consciousness technique and experimental narrative address themes of identity, time, and the complexities of modern life.
In Search of Lost Time by Marcel Proust
Proust’s multi-volume work delves into the nature of memory, time, and consciousness as the narrator, Marcel, reflects on his life experiences. Themes of love, art, and the passage of time are explored through detailed observations of everyday life.
Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov
Humbert Humbert, a middle-aged man, becomes infatuated with his young stepdaughter, Lolita, leading to an obsessive and morally troubling relationship. The novel explores the darker aspects of desire and manipulation, challenging readers with its complex narrative.
Moby-Dick by Herman Melville
Captain Ahab’s obsessive quest to kill the great white whale, Moby-Dick, becomes a struggle against nature and fate. The novel addresses themes of obsession, revenge, and the limits of human knowledge, blending adventure with philosophical inquiry.
Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes
A man inspired by chivalric romances sets out as a knight-errant, blurring the line between reality and illusion. The novel satirizes the romantic ideals of knightly valor while exploring themes of identity, madness, and the transformative power of literature.
War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy
Tolstoy’s epic novel intertwines the lives of Russian aristocrats during the Napoleonic Wars, blending historical narrative with personal stories. Themes of love, war, fate, and human resilience are explored against a backdrop of sweeping social and political change.
The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
The Joad family migrates to California during the Great Depression, facing exploitation and poverty. The novel highlights themes of social injustice, resilience, and the enduring strength of family amidst economic hardship.
Middlemarch by George Eliot
Set in a fictional English town, Middlemarch explores the lives of its residents, focusing on themes of marriage, ambition, and social reform. Eliot’s interwoven narratives offer a deep examination of human relationships and the pursuit of personal fulfillment.
Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
Pip, an orphan, navigates the complexities of Victorian society as he aspires to become a gentleman. The novel explores themes of social class, ambition, and personal growth, critiquing the values and expectations of the time.
Night by Elie Wiesel
Wiesel’s autobiographical account of surviving the Holocaust presents a haunting portrayal of life in Nazi concentration camps. The memoir addresses themes of faith, suffering, and the loss of innocence, providing a poignant reflection on one of history’s darkest chapters.
Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse
The novel follows a young man named Siddhartha on his spiritual journey toward enlightenment. Through encounters with various teachers and life experiences, the story explores themes of self-discovery, inner peace, and the nature of true wisdom.
My List of Must-Watch Movies
Life is Beautiful
A Jewish father uses humor and imagination to shield his son from the horrors of a Nazi concentration camp during World War II. The film blends comedy and tragedy to explore themes of love, sacrifice, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity.
Into the Wild
Based on a true story, the film follows Christopher McCandless as he abandons his possessions and sets off on a journey across America, ultimately seeking solitude in the Alaskan wilderness. It explores themes of freedom, self-discovery, and the consequences of rejecting societal expectations.
Gladiator
A betrayed Roman general, Maximus, seeks revenge against the corrupt emperor who murdered his family and took his rightful place. The film explores themes of honor, vengeance, and the struggle for justice, set against the backdrop of ancient Rome’s brutal gladiatorial arenas.
Miracle
The film depicts the true story of the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team, which defied all odds to defeat the heavily favored Soviet team. It explores themes of perseverance, teamwork, and national pride, capturing the spirit of one of the greatest sports upsets in history.
From Russia with Love
In this classic James Bond film, 007 is tasked with recovering a Soviet encryption device while navigating a deadly plot involving a secret criminal organization. The film blends espionage, action, and romance, solidifying Bond's status as a cultural icon.
The Thomas Crown Affair
A wealthy and charming art thief orchestrates a daring heist, sparking a game of cat-and-mouse with a brilliant insurance investigator. The film explores themes of love, risk, and the thrill of the chase, featuring elegant visuals and an iconic romance.
Casino Royale
James Bond's first mission as 007 takes him to a high-stakes poker game at Casino Royale, where he faces off against a dangerous financier of terrorism. The film reboots the Bond franchise with a grittier tone, focusing on themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the making of a spy.
About Time
A young man discovers he can travel through time and uses this ability to improve his life and relationships. The film explores themes of love, family, and the importance of living in the moment, offering a touching reflection on the value of everyday experiences.
The Truman Show
Truman Burbank, an ordinary man, discovers his entire life is part of a staged reality TV show. The film critiques media manipulation and the nature of reality, exploring themes of identity, free will, and the desire for authentic human experiences.
Goodfellas
The rise and fall of Henry Hill and his life in the New York City mafia are chronicled in this crime drama. The film explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the allure of power, providing a gritty look into the world of organized crime.
The Godfather
The story of the Corleone crime family delves into the complexities of power, loyalty, and family dynamics. As Michael Corleone reluctantly steps into his father's world, the film examines the moral consequences of a life devoted to crime.
Ocean’s Eleven
Danny Ocean assembles a crew of skilled criminals to pull off a highly complex heist targeting three Las Vegas casinos. The film combines humor, suspense, and stylish execution, focusing on themes of teamwork, loyalty, and the thrill of the heist.
Catch Me If You Can
Based on a true story, the film follows Frank Abagnale, a young con artist who successfully impersonates a pilot, doctor, and lawyer while evading an FBI agent. It explores themes of deception, family, and the search for identity.
Megamind
An intelligent supervillain named Megamind finds himself without a purpose after defeating his heroic rival, Metro Man. The film humorously explores themes of redemption, identity, and the thin line between good and evil.
The Dark Knight
Batman faces his greatest challenge as the Joker emerges, threatening Gotham's sense of order. The film explores themes of chaos, justice, and the moral complexities of heroism, elevating the superhero genre with a darker, more grounded tone.
Skyfall
James Bond confronts his past while battling a vengeful former agent who threatens MI6. The film blends action and introspection, exploring themes of loyalty, duty, and the evolution of the iconic spy character.
Crazy Rich Asians
Rachel Chu discovers her boyfriend is the heir to a massive fortune when she accompanies him to Singapore for a wedding. The film addresses themes of culture, family expectations, and love, offering a glamorous look into the world of Asia's wealthy elite.
Whiplash
A young drummer endures the brutal teaching methods of a demanding music instructor in his quest to achieve greatness. The film examines themes of ambition, sacrifice, and the fine line between excellence and obsession.
Kingsman: The Secret Service
A young street kid is recruited into a secret spy organization, where he undergoes rigorous training to combat a global threat. The film blends action and humor, focusing on themes of mentorship, loyalty, and the reinvention of the spy genre.
The Martian
After being left behind on Mars, astronaut Mark Watney must use his ingenuity to survive and communicate with Earth. The film explores themes of isolation, perseverance, and the triumph of human spirit and science in overcoming seemingly impossible odds.
Maze Runner
Thomas awakens in a mysterious maze with no memory of his past, joining a group of boys trying to escape. The film explores themes of survival, identity, and the struggle for freedom in a dystopian world filled with dangers.
Interstellar
A team of astronauts travels through a wormhole searching for a new habitable planet as Earth's resources dwindle. The film combines sci-fi and emotional storytelling, addressing themes of love, time, and humanity's survival in the cosmos.
Dr. No
James Bond’s cinematic debut sees him thwarting the plans of a villain bent on disrupting the U.S. space program. The film establishes many classic Bond elements, including espionage, action, and the glamorous lifestyle of the secret agent.
Casablanca
During World War II, an American expatriate must choose between his love for a woman and helping her husband escape from Nazi-occupied Morocco. The film explores themes of love, sacrifice, and moral duty, becoming one of Hollywood’s timeless classics.
Joseph: King of Dreams
This animated adaptation of the biblical story follows Joseph, a young man sold into slavery by his jealous brothers who later rises to power in Egypt. The film explores themes of faith, forgiveness, and destiny, presenting an inspiring tale of resilience.
Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark
Archaeologist Indiana Jones races against the Nazis to find the Ark of the Covenant, a biblical artifact with immense power. The film combines adventure, action, and historical intrigue, establishing Indiana Jones as an iconic hero.
Forrest Gump
The story of a simple-minded man who finds himself in the midst of major historical events, Forrest Gump, explores themes of destiny, love, and the impact of individual lives on history. The film is a celebration of resilience and kindness.
The Lion King
Simba, a young lion cub, must reclaim his rightful place as king after the death of his father, Mufasa. The film explores themes of loss, responsibility, and the circle of life, with a compelling story that has become a beloved classic.
Baby Driver
A talented young getaway driver named Baby relies on his love of music to drown out a hearing condition and stay focused during high-speed heists. As he tries to escape a life of crime, he faces dangerous criminals and moral dilemmas. The film explores themes of redemption, loyalty, and the power of music, combining stylish action with a compelling soundtrack.