Although some of the books on this list have been published more recently, they explore timeless questions and concerns. Jesmyn Ward’s Sing, Unburied, Sing explores issues of race and class in America and J. M. Coetzee’s Disgrace tells the complicated story of forgiveness in post-apartheid South Africa. A lot of the nonfiction that flies off the shelves of local bookstores deals with current cultural trends or events or offers advice for self-improvement. But, the nonfiction that has best stood the test of time is a striking combination of complex, beautiful and informative. The essays in James Baldwin’s Notes from a Native Son explore self-perception, identity, and the way we make sense of the world around us, making them universal. Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood is captivating not only because it’s a true crime book but also because he’s able to make readers consider the nuance and complexities of characters who might easily be portrayed one-dimensionally. Whether you’ve encountered other work by authors like Marilynne Robinson or Margaret Atwood before or have read some of these titles in school decades ago, whether you gravitate toward fiction or nonfiction, the titles on this list are complex, thoughtful, and rich enough to be considered the best classic books. To buy: $9, amazon.com. To buy: $10, amazon.com. To buy: $9, amazon.com. To buy: $14, amazon.com. To buy: $15, amazon.com. To buy: $7, amazon.com. To buy: $10, amazon.com. To buy: $10, amazon.com. To buy: $15, amazon.com. To buy: $14; amazon.com. To buy: $13, amazon.com. To buy: $10, amazon.com. To buy: $12, amazon.com. To buy: $7, amazon.com. To buy: $8, amazon.com. To buy: $13, amazon.com. To buy: $12, amazon.com. To buy: $7, amazon.com. To buy: $12, amazon.com. To buy: $10, amazon.com.
