Top Ten Tuesday – Modern Books I Think Will Be Classics In The Future

Books, Reading Lists · November 22, 2025

I’m excited to share this week’s Top Ten Tuesday, hosted by by That Artsy Reader Girl! We’re exploring modern books that I think will become classics in the future. I found it challenging to narrow my choices down to just ten books, but I’ve chosen some of my absolute favorites to share with you.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links at no extra cost to you. Please read the full disclosure for more information.

Modern Books I Think Will Be Classics In The Future

The Road by Cormac McCarthy is one of my favorites. The writing style and storytelling are phenomenal, bringing the narrative to life.

One of my personal favorites is The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien. I first read this book while I was in college, and I even attended a reading by the author that sparked my interest. Although the story centers on Marines during the Vietnam War, its themes resonate beyond that specific conflict.

The Handmaids Tale by Margaret Atwood depicts a dystopian future where society has deteriorated. A totalitarian regime now rules the country, and a strict social order has been enforced, assigning women specific roles and duties.

In The Year of Magical Thinking, Joan Didion provides a deeply personal account of losing her daughter and husband, drawing readers into her journey and highlighting the book’s emotional impact. Through life’s ups and downs, Didion demonstrates that we can find the strength to survive. She is one of my favorite authors, and this work exemplifies her honest, straightforward narrative style.

Inspired by true events from the early 1960s at a reform school outside Tallahassee, The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead offers a powerful and emotionally intense account of two boys unjustly sent to a brutal institution. The story aims to evoke strong feelings and prompt reflection on social issues.

The Color Purple by Alice Walker tells the story of a young girl, Celie, in the rural South who endures hatred, abuse, and neglect from her family. Her determination to shield her sister from similar suffering and her journey to find independence and happiness underscore the themes of resilience and self-discovery. Her escape to Africa with missionaries and her sister’s return with her children reflect her ongoing quest for freedom and fulfillment.

Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Coast Trail by Cherly Strayed is a candid memoir about a young woman who, after experiencing personal loss and struggling with substance abuse, reaches rock bottom. In her quest for redemption, she embarks on a challenging 1,100-mile hike along the Pacific Crest Trail.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, In what was once North America, twelve districts come together each year, each sending one boy and one girl to compete in the Games, a fight to the death broadcasted on live television. Katniss volunteers to take her younger sister’s place and must fight for her survival.

Atonement by Ian McEwan tells the story of three children who lose their innocence during the summer of 1935 when the imaginative and jealous 13-year-old sister of one of them commits an act that forever alters their lives. She spends her lifetime burdened by the guilt of her actions.

Educated: A Memoir by Tara Westover is the personal account of Tara Westover, born to survivalists in Idaho’s mountains. She was one of several children and did not go to school until she was 17. Her family’s extreme isolation left her without help when her brother became violent, and she was constantly beaten. Her decision to go to college was a pivotal moment that helped her gain independence and pursue a better life through education.