#1
A Hazard of New Fortunes
The novel explores themes of social mobility, economic change, and the personal impacts of moderniza...
50 books
#1
#2
Sister Carrie
Sister Carrie explores themes of ambition, social mobility, and the American Dream, issues still rel...
#3
The Sport of the Gods
This novel reveals persistent issues of racial identity, economic struggle, and the American Dream, ...
#4
The Great Gatsby
'The Great Gatsby' remains a critical lens for understanding the American Dream, wealth inequality, ...
#5
The Valley of the Moon
The novel explores themes of social mobility, the American Dream, and the struggle of the working cl...
#6
Royal Highness
The novel offers insights into power dynamics, social hierarchies, and human ambition that remain re...
#7
The Rise of Silas Lapham
The Rise of Silas Lapham explores themes of social mobility, integrity, and the American Dream, all ...
#8
Vanity Fair
Vanity Fair offers a sharp critique of social ambition, superficiality, and the fluidity of social c...
#9
Anna Karenina
Anna Karenina remains relevant today as it addresses universal themes of love, infidelity, and socie...
#10
The Weary Blues
Langston Hughes's 'The Weary Blues' captures the enduring struggle and expressiveness of Black Ameri...
#11
Desert Gold
'Desert Gold' offers insights into human nature, resilience, and the complexities of morality, theme...
#12
A Son of the Middle Border
Understanding frontier life and pioneering spirit helps us appreciate resilience, independence, and ...
#13
Passing
Nella Larsen's 'Passing' explores identity, racial ambiguity, and societal expectations, themes stil...
#14
Infants of the Spring
Wallace Thurman's 'Infants of the Spring' offers insights into societal roles and personal freedom, ...
#15
Burning Daylight
Burning Daylight explores themes of ambition, resilience, and the pursuit of wealth, which remain re...
#16
The Marrow of Tradition
The Marrow of Tradition explores themes of racial tension, violence, and social injustice, which are...
#17
Hagar's Daughter
Hagar's Daughter sheds light on issues of race, class, and social justice that are still relevant to...
#18
Martin Eden
Martin Eden explores themes of self-creation, social mobility, and the struggles of artistic pursuit...
#19
Cane
Cane offers profound insights into African American history and culture, highlighting issues of raci...
#20
Evangeline
Evangeline explores themes of love, loss, and cultural memory, which remain relevant as societies gr...
#21
The Sun Also Rises
The novel explores the 'Lost Generation'—people disillusioned after World War I—and their struggles ...
#22
The House Behind the Cedars
The novel explores themes of racial identity and societal perception that remain relevant amid ongoi...
#23
The Rainbow Trail
Understanding frontier life and rugged individualism helps us appreciate resilience and simplicity i...
#24
The Light of Western Stars
This classic Western novel offers insights into individual courage, pioneering spirit, and the rugge...
#25
Twilight Sleep
This classic explores themes of social class, gender roles, and the pursuit of happiness, which rema...
#26
The Call of the Canyon
The story reflects timeless themes of frontier exploration, personal resilience, and connection to l...
#27
The Sacrifice
The themes of sacrifice, perseverance, and cultural identity in 'The Sacrifice' resonate with ongoin...
#28
Sentimental Education
Gustave Flaubert's 'Sentimental Education' explores themes of unrequited love, political upheaval, a...
#29
Main-Travelled Roads
This collection of stories highlights themes of perseverance, the American frontier spirit, and the ...
#30
Winona
"Winona" provides insights into the African American experience in the post-Reconstruction South and...
#31
The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man
The novel offers insights into race, identity, and social mobility that remain relevant amidst ongoi...
#32
A Traveler from Altruria
A Traveler from Altruria explores ideas of social justice, economic fairness, and the American ident...
#33
McTeague
McTeague explores themes of greed, psychological breakdown, and social decay, which remain relevant ...
#34
Modern Love
George Meredith's 'Modern Love' offers timeless insights into human relationships amidst chaos, rele...
#35
The Ballad of the Brown Girl
The Ballad of the Brown Girl highlights issues of race, identity, and societal expectations, which r...
#36
The Vanishing American
The novel offers insights into the cultural and historical impacts of war and colonialism that reson...
#37
The Last of the Mohicans
The Last of the Mohicans highlights themes of cultural clash, loyalty, and survival which remain rel...
#38
The Souls of Black Folk
The Souls of Black Folk remains highly relevant as it addresses systemic racism, the struggle for ci...
#39
Ethan Frome
Ethan Frome explores the profound effects of personal choices and societal expectations, themes stil...
#40
The King in Yellow
The King in Yellow holds a mirror to contemporary anxieties about societal collapse, the impact of t...
#41
The Courtship of Miles Standish
This poem touches on themes of love, honor, and community that remain relevant in discussions of per...
#42
Smoke Bellew
This story reminds us of the enduring human spirit and the transformative power of perseverance amid...
#43
The Heritage of the Desert
Zane Grey's portrayal of morality, individualism, and wilderness reflects ongoing debates about natu...
#44
New Grub Street
New Grub Street reveals the struggles of writers and artists caught in the grind for commercial succ...
#45
The Virginian
The Virginian explores themes of morality, identity, and community that resonate even in today's com...
#46
Contending Forces
'Contending Forces' explores themes of family, identity, and societal challenges that remain relevan...
#47
Summer
'Summer' explores themes of youth, love, societal expectations, and personal growth, which remain re...
#48
Maggie: A Girl of the Streets
The novel offers timeless insights into the struggles of poverty, social inequality, and the consequ...
#49
God's Trombones
James Weldon Johnson's 'God's Trombones' reimagines spiritual and cultural themes that continue to i...
#50
Far from the Madding Crowd
Hardy's novel explores timeless themes of love, social class, and rural life that remain relevant as...