Whether you’re a lifelong reader or just dipping your toes into the literary world, there’s something magical about discovering a story that stays with you. Behind every unforgettable tale is an author whose imagination, insight, or sheer creative genius brought those words to life.
From epic fantasy sagas and dystopian thrillers to heartwarming coming-of-age stories and groundbreaking social commentaries, great books have shaped how we see the world – and ourselves.
In this guide, we’ve rounded up a diverse mix of iconic authors and the books that made them famous. Whether you’re searching for your next great read or just curious about the voices behind the stories, this list is a celebration of the books that continue to captivate readers across generations and genres.
Let’s dive in and explore the writers and the worlds they’ve created.
25 famous books and the authors who wrote them
1. Dune
Dune author: Frank Herbert
Dune synopsis: Set in a distant future, Dune follows Paul Atreides, heir to a noble family tasked with ruling a desert planet rich in a powerful resource, as he becomes a messianic figure in a complex saga of politics, religion, and ecology.
2. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
Harry Potter author: J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter synopsis: An orphaned boy discovers he is a wizard and attends Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where he uncovers the mystery of his parents’ death and battles the dark wizard Voldemort.
3. Berserk
Berserk author: Kentaro Miura
Berserk synopsis: A dark fantasy manga following Guts, a lone mercenary with a tragic past, as he battles demonic forces and struggles with fate, vengeance, and morality in a brutal medieval world.
4. One Piece
One Piece author: Eiichiro Oda
One Piece synopsis: A long-running manga about Monkey D. Luffy, a boy with rubber powers, who sets out with his pirate crew in search of the legendary treasure “One Piece” to become the Pirate King.
5. The Hunger Games
The Hunger Games author: Suzanne Collins
The Hunger Games synopsis: In a dystopian future, Katniss Everdeen volunteers to take her sister’s place in a televised death match, sparking a rebellion against an oppressive regime.
6. A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR)
ACOTAR author: Sarah J. Maas
ACOTAR synopsis: Feyre, a young hunter, is drawn into a magical fae realm after killing a wolf and becomes entangled in a dangerous world of political intrigue and romance.
7. Dog Man
Dog Man author: Dav Pilkey
Dog Man synopsis: A comedic graphic novel series about a half-dog, half-human police officer who fights crime and learns life lessons along the way.
8. Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Diary of a Wimpy Kid author: Jeff Kinney
Diary of a Wimpy Kid synopsis: A humorous illustrated series chronicling the middle school misadventures of Greg Heffley, a boy trying to navigate school, friends, and family life.
9. Beowulf
Beowulf author: Beowulf Poet (Unknown)
Beowulf synopsis: An Old English epic poem in which the hero, Beowulf, defeats the monster Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and later a dragon, exploring themes of heroism and legacy.
10. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
Demon Slayer author: Koyoharu Gotouge
Demon Slayer synopsis: Tanjiro Kamado becomes a demon slayer after his family is slaughtered and his sister is turned into a demon. He fights to save her and avenge his family.
11. The Outsiders
The Outsiders author: S.E. Hinton
The Outsiders synopsis: A coming-of-age novel about two rival teenage gangs—the Greasers and the Socs—and the struggle of a boy named Ponyboy to find his place in a divided society.
12. Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief
Percy Jackson author: Rick Riordan
Percy Jackson synopsis: Percy Jackson, a modern-day demigod, discovers his divine heritage and goes on a quest to prevent a war among the Greek gods.
13. Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West
Wicked author: Gregory Maguire
Wicked synopsis: A revisionist retelling of The Wizard of Oz from the perspective of Elphaba, the misunderstood “Wicked Witch,” exploring politics, identity, and morality.
14. Where the Crawdads Sing
Where the Crawdads Sing author: Delia Owens
Where the Crawdads Sing synopsis: In a coastal North Carolina town, a mysterious girl known as the “Marsh Girl” becomes a murder suspect, weaving a tale of loneliness, resilience, and nature.
15. A Game of Thrones
A Game of Thrones author: George R.R. Martin
A Game of Thrones synopsis: In a brutal fantasy world, noble families vie for control of the Iron Throne, while an ancient threat looms from the icy North.
16. Captain Underpants
Captain Underpants author: Dav Pilkey
Captain Underpants synopsis: Two prank-loving kids hypnotize their principal into becoming a goofy superhero named Captain Underpants, leading to wild, illustrated adventures.
17. Atomic Habits
Atomic Habits author: James Clear
Atomic Habits synopsis: A self-help guide on how small, consistent changes in behavior can lead to significant personal and professional transformations.
18. Chainsaw Man
Chainsaw Man author: Tatsuki Fujimoto
Chainsaw Man synopsis: Denji, a down-on-his-luck teen with a chainsaw demon dog, becomes a devil hunter who can transform into Chainsaw Man. It’s wild, violent, and emotionally deep.
19. Twilight
Twilight author: Stephenie Meyer
Twilight synopsis: A teenage girl falls in love with a vampire, sparking a saga filled with romance, danger, and supernatural beings.
20. The Lovely Bones
The Lovely Bones author: Alice Sebold
The Lovely Bones synopsis: After being murdered, a young girl watches from the afterlife as her family copes with her death and her killer evades justice.
21. Little Women
Little Women author: Louisa May Alcott
Little Women synopsis: A semi-autobiographical novel following the lives of the four March sisters as they grow from childhood to womanhood in Civil War-era America.
22. White Fragility
White Fragility author: Robin DiAngelo
White Fragility synopsis: An examination of white people’s defensive responses to racism discussions and how this impedes racial progress, aiming to foster more constructive dialogue.
23. To Kill a Mockingbird
To Kill a Mockingbird author: Harper Lee
To Kill a Mockingbird synopsis: Set in the racially segregated American South, this classic novel follows young Scout Finch as her father, a principled lawyer, defends a Black man falsely accused of assault. It’s a powerful exploration of justice, morality, and empathy.
24. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
The Lord of the Rings author: J.R.R. Tolkien
The Lord of the Rings synopsis: Frodo Baggins, a humble hobbit, inherits a powerful ring and begins an epic quest to destroy it before it falls into the hands of evil. A cornerstone of modern fantasy, Tolkien’s tale is rich with mythology, language, and world-building.
25. The Handmaid’s Tale
The Handmaid’s Tale author: Margaret Atwood
The Handmaid’s Tale synopsis: In a dystopian society where women have lost all rights, one woman—Offred—struggles to survive and resist the regime. A chilling, feminist critique of power, oppression, and autonomy.
Could you be on this list?
From ancient epics to contemporary fantasy, the authors on this list prove that powerful stories can come from anywhere – and change everything. These 25 books have not only captured imaginations but also shaped culture and inspired generations of readers and writers alike.
And here’s the twist: the next great story could be yours.
If reading these iconic books has sparked a dream of writing your own, there’s never been a better time to make it a reality. Whether you have a rough idea or a nearly finished manuscript, selfpublishing.com can help guide you from concept to finished book – and even bestseller status. With expert resources, coaching, and publishing tools, we’ve helped thousands of authors turn their passion into published success.
Because every great author started somewhere – and the next one might just be you.