Top 10 Books to Read Before You Die – Favbookshelf

Here you will find the top 10 books that you must read before you die.

Let me just tell you this, all these books are mind-blowing. Everything about them is just perfect. And their stories… they are just awesome. They are just going to stay in your heart forever.

Top 10 Books to Read Before You Die
Top 10 Books to Read Before You Die

Also, Bonus: below each recommended book we have said why did we liked that book so much, and why you should read that book. And, all have been arranged in alphabetical order. Because duhh, they all are best.

So, let’s get started. Here is the list of the top 10 books to read before you die.


#1 A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khalid Hosseini


About the Book

Top 10 Books to Read Before You Die.  A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

Title: A Thousand Splendid Suns

Author: Khalid Hosseini

Genre: Domestic Fiction

Publisher: Bloomsbury Paperbacks

Type: Standalone

Pages: 162

Goodreads Rating: 4.3 / 5

A Thousand Splendid Suns mentions thirty years of Afghan history. It is a story of two women, Mariam and Laila, who are born a generation apart. They have very different ideas about love and family but are brought together by war, loss, and fate. And it is their story of surviving through Russian invasions and Taliban rule in Afghanistan. This is the book of unforgettable and unforgiving times. It is a deeply moving story of family, friendship, faith, and the salvation to be found in love.

*Disclaimer: This book mentions war, abuse, and violence. It might be triggering for some readers

Why do we recommend this book?

A Thousand Splendid Suns is a wonderful mix of reality and fiction.  It is the story of an unexpected friendship. And is a must-read at least once in a lifetime. You surely are going to love reading it.

Detailed Spoiler-free Review: Review Of A Thousand Splendid Suns (Spoiler Free)

If you want to buy/gift A Thousand Splendid Suns, click on the link below: 👇


#2 Black Beauty by Anna Sewell


About the Book

Black Beauty by anna sewell ;Top 10 Books to Read Before You Die
Black Beauty by Anna Sewell

Title: Black Beauty

Author: Anna Sewell

Genre: Fiction

Publisher:  Scholastic Paperbacks

Type: Standalone

Pages: 245

Goodreads rating: 3.9/5

This book is about a horse, Black Beauty. It is about his life from his birth to death. How he was born into a loving family. And then after a few years, he is sold to another one. And after that, he is sent to another home which is very cruel. Like that, he goes from place to place not knowing if he will ever find a good home again. This book is a very heart-breaking story filled with both kind and cruel moments.

P.S.: This book is available on Kindle Unlimited. If you have subscribed to it, then you can read this book for free.

Why do we recommend this book?

I had read this book a few years back. And I can still remember the story as if I had read it just yesterday. This book will always have a place in my heart.

If you want to buy/gift Black Beauty, click on the link below: 👇


#3 Dollar Bahu by Sudha Murty


About the Book

Dollar Bahu by Sudha Murty; Top 10 Books to Read Before You Die
Dollar Bahu by Sudha Murty

Title: Dollar Bahu

Author: Sudha Murty

Genre: Fiction

Publisher:  Penguin Global

Type: Standalone

Pages: 152

Goodreads Rating: 3.7 / 5

Dollar Bahu is the story of how money corrupts the way people look at one another. Vinita is a young woman, who marries Girish, who is a bank clerk. Things take a turn for the worse, when Chandru, Girish’s elder brother, gets married. Chandru is based in the US, with his wife, the ‘Dollar Bahu’. Vinita now faces constant comparisons between her and her new sister-in-law by Gouramma, her mother-in-law. But when Gouramma decides to pay Chandru a visit to the US, things change. Gouramma now looks at the other side of life in the US. Can this trip bring about a change in Vinita and Gouramma’s relationship? Or will their relationship still be the same?

Why do we recommend this book?

It is a fiction story yet a realistic one. The novel portrays the delicate relationships that exist in a family in a heart-touching way. The story is short, hilarious, and fun to read.

If you want to buy/gift Dollar Bahu, click on the link below: 👇


#4 Not Without my Daughter by Betty Mahmoodi and William Hoffer


About the Book

Not Without My Daughter by betty Mahmoody with William Hoffer, Top 10 Books to Read Before You Die
Not Without my Daughter by Betty Mahmoodi and William Hoffer

Title: Not Without my Daughter

Author: Betty Mahmoodi and William Hoffer

Genre: Non-fiction

Publisher: Transworld Publishers Ltd 

Type: Standalone

Pages: 528

Goodreads Rating: 4 / 5

In August 1984, Michigan housewife, Betty Mahmoody, accompanies her husband to his native Iran for a two-week vacation. But then, that vacation turns into a permanent stay. To her horror, she finds herself and her four-year-old daughter, Mahtob, virtual prisoners of a man rededicated to his Shiite Moslem faith, in a land where women are near-slaves and Americans despised. Their only hope for escape lies in a dangerous underground that would not take her child. Not Without My Daughter is a biographical book by Betty Mahmoody detailing the escape of Betty and her daughter, Mahtob, from Betty’s abusive husband in Iran.

Why do we recommend this book?

I had read this book many years ago. But the story has just stayed with me. It is a very heart-touching story. If you want to read some dark true realities then, this is the book.

If you want to buy/gift Not Without my Daughter, click on the link below: 👇


#5 Percy Jackson’s Greek Heroes by Rick Riordan


About the Book

Percy Jackson's Greek Gods by Rick Riordan; Top 10 Books to Read Before You Die
Percy Jackson’s Greek Heroes by Rick Riordan

Title: Percy Jackson’s Greek Heroes

Author: Rick Riordan

Genre: Greek Mythology, Children’s Literature

Publisher: Disney Hyperion

Type: Standalone

Pages: 417

Goodreads Rating: 4.4 / 5

This book is a short story collection of sorts. In this book, the author explains how the world was created, then gives readers his personal take on a who’s who of ancients, from Artemis to Zeus. There are two to three stories involving each God.

Why do we recommend this book?

This book was recommended to me by one of my friends. It is a really great book and I absolutely loved it. It was my first book in the mythological genre. And I feel I couldn’t have chosen any better book for myself for venturing into the mythological world.

If you want to buy/gift Percy Jackson’s Greek Heroes, click on the link below: 👇


#6 Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon


About the Book

Sun is Also A Star by Nicola Yoon: Top 10 Books to Read Before You Die
Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon

Title: Sun is Also a Star

Author: Nicola Yoon

Genre: Romance, YA

Publisher: Penguin Random House the UK

Type: Standalone

Pages: 348

Goodreads Rating: 4 / 5

Natasha’s family is being deported. And she has one day to try to stop that from happening. Daniel, Natasha’s love interest, is on his way to an interview that would determine his future. Ever since his brother got kicked out of Harvard, Daniel was being pressurized by his parents to become a doctor. He is doing his best to get accepted into Yale. But when Daniel meets Natasha, he realizes something, something life-changing. He needs to figure out what he wants, not what his parents want from him. And this book will tell us how Daniel and Natasha spent together the one day they had.

Why do we recommend this book?

I loved that the author wrote this book from multiple points of view. Not only Daniels’ and Natashas’ but also from the other side characters. I loved this part of the book the most. It’s one of the most favorite summer reads of mine.

If you want to buy/gift Sun is Also a Star, click on the link below: 👇


#7 The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini


About the Book

10 must read books; Top 10 Books to Read Before You Die
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

Title: The Kite Runner

Author: Khaled Hosseini

Genre: Historical Fiction, Realistic Fiction

Publisher: Riverhead Books

Type: Standalone

Pages: 340

Goodreads Rating: 4.3 / 5

The Kite Runner is the story of Amir and his loyal friend Hassan. In Afghanistan, 1975, twelve-year-old Amir is desperate to win a kite fighting tournament, and Hassan is helping him win it. But, neither of the boys can predict the event that will happen in the afternoon. The event that will change their whole lives forever. And after the Russians invade, their family is forced to flee to America. But then one day Amir realizes that he must return to Afghanistan under Taliban rule to find the one thing that his new world cannot grant him; Redemption.

Why do we recommend this book?

This story is just going to be in my heart forever. And, it will stay in your heart too after reading it. It is an awesome story about friendship. And, is surely in the list of top 10 books that you must read before you die.

Detailed Review: Full review of The Kite Runner (Spoiler Free)

If you want to buy/gift The Kite Runner, click on the link below: 👇


#8 The Murder Between Us by Tal Bauer


About the Book

The Murder Between Us by Tal Bauer, Top 10 Books to Read Before You Die
The Murder Between Us by Tal Bauer

Title: The Murder Between Us

Author: Tal Bauer

Genre:  LGBT, Suspense, Romance, Crime

Publisher: WGW Books

Type:  Standalone

Pages: 280

Goodreads Rating: 4.3 / 5

P.S.: This book is available on Kindle Unlimited. If you have subscribed to it, then you can read this book for free.

FBI Agent Noah is in Vegas for a conference. He had now for a long time had doubts about his sexuality. But then, one night, when he meets Cole all his doubts are cleared. He is now sure that he is gay. Now they both, Noah and Cole plan to meet again the next day, but then they don’t as Noah gets an urgent call from his home. There, a vicious serial killer is on the loose. And Noah has to catch him anyhow. And in between this, Cole gets stood up by Noah. But when Noah’s team requests a profiler from the FBI, he didn’t expect that person to be Cole at all. So this book, The Murder Between Us, is about Noah and Cole, how they get past their awkwardness and try to get to the bottom of the mystery and try to catch the killer.

Why do we recommend this book?

There are many twists and turns. Some I saw coming, and some I didn’t. And, don’t get me started on the relationship between Cole and Noah. It was everything I thought it would be and more. I absolutely loved it. It was as well fun guessing who the murderer might be. You will love reading this book!

P.S.: This book is available on Kindle Unlimited. If you have subscribed to it, then you can read this book for free.

If you want to buy/gift The Murder Between Us, click on the link below: 👇


#9 Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris


About the Book

The Tattooist of Auschwitz  by Heather Morris; Top 10 Books to Read Before You Die
Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris

Title: Tattooist of Auschwitz

Author: Heather Morris

Genre: Historical Fiction

Publisher: Harper

Type: Series

No. of Books in it: 3

Books in it: #1 The Tattooist of Auschwitz, #2 Cilka’s Journey, #3 Three Sisters

Goodreads Rating:  4.3 / 5

All of these books are set in World War II. The Tattooist of Auschwitz is about Lale. The second book Cilka’s Journey is about Cilka. And the third book Three Sisters is about Cibi, Magda, and Livia. They all were imprisoned at Auschwitz by Nazis. This series is about how they survived it and what horrors they faced and how it affected their life. All these books are really amazing.

Why do we recommend this book?

The story of this book is very heart-touching. And, I cried a lot while reading it. It told me about their struggles during World War II and how uncertain of a place it was for Jews. This book must be read at least once in a lifetime. This book will definitely break your heart and then put it back together.

If you want to buy/gift Tattooist of Auschwitz, click on the link below: 👇


#10 When We Were Magic by Sarah Gailey


About the Book

When We Were Magic by Sarah Gailey;
Top 10 Books to Read Before You Die
When We Were Magic by Sarah Gailey

Title: When We Were Magic

Author: Sarah Gailey

Genre: YA, LGBT, Fantasy

Publisher: Simon Schuster Books

Type: Standalone

Pages: 352

Goodreads Rating: 3.7 / 5

P.S.: This book is available on Kindle Unlimited. If you have subscribed to it, then you can read this book for free.

Alexis always has her best friends and the magic powers by her side. On Prom night Alexis accidentally kills a classmate using her magic. So to set things right Alexis and her best friends, Roya, Iris, Paulie, Marcelina, and Maryam join their powers. But, instead of cleaning the mess, they only end up creating more. Their attempts to clean the mess constantly fail. And, while they are at it, Alexis confesses her feelings for Roya. So, this is their journey of cleaning the mess and dealing with the backslash of their magic. And, with a bit of romance plot.

Why do we recommend this book?

So, I finished this book in almost one sitting. It was just an amazing read. I loved how they supported each other through all the times. If you are looking for books on friendship, it is definitely one of my top recommendations.

If you want to buy/gift When We Were Magic, click on the link below: 👇


P.S: Some books recommended here are available on Kindle Unlimited. If you have subscribed to it, then you can read these books for free. Check out this article: Is Kindle Unlimited Worth It?

SO, to conclude here is the list of the Top 10 Books to Read Before You Die

1. A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khalid Hosseini Buy the Book
2. Black Beauty by Anna Sewell Buy the Book
3. Dollar Bahu by Sudha Murty Buy the Book
4. Not Without my Daughter by Betty Mahmoodi and William Buy the Book
5. Percy Jackson’s Greek Heroes by Rick Riordan Buy the Book
6. Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon Buy the Book
7. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini Buy the Book
8. The Murder Between Us by Tal Bauer Buy the Book
9. Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris Buy the Book
10. When We Were Magic by Sarah Gailey Buy the Book
Top 10 Books to Read Before You Die

Read every book on this list. I am sure it won’t disappoint you.

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DisclosureAll our recommendations are honest. Also, some links in this post are affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we recommend.

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Happy Reading and Keep Smiling!!

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Favbookshelf

Hello! We sisters, Manik and Sayee, are the co-blogging team of Favbookshelf. We both love books a lot. Here we talk all about the books we love, bookish articles, and our recommendations. Welcome to our blog!

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  1. I really enjoy the blog article.Really thank you! Really Great.

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