10 Long Books Everyone Should Read In 2026

Some books entertain us for a few hours, while others become experiences we carry for the rest of our lives. The best long books do something extraordinary: they give us enough time to become deeply connected to their characters, explore complicated ideas, discover unfamiliar worlds, and see life from perspectives we might never have considered before.

Below is a list of 10 long books everyone should read in 2026.

1. War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy

War and Peace is one of the greatest historical novels ever written, combining romance, philosophy, family drama, and the devastating consequences of war. Set during the Napoleonic Wars, the story follows several aristocratic Russian families as their lives are transformed by political upheaval and military conflict. Through unforgettable characters such as Pierre Bezukhov, Prince Andrei, and Natasha Rostova, Leo Tolstoy explores love, ambition, personal growth, mortality, and the meaning of happiness. What makes this enormous novel remarkable is its ability to connect intimate human experiences with major historical events.

2. A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara

A Little Life follows four college friends as they navigate adulthood, careers, relationships, and personal struggles in New York City. At the center is Jude St. Francis, a brilliant but deeply troubled man whose painful childhood continues to influence every aspect of his adult life. Hanya Yanagihara explores friendship, trauma, love, loyalty, and the complicated nature of human suffering. The novel is emotionally demanding, but its detailed character development creates a powerful reading experience.

3. The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett

Set in twelfth-century England, The Pillars of the Earth tells an extraordinary story about ambition, love, political conflict, and the construction of a magnificent cathedral. Ken Follett introduces readers to builders, nobles, religious leaders, and ordinary people whose lives become connected through one remarkable architectural project. As generations struggle with poverty, violence, power, and personal ambitions, the cathedral gradually becomes a symbol of hope and human determination.

4. Shōgun by James Clavell

Shōgun transports readers to seventeenth-century Japan, where English sailor John Blackthorne becomes trapped in a completely unfamiliar culture. His arrival places him in the middle of political rivalries, military conflicts, and powerful struggles for control. As he learns Japanese traditions and develops relationships with influential figures, Blackthorne discovers that survival requires intelligence, patience, and an understanding of cultural differences. James Clavell creates an immersive historical world filled with political intrigue, complicated characters, and unexpected developments.

5. The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky

The Brothers Karamazov explores the complicated relationships between a selfish father and his three very different sons. Each brother represents a different perspective on morality, faith, reason, and human existence. When a murder takes place within the family, their relationships become increasingly complicated, revealing hidden resentments and personal contradictions. However, the novel goes far beyond its central mystery. Fyodor Dostoevsky examines profound questions about God, free will, suffering, responsibility, and the nature of evil.

6. The Secret History by Donna Tartt

The Secret History follows a group of privileged college students studying ancient Greek at an elite Vermont university. Fascinated by their charismatic professor and isolated from ordinary campus life, the students develop an intense intellectual and social connection. However, their fascination with classical ideals gradually leads them toward increasingly dangerous decisions. Donna Tartt builds an atmosphere of mystery, obsession, guilt, and psychological tension, revealing the events surrounding a murder from the beginning. Rather than focusing only on discovering what happened, the novel examines why intelligent people can become trapped by their own ambitions and desires.

7. The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt

The Goldfinch follows Theo Decker, a young boy whose life changes forever after a devastating explosion at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Following the tragedy, Theo becomes separated from his familiar world and finds himself connected to a valuable painting by the Dutch artist Carel Fabritius. As he grows older, the artwork becomes an important symbol of his memories, identity, and emotional struggles. Donna Tartt explores grief, beauty, friendship, art, and the consequences of childhood experiences.

8. Les Misérables by Victor Hugo

Les Misérables is a powerful historical novel about poverty, injustice, love, sacrifice, and redemption in nineteenth-century France. The story follows Jean Valjean, a former prisoner who struggles to rebuild his life after serving years in prison for stealing bread. Despite his determination to become a better person, he remains pursued by Inspector Javert, whose strict understanding of justice creates an ongoing conflict. Victor Hugo introduces unforgettable characters whose lives become connected through suffering, compassion, and hope. Beyond its dramatic storyline, the novel examines social inequality and the importance of forgiveness.

9. The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson

The Way of Kings introduces readers to Roshar, an extraordinary fantasy world dominated by powerful storms, ancient civilizations, and mysterious supernatural forces. Brandon Sanderson follows several characters, including Kaladin, a former soldier struggling with his past, Shallan, a young woman searching for knowledge, and Dalinar, a powerful leader experiencing mysterious visions. Their individual stories gradually connect through political conflicts, ancient secrets, and questions about honor and responsibility.

10. Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace

Infinite Jest is an ambitious literary novel that explores addiction, entertainment, loneliness, and the search for happiness in modern society. David Foster Wallace creates a complicated world in which an extraordinarily entertaining film becomes so addictive that viewers lose interest in everything else. The story follows characters connected to a tennis academy and a rehabilitation center, gradually revealing their personal struggles and relationships. Through dark humor, philosophical discussions, and unconventional storytelling, Wallace examines how people become trapped by their desires and distractions.

Conclusion

Choosing a long book is a commitment, but it can also become one of the most rewarding decisions we make throughout the year.