In this age of instantly-accessible content at our fingertips, we know very well how to keep ourselves entertained through a screen. But what about books? And when was the last time you dove into one of the best epic novels known to capture and sustain your attention from the very first page? Diving into a new book can open your mind to new ideas, improve your health, transform your career, expand your relationships, and so much more. Ready to embark on a new chapter? The best epic novels will take you there.
Everyone should have a comfort book to fall back on, so I polled our literature-loving editors for the epic novels and stories they return to time and time again. There may or may not be multiple Jane Austen books in this list—we’re a predominately female staff after all. Happy reading (or rereading)!
Featured image by Teal Thomsen.
The Best Epic Novels To Add To Your Reading List
The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway
I first read this classic in high school, and the experience was pivotal for a couple of reasons. To begin, it was my first Hemingway read. I was immediately drawn to his spare, powerful writing—not a word was wasted, and I was blown away by how much could be communicated in so few words. Second, the setting! At the time, I’d never been outside the US, and this novel bit my 16-year-old-self with the travel bug.
Its main characters journey from the wild nightlife of 1920s Paris to the bullfighting rings of Spain, and I was swept up in their charisma and their caravanning adventures. I recently picked this book up again and loved it just as much from my adult vantage point. If you’ve never read The Sun Also Rises, RUN—don’t walk—and get lost in its beautiful pages. — Camille
The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
I have gifted this book more than any other. It’s a short read but it’s packed with more nuggets of wisdom than you could possibly absorb in just one sitting. I’ve read it over and over again and every time I learn something different. — Michelle
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
While a wholly unoriginal entry, I can’t help but admit that Pride and Prejudice is the book I come back to on an almost yearly basis. It’s a deeply comforting and nostalgic read. It never ceases to amaze me how much Austen’s work holds up to this day, how truly groundbreaking her heroines were, and how romantic it is.
Unsurprisingly, I watch the film adaptations often, but I still love to pick up the text and sit with the story. I often say that the reason the film adaptations are always so successful and become instant classics is that the source material is so rich and full of complicated, interesting characters. New things jump out at me every time I read it, and I can’t find myself ever getting tired of it. — Lourdes
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts
If you want to read an epic novel, then add Shantaram to your list. At 936 pages, it is not a meek tale, but as soon as I started reading this book I was engrossed in every word and I couldn’t get through it fast enough.
Set in the underworld of Bombay, the story follows our protagonist, Lin, who escaped from a maximum-security prison in Australia. With his friend Prabaker by his side, the two seek to disappear into Bombay’s hidden society of beggars and gangsters, prostitutes and holy men, soldiers and actors, and Indians and exiles from other countries. Based on the author, Gregory David Roberts’ own life, this story is one of those can’t-put-it-down books that will have you hooked until the very last page. It’s a must-read! — Sacha
Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
This is my all-time favorite book. It is a historical fiction novel about the journeys of two sisters during World War II. It has all of the elements that I love in a good romance novel, but what sets this book apart is the raw and honest depiction of the different kinds of wars that the women fought during this time.
I’ve read this book twice now, and each time I find myself wishing that I had Isabel’s strength, admiring Vianne’s dedication to her family, and praying that Gäetan is somewhere safe. It is on the longer side, but I’ve flown through it both times that I’ve read it. If you haven’t picked up this masterpiece yet, now is the time. — Bridget Chambers, Editorial & Social Media Intern
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
I came upon Outlander just after I graduated college in 2007 (I was living back at my parents’ house and needed to fill my time). I stumbled upon this first of this epic time-travel romance and was instantly hooked. It follows a WWII nurse, Claire, who accidentally falls through time and winds up stuck in 1700s Scotland. Love, murder, adventure, and more all follow.
It’s a highly entertaining, sexy, and captivating read that is just as well-written and smart as it is romantic and fantastical. It’s not quite a historical romance novel and it’s not quite sci-fi. Instead, it is its own unique blend that transcends genre. — Lourdes
Emma by Jane Austen
I remember seeing a Jane Austen book on my high school summer reading list and thinking, “Great. I can’t wait to read about repressed 19th-century women pining over guys.” But my knowledge of Austen was clearly lacking back then. In addition to being prolific, Austen was—and honestly still is—one of the funniest novelists in the game. Clueless, well-known to be based on Emma, owes much of its sharpness to Austen’s witty template.
(Another genuinely funny Austen gem is Lady Susan, if you’re a little tired of Emma and her myriad—though excellent—movie adaptions.) What I thought would be a summer reading trudge ended up becoming one of my favorite worlds to return to for years to come. — Caitlin Clark, Contributing Editor
