The top 10 best books of all time - including two by the same author

From the classics to epic series, there are so many must-reads out there. If you are a bit of a bookworm you probably already have a list that you are working your way through - but you still may be missing a few.

And here's where we can help - as these are the most voted for books that everyone should read at least once in their life, according to the book-lovers' website Goodreads, which has listed Time Magazine's All-Time best 100 English language Novels from 1923 to 2005. Here are the top ten, and there are two by the same author.

10. The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck

The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck is an epic novel. The synopsis reads: The Joad family are forced from their Oklahoma farm during the Dust Bowl and Great Depression to seek work and a better life in California, only to find themselves facing poverty, exploitation, and prejudice. The family's arduous journey along Route 66 highlights themes of human dignity, the conflict between the powerful and powerless, and the struggle for survival and unity amidst overwhelming hardship.

9. Catch-22 by Joseph Heller

Catch-22 is Joseph Heller's satirical novel about Captain John Yossarian. The book's synopsis reads: "During World War II he tries to avoid flying dangerous combat missions by proving he is insane. However, his attempts are thwarted by the eponymous Catch-22: a paradoxical military rule stating that requesting to be relieved of duty proves sanity, thus disqualifying one from being relieved. The novel is known for its fragmented, non-chronological narrative and explores themes of war's absurdity, bureaucratic corruption, and the struggle for survival against illogical systems."

8. Animal Farm by George Orwell

Animal Farm follows a group of farm animals as they revolt against their human owner, Farmer Jones. The book's main theme of power mirrors society. Initially, the animals achieve equality and therefore success, but quickly, the pigs abuse their power and exploit their fellow animals.

7. Lord of the Flies by William Golding

William Golding's book follows: "British schoolboys stranded on a deserted island who descend from civilized order to primal savagery, exploring human nature's dark side through their attempts to form a society that collapses into tribal conflict, hunting, and ritualistic violence."

6. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (Chronicles of Narnia, #1) by C.S. Lewis

This series explores the fantasy land of Narnia where mystical animals and creatures live. The stories are told through the eyes of children who have been magically transported into the world of Narnia. The books detail themes of good versus evil and sacrifice. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe follows four siblings who stumble upon a magical world and embark on an epic adventure to save it from an evil witch's icy grip.

5. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

The Great Gatsby is set in the Jazz age of Long Island in 1920s America. It follows the lives of Jay Gatsby, a self-made millionaire, and Daisy Buchanan, a wealthy young woman whom Gatsby is pursuing and loved in his youth. The book was written in 1925, but it still remains one of the classics and many people's favourite.

4. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

This novel from Salinger follows the experiences of 16-year-old Holden Caulfield after he's been expelled from school. It deals with feelings of alienation, the adult world and trying to find a sense of belonging. Holden travels to New York while dealing with these feelings of disconnection. At its core, The Catcher in the Rye is a coming-of-age story.

3. The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

This covers the three books of Tolkien's iconic trilogy that was famously adapted for film. The books follow The One Ring, which is a powerful artifact that has been faked by the Dark Lord Sauron and so it becomes hobbit Frodo Baggin's mission to destroy it. This journey, with the help of the Fellowship, is what the novels follow and is crucial in attempting to defeat Sauron and saving Middle-earth.

2. 1984 by George Orwell

An incredible book that has influenced the world, and the second of the author's to appear on the list, Orwell's 1984 is a dystopian tale that follows one man's Nightmare Odyssey as he pursues a forbidden love affair through a world that is ruled by warring states and has a tough power structure. The popular reality television show Big Brother was directly inspired by Orwell's classic tale.

1. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Lee's poignant story follows a young girl and her brother as they deal with the prejudice of their small town. When their father must defend a Black man who is falsely accused of rape, the children must face the harsh realities of racism. The story's themes include morality and innocence through a young lens.