10 Long Books To Read In 2025

If you are a reader looking to dive into profound narratives, sweeping sagas, and richly woven stories that demand both your time and attention, this list is your ultimate guide. These long books not only stretch across hundreds or even thousands of pages but also deliver deep literary satisfaction, offering unforgettable experiences that stay with you long after the final chapter. Below is a list of 10 long books to read in 2025.

1. War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy

War and Peace stands as a towering monument in world literature. With more than 1,200 pages depending on the edition, Tolstoy’s epic masterpiece is a profound examination of humanity during the Napoleonic Wars. The novel seamlessly blends history, philosophy, romance, and psychological depth. The sprawling narrative follows Pierre Bezukhov, Andrei Bolkonsky, and Natasha Rostov, charting their development amidst historical turbulence. Rich in character development and grand in scale, this book rewards patient readers with one of the deepest literary experiences ever crafted.

2. Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace

Infinite Jest is a postmodern behemoth that challenges conventional storytelling. David Foster Wallace delivers an astonishingly intricate narrative involving a tennis academy, a rehab center, and a mysterious film so entertaining it's lethal. Spanning over a thousand pages with hundreds of endnotes, it delves into addiction, entertainment, philosophy, and American culture. It's a literary puzzle that demands focus but pays off with brilliance, dark humor, and unrivaled originality.

3. Les Misérables by Victor Hugo

Victor Hugo’s magnum opus dissects the human condition while also offering dramatic action and intense emotional resonance. This is a novel that explores redemption, justice, love, and revolution, all through a rich tapestry of memorable characters and lyrical prose.

4. Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell

Following the fiercely independent and complex Scarlett O'Hara, the novel portrays the fall of the Old South and the rise of a new world. With its vivid historical detail, unforgettable characters, and emotional intensity, Margaret Mitchell’s only novel captures a pivotal moment in history with sweeping grandeur.

5. Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand

A cornerstone of objectivist philosophy and a landmark in modern political fiction, Atlas Shrugged asks a critical question: What happens when the creative minds of society go on strike? This monumental novel intertwines mystery, romance, and economic theory in a dystopian vision of America. It follows Dagny Taggart, a railroad executive, and John Galt, the man behind the myth, through a journey of ideological awakening and revolution. It's a provocative, deeply intellectual novel that demands attention and contemplation.

6. Against the Day by Thomas Pynchon

Thomas Pynchon is known for his dense and complex works, and Against the Day is one of his most ambitious. Spanning from the 1893 Chicago World's Fair to the years after World War I, this novel weaves together dozens of characters in a genre-blending narrative full of anarchists, mathematicians, spies, adventurers, and airship explorers. With layers of satire, alternate realities, and rich historical allusions, Pynchon creates a kaleidoscopic vision of a world teetering between modernity and chaos. It’s intellectually demanding but thrillingly imaginative.

7. The Man Without Qualities by Robert Musil

The Man Without Qualities is a literary colossus—a philosophical and satirical analysis of early 20th-century Austro-Hungarian society. Although left unfinished at the time of Musil’s death, the novel remains a cornerstone of modernist literature. It follows Ulrich, a man of intellect but little ambition, as he navigates an absurd and decaying empire on the brink of World War I. The novel explores existential themes, the collapse of values, and the contradictions of human thought with razor-sharp intellect and lyrical brilliance.

8. The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky

Though technically under 1,000 pages, The Brothers Karamazov reads with such intellectual weight and emotional depth that it easily feels longer—and more profound—than most novels twice its length. Dostoevsky’s final masterpiece explores faith, free will, morality, and the existence of God through the intertwined fates of the Karamazov brothers: Dmitri, Ivan, Alyosha, and the sinister shadow of their father, Fyodor. This novel challenges the reader on every level, blending philosophical dialogues, courtroom drama, spiritual conflict, and psychological complexity into a profoundly transformative reading experience.

9. Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes

Often regarded as the first modern novel, Don Quixote is a work of comic genius and philosophical depth. The tale of the idealistic knight errant Don Quixote and his loyal squire Sancho Panza explores reality versus illusion, the nature of heroism, and the transformative power of imagination. Though written in the 17th century, it remains relevant, humorous, and thought-provoking for modern readers.

10. Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts

While slightly under the 1,000-page mark, Shantaram earns its place for the sheer density and richness of its narrative. Based on the author’s own life as an escaped Australian convict who finds a new life in the underworld of Bombay, Shantaram combines thrilling adventure, deep philosophical musing, and vivid cultural exploration. Its gripping pace and textured storytelling make it feel even larger than it is.

Why Long Books Are Worth the Commitment

Long novels offer something that shorter works often cannot: depth of character, immersive world-building, and emotional investment that grows over hundreds of pages. These books become companions, offering insights into different eras, cultures, ideologies, and inner lives. They’re not just books—they’re journeys.

Whether you’re drawn to historical epics, philosophical treatises, or genre-defining sagas, each of these long books provides an experience that is as rewarding as it is enduring. Don’t let the page count deter you—the literary treasures waiting within these covers are worth every moment spent reading.