21 Best Books for Men, According to Guys Who Love Reading (2024)

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Updated: May 28, 2024

We tapped authors and other bookish dudes for recommendations on the books for men every guy needs to read

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Recommended by: James Comey, author of Central Park West and Westport

Genre: Classic fiction

The story of two Black sisters living in 20th-century rural Georgia is at the heart of Alice Walker’s modern classic. That’s right: The best books for men aren’t necessarily about men. Reading books by and about people from different walks of life is just one way you can broaden your perspective through the written word.

Originally published in 1982, The Color Purple centers on two sisters’ shared struggles of domestic and sexual abuse amid the prevailing themes of friendship and determination. This book—considered one of the greatest works by a female author and one of the most important books of the past century by any author—has gone on to inspire an award-winning motion picture and a Broadway musical, and another film adaptation came out in 2023.

Why he loves it: “All readers, and especially men, would benefit in a deeper way from reading The Color Purple, a remarkable portrayal of character, suffering and resilience … through the lens of a Black woman’s experience with poverty, patriarchy and trauma. It will rip your heart out but make you a better human.”

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Recommended by: Jack Carr, author of Only the Dead and Red Sky Mourning

Genre: Historical fiction

This work of fictioncenters on the shifting relationship between a young soldier and his adversary. As the two face off on battlefields spanning several locations and decades, they must contend with interpersonal struggles that amount to the ultimate power play. A 1968 bestselling novel, Once an Eagle offers a contemporary take on war and peace and a man’s interpretation of duty and honor.

Why he loves it: “Once an Eagle is, at its core, a case study in leadership juxtaposing the protagonist and antagonist in its presentation of characteristics and attributes of warriors. Its true lesson is to see to your character, and your reputation will see to itself. Regardless of gender, this book is for students: students of warfare, students of history, students of leadership, students of politics and students of the human condition.”

Recommended by: Brad Thor, author of Dead Fall and Shadow of a Doubt

Genre: Motivational self-help

With a focus on overcoming adversity, this self-help book draws upon examples of famous folks who triumphed in the face of challenges. By showcasing the trials of John D. Rockefeller, Amelia Earhart and other historic figures, the author shares hard-earned wisdom to affirm the value of surpassing life’s challenges. Published in 2014, The Obstacle Is the Way continues to resonate with readers by providing a timeless message.

Why he loves it: “I love this book because it not only helped me reframe and reset how I engage with the world, but it also took me to a brand-new level of optimism, joy and excitement for what each day brings. The timeless wisdom of the Stoics is applicable to everyone. No matter who you are, how old you are or where you find yourself in life, the profoundly simple ideas in this book are easy to apply and will have an instant impact.”

Recommended by: DJ Hess, a librarian at Brentwood Public Library in New York

Genre: Classic fiction

Suffering from a book hangover? This read will put you on the road to recovery. Set against the backdrop of Long Island’s North Shore during the roaring twenties, The Great Gatsby is told from the perspective of a young man who befriends a millionaire and his former lover. The lavish parties and socialite lifestyle illustrate for readers the way class, wealth and the American dream play key roles in the pursuit of happiness. A slim novel that was originally published in 1925, The Great Gatsby has since been recognized as one of the greatest works in the American literary canon.

Why he loves it: “It is a good book to read to understand the topic of toxic masculinity. … I believe the novel represents exactly what not to do as a man and how to treat women. The Great Gatsby should be a lesson on speaking up and disagreeing openly with people who abuse their positions in life.”

Recommended by: Abraham Verghese, author of The Covenant of Water

Genre: Magical realism, romance

The universal language of love is the premise of this powerful story, originally published in 1985 by master of magical realism Gabriel García Márquez. When a young woman’s desire for wealth ultimately overrides her relationship with her beloved, he sets out to win her back, despite his many dalliances. A thought-provoking novel, Love in the Time of Cholera demonstrates the power of devotion and true love that stands the test of time.

Why he loves it: “It is a great love story with exquisite writing, and it gives one a long view of love and of relationships—as well as of the lifetime that follows the falling-over-the-cliff-being-in-love phase, which, with any luck, morphs into something even more beautiful. Women will find it resonates with the wisdom they already possess, while most men will find themselves moved, educated and armed with a kind of knowledge that is otherwise hard to come by (or is only acquired when it is too late).”

Recommended by: Garrison Keillor, author of Cheerfulness

Genre: Poetry

English majors aren’t the only ones who can appreciate a little Shakespeare, and this poetry collection features easily digestible pieces of the Bard’s shortest works. With their first publication dating back to 1609, these sonnets have staying power—an understatement if there ever was one. The overarching themes of time, love and beauty amount to a series of poems that begs to be memorized and recited.

Why he loves it: “Because no matter your line of work, you’ll be knee-deep in god-awful English—like sludge, jargon, pretentious mumbo jumbo, AI garbage, sales pitches—and for your own sanity, it’s good to have some beautiful things in your head, such as ‘This thou perceivest, which makes thy love more strong,/ To love that well which thou must leave ere long,’ to remind you to enjoy today.”

Recommended by: Nelson DeMille, author of The Maze

Genre: Science fiction

Amassing more than 1,000 pages, this weighty tome explores the inner workings of the mind and how one’s experience can shape the lives and outcomes of others. As the central characters of Atlas Shrugged wrestle with their life choices and endure the consequences of their actions, the forces of good and evil are masterfully played out. It’s equal parts action, mystery and thriller, with a philosophical angle that will get readers talking.

Why he loves it: “I first read this novel in college, and it was so unlike anything that I’d been reading for school or for pleasure. But at the same time, I felt an affinity for her philosophy of individualism and freedom from bureaucratic control. You might not agree with everything she wrote—I don’t—but most guys will enjoy her strong and self-assured characters. The plot is complex, but the characters, male and female, are straightforward. There’s something in Atlas Shrugged for everyone—male, female, young and old, and people of all political stripes. Plus, there’s some romance and some action/adventure—a perfect gift for Dad, who can pass it on to the family.”

Recommended by: Michael Buono, a reference librarian at Brentwood Public Library in New York

Genre: Self-help

Dispensing sage advice on how to interface with people professionally and socially, is a pioneering title in the self-help genre. Since the book hit store shelves in 1936, Dale Carnegie’s words have served as the guiding principles for job seekers, new graduates and anyone looking to better their interpersonal skills.

Why he loves it: “Despite the fact that it was written a long time ago, the advice is still pertinent (even if the examples are dated). It mostly boils down to ‘be nice, remember people’s names and try to take an interest in other people.’ Carnegie approaches influence from a leadership perspective, and he makes it clear that you must genuinely care on some level for people to care about you.”

Recommended by: James Trevino, aka @james_trevino on Instagram and @james.trevino on TikTok

Genre: Fantasy

Fans of Frodo and the gang know about the epic quest to destroy the One Ring like the back of their hands. But if you’ve only watched the films, now—the 70th anniversary of the first two books—is the perfect time to pick up the mother of all fantasy book series. These are some of the top books for men who love getting lost in other worlds.

Published in three parts—The Fellowship of the Ring (1954), The Two Towers (1954) and The Return of the King (1955)—The Lord of the Rings continues to delight readers of all ages. Even with its hefty size (the one-volume edition is more than 1,200 pages), ambitious bibliophiles will be able to entertain themselves all summer long as they pack their bags and vacation to Middle-earth for the ultimate friendship tale.

Why he loves it: “I love fantasy more than any other genre. Maybe it is because it offers endless possibilities and an escape when the real world becomes too much to handle, or maybe it is just fun. … It truly is hard to find, in my opinion, a fantasy novel that has better examples of positive masculinity. You don’t have to be a guy to appreciate fantastic world-building and great characters.”

Recommended by: William Kent Krueger, author of The River We Remember

Genre: Classic fiction

A perennial favorite in high school classrooms and one of the more thoughtful books for men, The Catcher in the Rye is a coming-of-age story centered on Holden Caulfield, a 16-year-old boy who is perplexed by the adult world. Following his expulsion from prep school, he attempts to navigate the complexities of growing up and understanding the loss of innocence.

Why he loves it: “Adolescence is generally the most confusing time in anyone’s life. Holden Caulfield may not be the most likable character you’ll ever meet, but in his way, he’s dealing with issues that all guys deal with as they come of age: Who am I, why is life so hard and what the hell is it all about? It’s a classic, one with the potential to enlighten readers of all ages and genders.”

Recommended by: Timothy Egan, author of A Fever in the Heartland

Genre: Literary fiction

Fly-fishing, family and even fighting forest fires are at the crux of this American novella set in western Montana. Before it became a movie starring Brad Pitt, A River Runs Through It brought a former English professor out of retirement to write fiction at the age of 70 and debuted on shelves in 1976. Norman Maclean has since passed, but his saga about the unspoiled beauty of nature and the simple life lives on.

Why he loves it: “Well before it was a movie, I carried a dog-eared paperback of this book in my New York Times correspondence travels all over the American West. It’s a story about the duty of fathers and sons, each to each other, and brothers to brothers. Manhood is not just the artistry of fine fly-fishing—doing something well and good in humble anonymity—but saying the things that are too often left unsaid between men. In this case, it’s the simple expression of love. And of course, this book would appeal to women, as we know, because it’s a universal story touching on universal themes: duty, loss, grief.”

Recommended by: Michael Connelly, author of The Waiting, and Nick Ziino, a librarian at Brentwood Public Library in New York

Genre: Classic fiction

If you haven’t read To Kill a Mockingbird already, it’s time to add it to your TBR list. This Pulitzer Prize–winning novel, first published in 1960, is an emotional story told through the eyes of a young white girl growing up in Depression-era Alabama with her attorney father, who defends a Black man accused of raping a white woman. Exploring the complex subjects of racism and prejudice, this novel has become a teaching tool in high school classrooms across the country. And not one but two of the guys we talked to named it as one of those essential books for men of all stages in life.

Why they love it: “I read [this book] the summer I turned 13, and it turned me into a reader, which eventually turned me into a writer,” says Connelly. “The book has so much about fatherhood and what it means to do the right thing even at great risk to yourself and those you care about. It’s about how to be a hero, and every man should read it.”

Ziino agrees. “It shows how to be a good man and father,” he says. “Atticus Finch is the father we all wish we had: flawed but gentle and compassionate. He is a man willing to stand up for what he believes is right and to fight for others. Atticus clearly loves Jem and Scout but is tough with them when necessary. He also teaches them how to treat and respect others.”

Recommended by: Adam White, author of The Midcoast

Genre: Historical fiction

The first in a series of the same name, Lonesome Dove earned the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1986. Through it, author Larry McMurtry takes readers on a journey to a small town in Texas, where two cowboys head west to Montana with cattle in tow. The novel was adapted into a 1989 television miniseries, starring Tommy Lee Jones and Robert Duvall.

Why he loves it: “I found a big old copy of Lonesome Dove on a friend’s bookshelf when I was in college, stole it, read the first few lines and thought, No way in hell am I reading another 800 pages of tiny prose about lonesome doves. But then, this past summer, I picked it up again and started reading, and kept reading—well past midnight—getting lost with all these cowboys and former Texas Rangers as they drove their cattle across the rivers and plains of a vivid and violent American West. McMurtry’s prose isn’t flashy; we are living with these dudes, and I don’t know if they’re all heroes or morons, but it doesn’t really matter—they’re good company. This novel is a true epic, and at times, it gets as sad as an old retired bull. And I referenced a bull just then because I wanted to make sure everyone knows I wasn’t crying or anything. Nothing like that. It just got a little dusty along the trail—that’s all.”

Recommended by: Jay McInerney, author of Bright, Precious Days

Genre: Humorous fiction

First published in 1955 in Paris (and originally a banned book in the United States), The Ginger Man chronicles the adventures of a young American studying in Dublin just after World War II. It’s an entertaining romp of read, profiling a man who pays more attention to satisfying his personal desires than owning up to his responsibilities.

Why he loves it: “Other guys should read it in order to learn how not to behave. Sebastian Dangerfield is a scoundrel and a bit of a misogynist. I love it because it is so damn funny and so politically incorrect, and because the prose is magical and musical and a beautiful hybrid of American and Irish.”

Recommended by: Douglas Preston, author of The Lost Tomb: And Other Real-Life Stories of Bones, Burials and Murder

Genre: Classic fiction

Published in 1940, For Whom the Bell Tolls tells the story of an American who is tasked with blowing up an important bridge during the Spanish Civil War, amid the backdrop of his own love story. It is regarded as one of Ernest Hemingway’s masterpieces about war, love, loyalty and horror.

Why he loves it: “It is one of the greatest war novels ever written. It is about human courage and heroism amid the ugliness and futility of war. This is no glorification of war, but rather it is a testament to the bonds of love and friendship that form between human beings in war. The novel also tells an unforgettable and archetypal love story, which stands in stark contrast to the horrors of war and the destructive power of hatred.”

Recommended by: Walter Mosley, author of Devil in a Blue Dress and Farewell, Amethystine

Genre: Classic fiction, magical realism

Written by the Nobel Prize–winning Gabriel García Márquez, One Hundred Years of Solitude was originally published in 1967 and has been translated into more than 40 languages. It tells the tale of the rise and fall of a multigenerational family, exploring the themes of love, time and human existence through the lens of magic realism and fantasy.

Why he loves it: “Reading this book, I was, at first, greatly challenged. It represented a worldview that I could barely comprehend. But as I read and reread this, I began to understand that a so-called objective view of our world is the greatest falsehood of them all. We don’t see the world as it truly is; we see it through our lying eyes, our faulty memories, our secret (even from ourselves) desires, through the lies we’ve been told and the lies we will tell to get what we want.”

Recommended by: Tommy Orange, author of There There and Wandering Stars

Genre: Coming-of-age fiction

Published in 1977, Song of Solomon follows four generations of Black Americans through a narrative centered on Milkman, a man who struggles to gain his sense of self. This harrowing tale earned the author the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1993. Whether you’re hunting for great books by Black authors or simply want to read one of the most celebrated pieces of fiction from the past century, this novel is a must-read.

Why he loves it: “I think this book addresses the wounds of men more than any of her books. I think men would benefit from reading Toni Morrison and should read all of Morrison’s work because she is one of the very best to ever write, period.”

Recommended by: Garth Risk Hallberg, author of The Second Coming

Genre: Historical fiction

George Eliot (a pseudonym for writer Mary Ann Evans) published Middlemarch, her most famous work, in 1871. The classic novel centers on life in a provincial English town in the mid-19th century and is told from the perspective of two main characters, Dorothea Brooke and Dr. Tertius Lydgate. At over 700 pages, this tome tackles such weighty subjects as love, loyalty, disillusionment and idealism.

Why he loves it: “In an age where we’re increasingly cast back on our own individual selves—our preferences, our likes, our recent purchases and browsing histories—Eliot’s angle of vision feels wide enough to hold us all at once. The characters of the town of Middlemarch are seen in their private hopes, worries, conflicts [and] errors but also always in relationship with each other. The drama is how they see and fail to see the people around them … and in so doing see and fail to see themselves. You’ll look at your life differently after you read this book. The novel is also one of the great deep dives into the mind of a female protagonist, and its appeal across lines of age and gender remains undimmed after [nearly] 160 years.”

Recommended by: Paolo Bacigalupi, author of The Windup Girl and Navola

Genre: Nonfiction

A popular science book published in 2011, Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman delves into the fascinating subjects of how the mind works and divides the brain’s activity into two modes of thought: fast and emotional versus slow and logical. In what is a must-read nonfiction book for anyone who wants to better understand their own mind, the author draws upon his psychological expertise to divulge practical tips and insight for readers to use in their personal and professional lives.

Why he loves it: “Again and again, as we go through life, we’re faced with questions about how to evaluate the world. How to weigh risks and rewards. How to judge other people. When and how to trust. Why or why not take risks. A lot of the time, we make decisions without understanding why we’re actually doing so. We believe we’re being logical, grounded and reasonable when, in fact, we’re relying on often-faulty gut responses—and most troublingly, we have no idea that this is even happening. We make decisions without realizing that we aren’t thinking things through at all. Kahneman does a masterful job of explaining how and why our minds work the way they do and how powerfully and easily we are swayed into error. This book is one that has helped me see my own mind more clearly and, in turn, to see and understand how and why the world around me works the way it does.”

Recommended by: Evan S. Porter, author of Dad Camp

Genre: Self-help

Published in 2013, this self-help book spent eight years on the bestseller list and has been translated into 40 languages. What makes it such a compelling read? Quiet explores how introverts have been given a bad rap over the years and salutes examples of successful people who find strength in solitude.

Why he loves it: “Guys seem to have a lot of self-worth tied up in how much confidence and success we’re able to project outwardly, often by being loud and gregarious. I think a lot of men can relate to inexplicably feeling like a bit of a failure when we’re not the most powerful, charismatic personality in a room. As a pretty quiet guy, this book really had a big impact on how I viewed those social dynamics, and it used data and studies to confirm some of what I already knew: that the loudest voices don’t always have the best ideas and that society will usually assume that they do anyway. It’s a validating and surprising read at the same time. One nugget that’s stuck with me was learning that there used to be a time when ‘having a good personality’ wasn’t even a thing—people were defined by their actions and character instead. Imagine that! Anyone who’s ever felt pressure to ‘perform’ to meet society’s expectations will benefit from reading, as will anyone who wants to be a better leader, father, partner, etc.”

Recommended by: Cory Leadbeater, author of The Uptown Local: Joy, Death and Joan Didion

Genre: Classic fiction

Nearing its 100th anniversary, Virginia Woolf’s 1927 classic centers on a family’s summer vacations to their home on the Scottish coast. In To the Lighthouse, Woolf explores the relationship between men and women and the conflicts they endure, laying the groundwork for the rise of feminism.

Why he loves it: “I can think of no prose writer in English more capable of articulating the sometimes-magnificent, sometimes-maddening inner workings of the human brain. How do we deal with the passage of time, the certainty of death, the mysterious love of our family and friends, and our desperation to feel, for the slightest of moments, actually known? Woolf takes on these questions without ever presuming they might have simple answers. In To The Lighthouse, a well-lived, meaningful life can take many forms: an academic near the end of his good-but-not-transcendent career, a devoted and wildly creative mother with a gift for knowing her children, a young painter desperately clinging to her vision in the face of her own artistic limitations. I think anyone who reads this book will feel they have at last understood something fundamental to the human condition and also that they themselves have at last been understood.”

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Why trust us

At Reader’s Digest, we’ve been sharing our favorite books for over 100 years. We’ve worked with bestselling authors including Susan Orlean, Janet Evanovich and Alex Haley, whose Pulitzer Prize–winning Roots grew out of a project funded by and originally published in the magazine. Through Fiction Favorites (formerly Select Editions and Condensed Books), Reader’s Digest has been publishing anthologies of abridged novels for decades. We’ve worked with some of the biggest names in fiction, including James Patterson, Ruth Ware, Kristin Hannah and more. The Reader’s Digest Book Club, helmed by Books Editor Tracey Neithercott, introduces readers to even more of today’s best fiction by upcoming, bestselling and award-winning authors. For this piece, Pamela Brill tapped her experience as a seasoned journalist specializing in books and a regular contributor to Publishers Weeklyto ensure that all information is accurate and offers the best possible advice to readers. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing, and revisit them over time to ensure theyremainaccurateand up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.

Sources:

• Statista: “54% of Americans read a book this year”
• Gallup: “Americans Reading Fewer Books Than in Past”
• Abraham Verghese, physician, professor and the author of books including The Covenant of Water and Cutting for Stone; email interview, June 4, 2023
• Michael Connelly, author of 39 crime fiction and detective novels, including the Lincoln Lawyer series, and executive producer of two television series based on his books; email interview, May 15, 2024
• Walter Mosley, author of over 60 books, including Devil in a Blue Dress, and an inductee of the New York State Writers Hall of Fame; email interview, May 14, 2024
• Tommy Orange, author of Wandering Stars and There There, a finalist for the 2019 Pulitzer Prize; email interview, May 17, 2024
• Jack Carr, former Navy SEAL and author of books including The Terminal List and True Believer; email interview, May 31, 2023
• Timothy Egan, former columnist for the New York Times and author of books including A Fever in the Heartland and A Pilgrimage to Eternity; email interview, June 7, 2023
• James Comey, former director of the FBI and author of books including Central Park West and A Higher Loyalty; email interview, June 6, 2023
• Brad Thor, author of books including The Lions of Lucerne and The Last Patriot; email interview, June 5, 2023
• DJ Hess, librarian at Brentwood Public Library in New York; email interview, June 5, 2023
• Garrison Keillor, radio personality and author of books including Cheerfulness and Lake Wobegon Days; email interview, June 1, 2023
• Nelson DeMille, author of books including The Maze and Plum Island; email interview, June 5, 2023
• Michael Buono, reference librarian at Brentwood Public Library in New York; email interview, June 5, 2023
• James Trevino, co-founder of @booktours360 and @mybookfeatures; email interview, June 2, 2023
• William Kent Krueger, author of books including The River We Remember and This Tender Land; email interview, June 6, 2023
• Nick Ziino, librarian at Brentwood Public Library in New York; email interview, June 5, 2023
• Adam White, writing instructor and author of The Midcoast; email interview, May 16, 2024
• Jay McInerney, screenwriter and author of books including Bright Lights, Big City and Bright, Precious Days; email interview, May 15, 2024
• Douglas Preston, journalist, co-author of thrillers including The Cabinet of Dr. Leng and author of six solo novels, including the Wyman Ford series; email interview, May 15, 2024
• Garth Risk Hallberg, author of The Second Coming and City on Fire; email interview, May 14, 2024
• Paolo Bacigalupi, author of science fiction and fantasy books including The Windup Girl and The Water Knife; email interview, May 14, 2024
• Evan S. Porter, author of Dad Camp; email interview, May 15, 2024
• Cory Leadbeater, author of The Uptown Local: Joy, Death and Joan Didion; email interview, May 17, 2024

Originally Published: March 11, 2024