Best Books by American Authors: Greatest American Novels 2024

Ayantika Pattanayak

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Best Books by American Authors

Best Books by American Authors: Welcome to our guide on ‘Best Books by American Authors’! As March is Reading Month in the USA, students are flocking to bookshops, eager to find the perfect reads for their studies and leisure. But with so many choices, it can be overwhelming. 

So, here we will be going through some of the best books by American authors from the latest releases to timeless classics. Without further ado let’s check it out.

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A List Of The Best Books By American Authors

Best books by American authors

Check out the list of some of the best books by American authors below which can be a good company to enjoy in your student accommodation in USA. Each selection offers a unique mix of storytelling, themes, and tragedy, making them essential reads for both young and old. 

John Steinbeck’s “The Grapes of Wrath”

John Steinbeck’s “The Grapes of Wrath” is a novel that won many prizes and is now considered one of the best books by American authors. It tells the story of the Joad family, who are forced to leave their farm in Oklahoma. Then they decide to go to California to find work and a better life.

Steinbeck’s story shows the Joads’ journey in a way that criticizes the unfair economic conditions of the time and also shows how people can be strong and resilient. This book helps us understand how people can face hardships and still keep going. In 1962, Steinbeck received the Nobel Prize in Literature after winning the National Book Award and Pulitzer Prize for fiction.

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby” (1925)

“The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald, published in 1925, tells the story of Jay Gatsby, a wealthy man who throws lavish parties to win back his old love, Daisy. The book shows how money and appearances can’t guarantee happiness. 

It’s a classic tale of tragedy about love, ambition, and the complexities of the human spirit. This book also gives us a glimpse into the social and economic realities of the 1920s. You can buy it on Amazon.

Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird” (1960)

You can read Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird” and explore the cafes in the USA on a Sunday morning if you’re bored. Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird” (1960) is a novel set in a small Southern town, following Scout and Jem Finch, the two main characters. 

This is one of the best books by an American author Harper Lee and has become a cornerstone of American literature. You can buy it anytime on Amazon.

Margaret Mitchell’s “Gone with the Wind” (1936) 

“Gone with the Wind” by Margaret Mitchell, published in 1936, is about Scarlett O’Hara, a Southern girl. It shows her life before and after the Civil War in Georgia. 

The book is a big story about love and war. It talks about how people can be strong even in tough times. “Gone with the Wind” is loved by many because it tells a story that lasts through time and is regarded as one of the best books by American author Margaret Mitchell.

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Best Books by African-American Authors

African American voices have woven themselves into the very fabric of American literature for centuries. These writers tell stories that capture past experiences. 

Through their works, they shed light on the search for equality and slavery. As we study the works of these authors, we gain a deeper understanding of dark culture, as well as a deeper understanding of the complexities of life. Check out some of the best books by African-American authors below.

AuthorsNotable Works
Toni MorrisonBeloved, Song of Solomon
James BaldwinGo Tell It on the Mountain, If Beale Street Could Talk, The Fire Next Time
Alice WalkerThe Color Purple, The Temple of My Familiar
Maya AngelouI Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, And Still I Rise, The Heart of a Woman
Ralph EllisonInvisible Man
Zora Neale HurstonTheir Eyes Were Watching God, Jonah’s Gourd Vine
Chimamanda Ngozi AdichieHalf of a Yellow Sun, Americanah, Purple Hibiscus
Kiley ReidSuch a Fun Age
KindredOctavia Butler
Langston HughesThe Weary Blues, Montage of a Dream Deferred, The Negro Speaks of Rivers
Octavia ButlerParable of the Sower, Kindred, Dawn
Richard WrightNative Son, Black Boy, Uncle Tom’s Children
Alex HaleyRoots: The Saga of an American Family
Brit BennettThe Vanishing Half, The Mothers
Yaa GyasiHomegoing
Zadie SmithWhite Teeth, On Beauty, Swing Time
Amiri BarakaDutchman, The Autobiography of LeRoi Jones/Amiri Baraka
Colson WhiteheadThe Underground Railroad, The Nickel Boys
Toni Cade BambaraGorilla, My Love, The Salt Eaters
W. E. B. Du BoisThe Souls of Black Folk, Black Reconstruction in America
William Wells BrownClotel; or, The President’s Daughter
Angie ThomasThe Hate U Give, On the Come Up
Chinua AchebeThings Fall Apart, No Longer at Ease, Arrow of God

Modern American Authors List

Modern American authors

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Modern American authors like Aaron Sorkin, Margaret Atwood, Sherman Alexie, and more have contributed richly diverse literature to contemporary culture. Our lives are influenced greatly by their books. Check out some of the amazing modern American authors below. 

  • Aaron Sorkin
  • Margaret Atwood
  • Toni Morrison (1931–2019)
  • Cormac McCarthy (1933–2023)
  • Jonathan Franzen
  • Sherman Alexie
  • Maya Angelou (1928–2014)
  • Philip Roth (1933–2018)
  • J. K. Rowling
  • George R. R. Martin
  • Stephen King
  • Woody Allen
  • E. E. Cummings (1894–1962)
  • Alice Walker
  • T. S. Eliot (1888–1965)
  • Joan Didion (1934–2021)

FAQs on Best Books by American Authors

What are the best books by American authors?

The best books by American authors include John Steinbecks The Grapes of Wrath, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, Mark Twain’s Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Harper Lees’s To Kill a Mockingbird, J.D. Salingers The Catcher in the Rye, Margaret Mitchells Gone with the Wind, Ray Bradburys Fahrenheit 451, Nathaniel Hawthorne The Scarlet Letter, Toni Morisons Beloved, Truman Capotes In Cold Blood, Ralph Ellisons Invisible Man, and Herman Melvilles Moby-Dick, and more.

What is America’s most-read book?

Pride and Prejudice is one of the most-read books in America.

Who is the most famous American author?

Some of the most famous American authors include
-Mark Twain.
-F. Scott Fitzgerald
-Ernest Hemingway
-Toni Morrison
-J.D. Salinger
-Edgar Allan 
-Nathaniel Hawthorne
-John Steinbeck and more.

Who wrote the greatest American novel?

Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin (1852) is frequently referred to as the Great American Novel.

What is America’s most loved novel?

To Kill a Mockingbird is one of America’s most loved novels.

Thank you for reading our blog. This blog is all about the best books by American authors. Hope you like it. For booking the best accommodation abroad to start your study abroad experience you can contact Fly Homes at 1800572118. 

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About Ayantika Pattanayak

With almost three years of experience as a content writer and editor, including freelancing in the field, I have developed a strong passion for continuous learning and honing my writing skills. I am dedicated to expanding my knowledge and expertise in content creation, always seeking opportunities for growth. My primary goal is to deliver valuable and captivating content that goes beyond expectations. Through my work, I aspire to make a meaningful impact and exceed the needs of my clients.

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