The 10 Classic Books Everyone Should Read at Least Once in Their Lifetime

Đắc Nhân Tâm by Dale Carnegie is a renowned title that many are familiar with. This is the only self-help book that consistently topped The New York Times bestseller list for a decade. It represents the highest form of human art and encapsulates the profound wisdom of Dale Carnegie's golden principles.

Đắc Nhân Tâm is the first and most remarkable book on communication and interpersonal skills, a work that has brought success and happiness to millions around the world. The book is divided into four parts: basic principles of conduct, six ways to create a positive impression, twelve methods to influence others' thinking, and how to change others without creating resistance or resentment.

Although some of the techniques in Đắc Nhân Tâm might not seem entirely relevant to modern life, the core messages that Carnegie conveys can still be easily understood and applied to daily living. Read Đắc Nhân Tâm and reflect on the lessons it imparts, and you'll surely discover valuable insights for your own journey.

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Gone with the Wind, first published in 1936, is a romantic novel by Margaret Mitchell. Set in Georgia and Atlanta during the American Civil War and the Reconstruction era, the story follows Scarlett O'Hara, a strong-willed Southern belle, as she struggles to survive the war and the hardships of the post-war period.

Scarlett, the beautiful and headstrong daughter of a wealthy plantation owner, must confront immense challenges. After Atlanta falls to Union forces, Scarlett returns to her family's farm and begins rebuilding. With her resilient nature and practical thinking, she saves her home from destruction at the hands of General Sherman's troops. The devastating consequences of the war shape Scarlett into a completely different person by the end of it. Alongside her journey, the novel also explores the life of Rhett Butler, a clever and pragmatic businessman who takes advantage of the war's turmoil for profit. Scarlett and Rhett's relationship is filled with passion, but her pride and misunderstandings lead her to reject his love. It isn't until after their separation that Scarlett realizes that Rhett was her true love all along, while she had mistakenly believed she loved Ashley Wilkes, Melanie's husband.

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To Kill A Mockingbird is a beloved novel by Harper Lee, inspired by the lives of the author’s friends and family, though the names of the characters were changed. The story delves into themes of selfishness, hatred, courage, pride, prejudice, and the stages of life, all set against the backdrop of the Southern United States during the 1930s. It follows the story of two children, Jean Louise 'Scout' Finch and Jeremy 'Jem' Finch, who grow up in Maycomb, Alabama. The plot unfolds over three years, told from the perspective of the younger sibling. The children’s father, a loving and eccentric man, is seen as odd by the townspeople for his unique way of leaving small gifts for his children, and when they are in danger, he appears unexpectedly to protect them. He is also a lawyer who is appointed to defend Tom Robinson, a Black man accused of raping a white woman, Mayella Ewell.

Although the story is narrated from a child’s point of view, To Kill A Mockingbird does not shy away from addressing significant, complex issues such as racial discrimination, rigid prejudices, and gender bias. The child’s perspective is a distinctive and poignant element in the narrative, full of innocence, emotional depth, and moments that foster love and understanding, even in the face of daunting realities.

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The Little Prince is a famous and successful literary work by French author Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. Although this story was written for children, it contains profound lessons that prompt reflection in adults.

The tale follows the Little Prince, who resides on the tiny asteroid B-612. The little prince tends to his planet every day, managing three volcanoes—two active and one dormant—and caring for a single rose. One day, the little prince departs his home to explore the vast universe. He travels to various other asteroids, each inhabited by a strange adult figure, including a king, a vain man, a drunkard, a businessman, and a geographer.

His journey then brings him to Earth, where he discovers a garden full of roses. This causes him great sorrow as he realizes his rose, whom he believed to be unique, is not the only one of its kind in the universe. However, when he meets a fox, the fox teaches him that his rose is special because she has tamed him. Eventually, the little prince meets the narrator and asks him to draw a sheep. In the end, he requests the help of a golden snake, which uses its venom to return the prince to his asteroid and his beloved rose.

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Wuthering Heights is the only novel written by the English author Emily Brontë, first published in 1847 under the pseudonym Ellis Bell. The novel's title comes from a remote manor on the wild moors of Yorkshire, which serves as the backdrop for the events in the story. The novel chronicles the tragic, unfulfilled love story between Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw. It's a tale of forbidden love and obsessive ambition.

The novel delves into the mysterious life of Catherine Earnshaw, a rebellious daughter of the Earnshaw family, and her connection with Heathcliff, a rough, wild, and troubled man her father brought into their home. The backdrop of their passionate yet tragic relationship is set against the bleak, isolated landscape, which mirrors their own tumultuous emotions. Growing up together, their feelings for one another intensify. However, societal pressures, family expectations, and fate stand in their way, and their intense love is destroyed by jealousy and rage. Their love exists in a constant state of hatred and despair, with death marking not an end, but a new beginning—a reunion for their tormented souls. As wild, untamed winds swirl around the ancient mansion, the love of Heathcliff and Catherine endures beyond the grave.

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One Hundred Years of Solitude is the most celebrated novel by Colombian author Gabriel García Márquez, who won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1982. First published in 1967, this masterpiece stirred intense discussions across Latin America and rapidly gained international acclaim.

The novel traces the Buendía family through seven generations, starting with a forefather who is bound to a tree, and concluding with the last member being eaten by ants. The story explores a family's self-imposed exile into solitude to escape the curse of incest. The tale begins when a pirate's attack forces Úrsula Iguarán, an ancestor of the Buendía family, to establish a new life in a remote village. Over three centuries, the Buendía and Iguarán families become intricately intertwined, with successive generations marrying within the family. Disaster strikes when a child is born with a pig's tail, a mythical and tragic symbol that brings an end to the Buendía family line. The narrative reveals that despite the family’s efforts to escape incestuous relationships, they are trapped in a cycle of repetitive history. In this universe of solitude and nostalgia, the theme of incest permeates and concludes the novel's tragic arc.

Through this, One Hundred Years of Solitude delivers a powerful message: a call for people to live authentically, to embrace social connections, and to transcend personal biases and prejudices in order to become integrated with their families and society.

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Hailed as an epic masterpiece of unmatched authenticity, Les Misérables is a timeless literary classic that everyone should read at least once in their lifetime. Despite the passage of time, this work remains beloved in any era or society. It can be said that the great author Victor Hugo has left an unparalleled heroic saga for humanity, particularly for French literature. A passionate romanticist, Hugo celebrated the beauty of idealistic individuals with pure souls, embodying absolute saintliness amid the harsh reality of a deceptive and painful society in an era of chaos.

The story revolves around two tragic figures: Jean Valjean and Fantine, both of whom experience immense suffering. Jean Valjean, a poor man hunted by society for his past crimes, still maintains his compassion and generosity. Fantine, although crushed by society’s cruelty, preserves the purity and dignity of her soul. After his release from prison, Jean Valjean wishes to contribute to society but cannot escape his past. Rejected from an inn, he finds shelter with a bishop who, after being stolen from by Jean, chooses to help him instead of condemning him. The bishop convinces Jean Valjean to become an honest man. Eight years later, Jean Valjean returns as a successful factory owner, forced to adopt a false identity to evade the police. He meets Fantine, who is near death, and later rescues her daughter, Cosette.

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Harry Potter is the title of a seven-part book series by British author J.K. Rowling. The series follows the magical adventures of a young boy, Harry Potter, and his friends, Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger, set at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in England. The central theme revolves around the battle between Harry Potter and the dark wizard, Lord Voldemort, who seeks immortality, aims to dominate the wizarding world, enslave Muggles, and destroy anyone standing in his way, especially Harry Potter. A key theme throughout the books is death.

The series is notable for blending several genres, including fantasy and coming-of-age (with elements of mystery, horror, adventure, and romance), making it highly engaging. It also carries deep cultural significance and serves as a rich source for references.

Titles of the books in the series:

• Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
• Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
• Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

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The Lord of the Rings is an exceptional novel by British author J.R.R. Tolkien. He dedicated much of his life to studying Northern European mythology, including English and Finnish myths. With over 150 million copies sold, this novel has become the second-best-selling book of all time, after 'A Tale of Two Cities.' It is a must-read for everyone at least once in their life.

What sets The Lord of the Rings apart is its vast world-building, featuring Middle-earth, a land inhabited by many races such as humans, dwarves, elves, wizards, hobbits, trolls, orcs, Uruk-hai, Wargs, and Eagles.

The Lord of the Rings is divided into three parts. The first is The Fellowship of the Ring, which details the history of the Ring War. The second part, The Two Towers, is named after the events revolving around Orthanc, Saruman’s fortress, and Minas Morgul, the stronghold guarding the secret entrance to Mordor. This section explores the struggles and dangers faced by the now fragmented fellowship, as the shadow of Great Darkness looms. The third part concludes with the final defense against the Darkness, and the completion of the Ring-bearer’s task, culminating in the return of the King.

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The Alchemist (Nhà Giả Kim) is a renowned novel by the author Paulo Coelho, translated into Vietnamese by Lê Chu Cầu from the original German edition. It has earned a spot among the best-selling books of all time. The novel conveys a powerful message urging readers to pursue their dreams and ambitions.

The story follows Santiago, a young shepherd in Spain, who decides to abandon the path his parents had set for him to embark on a personal journey. Accompanied by a book, which he not only reads but also uses as a pillow at night, Santiago dreams of being led by a child to the Pyramids of Egypt in search of treasure. This marks the beginning of his adventure, a journey in which the author encapsulates Santiago’s quest to “trade everything he has for a dream.”

Throughout his journey, Santiago faces numerous challenges. But with the eyes of an adventurer seeking treasure, a strong belief in good omens, and the courage, sincerity, and determination to pursue his fate, he ultimately learns the language of the universe, discovers how to communicate with his heart, and finds more than just a treasure. Through this story, Paulo Coelho highlights the simple yet profound values of life through the shepherd's treasure-seeking journey.

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