25 Books Every Bookworm Needs To Read Before They're 25

Whether you read or listen to them, these books are essential material.

We hope you love the products we recommend! Just so you know, BuzzFeed may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. Oh, and FYI — prices are accurate and items in stock as of time of publication.

One year old: Where's Spot? by Eric Hill.

Amazon

Fact: everyone who had a shelf full of Spot books became a dog lover later in life!

Price: £5.44.

Two years old: The Tiger Who Came To Tea by Judith Kerr.

Amazon

First published in 1968, this children's book spun a theatrical production and a TV adaptation that will appear on our screens this Christmas.

Price: £4.00.

Three years old: The Very Hunger Caterpillar by Eric Carle.

Amazon

This one is an absolute classic! One wonders whether the caterpillar's hunger ever be satisfied? Probably not.

Price: £4.98.

Four years old: The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson.

Amazon

As the winner of several prizes for children's literature and the inspiration for both a West End and Broadway production as well as an Oscar nominated animated film, The Gruffalo, has had a pretty illustrious 20 years!

Price: £4.77.

Five years old: Where's Wally? by Martin Handford.

Amazon

Okay, so technically Where's Wally? books don't typically involve a lot of reading, but can you imagine having had a childhood without it?! Whether you just played when you were in the waiting room of the doctors or were lucky enough to have your own copy at home, this was the best way to wile away the hours.

Price: £6.45.

Six years old: The Witches by Roald Dahl.

Amazon

An essential part of your childhood is developing irrational fears of things that definitely won't happen but convincing yourself that they will. Take, The Witches, for example, which managed to convince me that I would meet a real life witch who would turn me into a mouse.

Price: £5.64.

Seven years old: The Horrible Histories Series by Terry Deary.

Amazon

Hands up if you learned everything you know about history from these bad boys? Same TBH.

Price: from £7.99.

Eight years old: Charlotte's Web by E. B. White.

Amazon

If you weren't crying over this at eight years old while vowing to become a vegetarian then I don't want to know you.

Price: £4.96.

Nine years old: The Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling.

Amazon

Similarly, if you weren't marvelling at the magic of Hogwarts and getting totally absorbed in the antics of Harry, Ron, and Hermione, then you need to correct that RN.

Price: from £4.00.

10 years old: Stig of the Dump by Clive King.

Amazon

What 10-year-old didn't want to find their very own cave man to hang out with?

Price: £5.99.

11 years old: The Diary of a Young Girl: Definitive Edition by Anne Frank.

Amazon

Anne Frank's diary is essential reading for anyone and everyone. The real world account of someone who lived through and suffered from the atrocities of Nazi Germany really helps to put life into perspective.

Price: £6.18.

12 years old: Charm School by Anne Fine.

Amazon

This lol-worthy read about pageantry and pressed powder was lampooning plastic high-school girls before Mean Girls was even a thing! Anne Fine, who also penned Madame Doubtfire, is a fab writer whose quick wit will resonate with any tweenager.

Price: £6.99.

13 years old: Girls in Love by Jacqueline Wilson.

Amazon

Tweens everywhere learned to examine the concept of friendship, the dynamics of a family, and the awkward realities of sex from Jacqueline Wilson's books. Girls in Love (and its sequels) were particularly enlightening.

Price: £5.99.

14 years old: Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli.

Amazon

The movie adaptation, Love, Simon, was a huge hit last year – so it's time to contrast and compare! This novel deals well with the silent trauma of being a closeted gay teenager, whilst also being a cute, humorous, and intriguing read.

Price: £5.65.

15 years old: His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman.

Amazon

No childhood is complete without at least a cursory read of this incredible trilogy. Like Harry Potter on steroids, these books go between familial drama, dystopian conflict, and sheer fantasy. I honestly can't laud them enough!

Price: £12.52.

16 years old: Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy.

Amazon

Bypass Tolstoy's War and Peace and instead try to conquer this 800-pager which takes a look at Imperial Russian society. Bonus: you'll look real smart lugging this thing around.

Price: £2.50.

17 years old: Little Women by Louisa May Alcott.

Amazon

TBH, you've probably already reluctantly read Little Women at school, but this is definitely one to re-read without the commentary of a teacher. Plus, this book cover will look so nice on your shelf.

Price: £11.26.

18 years old: The Beach by Alex Garland.

Amazon

Yes, you might have already seen the film where Leo is undeniably at his peak (don't @ me), but the book is actually much darker. Read along as a seemingly idyllic utopian community cascades into a bleak Lord of the Flies-esque downfall.

Price: £6.99.

19 years old: The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Attwood.

Amazon

This dark dystopian novel feels more pertinent than ever. Peak into our near-future? Maybe.

Price: £5.92.

20 years old: Educated by Tara Westover.

Amazon

First off, Tara Westover is amazing. Even without the book, she's done so well for someone who was so against the odds. Secondly, the girl can write. This book will have you banging on about it to everyone you know.

Price: £6.29.

21 years old: The Good Immigrant by Nikesh Shukla and various contributors.

Amazon

This collection of essays explores a myriad of experiences of being an immigrant in the UK. From Emmy-winning actor Riz Ahmed to poet, performer and author Salena Godden, the collection is moving, honest, funny and everything else inbetween.

Price: £5.78.

22 years old: Sapiens by Yuval Harari.

Amazon

Intelligence is sexy, amiright? Feel your thirst for knowledge being quenched with a read of Sapiens (or the follow-up Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow).

Price: £7.69.

23 years old: Less by Andrew Sean Greer.

Amazon

Laugh, cry and ruminate with Arthur Less as he travels around the globe in order to escape attending his ex's wedding.

Price: £6.07.

24 years old: Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

Amazon

A beautiful and devastating story of love, family, and loss during the Biafran War. Chimamanda's magic is in her ability to transport you across time and space.

Price: £6.29.

25 years old: Normal People by Sally Rooney.

Amazon

Sally Rooney is like, a big thing and for good reason. While her debut novel, Conversations with Friends deserves a read, Normal People will capture your heart, churn it around a bit and then spit it back out.

Price: £4.50.