Hello and welcome to my podcast My Life and Other Funny Stories. My name is Dagmar Tomášková, I am an English tutor and coach and I created this podcast for English students who want to improve their oral comprehension. As always you can find the transcription of this episode and a vocabulary list in the notes of the podcast. 

Today, we’re diving into literature—specifically, 10 classic American books that I think are worth reading. And since I have a master’s degree in English and American literature and culture, I’m not just pulling these titles out of thin air—I’ve actually read them all, thought about them a lot, and now, I get to share my thoughts with you. Also, I love literature and talking about it. These books are great in a way that they are very often referenced throughout the culture and you can also find them for free on the internet (legally) since the copyright continues to apply for 70 years after an artist or creator dies and a lot of the authors are dead for longer than that. 

Now, before you panic and think, „Oh no, classic literature—that sounds so difficult!“ don’t worry. I’m going to tell you not just what these books are about, but also whether they’re difficult to read and what level of English you’d need to enjoy them. Some are surprisingly easy and engaging, while others… well, let’s just say they might require a bit more effort.

Let’s start with one of the most famous American poems ever written.

1. The Raven – Edgar Allan Poe

This one is a bit different because it’s not a novel—it’s a poem. But The Raven is so iconic that I couldn’t leave it out. It tells the story of a man grieving the loss of his love, Lenore, when a mysterious raven appears and keeps repeating the word Nevermore. The poem is dark, eerie, and full of rhythm and repetition that make it unforgettable. It is really short read, Edgar Allan Poe was a really big promoter of short stories that you can enjoy during your coffee break.

Difficulty level? If you’re a fan of poetry, it’s not too hard, but some of the old-fashioned vocabulary might be a challenge. Definitely one to read with a dictionary nearby or with a Czech translation. It was translated many times, for example by Jaroslav Vrchlický but the translation that I like and prefer is the one by Vitězslav Nezval. It is interesting to see the constructions of sentences and word choices so even though it is not a super-complicated read, but if you are advanced in English, it will definitely give you some insight into the art of translation. 

Now, let’s talk about a book that almost everyone in America reads in school.

2. The Great Gatsby – F. Scott Fitzgerald

Set in the 1920s, this novel follows the mysterious millionaire Jay Gatsby, who throws extravagant parties in hopes of winning back his lost love, Daisy Buchanan. It’s a story about wealth, obsession, and the American Dream—and it’s also one of my personal favorites. The American Dream is definitely a concept that we can talk about in some future episodes. Fitzgerald’s writing is absolutely beautiful, but what makes this book special is how it captures the emptiness behind all the fancy parties and houses. I suppose a lot of you know this book because it is very often included in the list of maturita reading but have you already read it in English? 

Difficulty level? Not too bad! The language is elegant but readable, and it’s a great choice for upper-intermediate learners. I think with a level of B1 or higher, you will be fine. 

3. Of Mice and Men – John Steinbeck

This one is short, heartbreaking, and powerful. It’s about two migrant workers, George and Lennie, who dream of owning a little farm together. But life is cruel, and things don’t go as planned. This book is famous for its emotional impact—don’t expect a happy ending here.

Difficulty level? Pretty easy! The writing is straightforward, and Steinbeck doesn’t use complicated language. Definitely a good choice if you’re not ready for longer, more complex books. I think it still gives you an emotional whiplash. 

4. The Old Man and the Sea – Ernest Hemingway

Speaking of short books, this one is about an old fisherman who goes out to sea and battles a giant whale for days. That’s literally the entire plot. But somehow, Hemingway makes it deep, exploring more complicated themes. His writing is famously simple—he avoids long sentences and unnecessary words—which makes this book a great option for language learners. On the other hand, I can’t say I am the biggest fan of the story. To me, it is quite boring but you can always find the secondary meanings and themes that are hiding under the surface such as achieving a goal and continuing even though it is difficult. Maybe reading the whole book is a practice of it because it is so uneventful, you really need to be determined to finish it and you might know what the main character feels in the book. 

Difficulty level? Easy to read, but the deeper meaning might take a bit more thought.

5. The Catcher in the Rye – J.D. Salinger

This is, for some reason, one of my favourite books ever. I’ve read it many times and every time I had nothing to read, I grabbed this story. 

This is the ultimate book about teenage rebellion. The main character, Holden Caulfield, is a 16-year-old who gets kicked out of school and spends a few days wandering around New York, criticizing everything and everyone. Some people love him, others find him annoying, but there’s no doubt that this book captures a certain kind of loneliness. I love the language, I love the progression of the story and yes, there are no dragons or heartbreaking deaths, but it is still extremely catching and I just love it. 

Difficulty level? Medium—Holden uses a lot of slang and informal speech, which can be tricky for non-native speakers, on the other hand it is great to expand your vocabulary. 

6. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer – Mark Twain

This book follows a mischievous boy named Tom Sawyer as he tricks his friends into painting a fence for him, runs away to an island, and gets involved in a dangerous mystery. Twain’s storytelling is full of humor and adventure, which makes it a fun read but it is not my favourite book. I like the description of the life of a young boy in the American South in 1840s. 

Difficulty level? A bit tricky because of the old-fashioned Southern dialect, but still manageable if you’re patient.

7. Walden – Henry David Thoreau

This one is more philosophical. It’s about a man who moves to a cabin in the woods and spends two years living simply, reflecting on life, nature, and society. If you’ve ever dreamed of escaping the modern world, this might be for you. He writes it as a manual in a way. And you can find a lot of interesting thoughts within the story. I really like some of the quotes from this book that are especially applicable for the society nowadays where the life is so quick, for example: 

“Live in each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influence of the earth.”

“The cost of a thing is the amount of what I will call life which is required to be exchanged for it, immediately or in the long run.”  which means that the price of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it. Not money. What does it cost you in terms of your life on this Earth? And is it worth it? 

Difficulty level? This read is very difficult. Thoreau’s writing is dense, poetic, and full of long sentences. It’s definitely not a beginner-friendly book.

8. Leaves of Grass – Walt Whitman

Another poetry collection! Whitman’s poems celebrate nature, freedom, and the human spirit. His writing feels modern, even though it was written in the 19th century. If you’re looking for something inspiring and full of life, this is a great choice. I had a whole subject dedicated to Whitman and it was very interesting. But if you don’t enjoy poetry, his work is really really not for you. Also it might be more enjoyable for you than it was for me because our professor forced us to analyze every single line and it was dreadful. Sometimes I understood it. But more often than not, I really had no idea what Whitman wanted to say to me by his rhymes. On the other hand, the theme of the poetry is quite clear if you don’t analyze it in detail. 

Difficulty level? Medium—some poems are easy, others are more complex.

And now, for my final two picks…

9. To Kill a Mockingbird – Harper Lee

Set in the American South during the 1930s, this novel follows a young girl named Scout as she witnesses her father, a lawyer, defend a Black man falsely accused of a crime. It’s a book about racism, justice, and growing up, and it’s one of the most widely loved American novels because it is evergreen. The problem of racism is still very much present in the American society. 

Difficulty level? Not too hard! The language is clear, and it’s written from a child’s perspective, which makes it more accessible.

10. Slaughterhouse-Five – Kurt Vonnegut

This one is… weird. It’s about a man named Billy Pilgrim who becomes „unstuck in time,“ jumping back and forth between different moments in his life—including his time as a soldier in World War II. It’s funny, tragic, and completely unique.

Difficulty level? It is not easy. It can be playful but confusing at times.

And that is it. This is my list of books. Of course, it is not an exclusive list of the most famous American classic books but these are the books that I have read and belong into that category. If you’re learning English, my advice is to start with something short , like Of Mice and Men or The Old Man and the Sea, before moving on to more complex books.

And remember, reading in a foreign language isn’t just about understanding every single word—it’s about diving into the culture, the rhythm of the language, and the stories that have shaped it.

That’s it for today! Let me know if you’ve read any of these books or if you have your own favorites. 

Thank you so much for listening to this episode and don’t forget that you can find the transcription and vocabulary list in the notes. Please give it a five-star rating if you liked it and I will see you next time, bye-bye.