List of 10 best books of the century by NYT

"Beloved" by Toni Morrison

A powerful, haunting novel about slavery and its aftermath, exploring themes of family, memory, and redemption.

"1984" by George Orwell

A dystopian novel that delves into themes of totalitarianism, surveillance, and individual freedom.

"To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee

A timeless story about racial injustice and moral growth in the Deep South during the 1930s.

"One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

A magical realist novel that chronicles the Buendía family's history in the fictional town of Macondo.

"Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen

A classic romance that also offers a witty critique of social class and expectations in 19th-century England.

"Moby-Dick" by Herman Melville

An epic tale of obsession and revenge, focusing on Captain Ahab's quest to kill the white whale, Moby-Dick.

"War and Peace" by Leo Tolstoy

A sweeping narrative that intertwines personal stories with historical events during the Napoleonic Wars.

"The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger

A coming-of-age story that captures teenage angst and alienation through the eyes of Holden Caulfield.

"The Road" by Cormac McCarthy

A post-apocalyptic novel that follows a father and son's harrowing journey through a devastated landscape.