Pulitzer- and Nobel Prize–winning author John Steinbeck is best known for the timeless power of his books. Many readers are drawn by his strong focus on the marginalized, stirring up an empathy for the dispossessed and ordinary folk.
His astute observations of American life paint a memorable picture of the chosen time period. For example, The Grapes of Wrath is set during the Great Depression, observing the plight of migrant farmworkers, while Of Mice and Men is set during the 1930s, featuring two itinerant works who start their jobs on a ranch in California.
Best John Steinbeck Books to Read Right Now
If you’ve never read any of John Steinbeck’s books, we have compiled a list to help you get started:
1. East of Eden
Set in the Salinas valley, this epic novel tells the story of several generations of the Trask and Hamilton families. It looks into the issue of morality, control over one’s life, and many other questions that the first human beings struggled with in the Garden of Eden.
2. Grapes of Wrath
In this novel, Steinbeck explores the plight of tenant farmers during the Great Depression, as economic hardship, drought, and changes in the agricultural industry force the Joad family from their home in Oklahoma.
3. Travels with Charley: In Search of America
This 1962 travelogue records a road trip that Steinbeck himself took around the United States, with the loyal companionship of his poodle Charley. Through this book, he looks into many random topics, including giant sequoias and growing old.
4. Cannery Row
In this book, Mack and his friends want to show appreciation for their friend named Doc, who has always been kind to them without asking anything in return. They get the idea to throw Doc a thank-you party, which immediately gets the whole community involved.
5. Tortilla Flat
In this novel, Steinbeck explores themes from the legend of Arthur, setting “Camelot” on a Californian hillside. Danny’s house functions sort of like the castle of the legendary Arthur, where men gather for a sense of belonging and adventure as they resist the tide of corruption.
6. Of Mice and Men
In this classic novel, Steinbeck takes a close look at the lives of George and Lennie, two itinerant workers at a ranch in California during the 1930s. The story takes place over four days, giving us a glimpse into the difficulty and loneliness of the poor people working in these conditions.
7. Sweet Thursday
This sequel to Cannery Row is set in Monterey, California. Doc has come back from the war, and is shocked to find all the changes in his hometown, with most of the people he knew either gone or dead.
8. The Pearl
Kino is a diver for pearls, just like the other men in his family before him, and this provides everything his family needs. What happens when, on one dive, Kino comes up from the water with a pearl the size of a seagull’s egg?
9. The Wayward Bus
This book revolves around a single bus journey along the back roads of California, giving us a look into the internal monologues of the three strangers on the bus ride: a stripper, a wife struggling with alcoholism, and a traveling salesman.
10. The Moon is Down
This book traces the events as English planes drop, via parachute, small parcels containing chocolates as well as dynamite sticks. As Colonel Lanser’s army panics, they take a couple of hostages, threatening to execute the mayor, town historian, and doctor.
11. The Pastures of Heaven
This collection of short stories includes 12 intertwined stories about the Corral de Tierra, a valley in California, which a Spanish corporal discovers while chasing runaway slaves. Awed by the beauty of the valley, he names it “The Pastures of Heaven.”
12. To a God Unknown
Joseph Wayne is a rancher who grows up with a special bond to the land, leading him to build his own homestead in California. This story documents his journey west, as well as the struggles he faces setting up his homestead, his friendship with his vaquero Juanito, and the challenge of surviving the periodic droughts in the area.
Reading John Steinbeck Books
John Steinbeck’s books can be heartbreaking, as they depict the struggles many characters in poverty; but at the same time, his honest portrayal of the joys and challenges of life help to broaden our perspective.
If you’ve never read any of his books, we recommend starting with his most famous works, or you can also pick the story that you are most curious about.
Did you find this post helpful? Let us know in the comments below!
If you enjoyed this post, then you might also like:
- 10 Best Books by Kurt Vonnegut to Read Next
- 10 Magical Books by Neil Gaiman
- 11 of the Best Books by David Baldacci
- 17 Popular Books by Asian Authors to Diversify Your Reading List
Yen Cabag is the Blog Writer of TCK Publishing. She is also a homeschooling mom, family coach, and speaker for the Charlotte Mason method, an educational philosophy that places great emphasis on classic literature and the masterpieces in art and music. She has also written several books, both fiction and nonfiction. Her passion is to see the next generation of children become lovers of reading and learning in the midst of short attention spans.
