AS I SIFT through the pages of my personal collection of the best essays to read, I can’t help but feel a profound sense of connection to the authors who penned these words.
While some essays to read have provoked introspection, others have had me bursting into laughter or shedding a tear. They’ve led me through deep philosophical musings and allowed me to experience the joys and sorrows of people I’ve never met. So these essays to read are more than just stories; they are my companions on the journey of understanding, empathy, and self-discovery.
Therefore, each essay on this list has left a lasting impression on me, and I’ve handpicked these essays from diverse corners of literature. These essays, however, are more than just ink on paper; they come from different times and places, each with its unique voice and perspective and they are windows into my own thoughts, emotions, and experiences.
Essays are often written in the first-person, in which writers use their own personal experiences to reflect on a theme or topic for the reader. Many acclaimed authors I love —like James Baldwin and Toni Morrison—combine these pieces into collections of unique social commentary. Let these authors be your guides, just as they have been mine, as we traverse the landscapes of their thoughts and experiences together. Whether you seek solace, enlightenment, or simply a good story, I hope you’ll find it within this list of essays to read.
So, without further ado, let’s dive into this collection of my favorite essays to read and the best essays to read which I thoughtfully curated. You can be sure that any book recommended on this page is worth your time as I obviously read every single one of them. Here are some of the best essays to read.
The top and best essays to read
First of all, these are the top 5 best essays to read. Click on the buttons for more details about the book: from community ratings to book summaries, reviews, and information about the authors.
Our women on the ground
by Zahra Hankir
Bol.com | Amazon |
Waterstones | Bookshop.org
This essay is a volume of stories describing the unique challenges and advantages of several Arab and Middle Eastern female journalists, reporting from some of the most repressive countries in the world and what it’s like.
Notes of a native son
by James Baldwin
Bol.com | Amazon |
Waterstones |
A collection of 10 short essays that recollects the lived experience of a black person in the United States and Europe in the 50s.
The Year of Magical Thinking
by Joan Didion
The Book Depository | Bol.com | Amazon |
Waterstones | Bookshop.org
This beautifully written essay intimately explores the aftermath of her husband’s unexpected death and her daughter’s critical illness, capturing her emotional turmoil and the complex process of grief and healing.
Best personal essays
First of all, I have a special inclination for personal essays. In this genre of writing, the writer shares their personal insights, anecdotes, and perspectives on a particular topic, theme, or event. While personal essays are similar to regular essays, they are way more persuasive and truly put you in other people’s shoes for a moment. Below are my favorite personal essays to read. Use the buttons to delve deeper into the details of the book.
Goodbye to All That
by Joan Didion
The Book Depository | Amazon |
Waterstones | Bookshop.org
A personal literary essay about living in New York, United States, while feeling disconnected.
Letters to a young poet
by Rainer Maria Rilke
Bol.com | Amazon |
Waterstones | Barnes & Noble
A collection of insightful correspondence from renowned poet Rainer Maria Rilke, offering guidance and wisdom to a young aspiring poet, exploring themes of solitude, creativity, and the pursuit of an authentic artistic voice.
Why I Write
by Joan Didion
Bol.com | Amazon |
Waterstones | Barnes & Noble
This book explores the motivations and intricacies behind Joan’s writing journey, offering insights into the profound reasons that drove her creative expression.
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