I think 'The Communist Manifesto' by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels is quite influential. It has had a huge impact on political thought and the development of socialist and communist ideologies around the world.
Plato's 'The Republic' is very important. It delves into ideas about justice, the ideal state, and the role of the individual in society from a political perspective. It's been studied for centuries and still has a great deal of relevance today. For example, its discussions on different forms of government and how they should be structured are really thought - provoking.
One of the most influential is 'The Grapes of Wrath' by John Steinbeck. It chronicles the journey of the Joad family, who are migrants during the Great Depression. It shows the hardships they face, and it has had a profound impact on how we view the immigrant and migrant experience in America. Another is 'The Jungle' by Upton Sinclair, which, although mainly about the meat - packing industry, also delves into the immigrant experience in the United States at that time. It was so influential that it led to changes in food safety laws.
A very important one is 'Our Bodies, Ourselves'. It has been a cornerstone in women's health literature and has chapters that discuss abortion from a woman - centered perspective, including real - life experiences. It empowers women with knowledge about their bodies and the choices they can make.
One of the most influential is 'Pride and Prejudice' by Jane Austen. It gives a great portrayal of society and relationships in the 19th century. Another is 'The Odyssey' by Homer, an epic story full of adventure and moral lessons. Also, 'To Kill a Mockingbird' by Harper Lee is very important as it tackles issues like racism and justice in a small - town American setting.
A great choice could be 'Animal Farm' by George Orwell. It uses a fictional farm setting to satirize political systems and power struggles. It shows how power can corrupt and how ideals can be distorted in a political context. Through the story of the animals on the farm, Orwell makes us think about real - world political situations.
Well, 'The Great Gatsby' is among the most influential fiction books. F. Scott Fitzgerald's work explores themes of wealth, love, and the American Dream. 'Lord of the Flies' by William Golding is very influential too. It shows how quickly civilization can break down when people are left to their own devices. And don't forget 'Harry Potter' series by J.K. Rowling. It has not only been a global phenomenon but also influenced a whole generation's view on magic, friendship, and good vs. evil.
I think 'To Kill a Mockingbird' by Harper Lee can be considered in this regard. Although not directly about motherhood in the obvious sense, Scout's relationship with her father is also influenced by the absence of her mother. It makes us think about how a mother's role could have been and how Scout's view of the world is shaped in part by this lack, which is an interesting take on motherhood in a fictional context.
I think 'Red Clocks' was quite influential. Its portrayal of a world with limited reproductive rights for women sparked a lot of discussions. It made people think about how easily women's rights could be eroded and the importance of fighting for them.
Well, 'The War of the Worlds' by H.G. Wells is really important. It was one of the first to depict an alien invasion, which has influenced countless science fiction works since. 'Foundation' by Isaac Asimov is also a big one. His ideas about psychohistory and the long - term development of civilizations are very thought - provoking. And then there's 'Ender's Game' by Orson Scott Card, which looks at military strategy and the nature of leadership in a sci - fi context.
I think 'The Well of Loneliness' by Radclyffe Hall is quite influential. It was one of the first major works to deal with lesbianism. 'Howl' by Allen Ginsberg also had an impact as it was part of the Beat Generation and had LGBTQ undertones. 'Angels in America' by Tony Kushner is a very important play with LGBTQ themes that has had a big influence on the representation of the community in theater.
The top 10 most influential fiction books are likely to include 'The Great Gatsby' by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Its themes of the American Dream, wealth, and love are still relevant today. 'Lord of the Rings' by J.R.R. Tolkien is also very influential. It created a whole new world of fantasy that has inspired countless other works in the genre. 'Moby - Dick' by Herman Melville, with its complex exploration of obsession and the human struggle against nature, is another influential work.