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Americans were striving to survive the Great Depression, Amelia Earhart flew across the Atlantic, FDR was elected president, the Prohibition came to an end, Babe Ruth hit his final home run, World War II began, and these are the books they were reading.
All of the books included on this list were published in the 1930s. This list is not exhaustive, but that’s on purpose. My goal is not to give you ALL the books published in the 1930s but only those that are still popular among readers today. In other words, the books that have stood the test of time.
The 1930s books on this list include a wide variety of genres, including humor, detective novels, historical fiction, dystopian science fiction, fantasy, and wonderful children’s classics.
As I’ve said many times before, if you don’t know where to start, I always recommend picking up a children’s classic, and this list is full of several must-reads (in my humble opinion), such as Little House in the Big Woods and The Yearling. Another good option is one of the Agatha Christie novels or The Hobbit.
Whatever you choose, I really think you can’t go wrong with any of these books.
While this list can be used by anyone, it may also help readers who are participating in the Reading Through the Decades Reading Challenge.
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Books from the 1930s That Are Still Worth Reading
Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ransome (Book 1 of 12) (1930)
Swallows and Amazons follows the outdoor adventures and imaginative play of two groups of children, the Swallows and the Amazons, during their summer holiday on a lake in the English Lake District. Their escapades include sailing, camping, and an elaborate pirate fantasy, fostering a deep camaraderie and respect for the natural world.
- Length: 371 pages
- Genre: Children’s Classic
- Publication Year: 1900
Very Good, Jeeves by P. G. Wodehouse (Jeeves & Wooster, Book 4) (1930)
Very Good, Jeeves is a collection of short stories by P.G. Wodehouse. It features the affable but bumbling aristocrat Bertie Wooster and his clever, unflappable valet, Jeeves. Throughout the stories, Jeeves extricates Bertie and his friends from various social and personal predicaments with his characteristic wit and ingenuity. Even though this is the fourth book in the series, fans say that it doesn’t matter what order you read them in.
- Length: 272 pages
- Genre: Humorous Fiction
- Publication Year: 1930
The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett (1930)
The Maltese Falcon is a riveting detective story centered around Sam Spade, a sharp and somewhat cynical private investigator in San Francisco. As Spade gets entangled in a hunt for a priceless statuette, he navigates a tricky web of deceit, betrayal, and murder with a cool head and a touch of dry humor.
- Length: 217 pages
- Genre: Detective
- Publication Year: 1930
The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck (1931)
The Good Earth is an evocative tale that transports us to early 20th-century China, following the life of Wang Lung, a humble farmer. Through his journey from poverty to wealth, the novel beautifully explores themes of family loyalty, the struggle for survival, and the impact of societal changes on traditional values. This book was the number-one bestseller for two years in a row. See below.
- Length: 384 pages
- Genre: Historical Fiction
- Publication Year: 1931
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley (1932)
Brave New World is a thought-provoking novel that invites us into a futuristic society where people are genetically engineered and conditioned for their roles in a seemingly harmonious world without conflict. However, as the story unfolds through the eyes of the outsider, John, we see the cracks in this utopia, exploring deep questions about individuality, freedom, and the cost of perpetual happiness.
- Length: 288 pages
- Genre: Dystopian Science Fiction
- Publication Year: 1932
Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder (1932)
Little House in the Big Woods offers a cozy peek into the childhood of Laura Ingalls as she and her family navigate the challenges and joys of life in the Wisconsin woods. Through vivid tales of making maple sugar, dancing to Pa’s fiddle, and snug winter nights, the book charmingly captures the warmth and simplicity of family bonds and self-reliance. This book is one of my personal favorites. If you’ve never read it, I couldn’t recommend it enough.
- Length: 256 pages
- Genre: Historical Narrative
- Publication Year: 1932
Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie (1934)
Murder on the Orient Express features detective Hercule Poirot, who is called upon to solve a murder that occurs aboard the luxurious Orient Express train. As the train is stalled by a snowdrift, Poirot interviews passengers, untangles their complex web of relationships, and ingeniously pieces together clues to reveal the killer’s identity in a surprising twist.
- Length: 288 pages
- Genre: Detective
- Publication Year: 1934
Mary Poppins by P. L. Travers (1934)
Before it was a movie, it was a book. Mary Poppins is a story about the magical and somewhat mysterious nanny who swoops into the Banks family’s life, bringing a mix of whimsy and order to the household. With her bottomless carpet bag and talking umbrella, Mary leads the children on fantastic adventures, showing that everyday life can be full of extraordinary moments.
- Length: 208 pages
- Genre: Children’s Classic / Children’s Fantasy
- Publication Year: 1934
Gaudy Night by Dorothy L. Sayers (Lord Peter Wimsey Series, Book 12) (1935)
In Gaudy Night, amateur sleuth Harriet Vane returns to her Oxford college to investigate a series of troubling letters and pranks unsettling the academic community. Alongside her old flame, Lord Peter Wimsey, Harriet navigates complex social dynamics and personal dilemmas, uncovering deep-seated issues and rediscovering herself in the process.
- Length: 544 pages
- Genre: Detective Novel
- Publication Year: 1935
Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder (1935)
In Little House on the Prairie, the Ingalls family leaves Wisconsin for the Kansas prairie to building a new life in a little log cabin. Through trials and joys, Laura and her family learn to thrive on the vast, untamed frontier, embracing the challenges and the beauty of their surroundings.
- Length: 352 pages
- Genre: Historical Narrative
- Publication Year: 1935
Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell (1936)
This is one of my all-time favorite books. Don’t let the length intimidate you. This book is a page-turner! Gone with the Wind tells the story of the Civil War in the South through the life of Scarlett O’Hara, a Southern belle who navigates the hardships of the Civil War and Reconstruction era with fierce determination and cunning. Amidst tumultuous romances and dramatic societal changes, Scarlett’s resilience and drive to secure her family’s plantation, Tara, define her enduring struggle for survival and success.
- Length: 1048 pages
- Genre: Historical Fiction
- Publication Year: 1936
The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien (1937)
The Hobbit follows the unassuming hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, as he embarks on a thrilling adventure to help a group of dwarves reclaim their lost kingdom from the fearsome dragon Smaug. Along the way, Bilbo encounters trolls, goblins, and elves and discovers his own bravery and cleverness in a journey that changes his life forever.
- Length: 300 pages
- Genre: Fantasy
- Publication Year: 1937
The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck (1937)
The Grapes of Wrath chronicles the harrowing journey of the Joad family as they flee the Dust Bowl in Oklahoma for the promise of a better life in California. Despite encountering hardship and hostility, the Joads’ resilience and solidarity shine through, capturing the enduring spirit of hope and survival during the Great Depression. Several reader-friends of mine say this is one of their personal favorites.
- Length: 455 pages
- Genre: Historical Fiction
- Publication Year: 1937
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston (1937)
Their Eyes Were Watching God is a profound exploration of Janie Crawford’s quest for self-discovery as she recounts her life and relationship with her best friend, Pheoby. Set in the early 20th century in Florida, Janie’s journey through marriage, love, and personal growth highlights her resilience and pursuit of happiness against the backdrop of societal expectations.
- Length: 219 pages
- Genre: Literary Fiction
- Publication Year: 1937
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier (1938)
Rebecca is a captivating tale about a young woman who marries a wealthy widower, Maxim de Winter, and moves to his grand estate, Manderley. There, she encounters the shadow of his first wife, Rebecca, whose legacy is kept alive by the sinister housekeeper, Mrs. Danvers. This leads to a suspenseful unraveling of mysteries and secrets. This book had my attention from start to finish.
- Length: 449 pages
- Genre: Gothic Romance
- Publication Year: 1938
The Sword in the Stone by T. H. White (1938)
The Sword in the Stone is a delightful retelling of the early adventures of King Arthur, then known as the young and curious Wart, under the guidance of the wise and whimsical Merlin. Through enchanting lessons that transform Wart into various animals, he learns valuable lessons about power, responsibility, and the world around him, setting the stage for his future as the legendary king.
- Length: 240 pages
- Genre: Fantasy
- Publication Year: 1938
Out of the Silent Planet by C. S. Lewis (1938) (The Space Trilogy #1)
Out of the Silent Planet is the first installment in Lewis’ popular Space Trilogy. It follows the journey of philologist Elwin Ransom, who is kidnapped and taken to the beautiful and mysterious planet of Malacandra (Mars). As Ransom explores this new world and learns about its peaceful inhabitants and their profound connections to the universe, he discovers the deeper meanings of his own humanity and the cosmic order.
- Length: 160 pages
- Genre: Fantasy
- Publication Year: 1938
The Yearling by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings (1938)
The Yearling is a sweet story about a young boy named Jody Baxter, who grows up in the rural backwoods of Florida and forms a deep bond with an orphaned fawn he names Flag. As Jody navigates the challenges of coming of age and the harsh realities of nature, he learns valuable lessons about responsibility and the painful necessity of letting go.
- Length: 417 pages
- Genre: Historical Fiction
- Publication Year: 1938
Mr. Popper’s Penguins by Richard Atwater (1938)
Mr. Popper’s Penguins is a charming tale about the whimsical Mr. Popper, a house painter who dreams of polar expeditions, and his life takes an exciting turn when he receives a penguin named Captain Cook. As his penguin family unexpectedly grows, Mr. Popper creatively adapts his home into a winter wonderland, leading to delightful adventures and hilarious antics.
- Length: 160 pages
- Genre: Children’s Classics
- Publication Year: 1938
And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie (1939)
Several of my reader friends say this is their favorite Agatha Christie novel. And Then There Were None is about ten strangers, each with a secret, who are invited to an isolated island by a mysterious host. As they begin to be picked off one by one according to a chilling nursery rhyme, the guests must unravel the mystery before it’s too late, leading to a suspenseful and unexpected conclusion.
- Length: 300 pages
- Genre: Mystery
- Publication Year: 1939
The Bestselling Books of the 1930s
I always think it’s fun to compare this list with the one above. You will definitely notice some similarities, but there are some differences:
- 1930: Cimarron by Edna Ferber
- 1931: The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck
- 1932: The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck
- 1933: Anthony Adverse by Hervey Allen
- 1934: Anthony Adverse by Hervey Allen
- 1935: Green Light by Lloyd C. Douglas
- 1936: Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
- 1937: Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
- 1938: The Yearling by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings
- 1939: The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
Looking for books from other decades?
Here are books from other decades plus a helpful list of easy-to-read classics:
