John Steinbeck Reading Order
7 series · 63 books · Born 1902-02-27
John Steinbeck is an American author celebrated for his unflinching portrayals of working-class life and social inequality in early twentieth-century America. His most acclaimed works include the Pulitzer Prize-winning epic The Grapes of Wrath and the novella Of Mice and Men, both exploring themes of hardship, dignity, and the American Dream. A recipient of the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1962, Steinbeck crafted novels, short story collections, plays, and non-fiction works that continue to resonate with readers seeking honest, compassionate examinations of human struggle and resilience.
Anthologies Series
Complete19 books (1941–2018)
Start with Twenty Grand: Great American Short Stories, the first of 19 books in the Anthologies series.
Start this series with Twenty Grand: Great American Short Stories
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Cannery Row Series
Complete2 books (1945–1954)
Start with Cannery Row and read in order.
Start this series with Cannery Row
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
Collections Series
Complete4 books (1938–1989)
Start with The Long Valley, the first of 4 books in the Collections series.
Start this series with The Long Valley
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
Non-Fiction Series
Complete14 books (1936–2012)
Start with The Harvest Gypsies, the first of 14 books in the Non-Fiction series.
Start this series with The Harvest Gypsies
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Plays Series
Complete2 books (1942–1975)
Start with The Moon is Down and read in order.
Start this series with The Moon is Down
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
Short Stories/Novellas Series
Complete4 books (1938–2007)
Start with Flight, the first of 4 books in the Short Stories/Novellas series.
Start this series with Flight
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
Standalone Novels Series
Complete18 books (1929–1992)
Start with Cup of Gold, the first of 18 books in the Standalone Novels series.
Start this series with Cup of Gold
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Frequently Asked Questions
- How many books has John Steinbeck written?
- John Steinbeck has written 63 books across 7 series. Their published works span from 1929 to 2018.
- What is the first book in each John Steinbeck series?
- Here are the first books in John Steinbeck's series: Anthologies: Twenty Grand: Great American Short Stories; Cannery Row: Cannery Row; Collections: The Long Valley; Non-Fiction: The Harvest Gypsies; Plays: The Moon is Down.
- What order should I read John Steinbeck's books?
- We recommend reading John Steinbeck's series in publication order. Each series can be read independently.
- Are John Steinbeck's series complete?
- John Steinbeck has 7 completed series.