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1906 Books

From bestselling novels to critically acclaimed works, 1906 was filled with captivating stories that have stood the test of time. In this list, we highlight the most popular books of 1906, celebrating the titles that topped the charts and won the hearts of book lovers everywhere.

The Jungle
Written by: Upton Sinclair
Outline: Upton Sinclair's classic novel, "The Jungle," was originally published in 1905 in a longer, uncensored version, which was later suppressed in favor of a shorter, commercially-edited edition that removed much of the ethnic flavor, graphic descriptions, and social commentary. This …
White Fang
Written by: Jack London
Outline: White Fang, a hybrid of dog and wolf, is the sole survivor of his family and must navigate the harsh laws of the North, where he is forced to become a vicious killer under the cruel ownership of a master. …
The Railway Children
Written by: E. Nesbit
Outline: In this beloved children's classic, the comfortable lives of three siblings are upended when their father is taken away, forcing the family to live in a simple country cottage. There, the children befriend the local railway staff and have various …
Mother
Written by: Maxim Gorky
Outline: Maxim Gorky, a Soviet novelist, playwright, and essayist, was a founder of social realism and closely associated with the revolutionary period in his country. His renowned works include "The Mother," a story of the radicalization of an uneducated woman that …
The Book of Tea
Written by: Kakuzō Okakura
Outline: In 1906, Japanese philosopher Okakura Kakuzo wrote a small, esoteric book about tea, which became a beloved classic and an essential part of any tea enthusiast's collection. Kakuzo's work, which discusses topics ranging from Zen and Taoism to the secular …
The Diaries of Adam and Eve
Written by: Mark Twain
Outline: Adam's diary entries reveal his growing understanding of Eve's adventurous and innovative nature, as she names animals, discovers fire, and introduces new ideas to their shared garden home, in Mark Twain's humorous "he said/she said" narrative that offers a thoughtful …
Beneath the Wheel
Written by: Hermann Hesse
Outline: Hans Giebenrath, a gifted student from a sleepy Black Forest village, is pressured by his community to pursue a path of rigorous academic study, until a friendship with a rebellious poet inspires him to imagine a life beyond the confines …
Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens
Written by: J.M. Barrie
Outline: J.M. Barrie's iconic character, Peter Pan, the boy who never grew up, has become an immortal figure in children's literature. As the children for whom Barrie created the stories grew older, Peter evolved, appearing in Neverland, where he was aided …
The Tale of Mr. Jeremy Fisher (The World of Beatrix Potter: Peter Rabbit)
Written by: Beatrix Potter
Outline: Beatrix Potter's beloved children's book, "The Tale of Peter Rabbit," originated as a personal letter and grew into a beloved series that has captivated audiences worldwide. Potter's deep appreciation for nature and animals, cultivated from a young age, shines through …
The Wonderful Adventures of Nils
Written by: Selma Lagerlöf
Outline: Selma Lagerlöf, the first woman to win the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1909, was a gifted Swedish novelist known for her supernatural and folklore-inspired writings. Her acclaimed children's book, "The Wonderful Adventures of Nils," follows the enchanting tale of …
The Confusions of Young Törless
Written by: Robert Musil
Outline: Robert Musil, a contemporary and rival of Sigmund Freud, delved into the dark and irrational aspects of humanity in his debut novel, which exposed the bullying, snobbery, and homoerotic violence at an elite boys' academy, while also reflecting the crisis …
The Paul Street Boys
Written by: Ferenc Molnár
Outline: The conflict between two groups of Hungarian boys in Budapest, with one group defending the square using the Hungarian national colors (red, white, green) against the other group, who are attempting to occupy the square.
A Calendar of Wisdom: Daily Thoughts to Nourish the Soul
Written by: Leo Tolstoy
Outline: This is the first English edition of the book Leo Tolstoy considered his most significant contribution, a day-by-day guide that illuminates the path of a meaningful life, which was unjustly censored for nearly a century but deserves to be recognized …