Best Jules Verne Books (5 Must-Read Books + Where to Start)
Discover the best Jules Verne books with a personal guide on where to start, what to read first, and why these classics still captivate.
The Best Jules Verne Books (And Where to Actually Start)
Hi Bookish Besties, If you’re searching for the best Jules Verne books and wondering where to start, I want to give you the honest version, not the overwhelming one. Here’s the quick answer: Start with Around the World in Eighty Days if you want something easy and fun. But if you’re like me and accidentally start with Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, you might just fall in love anyway. Because that’s exactly what happened to me. When my husband and I first met, he told me how much he loved Jules Verne growing up, and how those stories stayed with him. So of course, I picked one up and chose the hardest one to start with. I do not recommend. But somehow? It worked. I got completely pulled into Verne’s world, and once you’re in, you really don’t want to leave. So this guide is everything I wish I knew before I started.
Why Jules Verne Books Still Feel So Addictive
There’s something about Verne that just hits differently. His stories aren’t just adventures, they’re built on: curiosity about the world, big, imaginative ideas, and a sense of wonder that feels almost childlike (in the best way). But what surprised me most is how emotional they can be. You go in expecting adventure, and leave thinking about isolation, ambition, and what it means to explore something unknown.
The 5 Best Jules Verne Books (Ranked + Where to Start)
Around the World in Eighty Days
If you want the easiest, most enjoyable entry point, start here. This story follows Phileas Fogg as he attempts to travel around the world in just eighty days, and it’s genuinely fun from the first chapter. It moves quickly, the stakes are clear, and there’s a lightness to it that makes it feel surprisingly modern. What I love most is how effortless it feels to read, you’re not adjusting to old language or dense ideas, you’re just along for the ride. If you’ve ever struggled to get into classics, this is the one that changes your mind.
You can get a copy of Around the World in Eighty Days on Amazon or Bookshop.
Journey to the Centre of the Earth
Once you’ve dipped your toes in, this is where the imagination really takes over. The story follows a journey beneath the Earth’s surface, filled with strange landscapes, prehistoric discoveries, and that constant tension between excitement and fear. It’s adventurous, a little eerie, and completely absorbing. I always recommend this second because it builds on your confidence as a reader, you’re ready to slow down just a bit and really take in the experience.
You can get a copy of From the Earth to the Moon on Amazon or Bookshop.
The Mysterious Island
This one surprised me in the best way. A group of castaways must survive on an uncharted island, and what unfolds is part survival story, part celebration of human ingenuity. It’s slower, more thoughtful, and incredibly satisfying to read. There’s something comforting about watching people figure things out together, and it adds a different emotional layer to Verne’s usual sense of adventure.
You can get a copy of The Mysterious Island on Amazon or Bookshop.
From the Earth to the Moon
This is where Verne’s imagination really shines. Written long before space travel was possible, it follows a group determined to send a projectile to the moon. It’s bold, slightly absurd, and incredibly fun to read with modern perspective. I love placing this here because it shifts the tone, it’s less grounded, more visionary, and gives you a sense of just how ahead of his time Verne really was.
You can get a copy of From the Earth to the Moon on Amazon or Bookshop.
Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea
This is the one I started with and honestly, the one you should work up to. It’s deeper, darker, and more complex than the others. Through the eyes of Professor Aronnax, you explore the ocean aboard the Nautilus with Captain Nemo, one of the most fascinating and haunting characters I’ve ever read. There’s beauty, isolation, and a quiet heaviness to this story that stays with you. Starting here can feel overwhelming, but if you stick with it, it completely pulls you in. And once you’ve read it? You understand Verne on a whole different level.
You can get a copy of Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea on Amazon or Bookshop.
How to Choose the Best Jules Verne Book for You
If you’re still deciding, here’s how I’d think about it:
- Want something easy and fun: Around the World in Eighty Days
- Want adventure and imagination: Journey to the Center of the Earth
- Want something thoughtful: The Mysterious Island
- Want something bold and different: From the Earth to the Moon
- Want something deep and immersive: Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea
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There’s no wrong starting point, but choosing based on your mood makes a huge difference.
My Personal Tips for Reading Jules Verne (That Made a Difference)
After starting the “wrong” way and still loving it, here’s what I’d tell you:
- Pick a modern translation. It changes everything.
- Don’t rush. His books are meant to be experienced, not skimmed.
- Switch formats if needed. Audiobooks help with denser sections.
- Let yourself adjust. The rhythm feels different at first, and then it clicks.
FAQs About the Best Jules Verne Books
What is the best Jules Verne book to start with?
Most readers should start with Around the World in Eighty Days because it’s the most accessible.
Do I need to read Jules Verne books in order?
No-his books are mostly standalone, so you can start anywhere.
What is Jules Verne’s most famous book?
Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea is one of his most well-known and widely read.
Are Jules Verne books hard to read?
Some can feel slower or denser, but starting with the right one makes a big difference.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for the best Jules Verne books, this list is the perfect place to start, but more than that, it’s a way into a completely different kind of reading experience. For me, it started with the “wrong” book, and somehow that made it even more memorable. So tell me, are you starting with the easy one or jumping straight into the deep end like I did?
