September 24th marks the birthday of American literary legend F. Scott Fitzgerald, who was born in 1896 in St. Paul, Minnesota. His enduring novels depict the Jazz Age in ways that mirrored his own glamorous but sometimes troubled life. If you missed The Great Gatsby in high-school English class, it’s never too late to experience this 20th century classic that has something for everyone: love triangles, glamorous parties, death, obsession.

Or check out This Side of Paradise, Fitzgerald’s first novel, reportedly written to win the heart of his future wife, Zelda.