Labor Day is a yearly tribute to the achievements and contributions of American workers who have shaped the strength and prosperity of the country, as described on the Department of Labor website.

This coming Monday, the day off will be a good time to rest comfortably and read books. The following books honor the working class of Americans in different periods of time.

"Of Mice and Men" by John Steinbeck

Ranch workers George Milton and Lennie Small are moving from place to place, looking for job opportunities during the Great Depression. George is an intelligent man while his companion Lennie has a large build, but struggles mentally. The novel was published in 1937.

The novel explores the journey of two laborers who dream of settling down and getting a ranch to call their own.

"The Grapes of Wrath" by John Steinbeck

This novel, also written by John Steinbeck, revolves around a family of tenant farmers who were forced to set off to California to escape drought and a sinking economy at their hometown. The novel is also set in the Great Depression, similar to "Of Mice and Men". The novel was published in 1939.

The novel shows the journey of families looking for jobs, homes, opportunities, and secure futures.

"The Bonus Army: An American Epic" by Paul Dickson and Thomas D. Allen

In 1932, more than forty-thousand World War I veterans marched to Washington D.C. to claim an early payment of the promised bonus for their service during the war. The veterans and their families, both black and white men from all over the country, united to claim the payment promised to them which they could not receive until 1945.

The march still serves as a historic event for the working class of Americans. In 1936, the Congress paid the veterans their bonus, nine years before it was due.

"The Jungle" by Upton Sinclair

Jurgis Rudkus is an immigrant struggling to survive in Chicago.

While the book struggled with censorship during its publication, it is now recommended for reading in many high schools. The book features the harsh conditions and hopeless situations of people in the working class.

"Working: People Talk About What They Do All Day and How They Feel About What They Do" by Studs Terkel

The book explores what working means to different kinds of people. It tries to understand the satisfaction it gives people when working and the reasons and motivation behind it.

The book can also help workers take a break and reflect on the importance of their job and how they truly feel about it.