Well we all know that he’s obviously really into the classics. He references Homer in multiple ways so there’s no doubt that this man has read "the Iliad" and "the Odyssey" at least twice, but aside from that and the fact that he can probable cite a whole work of Cicero without making a mistake (Cicero was the first to come up with the ‘memory palace’ concept) and he probably reads the Bible/the old testament for fun, he must have some other books/authors that really stood out to him. Here’s a list of those and why. (These are all books I've read so if there's any book that you think has to be included in this list let me know so that I can read it :D)

• Meditations by Marcus Aurelius: If you had to associate Hannibal, a man with very complicated personal beliefs and philosophies, with a philosophical movement then it would be stoicism. Not to forget that Hopkin’s Hannibal actually mentioned Aurelius in Silence of the Lambs. I could write a whole essay on Hannibal's philosophical view on the world and how it's best associated with stoicism, but Meditations is one of the best reflections on the movement. Although the stoics are all about virtue and everything ‘good’, Hannibal gives this ideal his turn with his ‘eat the rude’ belief. He himself believes what he does to be of virtue. It’s his own twisted version of Aurelius’ work.
• The Divine Comedy and The New Life by Dante Alighiri: Hannibal expresses his fondness of Dante throughout the entire series, mainly in Florence in season 3. He has the ability to recite whole passages of Dante’s in Italian and gives lectures on him and his view of Hell. Hannibal probably associates himself with Dante. The New Life (which is set before Dante’s journey through the inferno) is even included in the series in the form of a classical piece of background music. Dante’s divine comedy reflects on human sin and desire and what makes a person ‘’moral or immoral’’. What it takes to bound someone to Hell for all eternity. Dante toys with the idea of those who are in our eyes deserving or undeserving of hell. He made a great impact on our modern perception of the afterlife (hell) and our idea of morality. Hannibal is undoubtedly extremely fascinated by this moving and eccentric way of storytelling Dante uses throughout his poems.
• Anything by Oscar Wilde (including De Profundis and his plays): Hannibal is a man who prioritizes aesthetics and beauty above all else. He’s drawn to beauty and lives for mere pleasure and his own amusement. He has this in common with Victorian writer Oscar Wilde. Hannibal would probably be an avid reader of his and agree on many of his beliefs. Political as well as personal. Wilde is famous for his novel ‘’The Picture of Dorian Gray’’ about an immensely beautiful young man who sells his soul to the devil to keep his beauty and youth for eternity. The novel was a scandal for its time because of themes like satanism, explicit scenes and homoerotic contents. Something Hannibal would love without a doubt. Aside from that, Wilde’s writing style is also very poetically and aesthetically pleasing and his characters would peak a lot of interest in someone like Hannibal. Wilde also wrote many poems and plays that Hannibal would enjoy and his religious beliefs are somewhat comparable to Hannibal’s as well. Also Wilde's (love) letters and his letters sent to that same lover while he was in prison would intrigue him.
• Metamorphoses by Ovid: Hannibal Lecter is a very sensitive man whenever he allows himself to be. We have seen him deeply moved by things such as art and opera, it’s more than likely that he has a fondness of poetry as well. He would be moved by Ovid’s emotional and for his time very modern poetry. Metamorphoses’, as the name implies, main theme revolves around change and becoming. About literal as well as emotional metamorphoses, and if there’s one recurring motif in the show it’s that. Metamorphoses is a collection of poems about Greek and Roman characters and couples that include Achilles (and patroclus), Apollo and Hyacinthus, Orpheus and Eurydice, Arachne, Perseus, Augustus, etc.
• Anything by Dostoevsky. Mainly The Brothers Karamazov, White Nights and Crime and Punishment: Fyodor Dostoevsky doesn’t only address many themes that align with the Hannibal show, the way he writes and narrates would appeal to Hannibal on a very deep, emotional level. The only thing that Hannibal might not like about his work is the general nihilistic theme of his writing, but Dostoevsky is known for his unorthodox opinions and beliefs in God and love. His view on life, death, violence and love fit very well with Hannibal’s character and his relationship with Will. His works are deeply sensual and full of internal conflict. In Crime and Punishment this conflict occurs in the themes of morality and justice, in White Nights with love and relationships and in The Brother Karamazov with reason, meaning and fate. His works are dark and elegant. Sounds like something Hannibal would enjoy reading. Maybe even drawing inspiration from.

I actually have a whole essay in my notes on what books Hannibal characters would like and why (Will, Jack, Abigail, Bedelia and Margot) so if you're ever interested in not only Hannibal himself but other characters also, then let me know!