The Best of "Best Book" Lists Collection gathers together a selection of popular bestsellers and fan favorites that frequently appear on "Best of" lists. This diverse Collection includes picks to suit a range of age groups and genre preferences, from otherworldly fantasy to gripping crime thrillers.
Publication year 1924
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Society: Colonialism, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Identity: Race
Tags British Literature, Classic Fiction, Historical Fiction, History: World
E. M. Forster’s A Passage to India, published in 1924, tells a story of the power of colonialism, the tension between spirituality and morality, and the inescapability of evil. Forster wrote this historical fiction novel after traveling to India in 1912 and volunteering in Egypt during World War I. A film adaptation of the novel directed by David Lean premiered in 1984 and received multiple Academy Award nominations. This summary uses the 75th Anniversary edition... Read A Passage to India Summary
Publication year 2020
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Relationships: Daughters & Sons, Relationships: Fathers, Life/Time: Mortality & Death
Tags Historical Fiction, Military / War, Politics / Government, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, Grief / Death, History: Middle Eastern, Social Justice
Publication year 2020
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Natural World: Food, Relationships: Friendship, Relationships: Family, Identity: Race, Life/Time: Coming of Age
Tags Realistic Fiction, Food, Children's Literature, Jewish Literature, Modern Classic Fiction
Publication year 2020
Genre Memoir in Verse, Nonfiction
Themes Relationships: Family, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Society: Colonialism, Society: Community, Identity: Indigenous
Tags Race / Racism, Social Justice, LGBTQ, Biography
Publication year 2021
Genre Novella, Fiction
Themes Relationships: Friendship, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Gratitude
Tags Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Fantasy, LGBTQ, Action / Adventure, Mystery / Crime Fiction
Publication year 1970
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Life/Time: Coming of Age, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Self Discovery, Society: Community, Relationships: Mothers, Relationships: Grandparents, Relationships: Friendship
Tags Realistic Fiction, Children's Literature, Modern Classic Fiction, Classic Fiction
Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret is a 1970 middle-grade novel by bestselling American author Judy Blume. The story focuses on 11-year-old Margaret Ann Simon and her family’s move to New Jersey at the beginning of her sixth-grade year. As Margaret navigates her new public school and new friend dynamics, she struggles to form a positive self-image about her changing body and starts exploring her religious beliefs. Although it was not Blume’s first novel... Read Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret Summary
Publication year 2021
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Identity: Gender, Relationships: Mothers, Values/Ideas: Fame, Values/Ideas: Literature
Tags Fantasy, Mythology, Historical Fiction, Romance, History: World
Publication year 1965
Genre Poem, Fiction
Themes Identity: Gender, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Identity: Femininity, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos
Tags Free verse, Animals, Race / Racism, Gender / Feminism, Confessional, Women's Studies (Nonfiction), American Literature, History: World, Mental Illness, Classic Fiction
Publication year 2021
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Self Discovery, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Identity: Sexuality, Identity: Race
Tags Romance, LGBTQ, Modern Classic Fiction, Historical Fiction
Publication year 1929
Genre Essay / Speech, Nonfiction
Themes Identity: Femininity, Values/Ideas: Literature, Identity: Sexuality
Tags Gender / Feminism, Philosophy
A Room of One’s Own by Virginia Woolf, first published in 1929, is a book-length essay that Woolf modeled after a series of her at the University of Cambridge. A Room of One’s Own is considered a classic and exemplary piece of modernist criticism that questions traditional values. It examines the topic of “women and fiction”–women characters in fiction; the great women authors in English history who wrote fiction; and, more abstractly, “the fiction that... Read A Room of One's Own Summary
Publication year 1908
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Society: Class, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Identity: Femininity, Self Discovery, Relationships: Marriage, Values/Ideas: Art
Tags British Literature, Italian Literature, History: World, Classic Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romance, Satire, Edwardian Era
A Room with a View is a 1908 historical fiction/romance novel by British author E. M. Forster. The novel is split between Italy and England, telling the story of Lucy Honeychurch, a young and spirited middle-class Englishwoman who embarks on a journey of self-discovery during a trip to Italy. During her travels, Lucy falls in love with the free-spirited and unconventional George Emerson, a fellow tourist, but is later forced to choose between her heart's... Read A Room with a View Summary
Publication year 2022
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Natural World: Space & The Universe
Tags Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Children's Literature, Education, Education, Action / Adventure
Publication year 2024
Genre Graphic Novel/Book, Fiction
Themes Relationships: Friendship, Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Relationships: Family, Relationships: Teams, Self Discovery, Society: Politics & Government, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies
Tags Children's Literature, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Action / Adventure, Humor
Publication year 2021
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Natural World: Food, Relationships: Family, Relationships: Friendship
Tags Mystery / Crime Fiction, Food, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction
Publication year 2017
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Natural World: Space & The Universe, Society: Class, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil
Tags Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Fantasy, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Action / Adventure
Publication year 2001
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Values/Ideas: Win & Lose, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt, Relationships: Teams, Natural World: Environment, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Relationships: Family
Tags Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Fantasy, Action / Adventure, Mythology, Children's Literature
Artemis Fowl (2001) is the first of 11 fantasy novels in the Fowl Adventures series. It was written by Eoin Colfer, an Irish writer, and details the titular character’s attempt to restore his family’s fortune by kidnapping an elf named Holly Short. Taking place in Colfer’s home country of Ireland, the novel is also his first foray into the fantasy genre. The novel explores themes of community, environmentalism, and the line between magic and science.In... Read Artemis Fowl Summary
Publication year 2021
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Self Discovery
Tags Mystery / Crime Fiction, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction, Romance
Publication year 2002
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Society: Immigration, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Identity: Femininity, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Relationships: Family, Society: Class, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice
Tags Historical Fiction, Children's Literature, Education, Education, Irish Literature, History: World
Written in 2002 by Mary Jane Auch, Ashes of Roses is a historical fiction novel that follows a young Irish immigrant named Rose Nolan as she comes to New York City with her family. Seeking a better life in America, Rose finds work at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory. The novel chronicles her experiences as an immigrant and a factory worker and examines the events up to the tragic Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire of 1911. Through... Read Ashes Of Roses Summary
Publication year 2024
Genre Biography, Nonfiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Identity: Femininity, Identity: Masculinity, Identity: Sexuality, Relationships: Family, Relationships: Marriage, Society: Class, Society: Nation, Society: Politics & Government, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Values/Ideas: Win & Lose
Tags History: World, Biography, Politics / Government, Gender / Feminism
Publication year 2022
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Society: War, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Relationships: Family, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Identity: Mental Health, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance
Tags Historical Fiction, Romance, Fantasy, Magical Realism, Military / War, Modern Classic Fiction, History: World