The Best of "Best Book" Lists

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 2016

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Relationships: Family, Identity: Gender, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Relationships: Siblings

Tags Fantasy, Magical Realism, Romance, Fairy Tale / Folklore, LGBTQ, Modern Classic Fiction


Publication year 2016

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Life/Time: The Past, Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Relationships: Grandparents, Society: Community, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed

Tags Fantasy, Action / Adventure, Fairy Tale / Folklore, Children's Literature, Chinese Literature

When the Sea Turned Silver by Grace Lin takes readers on a journey through a richly imagined world full of imagery and Chinese folklore. The novel follows the adventures of Pinmei and Yishan as they navigate themes of Finding and Creating Identity, The Power of Stories, and how Perception Shapes Reality. Recognized for its storytelling and cultural depth, When the Sea Turned Silver was a 2016 National Book Award Finalist. Critics praise the novel for... Read When the Sea Turned to Silver Summary


Publication year 2021

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger

Tags Mystery / Crime Fiction, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Historical Fiction


Publication year 2020

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Values/Ideas: Science & Technology, Natural World: Space & The Universe, Natural World: Environment, Life/Time: The Future

Tags Historical Fiction, Science / Nature, History: World, Philosophy, Philosophy


Publication year 2022

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Identity: Femininity, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Relationships: Family, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies

Tags Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Magical Realism, LGBTQ, Gender / Feminism, History: World


Publication year 2020

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Relationships: Family, Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Life/Time: The Past, Relationships: Friendship

Tags Romance, Realistic Fiction, LGBTQ, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, Modern Classic Fiction


Publication year 2010

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Values/Ideas: Science & Technology, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Society: Community, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos

Tags History: World, Psychology, Arts / Culture, Business / Economics, Science / Nature, Psychology, Self Help, Technology, Philosophy


Publication year 2021

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Society: Politics & Government, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal

Tags Mystery / Crime Fiction, Crime / Legal, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction, Politics / Government


Publication year 2021

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Life/Time: Coming of Age, Relationships: Family, Society: Community, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt

Tags Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Fantasy


Publication year 2016

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Identity: Race, Society: Class, Society: Community, Society: Nation, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice

Tags Sociology, History: U.S., Class, Social Justice, Race / Racism, Business / Economics, History: World, Politics / Government

IntroductionIn White Trash: The 400-Year Untold History of Class in America, Nancy Isenberg documents the historical and contemporary disdain of the upper and middle classes in America for the white poor and the resultant staying power of a class hierarchy. Isenberg, an award-winning historian, uses her expertise to contribute this non-fictional work to the academic literature on social class. Originally published in 2016, the book became a New York Times bestseller and was a finalist... Read White Trash Summary


Publication year 2021

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Values/Ideas: Literature, Values/Ideas: Fame, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies

Tags Modern Classic Fiction, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Psychological Fiction


Publication year 2020

Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction

Themes Identity: Race, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Science & Technology, Values/Ideas: Equality, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Values/Ideas: Win & Lose, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict

Tags Science / Nature, Philosophy, Animals, Race / Racism, History: World, Philosophy, Biography


Publication year 2023

Genre Biography, Nonfiction

Themes Values/Ideas: Literature, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Identity: Femininity, Relationships: Marriage, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies

Tags Gender / Feminism, Women's Studies (Nonfiction)


Publication year 2023

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Relationships: Fathers, Self Discovery

Tags Romance, New Adult, Sports, Education, Education, Modern Classic Fiction


Publication year 2021

Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Values/Ideas: Fame, Self Discovery, Relationships: Family, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance

Tags Music, Arts / Culture, Creative Nonfiction, Modern Classic Fiction, Biography, Self Help


Publication year 2021

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Natural World: Environment, Natural World: Animals

Tags Fantasy, Animals, Children's Literature, Science / Nature


Publication year 2020

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Self Discovery, Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Relationships: Friendship

Tags Realistic Fiction, Humor, Health / Medicine, Children's Literature, Education, Education, Modern Classic Fiction


Publication year 1918

Genre Poem, Fiction

Themes Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger

Tags Military / War, WWI / World War I


Publication year 1987

Genre Poem, Fiction

Themes Identity: Gender, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Equality, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Relationships: Mothers

Tags Lyric Poem, Gender / Feminism


Publication year 2021

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Forgiveness, Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Life/Time: Mortality & Death

Tags Romance, Realistic Fiction, Health / Medicine, Modern Classic Fiction, Historical Fiction