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.

Invisible Child

by Andrea Elliott

Publication year 2021

Genre Biography, Nonfiction

Themes Perseverance, Race, Social Class, Education, Loyalty & Betrayal, Justice

Tags Race & Racism, Social Justice, Poverty, Sociology, World History, Politics & Government, Biography

... Read Invisible Child Summary

Iron Widow

by Xiran Jay Zhao

Publication year 2021

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Gender Identity, Sexual Identity, Equality, Justice, Good & Evil

Tags Fantasy, Science Fiction, Action & Adventure, Historical Fiction, Romance, LGBTQ+

... Read Iron Widow Summary

Isola

by Allegra Goodman

Publication year 2025

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Grief, Love, Perseverance, Gender Identity, Death, Nature Versus Nurture, Social Class

Tags Historical Fiction, Survival Fiction

... Read Isola Summary

Iveliz Explains It All

by Andrea Beatriz Arango

Publication year 2022

Genre Novel/Book in Verse, Fiction

Themes Mental Health, Family, Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Fear, Forgiveness, Grief, Guilt, Hate & Anger, Loneliness, Race, Coming of Age, Death, Fathers, Grandparents, Mothers, Self Discovery, Safety & Danger

Tags Realistic Fiction, Mental Illness

... Read Iveliz Explains It All Summary

Jackaby

by William Ritter

Publication year 2014

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Truth & Lies, Community, Self Discovery, Emotions/Behavior: Courage

Tags Fantasy, Horror & Suspense, World History, Religion & Spirituality, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Historical Fiction, Grief & Death

Jackaby is a 2014 young adult fantasy novel by William Ritter. It is the first in a series by the same name and follows paranormal investigator R. F. Jackaby, and his new assistant Abigail Rook, as they investigate a series of supernatural murders. The novel draws on a range of world mythologies and classic detective fiction like Sherlock Holmes, Inspector Dupin, and the works of Raymond Chandler.Plot SummaryIn 1892, a young Englishwoman named Abigail Rook... Read Jackaby Summary

Joyland

by Stephen King

Publication year 2013

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Coming of Age

Tags Horror & Suspense, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Religion & Spirituality

Joyland (2013) is the second in Stephen King’s hard-boiled detective collection published by Hard Case Crime.King has written more than 80 full-length novels in addition to 20 novellas, over 120 short stories, and 5 nonfiction books. He has won more than 30 awards for his fiction. His books and short stories have been made into 39 films and 13 television series (with more in planning).This guide references the 2013 paperback edition.Content Warning: The novel features... Read Joyland Summary

Just Us

by Claudia Rankine

Publication year 2020

Genre Anthology/Varied Collection, Nonfiction

Themes Race, Politics & Government, Justice

Tags Race & Racism, Trauma & Abuse, Arts & Culture, World History, Social Justice, Politics & Government

... Read Just Us Summary