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 2020

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Identity: Mental Health, Emotions/Behavior: Grief

Tags Romance, Grief / Death, Depression / Suicide, Realistic Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction, Mental Illness


Publication year 2020

Genre Anthology/Varied Collection, Nonfiction

Themes Society: Community, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance

Tags Climate Change, Science / Nature, Gender / Feminism, Women's Studies (Nonfiction)


Publication year 2018

Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction

Themes Relationships: Family, Identity: Race, Self Discovery, Society: Immigration, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Relationships: Mothers, Identity: Language

Tags Parenting, Race / Racism, Biography


Publication year 2020

Genre Graphic Memoir , Nonfiction

Themes Relationships: Family, Identity: Race, Relationships: Mothers, Self Discovery, Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Society: Community

Tags Immigration / Refugee, Race / Racism, Modern Classic Fiction, Biography


Publication year 2019

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Society: Immigration, Values/Ideas: Fate

Tags Historical Fiction, Gender / Feminism, Class, Immigration / Refugee, Latin American Literature, Military / War, History: World, Romance


Publication year 2024

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Identity: Race, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Life/Time: The Past, Natural World: Flora/plants, Society: Community, Values/Ideas: Fate, Values/Ideas: Music

Tags Romance, Harlem Renaissance, Modern Classic Fiction, History: World, Historical Fiction, Magical Realism, Fantasy


Publication year 2022

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Self Discovery, Society: Class, Society: Politics & Government, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies

Tags Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Romance


Publication year 2021

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Self Discovery, Relationships: Family, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance

Tags Fantasy, Action / Adventure, Race / Racism, Children's Literature, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Religion / Spirituality


Publication year 2021

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Identity: Gender, Identity: Sexuality, Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Relationships: Family, Self Discovery, Society: Class, Values/Ideas: Equality, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal

Tags Mystery / Crime Fiction, History: World, Historical Fiction, Romance, Fantasy, LGBTQ, Edwardian Era


Publication year 2021

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Identity: Race

Tags Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Mystery / Crime Fiction, LGBTQ, History: World


Publication year 2019

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Natural World: Space & The Universe, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Values/Ideas: Science & Technology, Society: Community, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Society: War

Tags Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Fantasy, LGBTQ, Mystery / Crime Fiction


Publication year 2020

Genre Novel, Fiction

Tags Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction, Historical Fiction

Book Details & Major ThemesPublished in 2020, American Dirt is a work of fiction by Jeanine Cummins, whose other works include A Rip in Heaven, The Crooked Branch, and The Outside Boy. The controversial, cross-genre novel combines elements of a commercial thriller, literary fiction, suspense, and romance. The title refers to the land comprising the geopolitical entity that is the United States of America, and to the contempt undocumented migrants face both before and after... Read American Dirt Summary


Publication year 2018

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Relationships: Family, Identity: Mental Health, Identity: Race, Life/Time: Coming of Age

Tags Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, Romance, Humor, Asian Literature, Realistic Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction, Asian Literature


Publication year 1997

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Relationships: Fathers, Relationships: Daughters & Sons, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Fate

Tags Historical Fiction, American Literature, Relationships, History: U.S., Modern Classic Fiction, Classic Fiction

American Pastoral (1997) by Philip Roth examines in detail one man’s quest for the American dream and the fragility of the entire enterprise. Roth, one of the most critically acclaimed novelists of the 20th century, focuses his narrative microscope through the eyes of Nathan Zuckerman, his literary alter ego from whose perspective he has written 10 other novels, including Zuckerman Unbound (1981), The Anatomy Lesson (1983), The Human Stain (2000), and The Plot Against America... Read American Pastoral Summary


Publication year 2018

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Identity: Race, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice

Tags Incarceration, Social Justice, Journalism, Race / Racism, American Literature, Post-War Era, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Sociology, History: World, Politics / Government


Publication year 2016

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Society: Colonialism, Society: Nation, Society: Politics & Government, Society: War

Tags History: U.S., Politics / Government, American Revolution, Military / War, American Literature, History: World


Publication year 2017

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Natural World: Environment, Society: Politics & Government, Natural World: Animals

Tags Science / Nature, Animals, Journalism, Politics / Government


Publication year 2021

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Identity: Race, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Society: Politics & Government, Society: Community

Tags History: U.S., Politics / Government, Race / Racism, Social Justice, Civil Rights / Jim Crow, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Sociology, History: World


Publication year 2022

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Identity: Sexuality, Self Discovery

Tags Romance, Holidays & Occasions, LGBTQ


Publication year 2024

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Society: Education, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Identity: Mental Health, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed

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