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.

Starfish

by Lisa Fipps

Publication year 2021

Genre Novel/Book in Verse, Fiction

Themes Mental Health, Family, Shame & Pride, Childhood & Youth, Self Discovery, Beauty, Mothers, Friendship

Tags Realistic Fiction, Free Verse, Bullying, Children`s Literature, Modern Classic Fiction, Mental Illness

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Starling House

by Alix E. Harrow

Publication year 2023

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Family, Truth & Lies, Power & Greed, Revenge, Memory, Social Class

Tags Fantasy, Horror & Suspense, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Trauma & Abuse, Gothic Literature, Romance, Religion & Spirituality

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Starters

by Lissa Price

Publication year 2012

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Aging, Siblings, Death, Social Class, Childhood & Youth, Community, Memory, Science & Technology, Future, The Past, Guilt, Family, Appearance & Reality, Trust & Doubt, Fear, Politics & Government, Power & Greed, Beauty, Truth & Lies, Good & Evil, Conflict

Tags Science Fiction, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Fantasy, Romance, Action & Adventure

Lissa Price’s Starters is a young adult science fiction novel set in the near future after the Spore Wars, during which biological weapons were used against the United States and wiped out much of the unvaccinated middle-aged population. As a result, many teens were left without families, and the elderly feared for their place in society. Starters without grandparents were barred from essentially every type of work. This led to teens being rounded up to... Read Starters Summary

Stay True

by Hua Hsu

Publication year 2022

Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction

Themes Grief, Friendship, Art, Immigration

Tags Coming of Age, Race & Racism, Asian Literature, Music, Biography

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Steelheart

by Brandon Sanderson

Publication year 2013

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Power & Greed, Revenge, Fathers, Shame & Pride, Order & Chaos, Fear

Tags Fantasy, Science Fiction, Action & Adventure

Steelheart, a 2013 young adult sci-fi/fantasy novel by Brandon Sanderson, is the first installment of The Reckoners trilogy. The story takes place in dystopian Chicago, dubbed “Newcago,” which is overrun by evil superhumans called Epics and ruled by a functionally invulnerable tyrant named Steelheart. David Charleston, an 18-year-old boy whose father Steelheart killed 10 years before, joins a rebel group called the Reckoners hoping that they will help him take revenge on Steelheart. Borrowing elements... Read Steelheart Summary

Stolen Focus

by Johann Hari

Publication year 2022

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Science & Technology, Literature, Education, Mental Health

Tags Psychology, Self-Improvement, Health, Science & Nature, Addiction & Substance Abuse, Leadership, Psychology, Mental Illness

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Swan Song

by Elin Hilderbrand

Publication year 2024

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Marriage, Revenge, Place, Social Class, Community, Justice, Loyalty & Betrayal, Power & Greed, Truth & Lies, Wins & Losses

Tags Science Fiction, Horror & Suspense, Fantasy

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Sweet Tooth

by Ian McEwan

Publication year 2012

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Love, Nation, Literature

Tags Historical Fiction, Horror & Suspense, Relationships, Arts & Culture, European History, Politics & Government, British Literature, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction, World History, Romance

Sweet Tooth is a 2012 novel by Ian McEwan. Set in the 1970s, it tells the story of one woman’s involvement with MI5 and the world of literature. Themes include the balance of power, navigating lies and deceit, and conditional versus unconditional acceptance.Plot SummarySerena Frome grows up in a small, uninteresting English city. In the 1960s, her mother encourages her to study mathematics at Cambridge University even though Serena (a keen reader) would rather study... Read Sweet Tooth Summary