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.

Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret

by Judy Blume

Publication year 1970

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Coming of Age, Religion & Spirituality, Self Discovery, Community, Mothers, Grandparents, 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 (Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, Tiger Eyes). 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... Read Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret Summary

Ariadne

by Jennifer Saint

Publication year 2021

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Gender Identity, Mothers, Fame, Literature

Tags Fantasy, Mythology, Historical Fiction, Romance, World History

... Read Ariadne Summary

Ariel

by Sylvia Plath

Publication year 1965

Genre Poem, Fiction

Themes Gender Identity, Death, Femininity, Perseverance, Love, Order & Chaos

Tags Free Verse, Animals, Race & Racism, Gender & Feminism, Confessional, Women`s Studies, American Literature, World History, Mental Illness, Classic Fiction

... Read Ariel Summary

A Room of One's Own

by Virginia Woolf

Publication year 1929

Genre Essay / Speech, Nonfiction

Themes Femininity, Literature, Sexual Identity

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

A Room with a View

by E. M. Forster

Publication year 1908

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Social Class, Truth & Lies, Femininity, Self Discovery, Marriage, Art

Tags British Literature, Italian Literature, World History, Classic Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romance, Satirical Literature, 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

Artemis

by Andy Weir

Publication year 2017

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Space, Social Class, Good & Evil

Tags Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror & Suspense, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Action & Adventure

... Read Artemis Summary

Artemis Fowl

by Eoin Colfer

Publication year 2001

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Love, Perseverance, Wins & Losses, Safety & Danger, Power & Greed, Justice, Trust & Doubt, Teamwork, Environment, Coming of Age, Family

Tags Science 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

Ashes Of Roses

by Mary Jane Auch

Publication year 2002

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Immigration, Perseverance, Femininity, Coming of Age, Death, Family, Social Class, Justice

Tags Historical Fiction, Children`s Literature, Education, Education, Irish Literature, World History

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

Ask Not

by Maureen Callahan

Publication year 2024

Genre Biography, Nonfiction

Themes Shame & Pride, Femininity, Masculinity, Sexual Identity, Family, Marriage, Social Class, Nation, Politics & Government, Good & Evil, Justice, Loyalty & Betrayal, Power & Greed, Safety & Danger, Trust & Doubt, Truth & Lies, Wins & Losses

Tags World History, Biography, Politics & Government, Gender & Feminism

... Read Ask Not Summary

A Spark of Light

by Jodi Picoult

Publication year 2018

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Gender Identity, Guilt, Love, Politics & Government

Tags Realistic Fiction, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Health, Trauma & Abuse, Modern Classic Fiction, Dramatic Literature

Published in 2019, Jodi Picoult’s novel A Spark of Light tells the story of a gunman’s attack on an abortion clinic from multiple points of view, examining the lives of different characters and the events that lead them to the clinic on that day. Picoult is a New York Times best-selling author and has written 28 novels, several of which have been adapted for film and television. Her books are known for tackling social issues... Read A Spark of Light Summary

Astrophysics for People in a Hurry

by Neil Degrasse Tyson

Publication year 2017

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Space, Science & Technology, Education

Tags Science & Nature, Education, Education, World History

Astrophysics for People in a Hurry by Neil deGrasse Tyson, PhD, is a popular science book about astronomy, astrophysics, and cosmology. The book outlines our current knowledge about the creation of the universe, supernovas, black holes, the mysteries of dark matter and dark energy, invisible light, and how Earth and its materials came to be. On its release in 2017, the book became a #1 New York Times bestseller; it remained on the list for... Read Astrophysics for People in a Hurry Summary