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.

Uncanny Valley

by Anna Wiener

Publication year 2020

Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction

Themes Science & Technology

Tags Science & Nature, Gender & Feminism, Business & Economics, Biography

The book’s first part, “Incentives,” introduces the key conflict: Wiener, a 25-year-old Brooklyn native, desires “momentum” and fulfilment in her professional life but has tired of her job as an underpaid assistant at a Manhattan literary agency. After a brief stint at a New York e-book startup, she secures a customer support position at a mobile analytics company in San Francisco. She optimistically immerses herself in the workplace culture, shrugging off incidents of sexism, the... Read Uncanny Valley Summary

Undefeated

by Steve Sheinkin

Publication year 2017

Genre Biography, Nonfiction

Themes Perseverance, Indigenous Identity, Colonialism

Tags US History, Sports, Diversity, Race & Racism, Children`s Literature, World History, Biography

... Read Undefeated Summary

Under the Volcano

by Malcolm Lowry

Publication year 1947

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Mental Health, Marriage, Environment, Death, Apathy

Tags Historical Fiction, Addiction & Substance Abuse, British Literature, Modernism, World History, Classic Fiction

Under the Volcano by Malcolm Lowry is a modernist novel published in 1947. Set in Quauhnahuac, Mexico, in 1938, it follows the Consul, a former British diplomat with an alcohol addiction, on the day of his death. In addition to the Consul, the small cast of characters includes the Consul’s half-brother, Hugh, his ex-wife, Yvonne, and his friend-turned-enemy, Jacques Laruelle. Malcolm Lowry, who spent time in Mexico and was known to have experienced addiction himself... Read Under the Volcano Summary

Unlikely Animals

by Annie Hartnett

Publication year 2022

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Friendship, Family, Community, Forgiveness, Grief, Guilt, Memory, Mental Health, Death, The Past, Animals, Environment, Fathers, Siblings

Tags Magical Realism, Humor, Animals, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction, Fantasy

... Read Unlikely Animals Summary

Unsheltered

by Barbara Kingsolver

Publication year 2018

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Mothers, Immigration, Science & Technology, Family

Tags Historical Fiction, Relationships, Politics & Government, Modern Classic Fiction, World History

Unsheltered was written by American author Barbara Kingsolver and first published in 2018. The novel explores themes of family, marriage, science in society, social justice issues, overcoming personal challenges, and new possibilities. Kingsolver is the recipient of the National Humanities Medal, a Pulitzer Prize finalist, and winner of the Orange Prize, Dayton Literary Peace Prize, and PEN/Faulkner award, and she has received many other recognitions by national and international associations and publications. Unsheltered is her... Read Unsheltered Summary

Uprooted

by Naomi Novik

Publication year 2015

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Hate & Anger, Love, Power & Greed

Tags Fantasy, Romance, Fairy Tale & Folklore, Relationships, Medieval

Uprooted (2016) is a fantasy novel inspired by Polish folktales and written by New York Times bestselling American fantasy author Naomi Novik, best known for her Temeraire series. In Uprooted, a young woman named Agnieszka lives in a small village in a valley on the edge of the deadly Wood. It is the task of the Dragon, a powerful wizard in a nearby tower, to keep the Wood at bay. As payment, the Dragon chooses... Read Uprooted Summary

Upstream

by Mary Oliver

Publication year 2016

Genre Essay Collection, Nonfiction

Themes Environment, Animals, Plants, Place, Self Discovery, Literature

Tags Science & Nature, Classic Fiction

... Read Upstream Summary

Valentine

by Elizabeth Wetmore

Publication year 2020

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Friendship, Community, Safety & Danger, Coming of Age, Forgiveness, Revenge, Love, Mothers, Family, Guilt, Hate & Anger, Fear, Justice, Equality, Good & Evil, Marriage, Truth & Lies, Perseverance, Conflict, Loneliness, Hope, Gratitude

Tags Historical Fiction, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Coming of Age, Relationships, Race & Racism, Trauma & Abuse, Love & Sexuality, Social Justice, Modern Classic Fiction, World History

... Read Valentine Summary

Vicious

by V. E. Schwab

Publication year 2013

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Revenge, Good & Evil

Tags Fantasy, Horror & Suspense, Science & Nature, Religion & Spirituality, American Literature, Science Fiction

... Read Vicious Summary

Vigil

by George Saunders

Publication year 2026

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Nostalgia, Regret, Death, Environment, Family, Justice, Power & Greed

Tags Magical Realism, Literary Fiction, Speculative Fiction

... Read Vigil Summary

Violeta

by Isabel Allende

Publication year 2022

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Family, Love, Politics & Government

Tags Historical Fiction, Magical Realism, Latin American Literature, Gender & Feminism, Modern Classic Fiction, World History, Romance

... Read Violeta Summary