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.

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

A Study in Drowning

by Ava Reid

Publication year 2023

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Femininity, Gender Identity, The Past, Environment, War, Literature

Tags Fantasy, Romance, Gothic Literature, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Horror & Suspense, Fairy Tale & Folklore

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A Swiftly Tilting Planet

by Madeleine L'Engle

Publication year 1978

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes War, Good & Evil, Religion & Spirituality

Tags Science Fiction, Children`s Literature, Fantasy, Action & Adventure

Published in 1978, Madeleine L’Engle’s A Swiftly Tilting Planet is the third book in the acclaimed Time Quintet series, a young adult science fantasy sequence that blends speculative fiction with spiritual and ethical questions. The story shifts focus from the series’ previous protagonist, Meg Murry, to her gifted 15-year-old brother, Charles Wallace. On Thanksgiving Day, the Murry family learns that a dictator is threatening nuclear war. Charles Wallace must attempt to avert this catastrophe by... Read A Swiftly Tilting Planet Summary

A Thousand Steps into Night

by Traci Chee

Publication year 2022

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Fear, Forgiveness, Hate & Anger, Grief, Hope, Love, Regret, Revenge, Shame & Pride, Beauty, Equality, Fate, Good & Evil, Justice, Loyalty & Betrayal, Order & Chaos, Trust & Doubt, Truth & Lies, Power & Greed, Religion & Spirituality, Safety & Danger, Wins & Losses, Appearance & Reality, Space, Animals, Place, Daughters & Sons, Friendship, Fathers, Family, Teamwork, Femininity, Gender Identity, Masculinity, Sexual Identity, Social Class

Tags Fantasy, Action & Adventure, Mythology, Coming of Age, Historical Fiction, Gender & Feminism, Asian Literature, Japanese Literature

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A Torch Against the Night

by Sabaa Tahir

Publication year 2016

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Hate & Anger, Race, Death, Self Discovery, War

Tags Fantasy, Romance, Action & Adventure

A Torch Against the Night (2016) is a young adult fantasy novel by Sabaa Tahir. It is the second installment in the bestselling Ember Quartet, which is set in a brutal world inspired by ancient Rome. Following the commercial and critical success of the first book in the series, An Ember in the Ashes (2015), A Torch Against the Night became a #1 New York Times bestseller. The novel continues the story of fugitives Laia... Read A Torch Against the Night Summary

A Treatise of Human Nature

by David Hume

Publication year 1739

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Justice, Politics & Government, Good & Evil, Community

Tags Philosophy, Psychology, Science & Nature, Age of Enlightenment

David Hume’s A Treatise of Human Nature was first published in 1740. Although the book did not sell well on its release, it became one of the key texts of the Enlightenment. It was especially known for its argument that human knowledge is based on direct experience and observation—a school of philosophy known as empiricism—and that human behavior is not based on reason, but on emotions. Divided into three books, A Treatise of Human Nature... Read A Treatise of Human Nature Summary

At Swim-Two-Birds

by Flann O'Brien

Publication year 1939

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Literature, Social Class, Fate, The Past, Power & Greed, Good & Evil, Trust & Doubt, Conflict

Tags Irish Literature, Humor, Fantasy, Magical Realism, Fairy Tale & Folklore, Satirical Literature, Arts & Culture, Social Class, British Literature, World History, Classic Fiction

... Read At Swim-Two-Birds Summary

Attack Of The Black Rectangles

by A.S King

Publication year 2022

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Fear, Grief, Hate & Anger, Guilt, Appearance & Reality, Equality, Justice, Literature, Safety & Danger, Truth & Lies, Family, Fathers, Grandparents, Friendship, Daughters & Sons, Mothers, Childhood & Youth, Coming of Age, Community, Education, Trust & Doubt

Tags Realistic Fiction, Children`s Literature, Coming of Age, Education

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Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin

by Benjamin Franklin

Publication year 1791

Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction

Themes Equality, Fame, Community, Politics & Government, Coming of Age, Midlife, Science & Technology, Perseverance

Tags US History, Politics & Government, Inspirational, American Revolution, Age of Enlightenment

The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin was written in pieces from 1771 to 1790. The work was first published in 1791 in Paris, France, after Franklin’s death as The Private Life of the Late Benjamin Franklin. The autobiography was then published in London in 1793. In his writing, Franklin reflects upon his academic, professional, and philosophical pursuits. He examines how he advanced his economic and social standing during the formation of the United States, covering from... Read Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin Summary

Bad Feminist

by Roxane Gay

Publication year 2014

Genre Essay Collection, Nonfiction

Themes Race, Femininity, Literature, Justice, Equality

Tags Gender & Feminism, Women`s Studies, Race & Racism, Social Justice, Politics & Government

Bad Feminist is a collection of essays from writer, scholar, and social critic Roxane Gay. Published in 2014 by Harper Perennial, the New York Times best seller draws together an array of topics, from pop culture to literary discourse to political legislation to personal recollections, in an analysis of society, culture, and politics. Gay tackles modern patriarchy and racism in ways that emphasize the humanity of marginalized people and how those systems of oppression deny... Read Bad Feminist Summary

Bad Monkey

by Carl Hiaasen

Publication year 2013

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Sexual Identity, Politics & Government, Fate, Good & Evil, Justice, Order & Chaos, Power & Greed, Safety & Danger, Trust & Doubt, Truth & Lies

Tags Humor, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Horror & Suspense

... Read Bad Monkey Summary