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 2024

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Values/Ideas: Literature, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Hate & Anger, Life/Time: The Future, Life/Time: The Past, Natural World: Place, Society: Community, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies

Tags Humor, Southern Literature, Modern Classic Fiction


Publication year 2023

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Self Discovery, Identity: Race, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Relationships: Family

Tags Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, Love / Sexuality, Modern Classic Fiction, Mental Illness


Publication year 2021

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Relationships: Family, Relationships: Siblings, Life/Time: Coming of Age

Tags Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, Relationships, Addiction / Substance Abuse, Grief / Death, Parenting, American Literature, Modern Classic Fiction, History: World, Historical Fiction, Romance


Publication year 2020

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Life/Time: Coming of Age, Values/Ideas: Literature, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Relationships: Family

Tags Fantasy, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, Arts / Culture, Grief / Death, Education, Relationships, American Literature, Children's Literature, Realistic Fiction, Magical Realism, Action / Adventure


Publication year 2006

Genre Biography, Nonfiction

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

Tags Crime / Legal, History: U.S., Politics / Government, Military / War, Mystery / Crime Fiction, History: World, Biography

Manhunt: The Twelve-Day Chase for Lincoln’s Killer (2006) by James L. Swanson is a popular true-crime historical thriller about the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln on April 14, 1865 and the search for the assassin John Wilkes Booth. James Swanson has written several books about Abraham Lincoln and other events in American history including the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. The book won the Edgar Award, a literary award for fiction and non-fiction works... Read Manhunt Summary


Publication year 2024

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Identity: Femininity, Relationships: Mothers, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Science & Technology

Tags Humor, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman


Publication year 2021

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Self Discovery, Relationships: Family, Values/Ideas: Fame, Values/Ideas: Music, Emotions/Behavior: Love

Tags Historical Fiction, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, Humor, Music, Modern Classic Fiction, History: World


Publication year 2023

Genre Biography, Nonfiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Identity: Race, Relationships: Marriage, Society: Community, Society: Politics & Government, Values/Ideas: Equality

Tags History: U.S., Race / Racism


Publication year 2023

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Forgiveness, Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Emotions/Behavior: Hate & Anger, Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Emotions/Behavior: Regret, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Life/Time: The Future, Relationships: Teams, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt

Tags Fantasy, Romance, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, LGBTQ, Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Religion / Spirituality


Publication year 2021

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Identity: Sexuality, Identity: Gender, Identity: Femininity

Tags Historical Fiction, LGBTQ, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, Gender / Feminism, History: World, Religion / Spirituality


Publication year 2021

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Self Discovery

Tags Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Humor, Realistic Fiction, Children's Literature, Education, Education, Modern Classic Fiction


Publication year 2017

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Relationships: Teams, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos

Tags Business / Economics, Leadership/Organization/Management, Self Help


Publication year 2012

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Self Discovery, Relationships: Family, Life/Time: Mortality & Death

Tags Romance, Grief / Death, Love / Sexuality, Depression / Suicide, Realistic Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction, Drama / Tragedy

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes chronicles the burgeoning romance between Will Traynor, a quadriplegic man, and Louisa Clark, his caregiver. Published in 2012, Me Before You is the first novel in Moyes’s trilogy and is followed by After You (2015) and Still Me (2018). The novel was adapted into a 2016 film starring Emilia Clarke and Sam Claflin. Written from various perspectives, Me Before You explores the complexities of disability, love, and euthanasia.This guide... Read Me Before You Summary


Publication year 2023

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Life/Time: The Past, Relationships: Mothers, Emotions/Behavior: Regret, Identity: Mental Health

Tags Romance, New Adult, Relationships, Love / Sexuality, Modern Classic Fiction


Publication year 2022

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Relationships: Family, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Hate & Anger, Identity: Race, Values/Ideas: Art, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice

Tags Historical Fiction, Race / Racism, African American Literature, Modern Classic Fiction, History: World


Publication year 2020

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Hate & Anger, Identity: Femininity, Identity: Gender, Identity: Masculinity, Natural World: Nurture v. Nature, Society: Community, Values/Ideas: Equality, Values/Ideas: Science & Technology

Tags Gender / Feminism, Women's Studies (Nonfiction), Social Justice, Trauma / Abuse / Violence


Publication year 2022

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Society: War, Society: Immigration, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Identity: Race, Relationships: Family, Society: Politics & Government

Tags Historical Fiction, WWII / World War II, Military / War, Italian Literature, History: World


Publication year 2023

Genre Graphic Memoir , Nonfiction

Themes Relationships: Family, Identity: Language, Identity: Race, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Life/Time: The Past, Society: Immigration

Tags Children's Literature, Humor, Biography


Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Natural World: Space & The Universe, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Life/Time: The Future, Natural World: Nurture v. Nature, Self Discovery, Society: Colonialism

Tags Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Fantasy


Publication year 1995

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Relationships: Family, Relationships: Siblings, Emotions/Behavior: Grief

Tags Children's Literature, Realistic Fiction, Grief / Death, Modern Classic Fiction