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 2021

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Values/Ideas: Fate, Relationships: Family, Relationships: Friendship

Tags Romance, Magical Realism, Modern Classic Fiction, Fantasy


Publication year 2019

Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Identity: Sexuality, Self Discovery, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict

Tags LGBTQ, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, Relationships, Love / Sexuality, Arts / Culture, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Gender / Feminism, Biography

Carmen Maria Machado’s memoir In the Dream House chronologizes her experiences in an abusive relationship with a woman. In the Dream House was published in 2019 and won the 2021 Folio Prize and the 2020 Lambda Literary Award for LGBTQ Nonfiction. The memoir discusses potential modes for queer representation through the use of multiple narrative techniques. As of 2022, Machado lives in Pennsylvania with her wife and works at the University of Pennsylvania.Other work by... Read In the Dream House Summary


Publication year 2015

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Relationships: Family, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Identity: Indigenous, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Life/Time: The Past, Relationships: Grandparents, Society: Colonialism, Society: Community

Tags Children's Literature, History: World, Historical Fiction, Realistic Fiction


Publication year 2023

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Forgiveness, Relationships: Fathers, Relationships: Friendship, Emotions/Behavior: Love

Tags Fantasy, Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Romance, LGBTQ, Fairy Tale / Folklore


Publication year 2021

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Relationships: Friendship, Relationships: Family, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Self Discovery

Tags Realistic Fiction, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, Romance, Addiction / Substance Abuse, Modern Classic Fiction


Publication year 2021

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Relationships: Friendship, Self Discovery, Society: Politics & Government, Values/Ideas: Art, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice

Tags Mystery / Crime Fiction, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction


Publication year 1889

Genre Poem, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Win & Lose

Tags Lyric Poem, Disability, Inspirational, Classic Fiction


Publication year 2022

Genre Graphic Novel/Book, Fiction

Themes Relationships: Friendship, Identity: Language, Society: Immigration, Identity: Race

Tags Realistic Fiction, Race / Racism, Children's Literature, Education, Education, Modern Classic Fiction


Publication year 2021

Genre Biography, Nonfiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Identity: Race, Society: Class, Society: Education, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice

Tags Race / Racism, Social Justice, Poverty, Sociology, History: World, Politics / Government, Biography


Publication year 2023

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Identity: Race, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies

Tags Mystery / Crime Fiction


Publication year 2022

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Relationships: Friendship, Self Discovery, Identity: Femininity, Life/Time: Midlife, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal

Tags Romance, Humor, LGBTQ, British Literature, Modern Classic Fiction


Publication year 2023

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Emotions/Behavior: Love

Tags Fantasy, Romance


Publication year 2021

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Identity: Gender, Identity: Sexuality, Values/Ideas: Equality, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil

Tags Fantasy, Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Action / Adventure, Historical Fiction, Romance, LGBTQ


Publication year 2011

Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Identity: Femininity, Values/Ideas: Fame

Tags Biography, Humor


Publication year 2025

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Identity: Gender, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Natural World: Nurture v. Nature, Society: Class

Tags Historical Fiction, Survival Fiction


Publication year 2021

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Self Discovery, Natural World: Appearance & Reality

Tags Romance, Humor, Modern Classic Fiction


Publication year 2020

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Life/Time: Aging, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Relationships: Family, Relationships: Friendship, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Relationships: Daughters & Sons, Relationships: Siblings, Values/Ideas: Beauty

Tags African American Literature, Realistic Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction, Romance


Publication year 2022

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Relationships: Mothers, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt, Emotions/Behavior: Love

Tags Romance, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, Love / Sexuality, Modern Classic Fiction


Publication year 2022

Genre Novel/Book in Verse, Fiction

Themes Identity: Mental Health, Relationships: Family, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Forgiveness, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Emotions/Behavior: Hate & Anger, Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Identity: Race, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Relationships: Fathers, Relationships: Grandparents, Relationships: Mothers, Self Discovery, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger

Tags Realistic Fiction, Mental Illness


Publication year 2009

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Life/Time: The Future, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Society: Economics

Tags Business / Economics, Finance / Money / Wealth, Self Help, Leadership/Organization/Management