This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.

1. 1. Empire Falls

   

   "Empire Falls" is a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel that explores the life of Miles Roby, a man who has spent his entire life in a decaying, blue-collar town in Maine. Miles, a kind-hearted man, runs the Empire Grill, a local diner, and dreams of escaping the town and his manipulative, wealthy boss. The novel delves into the complex relationships and social dynamics of the town, examining themes of love, loss, and the economic decline of small-town America.

   The 2586th Greatest Book of All Time

   Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon

2. 2. Straight Man

   

   The novel is a comedic exploration of academia through the eyes of William Henry Devereaux Jr., a reluctant and sardonic interim chair of the English department at a struggling Pennsylvania college. As he navigates the absurdities and bureaucratic challenges of university life, including faculty disputes and budget cuts, Devereaux's personal life also unravels with marital tensions and a strained relationship with his father. Amidst the chaos, his irreverent humor and existential musings provide a poignant and humorous critique of the academic world and the search for meaning in middle age.

   The 13505th Greatest Book of All Time