What’s the Best Book of the Past 125 Years? We Asked Readers to Decide.
This is one of the 743 lists we use to generate our main The Greatest Books list.
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To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Set in the racially charged South during the Depression, the novel follows a young girl and her older brother as they navigate their small town's societal norms and prejudices. Their father, a lawyer, is appointed to defend a black man falsely accused of raping a white woman, forcing the children to confront the harsh realities of racism and injustice. The story explores themes of morality, innocence, and the loss of innocence through the eyes of the young protagonists.
The 16th Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon -
The Lord Of The Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien
A young hobbit inherits a seemingly simple ring that harbors an ancient, corrupting power, and sets out on a perilous quest with loyal friends and unlikely allies to carry it to the only place it can be destroyed; along the way a diverse fellowship is tested by betrayal, war, and sacrifice as dark forces seek to reclaim the ring, rulers rise to meet their destinies, and the fate of their world hangs on courage, friendship, and the smallest acts of resistance against tyranny.
The 17th Greatest Book of All Time -
Nineteen Eighty Four by George Orwell
Set in a dystopian future, the novel presents a society under the total control of a totalitarian regime, led by the omnipresent Big Brother. The protagonist, a low-ranking member of 'the Party', begins to question the regime and falls in love with a woman, an act of rebellion in a world where independent thought, dissent, and love are prohibited. The novel explores themes of surveillance, censorship, and the manipulation of truth.
The 6th Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon -
One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez
This novel is a multi-generational saga that focuses on the Buendía family, who founded the fictional town of Macondo. It explores themes of love, loss, family, and the cyclical nature of history. The story is filled with magical realism, blending the supernatural with the ordinary, as it chronicles the family's experiences, including civil war, marriages, births, and deaths. The book is renowned for its narrative style and its exploration of solitude, fate, and the inevitability of repetition in history.
The 5th Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon -
Beloved by Toni Morrison
This novel tells the story of a former African-American slave woman who, after escaping to Ohio, is haunted by the ghost of her deceased daughter. The protagonist is forced to confront her repressed memories and the horrific realities of her past, including the desperate act she committed to protect her children from a life of slavery. The narrative is a poignant exploration of the physical, emotional, and psychological scars inflicted by the institution of slavery, and the struggle for identity and self-acceptance in its aftermath.
The 49th Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon -
Parable Of The Sower by Octavia E. Butler
In a dystopian future where society has collapsed due to environmental and economic crises, a young woman named Lauren Olamina possesses a unique ability to feel the pain and pleasure of others. As she witnesses her community being torn apart by violence and religious fanaticism, Lauren embarks on a perilous journey to find a new safe haven and establish her own religion based on empathy and survival. Through her thought-provoking narrative, the book explores themes of resilience, spirituality, and the power of human connection in the face of adversity.
The 1326th Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon -
The Warmth Of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson
The Epic Story of America's Great Migration
"The Warmth of Other Suns" is a powerful and deeply moving narrative that chronicles the Great Migration, a significant event in American history that saw millions of African Americans leave the South in search of better opportunities and freedom from racial oppression. Through the compelling stories of three individuals, the book explores the challenges, triumphs, and sacrifices made by these courageous migrants as they embarked on a journey to find a new life in the North and West, ultimately reshaping the social and cultural landscape of America.
The 908th Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon -
Dracula by Bram Stoker
This classic horror novel tells the story of Count Dracula's attempt to move from Transylvania to England so that he may find new blood and spread the undead curse, and of the battle between Dracula and a small group of people led by Professor Abraham Van Helsing. The narrative is composed of journal entries, letters, and telegrams written by the novel's protagonists, providing different perspectives on the gruesome events unfolding. The book touches on themes of sexuality, gender roles, and the clash of modern science with traditional superstition.
The 53rd Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon -
The Joy of Cooking by Irma S. Rombauer, Marion Rombauer Becker, Ethan Becker
A Compilation of Reliable Recipes with a Casual Culinary Chat
This book is a comprehensive guide to home cooking, providing readers with a wide range of recipes, techniques, and advice for all kinds of dishes. It covers everything from appetizers to desserts, with clear instructions and illustrations to make the process easy and enjoyable. The book also includes helpful tips on meal planning, food safety, and nutrition, making it a valuable resource for both beginners and experienced cooks.
The 673rd Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon -
Watership Down by Richard Adams
This novel follows a group of rabbits as they flee their warren due to a foreseen catastrophe. The rabbits, led by Hazel and his psychic brother Fiver, face numerous challenges and adventures as they search for a new home. They encounter predators, hostile rabbit communities, and human threats. The book explores themes of leadership, survival, and freedom, all set within the natural world and its inherent dangers.
The 229th Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon -
The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck
A New Psychology of Love, Traditional Values and Spiritual Growth
This transformative work delves into the intricacies of personal growth, exploring the challenges and rewards of embracing a disciplined life. It emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, love, and spiritual development as foundational elements for achieving true fulfillment. Through a blend of psychological insights and spiritual wisdom, the book encourages readers to confront their fears, embrace responsibility, and cultivate a deeper understanding of themselves and their relationships. It serves as a guide for navigating the complexities of life with courage, integrity, and a commitment to personal evolution.
The 1301st Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Amazon
New York Times, 11 Books
A list from the New York Times. Here's the description from the website:
In October, as we marked the Book Review’s 125th anniversary, we invited readers to nominate the best book published during that time. This was a nod to our history: In its first few decades, the Book Review often asked readers to anoint the best books, the best short stories, the best poems. We wanted this project, like those early ones, to reflect readers’ tastes and preferences.
Responses began pouring in from all 50 states and 67 countries. In November, we presented a list of the 25 most-nominated books (one per author) for a vote. There were more than 200,000 ballots.
This list was originally published in 2021 and was added to this site about 2 years ago.
This list has a weight of 40%. To learn more about what this means please visit the Rankings page.
Here is a list of what is decreasing the importance of this list:
- Voters: not critics, authors, or experts
If you think this is incorrect please contact us.
- Number of Voters:
- 200000
- Voter Count Unknown:
- No
- Voter Names Unknown:
- No
- High Quality Source:
- No
- Location Specific:
- No
- Category Specific:
- No