Best Books of the 20th Century (4659 books)

Best Books of the 20th Century

The best books published during the 20th century (January 1st, 1900 through December 31st 1999)

601	Generation X: Tales for an Accelerated Culture by Douglas Coupland 3.7 of 5 stars 3.70 avg rating — 13,870 ratings score: 1,494, and 18 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
602	Digital Fortress by Dan Brown 3.46 of 5 stars 3.46 avg rating — 190,485 ratings score: 1,484, and 22 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
602	My Family and Other Animals (Corfu Trilogy, #1) by Gerald Durrell 4.29 of 5 stars 4.29 avg rating — 9,434 ratings score: 1,484, and 25 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
604	The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test by Tom Wolfe 3.88 of 5 stars 3.88 avg rating — 32,287 ratings score: 1,479, and 27 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
605	Kristin Lavransdatter (Kristin Lavransdatter, #1-3) by Sigrid Undset 4.23 of 5 stars 4.23 avg rating — 2,645 ratings score: 1,470, and 19 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
606	The Good Soldier Švejk by Jaroslav Hašek (Author) 4.12 of 5 stars 4.12 avg rating — 3,776 ratings score: 1,462, and 23 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
607	The Man Without Qualities, Vol. 1 by Robert Musil 4.36 of 5 stars 4.36 avg rating — 996 ratings score: 1,460, and 19 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
608	Lake Wobegon Days by Garrison Keillor 3.59 of 5 stars 3.59 avg rating — 4,043 ratings score: 1,457, and 26 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
609	The Queen of the Damned (The Vampire Chronicles, #3) by Anne Rice 3.79 of 5 stars 3.79 avg rating — 72,146 ratings score: 1,450, and 22 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
610	The Deptford Trilogy: Fifth Business, The Manticore, and World of Wonders by Robertson Davies 4.37 of 5 stars 4.37 avg rating — 3,233 ratings score: 1,448, and 20 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
611	The Dead Zone by Stephen King 3.81 of 5 stars 3.81 avg rating — 72,825 ratings score: 1,446, and 21 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
612	The Beekeeper's Apprentice (Mary Russell, #1) by Laurie R. King (Goodreads Author) 4.12 of 5 stars 4.12 avg rating — 23,893 ratings score: 1,444, and 18 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
613	Empire of the Sun by J.G. Ballard 3.94 of 5 stars 3.94 avg rating — 5,961 ratings score: 1,441, and 22 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
614	The Shell Seekers by Rosamunde Pilcher 4.06 of 5 stars 4.06 avg rating — 34,065 ratings score: 1,411, and 22 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
615	A Son of the Circus by John Irving (Goodreads Author) 3.53 of 5 stars 3.53 avg rating — 10,546 ratings score: 1,405, and 18 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
616	The Complete Father Brown by G.K. Chesterton 4.13 of 5 stars 4.13 avg rating — 2,313 ratings score: 1,404, and 23 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
616	The Sheltering Sky by Paul Bowles 3.93 of 5 stars 3.93 avg rating — 9,212 ratings score: 1,404, and 18 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
616	The Stories of John Cheever by John Cheever 4.27 of 5 stars 4.27 avg rating — 6,218 ratings score: 1,404, and 19 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
619	Desert Solitaire by Edward Abbey 4.25 of 5 stars 4.25 avg rating — 13,628 ratings score: 1,394, and 17 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
620	Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury 4.03 of 5 stars 4.03 avg rating — 20,285 ratings score: 1,390, and 20 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
621	The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare 3.89 of 5 stars 3.89 avg rating — 59,486 ratings score: 1,388, and 20 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
622	Mila 18 by Leon Uris 4.2 of 5 stars 4.20 avg rating — 8,939 ratings score: 1,385, and 21 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
623	Tao of Pooh and Te of Piglet Boxed Set by Benjamin Hoff 4.11 of 5 stars 4.11 avg rating — 6,672 ratings score: 1,379, and 18 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
624	Wizard's First Rule (Sword of Truth, #1) by Terry Goodkind (Goodreads Author) 4.11 of 5 stars 4.11 avg rating — 85,272 ratings score: 1,374, and 19 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
625	Crossing to Safety by Wallace Stegner 4.17 of 5 stars 4.17 avg rating — 13,366 ratings score: 1,373, and 17 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
626	Herzog by Saul Bellow 3.77 of 5 stars 3.77 avg rating — 7,495 ratings score: 1,371, and 20 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
627	Complete Poems, 1904-1962 by E.E. Cummings 4.37 of 5 stars 4.37 avg rating — 11,319 ratings score: 1,367, and 24 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
628	Slouching Towards Bethlehem by Joan Didion 4.26 of 5 stars 4.26 avg rating — 8,463 ratings score: 1,361, and 20 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
629	Tai-Pan by James Clavell 4.16 of 5 stars 4.16 avg rating — 17,095 ratings score: 1,355, and 24 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
629	The Winter of Our Discontent by John Steinbeck 3.95 of 5 stars 3.95 avg rating — 17,120 ratings score: 1,355, and 22 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
631	The Bloody Chamber and Other Stories by Angela Carter 4.07 of 5 stars 4.07 avg rating — 9,242 ratings score: 1,350, and 17 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
632	Amerika by Franz Kafka 3.71 of 5 stars 3.71 avg rating — 7,548 ratings score: 1,344, and 21 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
633	Where the Heart Is by Billie Letts 3.93 of 5 stars 3.93 avg rating — 113,956 ratings score: 1,343, and 18 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
634	Clear and Present Danger (Jack Ryan, #5) by Tom Clancy 3.99 of 5 stars 3.99 avg rating — 44,244 ratings score: 1,319, and 21 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
635	Another Roadside Attraction by Tom Robbins 3.92 of 5 stars 3.92 avg rating — 17,986 ratings score: 1,313, and 21 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
636	The Day of the Triffids by John Wyndham 3.95 of 5 stars 3.95 avg rating — 27,349 ratings score: 1,304, and 22 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
637	Centennial by James A. Michener 4.11 of 5 stars 4.11 avg rating — 14,434 ratings score: 1,302, and 22 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
637	Zorba the Greek by Nikos Kazantzakis 4.07 of 5 stars 4.07 avg rating — 8,080 ratings score: 1,302, and 21 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
639	The Clown by Heinrich Böll 4.04 of 5 stars 4.04 avg rating — 5,560 ratings score: 1,293, and 15 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
640	A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett 4.18 of 5 stars 4.18 avg rating — 96,449 ratings score: 1,284, and 19 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
641	Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman! by Richard P. Feynman 4.32 of 5 stars 4.32 avg rating — 33,251 ratings score: 1,281, and 18 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
642	The Maltese Falcon, The Thin Man, Red Harvest by Dashiell Hammett 4.22 of 5 stars 4.22 avg rating — 729 ratings score: 1,274, and 23 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
643	The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat and Other Clinical Tales by Oliver Sacks (Goodreads Author) 4.02 of 5 stars 4.02 avg rating — 43,235 ratings score: 1,265, and 17 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
644	Magician (The Riftwar Saga, #1-2) by Raymond E. Feist 4.3 of 5 stars 4.30 avg rating — 21,717 ratings score: 1,263, and 18 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
645	Circle of Friends by Maeve Binchy 3.93 of 5 stars 3.93 avg rating — 27,006 ratings score: 1,256, and 22 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
646	The Inimitable Jeeves (Jeeves, #2) by P.G. Wodehouse 4.26 of 5 stars 4.26 avg rating — 6,992 ratings score: 1,250, and 20 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
647	The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, The Girls of Slender Means, The Driver's Seat, The Only Problem by Muriel Spark 3.75 of 5 stars 3.75 avg rating — 1,294 ratings score: 1,245, and 22 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
648	Poetry, Drama and Prose by W.B. Yeats 4.24 of 5 stars 4.24 avg rating — 1,018 ratings score: 1,241, and 19 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
649	Smiley's People (George Smiley, #7) by John le Carré 4.17 of 5 stars 4.17 avg rating — 10,684 ratings score: 1,238, and 20 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
650	The Power and the Glory by Graham Greene 3.98 of 5 stars 3.98 avg rating — 11,438 ratings score: 1,236, and 17 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
651	The Man Who Was Thursday by G.K. Chesterton 3.88 of 5 stars 3.88 avg rating — 11,124 ratings score: 1,227, and 17 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
652	Needful Things by Stephen King 3.76 of 5 stars 3.76 avg rating — 85,908 ratings score: 1,225, and 17 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
653	O Pioneers! by Willa Cather 3.78 of 5 stars 3.78 avg rating — 16,245 ratings score: 1,221, and 19 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
654	Molloy, Malone Dies, The Unnamable: A Trilogy by Samuel Beckett 4.29 of 5 stars 4.29 avg rating — 3,729 ratings score: 1,212, and 16 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
655	Rocket Boys by Homer H. Hickam 4.1 of 5 stars 4.10 avg rating — 6,366 ratings score: 1,203, and 15 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
656	Harry Potter Boxset (Harry Potter, #1-7) by J.K. Rowling 4.71 of 5 stars 4.71 avg rating — 87,927 ratings score: 1,202, and 21 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
657	The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind by Julian Jaynes 4.19 of 5 stars 4.19 avg rating — 1,417 ratings score: 1,199, and 17 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
658	Drums of Autumn (Outlander, #4) by Diana Gabaldon (Goodreads Author) 4.31 of 5 stars 4.31 avg rating — 53,447 ratings score: 1,193, and 19 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
659	Lucky Jim by Kingsley Amis 3.82 of 5 stars 3.82 avg rating — 8,909 ratings score: 1,189, and 18 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
660	The Spy Who Came In from the Cold (George Smiley #3) by John le Carré 3.96 of 5 stars 3.96 avg rating — 16,789 ratings score: 1,186, and 26 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
661	The Selected Poetry by Rainer Maria Rilke 4.41 of 5 stars 4.41 avg rating — 6,933 ratings score: 1,183, and 18 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
662	Birdy by William Wharton 3.99 of 5 stars 3.99 avg rating — 1,962 ratings score: 1,173, and 17 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
662	The Illuminatus! Trilogy: The Eye in the Pyramid/The Golden Apple/Leviathan by Robert Shea 3.99 of 5 stars 3.99 avg rating — 8,417 ratings score: 1,173, and 17 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
662	The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty 4.04 of 5 stars 4.04 avg rating — 47,290 ratings score: 1,173, and 21 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
665	We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson 4.08 of 5 stars 4.08 avg rating — 12,470 ratings score: 1,154, and 16 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
666	The Kitchen God's Wife by Amy Tan 3.9 of 5 stars 3.90 avg rating — 34,918 ratings score: 1,153, and 18 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
667	The Tortilla Curtain by T.C. Boyle 3.64 of 5 stars 3.64 avg rating — 12,803 ratings score: 1,150, and 14 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
668	Batman: The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller 4.27 of 5 stars 4.27 avg rating — 62,851 ratings score: 1,132, and 16 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
669	The Perfect Storm: A True Story of Men Against the Sea by Sebastian Junger (Goodreads Author) 3.99 of 5 stars 3.99 avg rating — 39,218 ratings score: 1,128, and 18 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
670	Lust for Life by Irving Stone 4.12 of 5 stars 4.12 avg rating — 6,993 ratings score: 1,121, and 17 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
670	The Promise by Chaim Potok 4.08 of 5 stars 4.08 avg rating — 6,940 ratings score: 1,121, and 19 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
672	Going After Cacciato by Tim O'Brien 3.88 of 5 stars 3.88 avg rating — 5,695 ratings score: 1,119, and 15 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
672	Paradise by Toni Morrison 3.69 of 5 stars 3.69 avg rating — 11,563 ratings score: 1,119, and 17 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
674	The Sword of Shannara (The Original Shannara Trilogy #1) by Terry Brooks (Goodreads Author) 3.73 of 5 stars 3.73 avg rating — 30,167 ratings score: 1,116, and 15 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
675	Call It Sleep by Henry Roth 3.84 of 5 stars 3.84 avg rating — 3,222 ratings score: 1,115, and 14 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
676	At Swim-Two-Birds by Flann O'Brien 3.97 of 5 stars 3.97 avg rating — 4,369 ratings score: 1,113, and 15 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
677	Everything That Rises Must Converge by Flannery O'Connor 4.29 of 5 stars 4.29 avg rating — 8,977 ratings score: 1,112, and 17 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
678	The Naked and the Dead by Norman Mailer 3.9 of 5 stars 3.90 avg rating — 10,247 ratings score: 1,107, and 17 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
679	Casino Royale (James Bond, #1) by Ian Fleming 3.67 of 5 stars 3.67 avg rating — 17,386 ratings score: 1,101, and 24 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
680	Perdido Street Station (New Crobuzon, #1) by China Miéville (Goodreads Author) 3.95 of 5 stars 3.95 avg rating — 21,761 ratings score: 1,099, and 15 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
680	The Savage Detectives by Roberto Bolaño 4.0 of 5 stars 4.00 avg rating — 11,335 ratings score: 1,099, and 13 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
680	Story of Civilization by Will Durant 4.36 of 5 stars 4.36 avg rating — 754 ratings score: 1,099, and 14 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
683	Ceremony by Leslie Marmon Silko 3.69 of 5 stars 3.69 avg rating — 7,021 ratings score: 1,097, and 15 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
684	Henderson the Rain King by Saul Bellow 3.77 of 5 stars 3.77 avg rating — 5,533 ratings score: 1,096, and 16 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
685	The King Must Die (Theseus, #1) by Mary Renault 3.97 of 5 stars 3.97 avg rating — 2,665 ratings score: 1,092, and 15 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
686	Money by Martin Amis 3.69 of 5 stars 3.69 avg rating — 7,684 ratings score: 1,091, and 15 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
687	These Is My Words (Sarah Agnes Prine, #1) by Nancy E. Turner 4.39 of 5 stars 4.39 avg rating — 29,019 ratings score: 1,090, and 13 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
688	The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer 4.33 of 5 stars 4.33 avg rating — 10,765 ratings score: 1,076, and 15 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
689	Swan Song by Robert R. McCammon 4.29 of 5 stars 4.29 avg rating — 17,667 ratings score: 1,073, and 14 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
690	Tropic of Capricorn by Henry Miller 3.84 of 5 stars 3.84 avg rating — 7,649 ratings score: 1,072, and 18 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
691	The Monkey Wrench Gang by Edward Abbey 4.07 of 5 stars 4.07 avg rating — 9,308 ratings score: 1,071, and 14 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
691	Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood (Goodreads Author) 3.92 of 5 stars 3.92 avg rating — 31,573 ratings score: 1,071, and 18 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
693	Factotum by Charles Bukowski 3.97 of 5 stars 3.97 avg rating — 17,180 ratings score: 1,068, and 14 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
694	A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein 4.33 of 5 stars 4.33 avg rating — 143,124 ratings score: 1,066, and 19 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
695	A Swiftly Tilting Planet (Time, #3) by Madeleine L'Engle 4.09 of 5 stars 4.09 avg rating — 43,412 ratings score: 1,065, and 19 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
696	The Women's Room by Marilyn French 3.87 of 5 stars 3.87 avg rating — 3,201 ratings score: 1,063, and 21 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
697	Ariel by Sylvia Plath 4.26 of 5 stars 4.26 avg rating — 17,710 ratings score: 1,060, and 17 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
698	Einstein's Dreams by Alan Lightman 4.05 of 5 stars 4.05 avg rating — 13,236 ratings score: 1,057, and 12 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
698	Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood by Marjane Satrapi 4.19 of 5 stars 4.19 avg rating — 69,500 ratings score: 1,057, and 14 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
700	The Stone Diaries by Carol Shields 3.75 of 5 stars 3.75 avg rating — 15,879 ratings score: 1,056, and 17 people voted	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

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4,659 books · 31,490 voters · list created May 29th, 2008 by deleted user.

Tags: 20th-century, best, fiction, non-fiction

1257 likes · like

Lists are re-scored approximately every 500 seconds.

People Who Voted On This List (31490)

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3646 books
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Sherry
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Maria M.
2405 books
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Comments (showing 1-50 of 326) (326 new)

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message 1: by Gary (new)

Jun 14, 2008 08:30pm

Jane Austen? Oscar Wilde? Louisa May Alcott? Charles Dickens? William Shakespeare? Alexandre Dumas? Bram Stoker's Dracula?

None of those are 20th century.

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message 2: by Laura (new)

Jun 17, 2008 02:49pm

Uh, yeah, what Gary said. Hello?

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message 3: by Dottie (last edited Jun 20, 2008 08:13pm) (new)

Jun 20, 2008 08:07pm

Picture of Dorian Gray first published 1891 doesn't belong in 20th century books. 19th century

Oops -- you guys already caught these. Another one -- Bronte.

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message 4: by Mark (last edited Feb 25, 2009 03:38am) (new)

Jun 23, 2008 06:32pm

Similarly, Three Cups of Tea was published in 2006... is there an easy way to delete these? Or should this list take a Braudelian view of the "long 20th century"? ;)

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message 5: by Marion (new)

Jun 24, 2008 04:04am

Some of those definitely aren't 20th century

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message 6: by Ashley (new)

Jun 24, 2008 08:31am

There are a lot of those 19th century books, but now there are also many that are 21st century as well i.e. The Host and the most recent Harry Potter books. Is there any way to delete them?

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message 7: by Snorkle (new)

Jun 25, 2008 08:38am

I was getting all annoyed because they had a couple books that were published after 2000, but then I realized that I had just voted for Pride and Prejudice....I wish that there was a way to delete books that didn't fit the critieria...or maybe if the list was programmed to automatically check the publication date and tell you whether or not you could add it to the list...

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message 8: by Wifey (last edited Jun 25, 2008 08:48am) (new)

Jun 25, 2008 08:46am

Why isn't Celine or Saint Exupéry or Borges on this list? I call bullshit. Or i don't know... Vonnegut?

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message 9: by Kelly (new)

Jun 25, 2008 10:49am

Um, people? Jane Austen novels and/or Jane Eyre are in NO WAY 20th century novels, whatever thousandth reprinting that they're on right now that happens to have taken place in that century.

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message 10: by bryan (new)

Jun 25, 2008 11:09am

It's called the "best books" of the 20th century, so why does everyone seem to be restricting themselves to novels?

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message 11: by jessica juniper (new)

Jun 25, 2008 12:39pm

There are several books on here that are not from the 20th Century...Jane Austen, The Brontes, and Joyce plus many more...can someone fix this please!

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message 12: by Bebe (new)

Jun 25, 2008 09:09pm

Um, Pride and Prejudice and Jane Eyre are not 20th c reads. Come on guys!

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message 13: by [deleted user] (new)

Jun 26, 2008 04:00am

Dracula was written on 1897, not in 20th century for sure.

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message 14: by Lisa/Bluestem (new)

Jun 26, 2008 08:47am

Could we move Time Traveler's Wife to the 21st Century list?

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message 15: by bup (new)

Jun 27, 2008 11:37am

THE KING JAMES BIBLE!?

THE BOOK OF MORMON!?

And it's amazing how many votes Pride and Prejudice has gotten - 30!

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message 16: by Lexi (last edited Feb 25, 2009 02:51am) (new)

Jun 28, 2008 12:09pm

Several books not written in the 20th century:

Twilight, New Moon, and Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (I think)

Don't get me wrong, these are all great books but they don't belong on this list! Please check dates (or at least use common sense) before adding books to a date-specific list!

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message 17: by Matthew (new)

Jun 28, 2008 10:52pm

you couldn't be more right, throw in Kafka, as well. then the non-20th century books, along with the pop fiction books on the list?

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message 18: by Megan (new)

Jun 30, 2008 10:22pm

Vonnegut should definetly be on this list.

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message 19: by Laura (new)

Jul 01, 2008 07:37am

If you think so, why not add Vonnegut to the list? Seems simpler than complaining about it.

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message 20: by Stacy (new)

Jul 01, 2008 09:06am

The 20th century seems to have lasted for more than two hundred years. I have to agree with the poster who commented on the lack of nonfiction. What about Backlash by Susan Faludi? Something by John Krakauer or David Sedaris?

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message 21: by Laura (new)

Jul 01, 2008 09:27am

Guys. You are aware that you can, you know, add any book you want to this list, right? If you think something belongs on the list yet is not there, ADD IT YOURSELF.

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message 22: by Todd (new)

Jul 04, 2008 11:17am

This list appears to be restricting books based on the "published" date for some random (default?) edition, rather than the often-available "first published" date. This would explain why Pride & Prejudice (1813) can make the list, but it doesn't want me to add To the Lighthouse (1927).

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message 23: by Sarah (new)

Jul 12, 2008 09:18pm

Gah!! The books on this list that were not written in the 20th century are hurting my OCD. Is there any way to edit? To remove books from the list that others have added?

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message 24: by Mommy (new)

Jul 17, 2008 10:11am

where is THE WORLD ACCORDING TO GARP by John Irving?

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message 25: by Ashley (new)

Jul 18, 2008 09:06am

It's there (page 2), but if there's anything you think should be on any list, add it yourself.

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message 26: by Kenneth (new)

Jul 29, 2008 10:45am

oh boy some real chestnuts. C'mon Where's your Henry Miller. He is only the greatest American author of that century. and seriously, what's up with the book of Mormon?

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message 27: by Nathanimal (new)

Jul 29, 2008 10:48am

The Book of Mormon? #4? Really guys?

It's not even very well written! Despite being published in 1830 (and written, allegedly, mosty in the B.C.E)

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message 28: by Sunil (last edited Jul 29, 2008 11:11am) (new)

Jul 29, 2008 11:09am

Hmmm,,,, No Bellow in first hundred. And you have Harry Potter.Shame.

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message 29: by Matt (new)

Jul 29, 2008 11:10am

Ok, this is nuts. There are 19th century books appearing here, and there are 20th century books I can't add because there isn't a 20th century edition in the database.

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message 30: by Alex (last edited Jul 29, 2008 11:55am) (new)

Jul 29, 2008 11:14am

Though it's a disputed point, the Book of Mormon was written sometime between 2,000 B.C. and 1830 A.D. As beloved and influential as it may be, one thing it isn't is a book of the 20th Century. Putting it on this list just makes you look dumb.

Also: Holy Bible.

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message 31: by Matt (new)

Jul 29, 2008 11:16am

And another thing, the Lord of the Ring's score is getting killed by the fact that two different versions of the book (as a single epic, and as a trilogy) are appearing on the list.

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message 32: by Donitello (new)

Jul 29, 2008 04:19pm

I presume we're supposed to vote ONLY for the book that we think should occupy #1 spot?

That'll be easy, of course -- it's The Book of Mormon. (JOKING!!!!)

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message 33: by Emily (new)

Jul 29, 2008 04:36pm

I cannot believe Sometimes A Great Notion, Ken Kesey, is not in the top 100. I didnt even see it in the top 200.

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message 34: by Giovany (last edited Jul 29, 2008 08:44pm) (new)

Jul 29, 2008 08:43pm

apoyen a Proust!!!!!!
lets stand for proust!!!!
aller Marcel, il est fantastique

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message 35: by Layce (new)

Jul 30, 2008 10:17am

An interesting assortment of books. One I could refer to for future reference.

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message 36: by Jane (new)

Jul 30, 2008 01:26pm

Henry James is missing, sorely. Too much JK Rowling and CS Lewis.

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message 37: by Roxanne (new)

Jul 30, 2008 04:00pm

The Tin Drum must be among the top 100...BB

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message 38: by Michael (new)

Jul 30, 2008 05:09pm

It speaks to my heart and soul. It reaffirms that good can win out over evils. I have read it over 120 times since Thanksgiving, 1970.
And people... please remember, it is actually one book, not three, an a trilogy; that aspect was a business/publishing choice not a creative (the author's) choice.

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message 39: by David (last edited Jul 30, 2008 06:17pm) (new)

Jul 30, 2008 05:29pm

Sometimes a Great Notion is a Masterpiece.

The Harry Potter books are entertaining enough, but hardly in the same league.

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message 40: by David (new)

Jul 30, 2008 06:15pm

That's what I get for being a bookworm, I guess. Zero friends! Maybe I should wash more often.

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message 41: by Paula (new)

Jul 30, 2008 08:18pm

I'm not really thrilled that the Harry Potter books made this list....they really don't belong here !

What about : The Red Tent by Diamont ??

: The Celestine Prophies ??

: The Kite Runner ??

: A Thousand Splendid Suns ??

?????????????????????

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message 42: by Rebecca (new)

Jul 31, 2008 11:18am

Seems like the Lord of the Rings series shouldn't be listed as a separate option with each of the 3 books also on the list.

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message 43: by Lisa (new)

Aug 04, 2008 06:14pm

Did I miss something? I didn't see Le Miserables on the list???

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message 44: by Ashley (new)

Aug 05, 2008 06:25pm

If something isn't on the list anywhere that you think should be, add it. That's the point.

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message 45: by Gary (new)

Aug 11, 2008 09:36am

_Les misérables_ was published in the 19th Century.

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message 46: by Laura (new)

Aug 11, 2008 12:17pm

Les Miserables was on the list, and was removed for the reason Gary states. If it's put back on, it will be removed again.

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message 47: by Elizabeth (new)

Aug 17, 2008 02:22am

I saw so many of my all time favorites! Mists of Avelon, Rebecca, Diary of Anne Frank, James and the Giant Peach even The Witching Hour! WOW! I guess as much as I read I consider something really great if after a couple of years and thousands of books later I still remember it then its pretty good.

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message 48: by Marcus (new)

Aug 20, 2008 12:19pm

Did I miss Generation X: Tales for an Accelerated Culture?

Pretty big book of the 90's...it, ya know, coined the name ofr an entire generation...

There's a lot of books on this list, I could have missed it.

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message 49: by Cindy (new)

Sep 01, 2008 11:44am

The Harry Potter books enticed countless numbers of kids, who would never normally pick up a book when they could be playing a video game, to read. In my opinion, any book or series of books, that can do this deserves to be this list.

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message 50: by [deleted user] (last edited Sep 06, 2008 12:57pm) (new)

Sep 06, 2008 12:56pm

Paula, it's the 21st century. The Kite Runner and it's sequel were released in THIS century, not eight years ago. I AM annoyed by The Pillars of the Earth, though.

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