Books That Everyone Should Read At Least Once

Books that encourage thought.
9882

by
4.36 avg rating — 5,842 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9882

by
4.24 avg rating — 27,517 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9882

by
3.89 avg rating — 274 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9882

by
4.03 avg rating — 4,883 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9882

by
3.95 avg rating — 2,876 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9882

by
4.24 avg rating — 10,994 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9882

by
4.25 avg rating — 110,996 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9882

by
3.84 avg rating — 25,012 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9882

by
4.42 avg rating — 12 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9882

by
3.77 avg rating — 39 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9882

by
4.19 avg rating — 50,605 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9882

by
3.82 avg rating — 91,781 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9882

by
4.97 avg rating — 58 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9882

by
4.06 avg rating — 8,656 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9882

by
4.40 avg rating — 97 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9882

by
3.95 avg rating — 21 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9882

by
4.19 avg rating — 6,903 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9882

by
3.72 avg rating — 1,995,348 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9882

by
3.67 avg rating — 35,164 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9882

by
2.92 avg rating — 14,381 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9882

by
3.88 avg rating — 99,234 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9882

by
3.79 avg rating — 37,234 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9882

by
3.97 avg rating — 16,264 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9882

by
3.97 avg rating — 5,489 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9882

by
4.64 avg rating — 5,850 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9882

by
3.78 avg rating — 16,149 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9882

by
4.31 avg rating — 198 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9882

by
3.90 avg rating — 16,907 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9882

by
4.15 avg rating — 161,262 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9882

by
4.27 avg rating — 75,483 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9882

by
3.98 avg rating — 28,454 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9882

by
4.05 avg rating — 5,118 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9882

by
3.87 avg rating — 80,667 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9882

by
4.26 avg rating — 24,752 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9882

by
3.69 avg rating — 6,682 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9882

by
4.47 avg rating — 19 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9882

by
4.63 avg rating — 19 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9882

by
4.11 avg rating — 55,777 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9882

by
3.88 avg rating — 431 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9882

by
4.26 avg rating — 8,916 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9941

by
4.29 avg rating — 2,004 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9941

by
4.44 avg rating — 2,167 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9941

by
3.89 avg rating — 15,008 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9941

by
3.84 avg rating — 18,745 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9941

by
4.29 avg rating — 12,763 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9941

by
4.09 avg rating — 1,485 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9941

by
4.06 avg rating — 83,270 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9941

by
3.76 avg rating — 14,922 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9941

by
4.10 avg rating — 46,507 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9941

by
3.91 avg rating — 27,980 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9941

by
4.38 avg rating — 8,108 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9941

by
4.33 avg rating — 3,077 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9941

by
4.15 avg rating — 40,969 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9941

by
4.05 avg rating — 11,590 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9941

by
3.66 avg rating — 489 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9941

by
3.97 avg rating — 24,327 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9941

by
3.87 avg rating — 29,884 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9941

by
it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 2 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9941

by
3.92 avg rating — 118 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9941

by
4.10 avg rating — 2,156 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9941

by
4.27 avg rating — 33 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9941

by
4.15 avg rating — 17,709 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9941

by
4.08 avg rating — 32,284 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9941

by
3.61 avg rating — 32,606 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9941

by
4.62 avg rating — 73 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9941

by
4.23 avg rating — 43 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9941

by
it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 5 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9941

by
4.18 avg rating — 17 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9941

by
4.10 avg rating — 39,194 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9941

by
3.81 avg rating — 68,551 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9941

by
it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 4 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9941

by
4.33 avg rating — 3 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9941

by
3.90 avg rating — 4,802 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9941

by
3.98 avg rating — 20,678 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9941

by
4.47 avg rating — 105,163 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9941

by
3.99 avg rating — 73,516 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9941

by
really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 80,069 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9941

by
4.46 avg rating — 65 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9941

by
3.89 avg rating — 9,096 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9941

by
4.30 avg rating — 77 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9941

by
really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 42,469 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9941

by
3.72 avg rating — 40,460 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9941

by
3.52 avg rating — 67,700 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9941

by
3.85 avg rating — 40,217 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9941

by
4.32 avg rating — 10,386 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9941

by
4.13 avg rating — 29,272 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9941

by
4.38 avg rating — 2,063 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9941

by
4.28 avg rating — 4,808 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9941

by
4.30 avg rating — 2,984 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9941

by
3.73 avg rating — 51,683 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9941

by
4.60 avg rating — 144,218 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9941

by
3.88 avg rating — 6,731 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9941

by
4.12 avg rating — 17,879 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9941

by
3.81 avg rating — 35,510 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9941

by
4.61 avg rating — 120,749 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9941

by
4.46 avg rating — 323 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9941

by
4.64 avg rating — 11 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9941

by
it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 13 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9941

by
3.67 avg rating — 61,631 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
9941

by
4.12 avg rating — 27,518 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
31,189 books · 117,810 voters · list created July 11th, 2008 by Deth Graham (votes) .
19715 likes · 
Lists are re-scored approximately every 5 minutes.


Deth 1449 books
82 friends
Sidney 18 books
12 friends
Gina 921 books
114 friends
Layne 316 books
7 friends
Randy 777 books
26 friends
Steven 4280 books
2495 friends
Julie (jjmachshev) 3192 books
298 friends
Eastofoz 4410 books
350 friends

More voters…


Comments Showing 1-50 of 1,021 (1021 new)


message 1: by Debbie (new)

Debbie i dnot think you can get a copy of uncle toms cabin any more


message 2: by Mary Todd (new)

Mary Todd What a great list!


message 3: by Wendy (new)

Wendy Wanderer Of course you can get Uncle tom's Cabin... why wouldn't you be able to.? It's required reading in many school districts.


message 4: by [deleted user] (new)

Not only can you still get it, there's a handsome new illustrated and annotated edition, published in 2007, with an introduction by Henry Louis Gates Jr.



message 5: by Robbie (new)

Robbie I am absolutely delighted by this great list of books. A thousand thanks. I have read quite a few of these myself. Right now I'm into an Indian philosophy phase!

Try these Epic Indian philosophical books if you find the time> The BHAGAVAD GITA, The MAHABHARATA and RAMAYANA.

Keep on reading folks! It's the best way to be healthy and have a sound mind! Cheers to all!

Regards,
Robbie





message 6: by Tony (new)

Tony Willis About the tenacity and the strength of the human heart. About true courage and goodness in the face of horror and evil. About the reason for living, about life and love, about enduring rock solid faith tried to the limit of endurance and yet unshaken.


message 7: by Faera (new)

Faera I skimmed through this list and there are some very horribly written books on it. Like Twilight and the Bible for instance.


message 8: by Melynna (new)

Melynna Faera wrote: "I skimmed through this list and there are some very horribly written books on it. Like Twilight and the Bible for instance."

No matter your personal opinion about those books, there are good reasons why they're on this list. The fact is that both of them are very influential to people, and the Bible has been influential in shaping the way people and societies act for centuries. Even if you hate it the whole way through, it behooves you to read it at least once.

As for Twilight, I personally hate it. But it's at least something to be familiar with, since it's such a cultural phenomenon. I would agree with you, though, that Twilight is an abysmally written book. It and its sequels are some of the worst things I've ever read. I did read them, though, because I think I'm better off informed.


message 9: by Robbie (new)

Robbie Tony wrote: "About the tenacity and the strength of the human heart. About true courage and goodness in the face of horror and evil. About the reason for living, about life and love, about enduring rock solid f..."

Thank you Tony, I couldn't have put it better myself. I have found all these in the Books I recommended. It is pocket of fresh air to say the least. The mind behind these writings is fantastic! Cheers again for the great review!


message 10: by Maral (new)

Maral Espanol this list is so great! i'm gonna start reading them!


message 11: by [deleted user] (new)

Debbie wrote: "i dnot think you can get a copy of uncle toms cabin any more"

Um. Yes you can, I have one. Try going to Barnes and Noble.




message 12: by Mary (new)

Mary Animal Farm and Atlas Shrugged are absolutely books you must read AT THIS TIME in the USA before it is too late to change our path


message 13: by Melynda (new)

Melynda Yesenia Mary wrote: "Animal Farm and Atlas Shrugged are absolutely books you must read AT THIS TIME in the USA before it is too late to change our path"

I've been saying this about Atlas Shrugged to a lot of my friends for years and they seem to think i'm just trying to proselytise about objectivism but seriously. It's downright uncanny. You can practically use it as a play book now. It is both terrifying and uplifting to read this novel at this time in our history.



message 14: by arianna (new)

arianna This list is great! i hope people keep adding books to it!


message 15: by arianna (new)

arianna Melynna wrote: "Faera wrote: "I skimmed through this list and there are some very horribly written books on it. Like Twilight and the Bible for instance."

No matter your personal opinion about those books, there ..."


I have to agree with you on twilight and once again i would like to emphaisze the bile. I think the bible is one of the greatest worsk of fiction i have ever read, and has a lot of good moral stories in it. Killing people is bad, be nice to your neighbors, don't be a dickhead. All of these lessons are taught in the bible just like in Aseop's fables using rich enigmatic characters. It's just when you take it is Literal infallible truth no questions asked that the battle begins, you know?



message 17: by arianna (new)

arianna John wrote: "[b:The Name of the Rose including Postscript to the Name of the Rose|119073|The Name of the Rose including Postscript to the Name of the Rose|Umberto Eco|http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I......"


when i click on this it comes up as an error...



message 18: by edna (new)

edna the book of mormon and twilight? you've got to be kididng me, now i do like twilight but not to be put aside with to kill a mocking bird or the catcher and the rye. shouldnt even be in this list, and dont get me started on the book of mormon, uuuuuughhh


message 19: by [deleted user] (new)

LOL! I agree with you about the book of Mormon! But altho I had to read To Kill a Mockingbird it bored me, however, I could barely put Twilight down!!! Much more entertaining IMO.

Then I had to buy the next 3 and I was never bored.


message 20: by Poe (new)

Poe Bird I love that Dr Suess made it onto the list, and more than once! And the Tao of Pooh. However I'm disappointed that One Hundred Years of Solitude made it onto the list, and not Love in the Time of Cholera. Ah well, different strokes.


message 21: by [deleted user] (new)

Poe wrote: "I love that Dr Suess made it onto the list, and more than once! And the Tao of Pooh. However I'm disappointed that One Hundred Years of Solitude made it onto the list, and not Love in the Time of C..."

Well, you can certainly add it, can't you?




message 22: by arianna (new)

arianna Canary Alice wrote: "Poe wrote: "I love that Dr Suess made it onto the list, and more than once! And the Tao of Pooh. However I'm disappointed that One Hundred Years of Solitude made it onto the list, and not Love in t..."


i'm adding it right now...



message 23: by Debbie (last edited Mar 30, 2009 06:11PM) (new)

Debbie James McBride's Song Yet Sung should be added to the list.

Regarding the books already on the list...it doesn't that they are necessarily well written or fiction/non-fiction...the group is "Books Everyone Should Read at Least Once - Books that Impact Thinking." Quality is not required...however, enlightenment might be, which does not require agreement. Live a little!


message 24: by arianna (new)

arianna Debbie wrote: "James McBride's Song Yet Sung should be added to the list.

Regarding the books already on the list...it doesn't that they are necessarily well written or fiction/non-fiction...the group is "Book..."



AMEN!



message 25: by arianna (new)

arianna Debbie wrote: "James McBride's Song Yet Sung should be added to the list.

Regarding the books already on the list...it doesn't that they are necessarily well written or fiction/non-fiction...the group is "Book..."



oh and i'm adding your book...



message 26: by Melissa (new)

Melissa Debbie wrote: "i dnot think you can get a copy of uncle toms cabin any more"

I just got a copy a few months ago at Barnes and Nobel in thier classic books for under $10.


message 27: by Caitlin (new)

Caitlin Is there a way to save a list so I can return to it without searching?


message 28: by Karen (new)

Karen From Beirut to Jerusalem
Thomas Friedman can take the most complicated subject (here the Arab/Israeli conflict) and make it read like a novel. This is my favorite of his books but all are worth reading.


message 29: by arianna (new)

arianna TURQOISE* wrote: "You must remove those comercial books, like HP and Twilight"

i don't think you can, once they are on there, they're on there.


message 31: by [deleted user] (new)

I have never read Twilight but I have seen the movie! Is the book better then the movie?


message 33: by Julie (new)

Julie Jamieson This is my favorite book of all time. But it didn't make the list:( booo



message 34: by Mandy (new)

Mandy Erg. Why does every one always feel the need to share how much they hate Twilight in these types of lists? All these books are so popular that there are tons of people who like and dont like them. Twilights popular. Get over it.


message 35: by Mark (new)

Mark Wendy wrote: "Of course you can get Uncle tom's Cabin... why wouldn't you be able to.? It's required reading in many school districts. "

in addition to uncle tom's cabin u might be interested in "To Master, A Long Goodnight" by Brion Gysin a bio ov josiah henson thee "real" uncle tom and on an unrelated matter read ANTICHRIST SUPERSTUD painless at scribd.com




message 36: by Vanessa (new)

Vanessa Debbie wrote: "i dnot think you can get a copy of uncle toms cabin any more"

Yes, you can get Uncle Tom's Cabin. My daughter had to read it last year in school. I got a copy from the library and then bought a copy as well at Barnes and Noble.




message 37: by Kitty (new)

Kitty Debbie, its probably at your local library





message 38: by Zeinab (new)

Zeinab Awesome list! :]


message 39: by [deleted user] (new)

Amazing list - I've realised, that I already read quite a few if them and that I have a lot of them on my to-read list.
But as many of you said before, it's weird which books also find their place in this list - Bible I understand and Mormon book also. But Twilight? Weird. I'm just waiting to find Asterix and Obelix up here...


message 40: by Angryy0uth (new)

Angryy0uth 41: Erg. Why does every one always feel the need to share how much they hate Twilight in these types of lists? All these books are so popular that there are tons of people who like and dont like them. Twilights popular. Get over it.

it's quite simple really. as long as there are people out there who rave and rant about how great twilight is (and nominating it for best book of ______), you're going to have a backlash. get used to it.

but to be fair, i agree that it should be on this list, so people can read it and realise how bad it is.


message 41: by Mml (new)

Mml Melynna wrote: "Faera wrote: "I skimmed through this list and there are some very horribly written books on it. Like Twilight and the Bible for instance."

No matter your personal opinion about those books, there ..."


I am glad someone else dislikes Twlight, I really hated it.


message 42: by Patrick (new)

Patrick Debbie wrote: "i dnot think you can get a copy of uncle toms cabin any more"

are you serious? check out some used-book stores



message 43: by Leslie (new)

Leslie I got a copy of Uncle Tom's Cabin, new from Books a Million


message 44: by Laikhuram (last edited Sep 07, 2009 07:53AM) (new)

Laikhuram Recently I went searching for this very enlightening book by Ivan Illich, Deschooling Society, only to find that it has been out of print for ages...


BTW, my friends here, please be very careful what you read. Books changes life and society. Reading books like Twilight will send the human mind back to the days of stones and cavalry, if not amoebas.


message 45: by Laikhuram (new)

Laikhuram m wrote: "Mary wrote: "Animal Farm and Atlas Shrugged are absolutely books you must read AT THIS TIME in the USA before it is too late to change our path"

I've been saying this about Atlas Shrugged to a lot..."


Same goes with Nineteen Eightyfour. This is the age of distortion, not reason. America and the world need another Thomas Paine.



message 46: by Jan C (new)

Jan C " I skimmed through this list and there are some very horribly written books on it. Like Twilight and the Bible for instance. "

Twilight somehow always makes every list. Along with The Book of Mormon.

What I objected to about the Bible being on the list was the version used - the MORMON version. Should have been the KING JAMES.





message 47: by Marianne (new)

Marianne I do not understand finishing a book ones finds abyssmal or continuing to read the whole series to be better informed. I read up to page 84 of Twilight and could get no further, it was so poorly written. I read for enjoyment, enlightment, new knowledge, self-growth or just plain escape. Twilight offered me none of those, I returned it to my very good friend who enjoyed it immensely. To each his own.


message 48: by Mary_z (new)

Mary_z Hay guys. Added "Anathema Rhodes: Dreams" to the list. Will add more soon.


message 49: by Margo (new)

Margo Debbie wrote: "i dnot think you can get a copy of uncle toms cabin any more"

im sure you can


message 50: by Margo (new)

Margo Melynna wrote: "Faera wrote: "I skimmed through this list and there are some very horribly written books on it. Like Twilight and the Bible for instance."

No matter your personal opinion about those books, there ..."


totally agreed with the other person


« previous 1 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 20 21
back to top



Related News

  Here at Goodreads World Headquarters, we sort through a lot of books each month. Our monthly Readers' Most Anticipated Books feature is...

Anyone can add books to this list.