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# Best Books Ever

The best books ever, as voted on by the general Goodreads community.
Note to librarians: do not edit this list's description.
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# Score

A book’s total score is based on multiple factors, including the number of people who have voted for it and how highly those voters ranked the book.

All Votes Add Books To This List

101 |  | Interview with the Vampire (The Vampire Chronicles, #1) by Anne Rice 4.01 avg rating — 536,848 ratings score: 228,809, and 2,611 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
102 |  | Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury 3.98 avg rating — 2,073,544 ratings score: 221,187, and 2,434 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
103 |  | A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving (Goodreads Author) 4.24 avg rating — 304,393 ratings score: 214,286, and 2,357 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
104 |  | Moby-Dick or, the Whale by Herman Melville 3.53 avg rating — 519,975 ratings score: 208,760, and 2,415 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
105 |  | Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Harry Potter, #6) by J.K. Rowling 4.58 avg rating — 2,895,413 ratings score: 201,826, and 2,320 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
106 |  | Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices, #1) by Cassandra Clare (Goodreads Author) 4.31 avg rating — 774,196 ratings score: 187,562, and 2,059 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
107 |  | And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie 4.28 avg rating — 1,102,376 ratings score: 186,975, and 2,150 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
108 |  | The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd (Goodreads Author) 4.08 avg rating — 1,216,062 ratings score: 183,909, and 2,106 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
109 |  | The Red Tent by Anita Diamant (Goodreads Author) 4.19 avg rating — 563,636 ratings score: 183,631, and 2,056 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
110 |  | The Stranger by Albert Camus really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 881,390 ratings score: 171,898, and 1,965 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
111 |  | The Shining by Stephen King (Goodreads Author) 4.25 avg rating — 1,316,017 ratings score: 166,181, and 1,949 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
112 |  | The Name of the Wind (The Kingkiller Chronicle, #1) by Patrick Rothfuss (Goodreads Author) 4.52 avg rating — 846,821 ratings score: 165,937, and 1,760 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
113 |  | The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov 4.29 avg rating — 296,412 ratings score: 163,860, and 1,787 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
114 |  | Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides 4.02 avg rating — 615,469 ratings score: 159,379, and 1,780 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
115 |  | Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Harry Potter, #2) by J.K. Rowling 4.43 avg rating — 3,366,573 ratings score: 158,712, and 1,883 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
116 |  | Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes 4.18 avg rating — 574,732 ratings score: 156,103, and 1,810 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
117 |  | The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka 3.84 avg rating — 827,579 ratings score: 154,141, and 1,806 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
118 |  | Eragon (The Inheritance Cycle, #1) by Christopher Paolini (Goodreads Author) 3.93 avg rating — 1,616,533 ratings score: 153,396, and 1,751 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
119 |  | The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain 3.92 avg rating — 858,613 ratings score: 152,985, and 1,881 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
120 |  | Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Charlie Bucket, #1) by Roald Dahl 4.15 avg rating — 772,938 ratings score: 150,384, and 1,797 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
121 |  | Looking for Alaska by John Green (Goodreads Author) 3.99 avg rating — 1,394,008 ratings score: 150,295, and 1,646 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
122 |  | The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon 3.89 avg rating — 1,361,000 ratings score: 146,839, and 1,688 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
123 |  | The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle 4.31 avg rating — 460,126 ratings score: 146,221, and 1,704 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
124 |  | The Shadow of the Wind (The Cemetery of Forgotten Books, #1) by Carlos Ruiz Zafón 4.28 avg rating — 559,333 ratings score: 144,217, and 1,598 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
125 |  | On the Road by Jack Kerouac 3.62 avg rating — 382,232 ratings score: 143,160, and 1,625 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
126 |  | Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom (Goodreads Author) 4.14 avg rating — 905,464 ratings score: 142,663, and 1,630 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
127 |  | The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera 4.11 avg rating — 404,019 ratings score: 140,597, and 1,578 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
128 |  | The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco 4.13 avg rating — 336,576 ratings score: 139,003, and 1,614 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
129 |  | The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien 4.28 avg rating — 3,442,210 ratings score: 138,084, and 1,623 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
130 |  | The Last Olympian (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #5) by Rick Riordan (Goodreads Author) 4.53 avg rating — 838,599 ratings score: 136,329, and 1,555 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
131 |  | The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas 4.28 avg rating — 836,744 ratings score: 135,784, and 1,557 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
132 |  | The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (Chronicles of Narnia, #1) by C.S. Lewis 4.23 avg rating — 2,495,860 ratings score: 135,433, and 1,671 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
133 |  | Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls 4.09 avg rating — 377,622 ratings score: 135,423, and 1,576 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
134 |  | The Godfather (The Godfather, #1) by Mario Puzo 4.37 avg rating — 382,039 ratings score: 135,165, and 1,596 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
135 |  | It by Stephen King (Goodreads Author) 4.25 avg rating — 965,540 ratings score: 133,343, and 1,540 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
136 |  | In Cold Blood by Truman Capote 4.08 avg rating — 600,696 ratings score: 133,303, and 1,581 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
137 |  | The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne 3.43 avg rating — 793,539 ratings score: 132,210, and 1,646 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
138 |  | Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk (Goodreads Author) 4.19 avg rating — 545,548 ratings score: 129,724, and 1,496 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
139 |  | Holes (Holes, #1) by Louis Sachar (Goodreads Author) 3.99 avg rating — 1,099,559 ratings score: 129,455, and 1,542 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
140 |  | The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom (Goodreads Author) 3.96 avg rating — 652,238 ratings score: 129,296, and 1,488 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
141 |  | Perfume: The Story of a Murderer by Patrick Süskind 4.03 avg rating — 402,190 ratings score: 127,444, and 1,450 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
142 |  | Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy 4.07 avg rating — 764,935 ratings score: 127,442, and 2,438 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
143 |  | American Gods (American Gods, #1) by Neil Gaiman (Goodreads Author) 4.11 avg rating — 851,964 ratings score: 125,597, and 1,423 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
144 |  | The Cat in the Hat (The Cat in the Hat, #1) by Dr. Seuss 4.18 avg rating — 497,115 ratings score: 125,553, and 1,545 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
145 |  | Hush, Hush (Hush, Hush, #1) by Becca Fitzpatrick (Goodreads Author) 3.94 avg rating — 658,509 ratings score: 125,144, and 1,385 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
146 |  | Lonesome Dove (Lonesome Dove #1) by Larry McMurtry 4.50 avg rating — 168,219 ratings score: 122,323, and 1,375 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
147 |  | Watchmen by Alan Moore (Goodreads Author) 4.37 avg rating — 525,703 ratings score: 122,198, and 1,383 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
148 |  | The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri 4.06 avg rating — 137,633 ratings score: 121,985, and 1,442 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
149 |  | The Little House Collection (Little House, #1-9) by Laura Ingalls Wilder 4.35 avg rating — 148,851 ratings score: 120,373, and 1,425 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
150 |  | The Addiction Manifesto by Jerry Weaver 4.93 avg rating — 1,066 ratings score: 119,793, and 1,198 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
151 |  | All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque 4.02 avg rating — 397,801 ratings score: 119,007, and 1,394 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
152 |  | Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie 4.04 avg rating — 320,161 ratings score: 118,820, and 1,471 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
153 |  | Insurgent (Divergent, #2) by Veronica Roth (Goodreads Author) 3.99 avg rating — 1,359,613 ratings score: 109,542, and 1,248 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
154 |  | Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel García Márquez 3.93 avg rating — 464,371 ratings score: 109,477, and 1,303 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
155 |  | A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks (Goodreads Author) 4.19 avg rating — 759,881 ratings score: 109,052, and 1,271 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
156 |  | The Compleat Works of Wllm Shkspr by Adam Long 4.46 avg rating — 8,644 ratings score: 108,296, and 1,245 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
157 |  | The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough 4.23 avg rating — 335,950 ratings score: 108,158, and 1,309 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
158 |  | Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch by Terry Pratchett 4.25 avg rating — 647,178 ratings score: 108,082, and 1,227 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
159 |  | Shadow Kiss (Vampire Academy, #3) by Richelle Mead (Goodreads Author) 4.33 avg rating — 350,139 ratings score: 106,647, and 1,187 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
160 |  | How the Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Seuss 4.36 avg rating — 378,918 ratings score: 102,768, and 1,322 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
161 |  | The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, #1-5) by Douglas Adams 4.37 avg rating — 308,566 ratings score: 102,385, and 1,205 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
162 |  | Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston 3.97 avg rating — 307,831 ratings score: 101,914, and 1,177 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
163 |  | The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde 4.18 avg rating — 338,324 ratings score: 101,852, and 1,263 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
164 |  | Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia by Elizabeth Gilbert (Goodreads Author) 3.60 avg rating — 1,631,572 ratings score: 100,941, and 1,167 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
165 |  | The Battle of the Labyrinth (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #4) by Rick Riordan (Goodreads Author) 4.41 avg rating — 914,625 ratings score: 100,338, and 1,177 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
166 |  | Clockwork Princess (The Infernal Devices, #3) by Cassandra Clare (Goodreads Author) 4.56 avg rating — 407,486 ratings score: 99,986, and 1,113 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
167 |  | The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Oz, #1) by L. Frank Baum 3.99 avg rating — 419,169 ratings score: 99,770, and 1,300 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
168 |  | Atonement by Ian McEwan 3.92 avg rating — 483,982 ratings score: 99,748, and 1,194 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
169 |  | Les Trois Mousquetaires | The Three Musketeers (The D'Artagnan Romances, #1) by Alexandre Dumas 4.08 avg rating — 300,152 ratings score: 99,410, and 1,245 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
170 |  | The Titan's Curse (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #3) by Rick Riordan (Goodreads Author) 4.36 avg rating — 871,501 ratings score: 97,943, and 1,168 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
171 |  | Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown 4.29 avg rating — 346,929 ratings score: 96,827, and 1,204 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
172 |  | The Lorax by Dr. Seuss 4.34 avg rating — 320,344 ratings score: 96,771, and 1,182 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
173 |  | Frostbite (Vampire Academy, #2) by Richelle Mead (Goodreads Author) 4.26 avg rating — 337,099 ratings score: 96,202, and 1,094 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
174 |  | The Sea of Monsters (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #2) by Rick Riordan (Goodreads Author) 4.24 avg rating — 959,119 ratings score: 94,872, and 1,133 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
175 |  | A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare 3.95 avg rating — 496,130 ratings score: 93,364, and 1,223 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
176 |  | Tess of the D'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy 3.82 avg rating — 263,217 ratings score: 92,238, and 1,129 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
177 |  | Blood Promise (Vampire Academy, #4) by Richelle Mead (Goodreads Author) 4.30 avg rating — 299,197 ratings score: 91,475, and 1,044 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
178 |  | Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad 3.43 avg rating — 471,846 ratings score: 90,581, and 1,122 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
179 |  | The Maze Runner (The Maze Runner, #1) by James Dashner (Goodreads Author) 4.04 avg rating — 1,312,042 ratings score: 89,700, and 1,034 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
180 |  | The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran 4.23 avg rating — 271,452 ratings score: 89,690, and 1,079 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
181 |  | The Good Earth (House of Earth, #1) by Pearl S. Buck really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 238,012 ratings score: 89,464, and 1,089 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
182 |  | The Hunger Games Trilogy Boxset (The Hunger Games, #1-3) by Suzanne Collins 4.48 avg rating — 206,160 ratings score: 88,159, and 1,039 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
183 |  | Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson 4.03 avg rating — 504,405 ratings score: 87,671, and 1,102 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
184 |  | The Call of the Wild by Jack London 3.89 avg rating — 389,175 ratings score: 86,753, and 1,127 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
185 |  | The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan (Goodreads Author) 3.95 avg rating — 641,515 ratings score: 86,271, and 1,080 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
186 |  | The Mists of Avalon (Avalon, #1) by Marion Zimmer Bradley 4.12 avg rating — 200,853 ratings score: 85,854, and 1,018 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
187 |  | Alice in Wonderland by Jane Carruth (Adapted By) 4.03 avg rating — 385,491 ratings score: 85,330, and 1,110 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
188 |  | The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster 4.18 avg rating — 271,202 ratings score: 84,204, and 989 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
189 |  | Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert 3.69 avg rating — 297,013 ratings score: 84,064, and 1,051 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
190 |  | Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach (Goodreads Author) 3.85 avg rating — 231,307 ratings score: 83,211, and 1,016 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
191 |  | Oh, the Places You'll Go! by Dr. Seuss 4.35 avg rating — 374,884 ratings score: 82,862, and 1,053 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
192 |  | Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens 3.88 avg rating — 357,854 ratings score: 82,516, and 1,112 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
193 |  | The Girl Who Played with Fire (Millennium, #2) by Stieg Larsson 4.24 avg rating — 874,102 ratings score: 81,700, and 1,016 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
194 |  | Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson 3.84 avg rating — 450,083 ratings score: 81,695, and 1,097 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
195 |  | The Neverending Story by Michael Ende 4.17 avg rating — 186,523 ratings score: 81,208, and 989 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
196 |  | Murder on the Orient Express (Hercule Poirot, #9) by Agatha Christie 4.19 avg rating — 509,184 ratings score: 80,438, and 1,031 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
197 |  | Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass, #1) by Sarah J. Maas (Goodreads Author) 4.19 avg rating — 881,421 ratings score: 80,241, and 889 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
198 |  | Ulysses by James Joyce 3.74 avg rating — 119,827 ratings score: 80,191, and 954 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
199 |  | Catching Fire (The Hunger Games, #2) by Suzanne Collins 4.30 avg rating — 3,037,341 ratings score: 79,048, and 953 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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
200 |  | Fifty Shades of Grey (Fifty Shades, #1) by E.L. James (Goodreads Author) 3.66 avg rating — 2,307,851 ratings score: 78,970, and 892 people voted | Error rating book. Refresh and try again. 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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92,746 books · 226,331 voters · list created May 14th, 2008 by Michael Economy (votes) .
Tags: best, earliest-list, favorites, favourites, fiction, writer
9355 likes · Like
Lists are re-scored approximately every 5 minutes.

## People Who Voted On This List (226331)

Michael 703 books
286 friends
Otis 1335 books
2028 friends
Dean 183 books
3 friends
Ryan 22 books
20 friends
Vincetastic 331 books
11 friends
The Crimson Fucker 424 books
204 friends
Cynthia 13082 books
237 friends
rivka 3095 books
277 friends
More voters…

##
Post a comment »
Comments Showing 1-50 of 4,414 (4414 new)

date newest »
message 1: by Joan (new)
Jul 29, 2008 06:08AM
proof that the truth is not democratic =/
seriously, jane austen? errughhh.
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message 2: by Marla (new)
Jul 29, 2008 10:55PM
this is the second list--worst books was the first--and i'm done. this is madness. i mean, how many mormons congregated to vote the book of mormon as a top 100 book? really?
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message 3: by Adam (new)
Jul 30, 2008 02:04AM
It's also flawed in that the same book with a different cover might be on the list twice in drastically different places (see Catch-22 or Lord of the Flies).
At least Mockingbird is #1, though.
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message 4: by Chris (new)
Aug 09, 2008 01:11AM
these comments are funny!
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message 5: by Amber (new)
Aug 23, 2008 05:06AM
This list is a joke!
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message 6: by Elisabeth (new)
Aug 25, 2008 01:48AM
I think you people need to just relax!!! I think "you're just too high strung" and eventually the "strain will be more than you can bear."
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message 7: by Fire-fish (new)
Aug 25, 2008 05:22PM
May be there should be a list of "Books for Mormones" on this website..
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message 8: by David (last edited Sep 08, 2008 09:59PM) (new)
Sep 08, 2008 09:58PM
Regarding the message from Labsjoao, you can search for a book without leaving the first page by entering the name in the "find/add books to list" box. It's pretty easy that way. A much more serious flaw is what Adam said. If the same book it in several different spots, and not all of the votes for, say, Catch-22 are going to the same Catch-22, then these rankings really aren't worth much. Overall, there are several pretty odd choices here, such as the Mormon book being #3, but most of the list seems pretty good to me.
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message 9: by [deleted user] (new)
Sep 15, 2008 04:06AM
where is the amber spyglass?
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message 10: by kristen (new)
Sep 16, 2008 02:17AM
I was thinking the same thing ;-)
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message 11: by Georgia (new)
Oct 10, 2008 06:17PM
i agree the amber spyglass is awesome
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message 12: by Dana (new)
Oct 12, 2008 02:48AM
Make your own list. Satisfy your inner proselyte!
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message 13: by Alex (new)
Oct 19, 2008 03:33AM
hmm this makes me question what is my favorite book?
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message 14: by Svetoslava (new)
Oct 31, 2008 07:28AM
I have to read more, obviously.....
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message 15: by Matt (new)
Nov 05, 2008 05:09AM
The War of the Worlds
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message 16: by Bruce (new)
Nov 12, 2008 09:17AM
I'm not going to argue with the Book of Mormon--either all religious texts are valid for a list like this, in which case it's merely interesting, or all religious texts should be off the list, in which case there's a whole other set of things to worry about.
The one that gets my goat is Twilight (number eleven at the time of this comment). Are you people kidding? Stephanie Meyer in a list of the Best Books Ever? Fut the Whack? It's the EMO of literature! It's pop garbage with no depth! It's above inarguable classics like Crime and Punishment! That's like arguing that My Chemical Romance is better music than Bach! This place is bonkers!
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message 17: by Brian (new)
Nov 25, 2008 05:27AM
I like how "The Brothers K" is "better" here than Dostoyevsky's "The Brothers Karamazov." What a joke!
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message 18: by Molly (new)
Nov 27, 2008 09:12AM
Ah the stupidity of lists. You'll notice the Best and Worst lists are almost identical.
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message 19: by M (new)
Dec 03, 2008 06:43AM
I was just going to say that. Always important to remember when you're writing - the best line according to some will be what others despise, etc.
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message 20: by Josef (new)
Dec 05, 2008 07:13AM
Bruce wrote: "I'm not going to argue with the Book of Mormon--either all religious texts are valid for a list like this, in which case it's merely interesting, or all religious texts should be off the list, in w..."
Yeah, but I've noticed that since these lists allow opinions from every Goodreads member, there will never be a standard. The only population that counts here is the population of Goodreads members, so maybe there's just not a lot of people on Goodreads who enjoy quality literature.
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message 21: by Amy (new)
Dec 06, 2008 03:52AM
extremely well written
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message 22: by Todd (new)
Dec 08, 2008 02:31AM
Best and worst list are certainly not meant to be definitive. Best and worst are so subjective. They are merely meant to elicit conversation and thought which they obviously have done. But the Book of Mormon? Come on. Really?
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message 23: by Josef (new)
Dec 08, 2008 05:54PM
Todd wrote: "Best and worst list are certainly not meant to be definitive. Best and worst are so subjective. They are merely meant to elicit conversation and thought which they obviously have done. But the B..."
Yes, the Book of Mormon. I've read it 13 times. There is not one other book that's changed my life more significantly. Millions have read that book and will testify to the same thing. And literally hundreds have died because of that book. It's because of these facts that we who love that book place it above all others on the list.
I love literature. I've studied the Brothers Karamazov with a dozen other philosphy students. I've wept over Les Miserables. I've fallen in love with words and wonders, yet I have yet to find a book to offer more to me than the Book of Mormon.
So yes, really, The Book of Mormon.
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message 24: by Josef (new)
Dec 08, 2008 05:55PM
Matt wrote: "The War of the Worlds"
My nine year old nephew just finished that book! I'm so proud.
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message 25: by Josef (new)
Dec 08, 2008 05:58PM
Molly wrote: "Ah the stupidity of lists. You'll notice the Best and Worst lists are almost identical. "
Yes, and I have more of a problem with the Worst Book List than this. People who put great literature as the worst books ever written seem do be doing so simply because they may have had pain getting through the book and they think that good literature should simply entertain. What a sad state to be in. These are the same people who put Twilight on this list. These are the people who would rather call Friends the best TV show and would put a show like Freaks and Geeks on the Worst Show ever list.
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message 26: by Josef (new)
Dec 08, 2008 06:06PM
Elisabeth wrote: "I think you people need to just relax!!! I think "you're just too high strung" and eventually the "strain will be more than you can bear.""
Very Good Advice. This is just a list someone made up, somewhere in the world. It holds as much weight as you give it.
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message 27: by Paige (new)
Dec 09, 2008 01:45AM
I agree, if you don't like the fact the poorly written books are on a best books ever list than I think you care to much. On the other hand it's not bad to defend what you think is a good book or a bad book but let's not get carried away.
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message 28: by Todd (new)
Dec 09, 2008 02:19AM
Josef -- I certainly didn't mean to be offensive or to put you on the defensive. It was only a poor attempt at making an ironic statement. This is why I usually keep my opinions out of these discussion threads. I completely love your comment about Friends compared to Freaks and Geeks. As a high school English teacher, I see students turned on by so much trash, but, as they say, one person's trash is another person's treasure. I'm just glad they are reading.
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message 29: by Josef (new)
Dec 09, 2008 07:20PM
Todd wrote: "Josef -- I certainly didn't mean to be offensive or to put you on the defensive. It was only a poor attempt at making an ironic statement. This is why I usually keep my opinions out of these disc..."
I didn't mean to make you think I was upset. My respect to you for being a high school teacher. Yeah, even if they think that Stephen King is the greatest living writer, as long as they're reading they've got something going for them.
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message 30: by Arlene (last edited Dec 09, 2008 11:54PM) (new)
Dec 09, 2008 11:52PM
Dear Otis,
Your list is great! I've read only about 50 of these books, so my vote is not exactly fair. But of the 50 I've read, my vote -- far and away above the other 49 -- would be for:
JOHNNY GOT HIS GUN by Dalton Trumbo
This is the most powerful antiwar novel I ever read. And readers be warned, this book is NOT for the faint of heart!
Otis, I wish you would think of using the influence of Goodreads, which is becoming a large and potentially influential group, to suggest that the new administration -- Barack Obama and his Cabinet, especially leaders in the Department of Defense -- read this book.
All best,
Arlene
www.ArleneSanders.com
Author of TIGER BURNING BRIGHT
Jefferson Press, 2009
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message 31: by Nick (new)
Dec 10, 2008 12:08AM
If California Proposition 8 were published, would it be number 2 on the list?
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message 32: by Endre (new)
Dec 10, 2008 12:10AM
Otis, this is a great idea to find the best book. I have to think about this in more detail to narrow it down in my own mind.Too bad we can not vote for three or four and then narrow down the list. Followed by another vote on the shorter list....BTW it is unfortunate that some people do not have any class and manners in how they express their thoughts. Is there a moderator that could eliminate thevulgar comments as above?
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message 33: by Leslie (new)
Dec 10, 2008 12:32AM
Twilight is number 4? Give me a friggin break people!!! Entertaining? Slightly. A classic piece of literature? Absolutely not!
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message 34: by Hippo dari Hongkong (new)
Dec 10, 2008 08:32AM
Les Miserable! Les Miserable! Les Miserable!
Did I mention Les Miserables?
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message 35: by John (new)
Dec 10, 2008 09:37AM
hard to decide
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message 36: by Paul (new)
Dec 10, 2008 11:15PM
The Book of Mormon? You gotta be kidding me. I'd put "Where the Wild Things Are" as being more "literature" than that book.
I agree, this list is loaded and biased.
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message 37: by Bee (new)
Dec 12, 2008 01:45AM
why are none of Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials Trilogy on here?
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message 38: by Natalie (new)
Dec 12, 2008 02:07AM
Marla wrote: "this is the second list--worst books was the first--and i'm done. this is madness. i mean, how many mormons congregated to vote the book of mormon as a top 100 book? really?"
nicola wrote: "proof that the truth is not democratic =/
seriously, jane austen? errughhh."
Yes, what's with the Mormon thing? Are they the only ones who have time to READ these days?
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message 39: by Richard (last edited Dec 13, 2008 08:31PM) (new)
Dec 13, 2008 08:30PM
Only in the USA would "the most popular" be confused for "the best". How many people have read Philip Roth's "Portnoy's Complaint" about masturbation? Compare that to how many people have read Thoreau's "Walden".
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message 40: by Tori (new)
Dec 15, 2008 03:03PM
Where are the rest of the good books? I don 't even see most of my favorite books on here. And the book of Mormon is number one? I really don't think so.
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message 41: by Jason (last edited Dec 15, 2008 09:21PM) (new)
Dec 15, 2008 09:19PM
i think the book of mormon thing must be some kind of in joke...i mean it only takes a little organization and you could theoretically get anything put up in the number 1 position...
and why does 'to kill a mockingbird' in position 2 have more votes than position 1?...
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message 42: by Larry (last edited Dec 16, 2008 01:21AM) (new)
Dec 16, 2008 01:07AM
If this list is any indicator, it appears that a lot of people on Goodreads don't read very serious literature. Plus, the Book of Mormon, come on, seriously, you might as well put Dianetics up there too.
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message 43: by Elizabeth (new)
Dec 16, 2008 08:48AM
If you're groaning or confused about The Book of Mormon being at #1, I ask - have you ever read it? It's a fair question... I do agree w/the Twilight comment though - UGH. But hellooo, Farenheit 451 should be way further up the list, says I...
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message 44: by Becca (new)
Dec 16, 2008 04:47PM
I agree. I think every fair-minded reader here will agree that you have to actually read something before deciding on its merit. And no one would argue with someone esteeming The Bible or The Quran or any other religious text if it really moved them. Why should The Book of Mormon be any different? Sometimes what makes a book "Best" is how powerfully it impacts you. So what if it's religious or spiritual in nature?
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message 45: by Jade (last edited Dec 17, 2008 01:35AM) (new)
Dec 17, 2008 01:31AM
I agree with Becca and Elizabeth.
Endre:Is there a moderator that could eliminate the vulgar comments as above?
I don't see anything wrong with the Book of Mormon being in the list. I don't think people need to be so rude about it. Most people that have criticized it obviously haven't read it.
Also, I think that it is right to put Twilight on the list. People have read other good books and think that those books should be on the list, but have you ever read Twilight? Probably not.
People need to respect other peoples opinions. And people who don't, are just rude and immature.
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message 46: by Greg (new)
Dec 19, 2008 11:31PM
Wow, some of these folks need to read more. Or age more. Or go to school, or something. I mean, really.
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message 47: by Jazmine (new)
Dec 21, 2008 07:00AM
Twilight is the best book I've read in my entire life! It is awemazing! I love the whole saga and Edward Cullen!
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message 48: by Kirsten (last edited Feb 25, 2009 12:25PM) (new)
Dec 22, 2008 10:46PM
I'm annoyed with Twilight. Extremely
And where is The Shack?
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message 49: by Lorena (new)
Dec 23, 2008 07:17PM
I am rooting for "The Perks of Being a Wallflower."
I can understand how "The Book of Mormon," is on that list but before The Bible? No way...
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message 50: by Laura (new)
Dec 23, 2008 10:47PM
I hope my novel doesn't end up on this list!
reply | flag
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