Top 20 Best Books of All-Time
Do you have a hard time deciding which book to read next? With so many options to choose from, it can seem downright overwhelming to make what should be a simple decision.
I find myself wasting a good 20 minutes looking over my book shelves debating which book I want to read. If I could read them all simultaneously, that would be great, but I prefer to devote my time and attention to one book at a time.
Usually, I’ll pick a book that a friend recommended or that received fabulous online reviews. And guess what? I’m giving you some book recommendations to help you with the conundrum of what to read next!
I’ve been a bookworm for almost my entire life. My mom said I was a fussy baby and toddler and the only thing that would calm me down was when she read to me. To this day, I still find solace in the pages of a good book.
Books are subjective. What one person may love, another may be bored to tears reading.
This post contains affiliate links.
Friends of mine raved about The Time Traveler’s Wife. I read about 1/2 way through before abandoning it. I just could not get into the story.
The way I judge a book is how it makes me feel. Am I drawn into the story so much that I don’t even notice what is going on around me? Do I care about the characters? Does it evoke emotions – good or bad? Do I think about the book long after it ends?
These are all factors that play into how I personally judge a book and decide whether its mediocre or a spectacular read.
Though I’m not doing as many book reviews as I used, I am still plowing through the books on my bookshelf. Once in a while, a true gem comes along.
I’m sure you have your own list of favourite books and today I’m sharing mine. I imagine that this list will evolve as I continue to devour more books. If you are looking for some book recommendations, this is a great list to refer to!
Top 20 Best Books of All-Time
Check out my top 20 books of all-time (in random order).
- The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons
- Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
- The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
- Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
- Wildflower Hill by Kimberley Freeman
- The Map of Time by Felix J. Palma
- Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
- Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden
- The Great Gatsby F. Scott Fitzgerald
- You by Caroline Kepnes
- I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes
- Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
- Not Without My Daughter by Betty Mahmoody
- Left Neglected by Lisa Genova
- White Oleander by Janet Fitch
- Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by JK Rowling
- Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
- Flowers in the Attic by VC Andrews
- And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
- The Memory Keeper’s Daughter by Kim Edwards
For the list people out there, I have a free Books to Read printable to help you keep track of the books you are coveting. The neat freak in me gets pleasure from checking the boxes on the list. (Is that weird!?).
Fill out the form below to get the free printable sent to your inbox.
Have you read any of my top picks? If so, which ones? Also, let me know YOUR favourite book because I’m always looking for books to add to my list!
You might also like Books to Read in 2022.
Happy Reading!
free ebook!
The Best of Simply Stacie
When you subscribe to the newsletter for the latest updates!
Loved your list. Interesting choices. I’ve read about half of them. In my humble opinion, any list of best books should include A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness. I’m currently re-reading it in “real time”. I heartily encourage everyone to give it a look.
Flowers in the attic and twilight are on my list too. They both got me into reading as I hated reading as a child. Recent reads that were good – Monsters call by Patrick Ness, Kindred by Butler, Nightingale by Kristian Hannah, What Alice Forgot by Moriarty
I’ve read a few on your list, but Wildflowet Hill was one of the best books I’ve read. My personal list had many but one in particular is Necessary Lies by Diane Chamberlain.
I was so happy to see Left Neglected on your list. Such a wonderful book. V
Just finished The Bronze Horseman and thought it was the most beautifully written love story I have ever read. It is an historical novel about WW2 and Russia. Better than Outlander and I loved that book too.
I have read 5 or 6 of the books on your list- one of my favorite books was Ordinary Grace- it’s just a wonderful feel good book that almost anyone would enjoy and its a fast read. I also loved The Nightengale- wonderful story and it does not disappoint. Thanks for making the list and I hope to read the remainder.
Hi Stacie
Wow! What a great list – you got me in when I realised I had read most of these so we might have similar tastes in reading matter! Here’s one to consider too – The Girl who Saved the King of Sweden. Just amazing! He also wrote the 100 Year Old Man who Jumped Out the Window. But this was just a practice run for The Girl. Just fantastic – funny, amazing, interesting…..
Lisa See’s Snow Flower and the Secret Fan is one of my all time favorites as well as The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane. Anything by Wally’s Lamb is phenomenal, but She’s Come Undone can’t be missed. And lastly, The Light Between Oceans.Â
You had me until Twilight. Stephanie Meyers’ writing is amateur at best.Â