Best Books of the 20th Century

The best books published during the 20th century (January 1st, 1901 through December 31st 2000)

See also
Most Rated Book By Year
Best Twentieth Century American Novels
Le Monde's 100 Books of the Century
Best Fantasy of the 20th Century
Best Forgotten Fantasy of the 20th Century
Best Romance Novels of the Twentieth Century
Best Science Fiction of the 20th Century
Best Forgotten Science Fiction of the 20th Century

Best Books By Millennium:
1000-1999

Best Books by Century:
21st, 20th,
19th, 18th, 17th, 16th, 15th,14th, 13th, 12th, 11th, 10th,
9th, 8th, 7th, 6th, 5th, 4th

Best Books by Decade:
2020–2029, 2010–2019, 2000–2009,
1990–1999, 1980–1989, 1970–1979, 1960–1969, 1950–1959,
1940–1949, 1930–1939, 1920–1929, 1910–1919, 1900–1909,
1890–1899, 1880–1889, 1870–1879, 1860–1869, 1850–1859,
1840–1849, 1830–1839, 1820–1829, 1810–1819, 1800–1809

Lists for all books by Number of Ratings:
10,000 to 15,000, 15,000 to 20,000, 20,000 to 25,000, 25,000 to 30,000,
30,000 to 40,000, 40,000 to 50,000, 50,000 to 60,000, 60,000 to 70,000,
70,000 to 80,000, 80,000 to 89,999, 90,000 to 99,999, 100,000 to 149,999,
150,000 to 199,999, 200,000 to 499,999, 500,000 to 999,999, 1,000,000 and more

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All Votes Add Books To This List

1001	Asterix the Gaul (Asterix, #1) by René Goscinny 4.19 avg rating — 31,741 ratings score: 921, and 16 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
1002	Motherless Brooklyn by Jonathan Lethem 3.86 avg rating — 42,263 ratings score: 917, and 14 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
1002	Follow the River by James Alexander Thom 4.23 avg rating — 23,013 ratings score: 917, and 13 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
1004	The Brothers Lionheart by Astrid Lindgren 4.35 avg rating — 41,140 ratings score: 915, and 12 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
1005	A Girl of the Limberlost (Limberlost, #2) by Gene Stratton-Porter 4.17 avg rating — 22,432 ratings score: 914, and 14 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
1006	Love You Forever by Robert Munsch 4.38 avg rating — 245,735 ratings score: 913, and 16 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
1007	A Ring of Endless Light (Austin Family Chronicles, #4) by Madeleine L'Engle 4.17 avg rating — 19,664 ratings score: 912, and 12 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
1008	QB VII by Leon Uris 4.20 avg rating — 30,390 ratings score: 911, and 16 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
1009	Toda Mafalda by Quino 4.78 avg rating — 10,623 ratings score: 910, and 12 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
1010	The 42nd Parallel (U.S.A. #1) by John Dos Passos 3.83 avg rating — 7,693 ratings score: 908, and 14 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
1010	The Milagro Beanfield War by John Nichols 4.10 avg rating — 10,600 ratings score: 908, and 14 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
1012	The City and the Stars by Arthur C. Clarke 4.07 avg rating — 35,930 ratings score: 906, and 12 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
1013	Waiting by Ha Jin 3.55 avg rating — 23,408 ratings score: 903, and 14 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
1013	Fugitive Pieces by Anne Michaels 3.92 avg rating — 17,200 ratings score: 903, and 13 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
1013	The Street of Crocodiles by Bruno Schulz 3.98 avg rating — 13,557 ratings score: 903, and 13 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
1016	The Snows of Kilimanjaro and Other Stories by Ernest Hemingway 3.79 avg rating — 46,930 ratings score: 902, and 17 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
1016	The Wretched of the Earth by Frantz Fanon 4.34 avg rating — 31,062 ratings score: 902, and 13 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
1018	Play It As It Lays by Joan Didion 3.91 avg rating — 87,175 ratings score: 900, and 15 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
1019	Good Night, Mr. Tom by Michelle Magorian 4.32 avg rating — 52,502 ratings score: 897, and 14 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
1020	I'm Not Stiller by Max Frisch 4.03 avg rating — 5,619 ratings score: 895, and 14 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
1021	In Our Time by Ernest Hemingway 3.73 avg rating — 26,863 ratings score: 890, and 14 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
1022	Enduring Love by Ian McEwan (Goodreads Author) 3.65 avg rating — 47,196 ratings score: 888, and 12 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
1023	At Home in Mitford (Mitford Years, #1) by Jan Karon 4.13 avg rating — 68,714 ratings score: 887, and 14 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
1024	La Prisonnière by Marcel Proust 4.27 avg rating — 4,722 ratings score: 886, and 12 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
1024	Pawn of Prophecy (The Belgariad, #1) by David Eddings 4.16 avg rating — 110,542 ratings score: 886, and 14 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
1026	The Civil War: A Narrative by Shelby Foote 4.53 avg rating — 8,044 ratings score: 881, and 16 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
1027	Beneath the Wheel by Hermann Hesse 3.88 avg rating — 21,743 ratings score: 880, and 13 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
1027	The Drifters by James A. Michener 4.06 avg rating — 8,565 ratings score: 880, and 19 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
1027	Ringworld (Ringworld #1) by Larry Niven 3.94 avg rating — 127,574 ratings score: 880, and 14 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
1030	The Golden Bowl by Henry James 3.77 avg rating — 11,741 ratings score: 876, and 13 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
1031	The Dark Is Rising (The Dark is Rising, #2) by Susan Cooper (Goodreads Author) 4.04 avg rating — 60,128 ratings score: 875, and 14 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
1032	Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin 4.34 avg rating — 233,560 ratings score: 874, and 15 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
1033	Presumed Innocent (Kindle County Legal Thriller, #1) by Scott Turow (Goodreads Author) 4.09 avg rating — 124,796 ratings score: 873, and 17 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
1034	Gateway (Heechee Saga, #1) by Frederik Pohl 4.06 avg rating — 46,982 ratings score: 872, and 12 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
1034	U.S.A.: The 42nd Parallel / 1919 / The Big Money by John Dos Passos 4.12 avg rating — 4,976 ratings score: 872, and 12 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
1036	Fantastic Mr. Fox by Roald Dahl 4.08 avg rating — 145,032 ratings score: 870, and 14 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
1037	Dead Man Walking: The Eyewitness Account Of The Death Penalty That Sparked a National Debate by Helen Prejean 4.14 avg rating — 8,980 ratings score: 868, and 15 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
1038	The Go-Between by L.P. Hartley really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 14,122 ratings score: 867, and 14 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
1039	Alanna: The First Adventure (Song of the Lioness, #1) by Tamora Pierce (Goodreads Author) 4.27 avg rating — 135,839 ratings score: 866, and 13 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
1040	Camera Lucida: Reflections on Photography by Roland Barthes 3.99 avg rating — 76,550 ratings score: 863, and 10 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
1041	The White Album by Joan Didion 4.03 avg rating — 48,197 ratings score: 861, and 12 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
1042	A Fan's Notes (A Fan's Notes, #1) by Frederick Exley 4.05 avg rating — 4,642 ratings score: 860, and 12 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
1042	The Road Less Traveled: A New Psychology of Love, Traditional Values and Spiritual Growth by M. Scott Peck 4.08 avg rating — 101,620 ratings score: 860, and 14 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
1044	The Fall of Freddie the Leaf: A Story of Life for All Ages by Leo F. Buscaglia 4.31 avg rating — 1,828 ratings score: 859, and 12 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
1044	River God (Ancient Egypt, #1) by Wilbur Smith 4.22 avg rating — 43,213 ratings score: 859, and 12 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
1046	The White Hotel by D.M. Thomas 3.85 avg rating — 5,092 ratings score: 858, and 12 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
1047	Travels with My Aunt by Graham Greene 3.80 avg rating — 16,700 ratings score: 857, and 16 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
1048	Embers by Sándor Márai 3.99 avg rating — 41,988 ratings score: 852, and 10 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
1049	Hogfather by Terry Pratchett 4.26 avg rating — 101,693 ratings score: 851, and 14 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
1050	Sphere by Michael Crichton 3.83 avg rating — 195,818 ratings score: 850, and 13 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
1051	Cane by Jean Toomer 3.82 avg rating — 11,377 ratings score: 840, and 14 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
1052	The Body in the Library (Miss Marple, #2) by Agatha Christie 3.82 avg rating — 123,519 ratings score: 839, and 16 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
1053	Nobody's Fool (Sully #1) by Richard Russo (Goodreads Author) 4.11 avg rating — 32,297 ratings score: 838, and 13 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
1054	The Chrysalids by John Wyndham 3.93 avg rating — 61,125 ratings score: 837, and 13 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
1055	The Bell by Iris Murdoch 3.92 avg rating — 10,157 ratings score: 835, and 12 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
1055	The Day of the Locust by Nathanael West 3.70 avg rating — 23,857 ratings score: 835, and 15 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
1057	A House for Mr Biswas by V.S. Naipaul 3.81 avg rating — 22,054 ratings score: 830, and 13 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
1058	Ignorance by Milan Kundera 3.81 avg rating — 27,232 ratings score: 828, and 11 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
1059	The Invention of Morel by Adolfo Bioy Casares 3.97 avg rating — 32,414 ratings score: 826, and 11 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
1060	Cruddy by Lynda Barry 4.16 avg rating — 6,558 ratings score: 825, and 10 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
1060	Hocus Pocus by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. 3.83 avg rating — 35,488 ratings score: 825, and 13 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
1060	Revelation Space (Revelation Space, #1) by Alastair Reynolds 3.99 avg rating — 60,552 ratings score: 825, and 11 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
1063	Sanctuary by William Faulkner 3.63 avg rating — 14,542 ratings score: 823, and 10 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
1064	Titus Groan (Gormenghast, #1) by Mervyn Peake 3.93 avg rating — 23,206 ratings score: 821, and 11 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
1065	Cathedral by Raymond Carver 4.24 avg rating — 39,336 ratings score: 820, and 11 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
1065	To Your Scattered Bodies Go (Riverworld, #1) by Philip José Farmer 3.93 avg rating — 33,457 ratings score: 820, and 15 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
1065	Orlando by Virginia Woolf 3.87 avg rating — 111,102 ratings score: 820, and 14 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
1068	Maurice by E.M. Forster 4.08 avg rating — 56,208 ratings score: 819, and 11 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
1069	Danny the Champion of the World by Roald Dahl 4.10 avg rating — 71,882 ratings score: 818, and 14 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
1070	Weave World by Clive Barker (Goodreads Author) 4.13 avg rating — 33,759 ratings score: 814, and 11 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
1071	The Mote in God's Eye (Moties, #1) by Larry Niven 4.07 avg rating — 72,441 ratings score: 813, and 12 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
1072	Second Foundation (Foundation, #3) by Isaac Asimov 4.27 avg rating — 199,123 ratings score: 812, and 14 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
1073	The Club Dumas by Arturo Pérez-Reverte 3.81 avg rating — 44,124 ratings score: 810, and 12 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
1074	Murder Must Advertise (Lord Peter Wimsey, #10) by Dorothy L. Sayers 4.17 avg rating — 24,493 ratings score: 808, and 15 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
1074	Madness and Civilization: A History of Insanity in the Age of Reason by Michel Foucault 4.09 avg rating — 14,297 ratings score: 808, and 12 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
1074	Corduroy by Don Freeman 4.33 avg rating — 227,950 ratings score: 808, and 17 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
1077	The Lords of Discipline by Pat Conroy 4.34 avg rating — 29,780 ratings score: 805, and 12 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
1077	Straight Man by Richard Russo (Goodreads Author) really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 30,097 ratings score: 805, and 11 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
1079	Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott (Goodreads Author) 4.24 avg rating — 109,087 ratings score: 801, and 13 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
1080	The Ambassadors by Henry James 3.63 avg rating — 12,897 ratings score: 799, and 13 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
1080	Go Tell It on the Mountain by James Baldwin 4.05 avg rating — 79,124 ratings score: 799, and 16 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
1080	True Grit by Charles Portis 4.17 avg rating — 69,486 ratings score: 799, and 12 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
1083	Rilla of Ingleside (Anne of Green Gables, #8) by L.M. Montgomery 4.24 avg rating — 55,541 ratings score: 797, and 15 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
1084	The Drawing of the Three (The Dark Tower, #2) by Stephen King (Goodreads Author) 4.24 avg rating — 284,735 ratings score: 794, and 15 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
1085	Decline and Fall by Evelyn Waugh 3.83 avg rating — 15,628 ratings score: 791, and 12 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
1086	Replay by Ken Grimwood 4.15 avg rating — 43,602 ratings score: 788, and 9 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
1086	Jacob Have I Loved by Katherine Paterson 3.69 avg rating — 35,770 ratings score: 788, and 12 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
1086	The Second Chronicles of Thomas Covenant (The Second Chronicles of Thomas Covenant #1-3) by Stephen R. Donaldson 4.02 avg rating — 3,680 ratings score: 788, and 13 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
1089	Forever... by Judy Blume (Goodreads Author) 3.62 avg rating — 66,651 ratings score: 784, and 11 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
1090	Being There by Jerzy Kosiński 3.86 avg rating — 14,880 ratings score: 782, and 12 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
1091	Snow Country by Yasunari Kawabata 3.57 avg rating — 39,407 ratings score: 777, and 17 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
1091	The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf 4.37 avg rating — 93,984 ratings score: 777, and 15 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
1093	The Devil's Arithmetic by Jane Yolen (Goodreads Author) 4.03 avg rating — 61,647 ratings score: 774, and 11 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
1094	The Haj by Leon Uris 4.05 avg rating — 14,401 ratings score: 773, and 11 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
1095	The Seat of the Soul by Gary Zukav 4.03 avg rating — 47,908 ratings score: 770, and 13 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
1095	Moon Palace by Paul Auster 3.98 avg rating — 28,672 ratings score: 770, and 9 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
1097	The History of Sexuality, Volume 1: An Introduction by Michel Foucault 4.02 avg rating — 25,138 ratings score: 769, and 11 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
1098	Under Milk Wood by Dylan Thomas 4.02 avg rating — 10,540 ratings score: 768, and 12 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
1099	A Fire Upon the Deep (Zones of Thought, #1) by Vernor Vinge 4.13 avg rating — 65,600 ratings score: 767, and 12 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
1100	The Blind Owl by Sadegh Hedayat 3.96 avg rating — 33,447 ratings score: 766, and 9 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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7,788 books · 49,737 voters · list created May 29th, 2008 by deleted user.

Tags: 20th, 20th-century, best-by-century, by-century, earliest-list, twentieth

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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 [deleted user] (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 Laura (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 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 15: 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 16: 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 17: by Megan (new)

Jun 30, 2008 10:22PM

Vonnegut should definetly be on this list.

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message 18: 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 19: 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 20: 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 21: 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 22: 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 23: by Mommy (new)

Jul 17, 2008 10:11AM

where is THE WORLD ACCORDING TO GARP by John Irving?

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message 24: 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 25: 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 26: 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 27: 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 28: 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 29: 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 30: 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 31: 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 32: 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 33: 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 34: 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 35: 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 36: by Roxanne (new)

Jul 30, 2008 04:00PM

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

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message 37: 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 38: 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 39: 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 40: 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 41: 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 42: 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 43: 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 44: by Gary (new)

Aug 11, 2008 09:36AM

_Les misérables_ was published in the 19th Century.

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message 45: 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 46: 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 47: 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 48: 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 49: 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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message 50: by Sally (new)

Sep 09, 2008 12:03PM

I would like to vote for The Kite Runner

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