| First posted 6/26/2018; updated 7/5/2020. |
 | Fiction:Top 100 Novels |
These are the best fiction books of all-time, according to an aggregate of more than 20 lists focused specifically on fiction books and another 50+ general book lists. Note: this list was originally posted in June 2018 and that version was used as the springboard for the Classic Novels Book Club. Check out the original list here.
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| First posted 7/1/2020. |
 
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Qur’anMuhammad
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Written: year 609 to 632 CE Category: religion Sales: 800 million |
Accolades (click on badges to see full lists): 
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About the Book: The Qur’an is the religious text of Islam described within as a book of guidance for mankind. Muslims view it as the culmination of divine messages and the liteal word of God (Allah) as orally revealed to the prophet Mohammad through the angel Gabriel. Islamic tradition says the first revelation happened in 609 CE in the Cave or Hira during one of Muhammad’s isolated retreats to the mountains. He continued to receive revelations until his death in 632 CE. The Qur’an is considered of proof of Muhammad’s prophethood and his most important miracle. Muhammad himself didn’t know how to write, but his companions served as scribes and memorized large chunks of Muhammad’s revelations. After his death, his companions compiled it and a standard version was established by Uthman. It assumes some familiarity with events already recounted in other scriptures, such as the Bible, and presents some alternative accounts and interpretations of some events. During prayer, the Qur’an is recited only in Arabic and in the month of Ramadan, Muslims typically recite the Qur’an in its entirety. It has been a tradition that children memorize the more than 6200 verses. Those who succeed are given the title of Hafiz. Resources and Related Links: |
| First posted 2/19/2019; updated 6/29/2020. |
 | Novels for Children and Teens:The Top 100 of All Time |
This is a consolidation of two previous lists: “The Top 50 Children’s Novels” and “The Top 50 Young Adult Books.” It aggregates a dozen lists specific to young adult books, more than 25 general children’s book lists, and another 50+ general book lists.
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| First posted 6/20/2020; updated 7/6/2020. |
 
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The OdysseyHomer
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First Publication: 800 B.C. Category: historical/epic poetry Sales: 45 million |
Accolades (click on badges to see full lists):
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About the Book: “The Odyssey is the original collection of tall traveler’s tales. Odysseus, on his way home from the Trojan War, encounters all kinds of marvels from one-eyed giants to witches and beautiful temptresses. His adventures are many and memorable before he gets back to Ithaca and his faithful wife Penelope.” AZ The epic poem “retells the events of the war between Greece and the city of Troy, focusing on Achilles' quarrel with Agamemnon.” BN “Helen, queen of Sparta and the most beautiful woman in the world, is kidnapped by Paris, a Trojan prince. Hungry for revenge, the Greek Army lays siege on Troy. For nine long years they are unsuccessful – until they come up with a plan for their greatest-ever attack on the city. For victory or death, the two armies will collide for the final time.” BN “We can never be certain that both these stories belonged to Homer. In fact, ‘Homer’ may not be a real name but a kind of nickname meaning perhaps ‘the hostage’ or ‘the blind one’. Whatever the truth of their origin…these tales… developed around three thousand years ago, may well still be read in three thousand years’ time.” AZ “Its symbolic evocation of human life as an epic journey homewards has inspired everything from James Joyce’s Ulysses to the Coen brothers' film, O Brother Where Art Thou?” TG Resources and Related Links:
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| First posted 6/25/2020; updated 7/6/2020. |
 
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The IliadHomer
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First Publication: 800 B.C. Category: historical/epic poetry Sales: ? |
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About the Book: “The Iliad is the oldest Greek poem and perhaps the best-known epic in Western literature.” BN It “recreates a few dramatic weeks near the end of the fabled Trojan War, ending with the funeral of Hector, defender of the doomed city. Through its majestic verses stride…fabled heroes…never far from the center of the story are the quarreling gods: Zeus, Poseidon, Apollo, Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite.” BN It found “eager new audiences when it was translated into many languages during the Renaissance.” BN It has subsequently “inspired countless works” BN and become “a beloved fixture of early Greek culture,” BN “Its themes of honor, power, status, heroism, and the whims of the gods have ensured its enduring popularity and immeasurable cultural influence.” BN The Greek poet Homer is attributed with writing both The Iliad and The Odyssey although there is debate about “whether his works are…by the same hand, or have their origins in the lays of Homer and his followers (Homeridae).” LN In addition, this “assemblage of stories and legends shaped into a compelling single narrative” BN “was probably recited orally by bards for generations before being written down in the eighth century B.C.” BN Resources and Related Links:
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| First posted 6/25/2020. |
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| Amazon:Top 100 Books |
This list was created by aggregating six different Amazon lists (see details at bottom of page).
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| First posted 6/24/2020. |
 
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The Holy Bible: King James VersionVarious writers
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First Publication: 1610 Category: religion Sales: 6.7 billion (estimated) |
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About the Book: “Shortly after inheriting the throne of England in the midst of violent religious strife, King James I called together the country’s leading churchmen and theologians at Hampton Court, ‘for the hearing, and for the determining, of things pretended to be amiss in the Church.’” AZ “Out of that conference came the memorable decision to commission a new translation of the Holy Scriptures. King James I eagerly approved the idea in the hope that this new translation might help avert civil war by uniting the religious factions within his country. The uniform translation, since called the ‘King James Version,’ dramatically affected the course of development of the English-speaking world.” AZ “When the King James translation of the Bible was first published in 1611, it was the first time that many people throughout the English-speaking world were able to read the Old and New Testaments in their native tongue. It proved so wildly popular, in fact, that it was the only book that many families owned. The majestic scope and poetry of the King James translation’s language made an incomparable impact on Western religion, culture, and literature that still resonates today.” BN Resources and Related Links:
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image from prowritingaid.com
| First posted 5/26/2018; updated 6/21/2020. |
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| Non-Fiction:Top 100 All-Time |
These are the best non-fiction books of all-time, according to an aggregate of more than 30 lists focused specifically on non-fiction books and another 60+ general book lists.
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| First posted 6/10/2020; updated 7/5/2020. |
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War and PeaceLeo Tolstoy
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First Publication: 1869 Category: historical novel Sales: 36 million |
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About the Book: “The most famous – and perhaps greatest – novel of all time,” BN War and Peace is “both an intimate study of individual passions and an epic history of Russia and its people.” BN The novel is “noted for its mastery of realistic detail and variety of psychological analysis” LN as it details “the metamorphosis of five families, some peasant, some aristocratic” AZ struggling for survival during Napoleon’s invasion of Russia.” BN “The theme of war, however, is subordinate to the story of family existence, which involves Tolstoy’s optimistic belief in the life-asserting pattern of human existence.” LN “Each individual is immersed in experiences and conversations elucidating Tolstoy’s themes of self-sacrifice and self-indulgence, anguish and ecstasy, diplomacy and deception, and religion and perdition. The complexities of character and plot are sometimes enigmatic, and names are often exhausting to recollect, but the genius of this book is everlasting.” AZ The impressive dialog sparkles with humor and wit, and the vivid scenes of battle are riveting.” AZ “The novel also sets forth a theory of history, concluding that there is a minimum of free choice; all is ruled by an inexorable historical determinism.” LN “War and Peace is nothing more or less than a complete portrait of human existence.” BN The book is well known for its length. “Even the author said it couldn't be described as a novel. But the characters of Andrei, Pierre and Natasha – and the tragic and unexpected way their lives intersect – grip you for all 1,400 pages.” TG Resources and Related Links:
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