HomeGroupsTalkZeitgeist
Big news! LibraryThing is now free to all! Read the blog post and discuss the change on Talk.
dismiss
This site uses cookies to deliver our services, improve performance, for analytics, and (if not signed in) for advertising. By using LibraryThing you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Your use of the site and services is subject to these policies and terms.
Create new list
Lists home

Top Five Books of 2014

Description: What are your top five reads for 2014? These books DO NOT need to have been published in 2014.

Members: 398 participating members (show all)

All members' list: [1] 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12Sort: Score | Title | Author | Date
1
All the Light We Cannot See
by Anthony Doerr
11,195 members, 673 reviews
4.29 stars (4.29 stars)

Lists: SarahPKaeck (1), kenjohnson (1), SkippyRoxy (1), Devlindusty (1), chaminah (1), PollyMig (1), nbcarmel (1), MJC1946 (1), earthsinger (1), thebooklover2 (1), boo-radley (1) — 35 more, myownwoman (1), brenzi (1), novelcommentary (1), hubblegal (1), AmourFou (1), linda.newman (1), books-n-art (1), pdebolt (1), ltcl (1), Trudial (1), jan.blazanin (1), myra.reads (1), njinthesun (1), azrowan (1), nwieme (1), ardvisoor (2), LisbethE (2), skyeval (2), DerBuecherwurm (2), Donna828 (2), cushlareads (2), PoetVictoria (2), dawnlovesbooks (3), ReinaSinjab (3), Janet126 (3), dara85 (3), nittnut (3), davidabrams (3), cmtl (4), maritimer (4), Sarah-Hope (4), chgstrom (4), ymkahn (5), brushman (5), copperkid (5)

Score: 165.12

Explanations:

nittnut (3): For a new point of view, characters I could love.

2
The Goldfinch
by Donna Tartt
10,073 members, 630 reviews
3.96 stars (3.96 stars)

Lists: Rchlwtsn (1), snyd1978 (1), SimiSue75 (1), PaulKelleher (1), cadacada (1), taylorannenoel (1), jan48 (1), lsh63 (1), painter1 (1), Grammath (1), lyneaclark (1) — 29 more, Suusan (1), sianpr (1), iogrey (1), LisaYork (1), nancyewhite (1), KymmAC (1), AlisonSakai (1), Ameise1 (1), Micheller7 (1), vwinsloe (1), dawnlovesbooks (2), elca1946 (2), chaminah (2), ssmwonder (2), MJC1946 (2), ReinaSinjab (2), charl08 (2), Sandra.Kidder (2), novelcommentary (2), hubblegal (2), Devlindusty (3), ElizaBev (3), DerBuecherwurm (3), GeePee29 (3), azrowan (3), JuliaMaria (4), ymkahn (4), snora (4), yalliejane (5)

Score: 143.99

Explanations:

vwinsloe (1): Emotionally genuine as well as authentic in its depiction of time and place. Unforgettable characters.

3
The Martian
by Andy Weir
11,449 members, 943 reviews
4.26 stars (4.26 stars)

Lists: jasdawn5 (1), Picarina (1), dawndouble (1), stephencrutch (1), ssmwonder (1), KatyBee (1), mccin68 (1), ReinaSinjab (1), rclassen (1), Sharn (1), DerBuecherwurm (1) — 29 more, Willie3 (1), Jillian_Kay (1), mahsdad (1), majkia (1), renbedell (1), dougcornelius (1), SylviaC (1), timspalding (1), lillypatti72 (2), Devlindusty (2), melissarochelle (2), earthsinger (2), kellyslist (2), iogrey (2), Janet126 (2), Helenoel (2), tottman (2), tiffin (2), MsMaryAnn (3), honkcronk (3), jtlauderdale (3), gypsysmom (3), Vilakins (3), kjforrest (3), tardis (3), boo-radley (4), GeePee29 (4), Unkletom (4), souloftherose (5)

Score: 142.07

Explanations:

tottman (2): Perfect blend of science, action and humor. One of my favorite characters of all time.

tiffin (2): This was such great good fun!

4
Ancillary Justice
by Ann Leckie
3,849 members, 273 reviews
4 stars (4 stars)

Lists: jamestream (1), barrayaran (1), Euryale (1), kjforrest (1), zjakkelien (1), montano (1), Vierran (1), lkmiller (1), tardis (1), lorannen (1), kenjohnson (2) — 11 more, SkippyRoxy (2), pjdscca (2), Vilakins (2), ChristineParker (2), lorax (2), earthsinger (3), dot.zen (3), TempleCat (3), Devlindusty (4), gypsysmom (4), conceptDawg (5)

Score: 77.63

Explanations:

lorannen (1): By far one of the most original and compelling space novels I've read in recent years.

5
The Book Thief
by Markus Zusak
34,823 members, 1,902 reviews
4.37 stars (4.37 stars)

Lists: Jonas.Pieters (1), amyshaff (1), MichelleAbel (1), MeganHuntStewart (1), Florinda (1), Barbsn (1), snyd1978 (2), PaulKelleher (2), cadacada (2), lyneaclark (2), LisaYork (2) — 10 more, kenjohnson (3), MJC1946 (3), krazy4katz (3), painter1 (3), SherylHendrix (3), lucybrown (4), Trudial (4), spartahiker (4), Devlindusty (5), jan48 (5)

Score: 69.85

Explanations:

SherylHendrix (3): A riveting story that highlights the human emotions of individuals caught in the horrors of war.

6
Life After Life
by Kate Atkinson
6,457 members, 502 reviews
3.99 stars (3.99 stars)

Lists: rainpebble (1), canaiden (1), skyeval (1), cmtl (1), starfishian (1), PoetVictoria (1), suerv (2), JSWBooks (2), innominate (2), elca1946 (3), SkippyRoxy (3) — 8 more, chaminah (3), mzonderm (3), novelcommentary (3), hubblegal (3), ymkahn (3), nancyewhite (3), kenjohnson (4), sipthereader (4)

Score: 64.06

Explanations:

starfishian (1): Absolutely brilliant. Kate Atkinson is a gifted writer.

innominate (2): A novel of time and place, of death and rebirth. Of foxes and not. Historical and ahistorical. A fantastic (in both senses of the word) read.

7
Gone Girl
by Gillian Flynn
16,052 members, 1,324 reviews
3.86 stars (3.86 stars)

Lists: dawnlovesbooks (1), batey (1), ReadHanded (1), jasdawn5 (2), snookerkitty (2), MichelleAbel (2), canaiden (2), cadacada (3), MeganHuntStewart (3), mdrcamp4 (3), ToniTobin (3) — 6 more, snyd1978 (4), PaperbackPirate (4), Jenxy21 (4), novelcommentary (4), randomfakename (5), amerynth (5)

Score: 54.28

8
The Narrow Road to the Deep North
by Richard Flanagan
2,282 members, 119 reviews
4.06 stars (4.06 stars)

Lists: peterveen (1), Amsa1959 (1), maritimer (1), ymkahn (1), lauralkeet (1), PollyMig (2), honkcronk (2), dot.zen (2), jan48 (3), Faradaydon (3), Donna828 (3) — 5 more, earthsinger (4), mkunruh (4), GCPLreader (4), JanHeemskerk (4), SkippyRoxy (5)

Score: 53.2

9
The Invention of Wings
by Sue Monk Kidd
3,850 members, 275 reviews
4.16 stars (4.16 stars)

Lists: aliepa (1), dkfgroup (1), BookLizard (1), jan48 (2), cntroupe (2), Micheller7 (2), snyd1978 (3), amyshaff (3), terran (3), Bellettres (3), SkippyRoxy (4) — 6 more, DerBuecherwurm (4), earthsinger (5), PaperbackPirate (5), MsRoux (5), JSWBooks (5), Cariola (6)

Score: 53.16

10
The Rosie Project
by Graeme Simsion
5,534 members, 465 reviews
3.97 stars (3.97 stars)

Lists: suerv (1), snookerkitty (1), gingercat80 (1), bfkendrick (1), amyshaff (2), painter1 (2), terran (2), Alphawoman (2), LisbethE (3), PaperbackPirate (3), Marlyn (3) — 4 more, Yvette89 (3), kristenl (5), books-n-art (5), baystateRA (5)

Score: 49.64

11
Orphan Train
by Christina Baker Kline
4,621 members, 407 reviews
3.98 stars (3.98 stars)

Lists: Deb.Meyer (1), spartahiker (1), SimiSue75 (2), koalakt (2), jan.blazanin (2), dkfgroup (2), myra.reads (4), PoetVictoria (4), dara85 (4), dawnlovesbooks (5), marjy.heath (5) — 3 more, ardvisoor (5), LisbethE (5), myers3 (5)

Score: 43.31

12
The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry
by Gabrielle Zevin
4,337 members, 458 reviews
3.99 stars (3.99 stars)

Lists: melissarochelle (1), myers3 (1), cransell (1), Marlyn (2), pdebolt (2), ltcl (2), nwieme (2), dawnlovesbooks (4), jan48 (4), Donna828 (4), baystateRA (4) — 2 more, KatyBee (5), kgriffith (5)

Score: 42.12

13
Lila
by Marilynne Robinson
1,730 members, 87 reviews
4.05 stars (4.05 stars)

Lists: Plommonsson (1), GCPLreader (1), Dilara86 (1), Donna828 (1), debnance (1), AmourFou (2), librorumamans (2), lauralkeet (2), cmtl (3), rainpebble (4), cadacada (4) — 1 more, hazel1123 (4)

Score: 41.62

14
The Boys in the Boat
by Daniel James Brown
3,310 members, 200 reviews
4.32 stars (4.32 stars)

Lists: JenMDB (1), greeneyed_ives (1), rclassen (2), jtlauderdale (2), spartahiker (2), dougcornelius (3), bangerlm (3), LisbethE (4), honkcronk (4), JSWBooks (4), cadacada (5) — 1 more, hazel1123 (5)

Score: 38.01

15
Stoner
by John Williams
4,561 members, 267 reviews
4.29 stars (4.29 stars)

Lists: hannekris (1), sarahlpriest (1), LovingLit (1), Rchlwtsn (2), Plommonsson (2), MsMaryAnn (2), GCPLreader (2), cometahalley (2), crittergirl (4), evilmoose (4), suerv (5)

Score: 37.15

16
The Luminaries
by Eleanor Catton
3,733 members, 207 reviews
3.79 stars (3.79 stars)

Lists: charl08 (1), gendeg (1), peterveen (2), Picarina (2), lsh63 (2), chgstrom (2), snora (2), zhejw (3), KymmAC (3), elca1946 (5), Aquila (5)

Score: 36.25

Explanations:

Aquila (5): Do I need to explain my choice? Loved the set up.

17
Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption
by Laura Hillenbrand
8,900 members, 519 reviews
4.43 stars (4.43 stars)

Lists: honkcronk (1), gaylebutz (1), terran (1), ThoughtPolice (1), myra.reads (2), koalakt (3), elca1946 (4), MJC1946 (4), mzonderm (5), sipthereader (5), Trudial (5)

Score: 36.09

Explanations:

ThoughtPolice (1): Compelling story, brilliant writer.

18
The Ocean at the End of the Lane
by Neil Gaiman
10,231 members, 753 reviews
4.08 stars (4.08 stars)

Lists: hailelib (1), catherinestead (1), bercilak (2), Suusan (2), TempleCat (2), leahbird (2), nancyewhite (2), BBGirl55 (4), Jenxy21 (5), hubblegal (5), avanders (5)

Score: 35.67

19
Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail
by Cheryl Strayed
6,254 members, 431 reviews
3.89 stars (3.89 stars)

Lists: mic_cee (1), jhaggis (1), VW_Williams (1), Deb.Meyer (2), mdexter (3), bfkendrick (3), randomfakename (4), saucybetty (4), Alphawoman (4), MeganHuntStewart (5)

Score: 32.6

20
Hyperbole and a Half: Unfortunate Situations, Flawed Coping Mechanisms, Mayhem, and Other Things That Happened
by Allie Brosh
3,394 members, 230 reviews
4.26 stars (4.26 stars)

Lists: dexterdame (1), Jambyfool (1), barrayaran (2), MeganHuntStewart (2), SaraHope (2), midnightblues (3), amaranthe (3), CapitalHackels (5), waitingtoderail (5), tardis (5)

Score: 32.19

Explanations:

amaranthe (3): It is extremely funny, and not in a stupid way.

21
Americanah
by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
4,755 members, 218 reviews
4.16 stars (4.16 stars)

Lists: elca1946 (1), JSWBooks (1), jhaggis (2), peterveen (3), LisaYork (3), njinthesun (3), canaiden (4), catherinestead (4), amyshaff (5), novelcommentary (5)

Score: 31.49

Explanations:

JSWBooks (1): There's so much to this book. One reader quoted The Guardian's review: "There are some novels that tell a great story and others that make you change the way you look at the world. ... Adichie's Americanah is a book that manages to do both." It is about race, immigrants, relationships. Beautiful, provacative writing.… (more)

22
The Fault in Our Stars
by John Green
18,458 members, 1,364 reviews
4.28 stars (4.28 stars)

Lists: Liciasings (1), crazy4reading (1), mdrcamp4 (2), MsRoux (2), booklover3258 (2), snookerkitty (4), MeganHuntStewart (4), renbedell (4), snyd1978 (5)

Score: 29.25

Explanations:

MsRoux (2): I didn't expect I'd like this book, much less love it. It's the clear voice of the protagonist, Hazel, with her insights and mordant humor, that make this a great book.… (more)

booklover3258 (2): Sad story of love and loss. Why wouldn't I love this book?

23
The Bone Clocks
by David Mitchell
3,679 members, 241 reviews
3.82 stars (3.82 stars)

Lists: novelex (1), sarahlpriest (2), mzonderm (2), gendeg (2), suerv (3), edparks (5), dot.zen (5), pjdscca (5), vwinsloe (5)

Score: 27.83

24
A Constellation of Vital Phenomena
by Anthony Marra
1,892 members, 151 reviews
4.27 stars (4.27 stars)

Lists: katiekrug (1), books-n-art (2), bfkendrick (2), sipthereader (2), lsh63 (4), linda.newman (4), cmtl (5), MsMaryAnn (5), mdexter (5)

Score: 27.77

25
We Were Liars
by E. Lockhart
3,744 members, 330 reviews
3.72 stars (3.72 stars)

Lists: ElizaBev (2), montano (2), snookerkitty (3), canaiden (3), ltcl (3), nwieme (3), katemcangus (3), Marlyn (4), painter1 (5)

Score: 27.43

26
Tell the Wolves I'm Home
by Carol Rifka Brunt
2,805 members, 207 reviews
4.13 stars (4.13 stars)

Lists: mfbarry (1), bacreads (1), njinthesun (2), winteralli (2), ablachly (2), Plommonsson (3), EllsieFind (4), gypsysmom (5)

Score: 26.63

27
The Orchardist
by Amanda Coplin
1,688 members, 123 reviews
3.83 stars (3.83 stars)

Lists: markatpie (1), Bookmarque (1), overthemoon (1), pdebolt (3), reader517 (3), spartahiker (3), painter1 (4), EllsieFind (5)

Score: 26.62

Explanations:

Bookmarque (1): Stories of orphans and outsiders usually follow a familiar storyline, but this novel surprised me both in characterization and in plot. Set in an unusual location and time it is an introspective and engrossing novel.… (more)

28
Burial Rites
by Hannah Kent
2,820 members, 229 reviews
4.01 stars (4.01 stars)

Lists: ElizaBev (1), Brindle (1), rainpebble (2), Sharn (2), lsh63 (3), innominate (3), s2nowy (4), KimarieBee (4)

Score: 26.46

Explanations:

innominate (3): A bare description of this novel (the tale of the last woman to be executed in Iceland) doesn't do justice to its complexity and clarity of purpose. A tale of death breathing life into a past society.… (more)

29
Station Eleven
by Emily St. John Mandel
6,798 members, 547 reviews
4.09 stars (4.09 stars)

Lists: randomfakename (1), HeathMochaFrost (1), dougcornelius (2), kjgormley (2), boo-radley (3), amyshaff (4), KatyBee (4), snora (5)

Score: 26.1

30
Ready Player One
by Ernest Cline
11,849 members, 977 reviews
4.12 stars (4.12 stars)

Lists: Vilakins (1), BBGirl55 (1), raidergirl3 (1), Ape (1), batey (2), dexterdame (2), Picarina (3)

Score: 25.77

31
Bring Up the Bodies
by Hilary Mantel
5,114 members, 296 reviews
4.33 stars (4.33 stars)

Lists: etxgardener (1), TheoClarke (1), lillypatti72 (3), SimiSue75 (3), peterveen (4), suerv (4), bjappleg8 (4), Cariola (4)

Score: 25.39

32
The Goblin Emperor
by Katherine Addison
1,617 members, 115 reviews
4.16 stars (4.16 stars)

Lists: pagesaplenty (1), susanj (2), amaranthe (2), Vierran (3), tardis (4), mkunruh (5), jsburbidge (5)

Score: 21.95

Explanations:

amaranthe (2): Maia unexpectedly becomes emperor after having lived his 18 years as an embarrassment in exile. He must learn to govern effectively without being killed, being manipulated by older members of the government, or becoming like his father. Lots of politics, intrigue, problem-solving, and heart.… (more)

33
An Unnecessary Woman
by Rabih Alameddine
881 members, 66 reviews
4.03 stars (4.03 stars)

Lists: kara.shamy (1), edparks (2), Bellettres (2), GCPLreader (3), alphaorder (4), Donna828 (5), poingu (9)

Score: 21.58

34
An Officer and a Spy
by Robert Harris
1,202 members, 71 reviews
4.21 stars (4.21 stars)

Lists: saucybetty (1), pjdscca (1), mdexter (1), brenzi (2), JanHeemskerk (2), bjappleg8 (5)

Score: 21.4

35
The Sparrow
by Mary Doria Russell
6,457 members, 345 reviews
4.19 stars (4.19 stars)

Lists: kafc9460 (1), ghefferon (1), Unkletom (1), amanda4242 (2), marjy.heath (4), MsMaryAnn (4)

Score: 21.02

36
We are Not Ourselves
by Matthew Thomas
1,190 members, 99 reviews
3.84 stars (3.84 stars)

Lists: edparks (1), Janet126 (1), kjgormley (1), ymkahn (2), pdebolt (4), Micheller7 (5)

Score: 20.87

37
The Secret Place
by Tana French
1,881 members, 129 reviews
3.85 stars (3.85 stars)

Lists: Marlyn (1), katemcangus (1), raidergirl3 (2), montano (3), SimiSue75 (4), nancyewhite (4)

Score: 20.06

38
Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore
by Robin Sloan
6,529 members, 596 reviews
3.83 stars (3.83 stars)

Lists: LisbethE (1), aliepa (2), karspeak (2), SimoneA (3), EllsieFind (3), ltcl (5)

Score: 19.48

39
Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea
by Barbara Demick
2,453 members, 152 reviews
4.41 stars (4.41 stars)

Lists: MeridianLRC (1), copperkid (1), ThoughtPolice (3), rosylibrarian (3), Mirabelle (5), nancyewhite (5)

Score: 19.43

Explanations:

ThoughtPolice (3): Eye-popping narrative.

40
City of Stairs
by Robert Jackson Bennett
1,256 members, 113 reviews
4.18 stars (4.18 stars)

Lists: craso (1), majkia (2), tardis (2), jsburbidge (3), ardvisoor (4), Alissa- (4)

Score: 19.42

41
Atonement
by Ian McEwan
23,020 members, 575 reviews
3.93 stars (3.93 stars)

Lists: petit.small (1), Cariola (1), iogrey (3), kenjohnson (5), canaiden (5), Peace2 (5)

Score: 19.06

42
Red Rising
by Pierce Brown
3,744 members, 288 reviews
3.97 stars (3.97 stars)

Lists: isis27 (1), MaggieFlo (1), ChristineParker (1), renbedell (3), ltcl (4)

Score: 17.87

43
Fool's Assassin
by Robin Hobb
1,151 members, 65 reviews
4.26 stars (4.26 stars)

Lists: KimarieBee (1), ikeyjamehoward (1), Kassilem (1), susanj (3), bangerlm (4)

Score: 17.87

44
Fangirl
by Rainbow Rowell
4,709 members, 375 reviews
4.17 stars (4.17 stars)

Lists: randomfakename (2), sweeks1980 (2), Vilakins (4), SaraHope (4), bookwoman84 (5), norabelle414 (5)

Score: 17.73

45
The Book of Negroes
by Lawrence Hill
3,081 members, 163 reviews
4.32 stars (4.32 stars)

Lists: lillypatti72 (1), marjy.heath (1), MaggieFlo (2), _Zoe_ (2), thebookpile (5)

Score: 17.4

46
Code Name Verity
by Elizabeth Wein
3,686 members, 330 reviews
4.32 stars (4.32 stars)

Lists: randomfakename (3), kgriffith (3), fannyprice (4), Picarina (4), mzonderm (4), Tafadhali (5)

Score: 17.24

47
Eleanor & Park
by Rainbow Rowell
6,335 members, 530 reviews
4.17 stars (4.17 stars)

Lists: holly_golightly (1), leahbird (1), irishsurprise (3), bookwoman84 (3), zhejw (4)

Score: 16.91

48
The Paying Guests
by Sarah Waters
2,586 members, 175 reviews
3.59 stars (3.59 stars)

Lists: kgriffith (1), bookwoman84 (1), starfishian (3), byzanne (3), ablachly (5)

Score: 16.75

49
Words of Radiance
by Brandon Sanderson
2,398 members, 92 reviews
4.6 stars (4.6 stars)

Lists: bangerlm (1), Kassilem (2), lkmiller (2), miketopper (2), kjforrest (6)

Score: 16.65

50
Olive Kitteridge
by Elizabeth Strout
8,004 members, 549 reviews
3.92 stars (3.92 stars)

Lists: kafc9460 (2), JenMDB (2), JolieLouise (2), KymmAC (2), marjy.heath (3)

Score: 16.49

51
Hild
by Nicola Griffith
1,177 members, 77 reviews
3.98 stars (3.98 stars)

Lists: rarm (1), Aquila (1), susanj (4), jsburbidge (4), byzanne (4)

Score: 16.49

Explanations:

Aquila (1): Like Rosemary Sutcliff, but with a female protagonist - and a bisexual one at that. Fascinating, integrated, beautifully written.

52
The Golem and the Jinni: A Novel
by Helene Wecker
3,868 members, 276 reviews
4.13 stars (4.13 stars)

Lists: chgstrom (1), Her_Royal_Orangeness (2), iogrey (4), brushman (4), flying_monkeys (5)

Score: 15.7

Explanations:

flying_monkeys (5): Uses two mythological creatures to explore what it means to be human.

53
Behind the Beautiful Forevers
by Katherine Boo
3,445 members, 264 reviews
4.07 stars (4.07 stars)

Lists: Janethawn (2), PollyMig (3), kafc9460 (3), saucybetty (3), amerynth (3)

Score: 15.52

54
Bird Box
by Josh Malerman
1,842 members, 170 reviews
3.87 stars (3.87 stars)

Lists: isis27 (2), boo-radley (2), ardvisoor (3), flying_monkeys (3), ChristineParker (5)

Score: 15.48

Explanations:

flying_monkeys (3): What's scarier than something you can't see but know is right beside you? Eek!

55
American Gods
by Neil Gaiman
28,881 members, 780 reviews
4.08 stars (4.08 stars)

Lists: Marc_Williams (3), midnightblues (4), PollyMig (4), hubblegal (4), bercilak (5)

Score: 14.2

57
The Color Purple
by Alice Walker
15,704 members, 281 reviews
4.13 stars (4.13 stars)

Lists: bjappleg8 (1), rainpebble (3), pagesaplenty (3), hazel1123 (3)

Score: 13.12

58
This Is Where I Leave You
by Jonathan Tropper
2,630 members, 149 reviews
3.87 stars (3.87 stars)

Lists: booklover3258 (1), pagesaplenty (2), melissarochelle (3), ToniTobin (5)

Score: 13.08

Explanations:

booklover3258 (1): Funny story and loved the dysfunctional family.

59
Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End
by Atul Gawande
3,292 members, 213 reviews
4.44 stars (4.44 stars)

Lists: alphaorder (1), marjy.heath (2), gendeg (4), MJC1946 (5)

Score: 12.87

60
Saga Volume 1
by Brian K. Vaughan
3,096 members, 223 reviews
4.31 stars (4.31 stars)

Lists: Vierran (2), lorannen (2), dexterdame (3), leahbird (4)

Score: 12.6

Explanations:

lorannen (2): Saga finally convinced me to become a regular reader of comics. It's a brilliant story, with artwork to match.

61
Rivers of London
by Ben Aaronovitch
4,024 members, 293 reviews
3.91 stars (3.91 stars)

Lists: hailelib (2), isis27 (3), BookLizard (3), Tanya-dogearedcopy (3)

Score: 12.48

Explanations:

Tanya-dogearedcopy (3): Urban Fantasy about a RC in modern-day London who discovers that he has wizarding skillz; The author was a scriptwriter for Doctor Who, and the story is very fast, funny, and quintessentially British.… (more)

62
The Age of Innocence
by Edith Wharton
11,327 members, 253 reviews
4.02 stars (4.02 stars)

Lists: Minthe (2), lottpoet (2), redsox0407 (3), fannyprice (5)

Score: 12.44

63
The Magician's Land
by Lev Grossman
1,741 members, 86 reviews
4.15 stars (4.15 stars)

Lists: zhejw (2), baystateRA (2), lkmiller (3), montano (5)

Score: 12.44

64
A Tale for the Time Being
by Ruth Ozeki
3,061 members, 185 reviews
4.06 stars (4.06 stars)

Lists: TempleCat (1), linda.newman (3), peterveen (5), bcquinnsmom (5)

Score: 12.39

65
The Silkworm
by Robert Galbraith
4,282 members, 271 reviews
3.91 stars (3.91 stars)

Lists: Trudial (2), katemcangus (2), iogrey (5), Kintra (5)

Score: 12.08

66
Daughter of the Forest
by Juliet Marillier
3,640 members, 114 reviews
4.31 stars (4.31 stars)

Lists: Wassilissa (2), lottpoet (3), nittnut (4), Picarina (5)

Score: 11.91

Explanations:

nittnut (4): Because it's the first book in a new to me series. It's such a pleasure to find a great new series.

67
MaddAddam
by Margaret Atwood
2,562 members, 139 reviews
3.95 stars (3.95 stars)

Lists: SimoneA (2), PoetVictoria (3), Ape (5), winteralli (5)

Score: 11.75

69
The Cat's Table
by Michael Ondaatje
2,085 members, 122 reviews
3.7 stars (3.7 stars)

Lists: melball (1), tandah (1), overthemoon (2)

Score: 11.36

70
The Blazing World
by Siri Hustvedt
707 members, 28 reviews
3.67 stars (3.67 stars)

Lists: JuliaMaria (1), Parker51 (1), kara.shamy (2)

Score: 11.36

Explanations:

JuliaMaria (1): Wie Frauen in der Kunstgeschichte unsichtbar gemacht werden. Verpackt in Beschreibung eines spannenden Duells zweier Ķünstler.

71
Faithful Place
by Tana French
3,366 members, 230 reviews
3.93 stars (3.93 stars)

Lists: tottman (1), miketopper (1), gaylebutz (3)

Score: 11.04

Explanations:

tottman (1): Listened to this book on audio and it absolutely blew me away. Absolute gut-punch. Brilliant writing.

72
The Enchanted
by Rene Denfeld
739 members, 61 reviews
4.1 stars (4.1 stars)

Lists: ardvisoor (1), MsMaryAnn (1), muzcurator (3)

Score: 11.04

73
Written in My Own Heart's Blood
by Diana Gabaldon
2,387 members, 96 reviews
4.42 stars (4.42 stars)

Lists: mzonderm (1), Mecaza (1), ikeyjamehoward (4)

Score: 10.83

Explanations:

Mecaza (1): The BEST book I have read this year by far..

74
Blood Meridian: Or the Evening Redness in the West
by Cormac McCarthy
8,842 members, 220 reviews
4.17 stars (4.17 stars)

Lists: bcquinnsmom (1), Marc_Williams (2), Unkletom (2)

Score: 10.73

75
What If?: Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions
by Randall Munroe
3,781 members, 143 reviews
4.19 stars (4.19 stars)

Lists: Domo.Biomed (1), sryder (1), lillypatti72 (5)

Score: 10.68

76
The Hare with Amber Eyes: A Hidden Inheritance
by Edmund de Waal
2,811 members, 129 reviews
3.99 stars (3.99 stars)

Lists: Peace2 (1), tiffin (1), SimiSue75 (5)

Score: 10.68

Explanations:

tiffin (1): Fascinating story.

77
Neverwhere
by Neil Gaiman
21,559 members, 495 reviews
4.11 stars (4.11 stars)

Lists: midnightblues (1), meandmybooks (2), chlorine (3)

Score: 10.4

78
The Girl With All the Gifts
by M. R. Carey
3,657 members, 310 reviews
4.01 stars (4.01 stars)

Lists: norabelle414 (1), renbedell (2), isis27 (4)

Score: 10.19

79
The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History
by Elizabeth Kolbert
2,202 members, 112 reviews
4.18 stars (4.18 stars)

Lists: waitingtoderail (1), gravitysbook (2), lorax (4)

Score: 10.19

80
The Good Lord Bird
by James McBride
1,303 members, 88 reviews
3.87 stars (3.87 stars)

Lists: snora (1), etxgardener (2), azrowan (4)

Score: 10.19

81
State of Wonder
by Ann Patchett
5,174 members, 355 reviews
3.88 stars (3.88 stars)

Lists: sturlington (1), Ape (3), rainpebble (5)

Score: 9.71

82
China Mountain Zhang
by Maureen F. McHugh
1,117 members, 36 reviews
4.02 stars (4.02 stars)

Lists: lottpoet (1), karspeak (3), gendeg (5)

Score: 9.71

83
A Town Like Alice
by Nevil Shute
3,084 members, 117 reviews
4.06 stars (4.06 stars)

Lists: midnightblues (2), Peace2 (3), ahef1963 (3)

Score: 9.44

84
The Lord of the Rings
by J. R. R. Tolkien
42,093 members, 409 reviews
4.53 stars (4.53 stars)

Lists: SimoneA (1), midnightblues (5), PollyMig (5)

Score: 9.35

85
The Book of Strange New Things
by Michel Faber
1,649 members, 109 reviews
3.73 stars (3.73 stars)

Lists: zhejw (1), GCPLreader (5), booksinbed (5)

Score: 9.35

86
The Slow Regard of Silent Things
by Patrick Rothfuss
2,452 members, 114 reviews
3.85 stars (3.85 stars)

Lists: ikeyjamehoward (2), sryder (3), Ceora (4)

Score: 9.23

87
To the Lighthouse
by Virginia Woolf
14,643 members, 222 reviews
3.88 stars (3.88 stars)

Lists: eclecticdodo (3), Parker51 (3), snora (3)

Score: 9.12

88
Can't We Talk about Something More Pleasant?: A Memoir
by Roz Chast
1,167 members, 95 reviews
4.33 stars (4.33 stars)

Lists: HeathMochaFrost (2), etxgardener (3), alphaorder (5)

Score: 9.08

89
Redeployment
by Phil Klay
1,086 members, 61 reviews
3.98 stars (3.98 stars)

Lists: maritimer (2), atortorice001 (3), davidabrams (5)

Score: 9.08

90
Skin Game
by Jim Butcher
2,049 members, 115 reviews
4.33 stars (4.33 stars)

Lists: ikeyjamehoward (3), dexterdame (4), Kassilem (4)

Score: 8.7

91
1Q84
by Haruki Murakami
6,351 members, 277 reviews
3.83 stars (3.83 stars)

Lists: Grammath (3), winteralli (4), PoetVictoria (5)

Score: 8.54

92
The Muesum of Extraordinary Things
by Alice Hoffman
1,658 members, 102 reviews
3.74 stars (3.74 stars)

Lists: Micheller7 (3), starfishian (4), kellyslist (5)

Score: 8.54

93
The Circle
by Dave Eggers
4,212 members, 341 reviews
3.38 stars (3.38 stars)

Lists: lyneaclark (3), gbelik (4), ReneeGKC (6)

Score: 8.42

94
Gaudy Night
by Dorothy L. Sayers
4,559 members, 118 reviews
4.33 stars (4.33 stars)

Lists: inge87 (4), sturlington (5), CDVicarage (5)

Score: 8.18

95
Blindness
by José Saramago
10,578 members, 341 reviews
4.08 stars (4.08 stars)

Lists: JolieLouise (1), EMS_24 (1)

Score: 8

96
The Lies of Locke Lamora
by Scott Lynch
7,396 members, 336 reviews
4.22 stars (4.22 stars)

Lists: meandmybooks (1), SaraHope (1)

Score: 8

97
Home
by Marilynne Robinson
2,933 members, 132 reviews
3.96 stars (3.96 stars)

Lists: Osbaldistone (1), souloftherose (1)

Score: 8

98
We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves
by Karen Joy Fowler
2,860 members, 207 reviews
3.85 stars (3.85 stars)

Lists: Laura1124 (1), Aquila (2)

Score: 7.36

Explanations:

Aquila (2): I read this without reading about it first, which was lucky, and it turned out to be a book exactly right for me.

99
Night Film
by Marisha Pessl
2,336 members, 247 reviews
3.78 stars (3.78 stars)

Lists: avanders (1), gingercat80 (2)

Score: 7.36

100
Clothes, Clothes, Clothes. Music, Music, Music. Boys, Boys, Boys.
by Viv Albertine
282 members, 13 reviews
4.15 stars (4.15 stars)

Lists: GeePee29 (1), mkunruh (2)

Score: 7.36

All members' list: [1] 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12Sort: Score | Title | Author | Date

About this list

Started by: lorannen (December 2014)

Type: Numbered

Limit: 5 books

Related tags

19th century (9,839) 20th century (8,071) American literature (8,707) biography (8,121) classic (28,726) classics (27,426) dystopia (9,525) England (10,381) fantasy (70,096) fiction (275,594) historical fiction (25,219) history (18,832) horror (11,339) humor (9,509) literature (24,095) memoir (8,875) mystery (18,308) non-fiction (28,481) novel (34,479) read (25,038) romance (8,814) science fiction (44,160) to-read (146,703) WWII (13,054) young adult (11,144)