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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: 395 participating members (show all)

All members' list: [1] 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11Sort: Score | Title | Author | Date
1
All the Light We Cannot See
by Anthony Doerr
14,262 members, 763 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) — 33 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), njinthesun (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: 157.12

Explanations:

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

2
The Goldfinch
by Donna Tartt
12,197 members, 721 reviews
3.95 stars (3.95 stars)

Lists: Rchlwtsn (1), snyd1978 (1), SimiSue75 (1), PaulKelleher (1), cadacada (1), taylorannenoel (1), jan48 (1), lsh63 (1), painter1 (1), Grammath (1), lyneaclark (1) — 28 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), JuliaMaria (4), ymkahn (4), snora (4), yalliejane (5)

Score: 140.95

Explanations:

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

3
The Martian
by Andy Weir
14,400 members, 1,115 reviews
4.28 stars (4.28 stars)

Lists: jasdawn5 (1), Picarina (1), dawndouble (1), stephencrutch (1), ssmwonder (1), KatyBee (1), mccin68 (1), ReinaSinjab (1), rclassen (1), Sharn (1), DerBuecherwurm (1) — 28 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), tardis (3), boo-radley (4), GeePee29 (4), Unkletom (4), souloftherose (5)

Score: 139.03

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
The Book Thief
by Markus Zusak
38,904 members, 2,030 reviews
4.36 stars (4.36 stars)

Lists: Tosta (1), Jonas.Pieters (1), amyshaff (1), MichelleAbel (1), MeganHuntStewart (1), Florinda (1), Barbsn (1), snyd1978 (2), PaulKelleher (2), cadacada (2), lyneaclark (2) — 11 more, LisaYork (2), kenjohnson (3), MJC1946 (3), krazy4katz (3), painter1 (3), SherylHendrix (3), lucybrown (4), Trudial (4), spartahiker (4), Devlindusty (5), jan48 (5)

Score: 73.85

Explanations:

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

5
Ancillary Justice
by Ann Leckie
4,858 members, 328 reviews
4.01 stars (4.01 stars)

Lists: jamestream (1), barrayaran (1), Euryale (1), zjakkelien (1), montano (1), Vierran (1), lkmiller (1), tardis (1), lorannen (1), kenjohnson (2), SkippyRoxy (2) — 10 more, pjdscca (2), Vilakins (2), ChristineParker (2), lorax (2), earthsinger (3), dot.zen (3), TempleCat (3), Devlindusty (4), gypsysmom (4), conceptDawg (5)

Score: 73.63

Explanations:

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

6
Life After Life
by Kate Atkinson
7,296 members, 551 reviews
3.97 stars (3.97 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
18,594 members, 1,440 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
2,675 members, 139 reviews
4.03 stars (4.03 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
4,515 members, 303 reviews
4.15 stars (4.15 stars)

Lists: aliepa (1), kathyann1229 (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), RuMuse (5), JSWBooks (5), Cariola (6)

Score: 53.16

10
The Rosie Project
by Graeme Simsion
6,595 members, 504 reviews
3.97 stars (3.97 stars)

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

Score: 53

11
The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry
by Gabrielle Zevin
4,933 members, 513 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

12
Lila
by Marilynne Robinson
2,096 members, 105 reviews
4.06 stars (4.06 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

13
Orphan Train
by Christina Baker Kline
5,267 members, 435 reviews
3.98 stars (3.98 stars)

Lists: Deb.Meyer (1), spartahiker (1), SimiSue75 (2), koalakt (2), jan.blazanin (2), kathyann1229 (2), PoetVictoria (4), dara85 (4), dawnlovesbooks (5), marjy.heath (5), ardvisoor (5) — 2 more, LisbethE (5), myers3 (5)

Score: 40.49

15
Stoner
by John Williams
5,463 members, 308 reviews
4.28 stars (4.28 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
4,268 members, 228 reviews
3.78 stars (3.78 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
The Ocean at the End of the Lane
by Neil Gaiman
12,232 members, 863 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

18
Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail
by Cheryl Strayed
7,346 members, 477 reviews
3.9 stars (3.9 stars)

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

Score: 35.64

19
Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption
by Laura Hillenbrand
10,402 members, 560 reviews
4.44 stars (4.44 stars)

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

Score: 32.72

Explanations:

ThoughtPolice (1): Compelling story, brilliant writer.

20
Hyperbole and a Half: Unfortunate Situations, Flawed Coping Mechanisms, Mayhem, and Other Things That Happened
by Allie Brosh
4,263 members, 263 reviews
4.28 stars (4.28 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
6,313 members, 272 reviews
4.18 stars (4.18 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
21,646 members, 1,480 reviews
4.24 stars (4.24 stars)

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

Score: 29.25

Explanations:

RuMuse (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
4,310 members, 274 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
2,108 members, 163 reviews
4.26 stars (4.26 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
4,885 members, 392 reviews
3.7 stars (3.7 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
3,193 members, 229 reviews
4.11 stars (4.11 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
1,772 members, 132 reviews
3.82 stars (3.82 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
3,176 members, 250 reviews
4.02 stars (4.02 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
8,973 members, 684 reviews
4.1 stars (4.1 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
14,852 members, 1,129 reviews
4.09 stars (4.09 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
6,046 members, 324 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
Mr Penumbra's 24-hour Bookstore
by Robin Sloan
7,410 members, 656 reviews
3.81 stars (3.81 stars)

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

Score: 22.16

33
The Goblin Emperor
by Katherine Addison
2,204 members, 159 reviews
4.15 stars (4.15 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)

34
An Unnecessary Woman
by Rabih Alameddine
1,069 members, 78 reviews
4.01 stars (4.01 stars)

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

Score: 21.58

35
An Officer and a Spy
by Robert Harris
1,448 members, 88 reviews
4.19 stars (4.19 stars)

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

Score: 21.4

36
The Sparrow
by Mary Doria Russell
7,058 members, 377 reviews
4.16 stars (4.16 stars)

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

Score: 21.02

37
We are Not Ourselves
by Matthew Thomas
1,323 members, 105 reviews
3.84 stars (3.84 stars)

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

Score: 20.87

38
The Secret Place
by Tana French
2,293 members, 160 reviews
3.83 stars (3.83 stars)

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

Score: 20.06

39
Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea
by Barbara Demick
2,860 members, 166 reviews
4.4 stars (4.4 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
1,589 members, 134 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
24,413 members, 593 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
5,056 members, 341 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
1,492 members, 74 reviews
4.24 stars (4.24 stars)

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

Score: 17.87

44
Fangirl
by Rainbow Rowell
5,990 members, 441 reviews
4.13 stars (4.13 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
3,310 members, 173 reviews
4.31 stars (4.31 stars)

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

Score: 17.4

46
Code Name Verity
by Elizabeth Wein
4,177 members, 355 reviews
4.3 stars (4.3 stars)

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

Score: 17.24

47
Eleanor and Park
by Rainbow Rowell
7,529 members, 587 reviews
4.13 stars (4.13 stars)

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

Score: 16.91

48
The Paying Guests
by Sarah Waters
2,848 members, 190 reviews
3.58 stars (3.58 stars)

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

Score: 16.75

49
Olive Kitteridge
by Elizabeth Strout
8,975 members, 584 reviews
3.92 stars (3.92 stars)

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

Score: 16.49

50
Hild
by Nicola Griffith
1,342 members, 91 reviews
4 stars (4 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
by Helene Wecker
4,645 members, 307 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
3,873 members, 281 reviews
4.08 stars (4.08 stars)

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

Score: 15.52

54
Bird Box
by Josh Malerman
2,496 members, 227 reviews
3.84 stars (3.84 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
31,242 members, 864 reviews
4.07 stars (4.07 stars)

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

Score: 14.2

56
Words of Radiance
by Brandon Sanderson
3,349 members, 121 reviews
4.6 stars (4.6 stars)

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

Score: 14.09

57
The Color Purple
by Alice Walker
17,396 members, 310 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
2,884 members, 166 reviews
3.83 stars (3.83 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: Illness, Medicine and What Matters in the End
by Atul Gawande
4,143 members, 245 reviews
4.46 stars (4.46 stars)

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

Score: 12.87

60
Saga Volume 1
by Brian K. Vaughan
3,825 members, 267 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
5,010 members, 336 reviews
3.89 stars (3.89 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
12,447 members, 279 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
2,157 members, 98 reviews
4.1 stars (4.1 stars)

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

Score: 12.44

64
A Tale for the Time Being
by Ruth Ozeki
3,630 members, 224 reviews
4.05 stars (4.05 stars)

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

Score: 12.39

65
The Silkworm
by Robert Galbraith
5,209 members, 326 reviews
3.9 stars (3.9 stars)

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

Score: 12.08

66
Daughter of the Forest
by Juliet Marillier
3,922 members, 128 reviews
4.29 stars (4.29 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
3,025 members, 148 reviews
3.94 stars (3.94 stars)

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

Score: 11.75

69
The Cat's Table
by Michael Ondaatje
2,235 members, 128 reviews
3.71 stars (3.71 stars)

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

Score: 11.36

70
The Blazing World
by Siri Hustvedt
803 members, 31 reviews
3.71 stars (3.71 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
3,855 members, 260 reviews
3.94 stars (3.94 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
851 members, 68 reviews
4.07 stars (4.07 stars)

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

Score: 11.04

73
Written in My Own Heart's Blood
by Diana Gabaldon
3,019 members, 111 reviews
4.41 stars (4.41 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
by Cormac McCarthy
9,881 members, 240 reviews
4.16 stars (4.16 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
5,052 members, 179 reviews
4.18 stars (4.18 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
3,208 members, 144 reviews
4 stars (4 stars)

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

Score: 10.68

Explanations:

tiffin (1): Fascinating story.

77
Neverwhere
by Neil Gaiman
22,982 members, 539 reviews
4.1 stars (4.1 stars)

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

Score: 10.4

78
The Girl with All the Gifts
by M. R. Carey
4,452 members, 356 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
2,854 members, 144 reviews
4.17 stars (4.17 stars)

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

Score: 10.19

80
State of Wonder
by Ann Patchett
5,583 members, 364 reviews
3.87 stars (3.87 stars)

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

Score: 9.71

81
China Mountain Zhang
by Maureen F. McHugh
1,247 members, 40 reviews
4.01 stars (4.01 stars)

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

Score: 9.71

82
A Town Like Alice
by Nevil Shute
3,377 members, 132 reviews
4.04 stars (4.04 stars)

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

Score: 9.44

83
The Lord of the Rings
by J. R. R. Tolkien
45,715 members, 434 reviews
4.53 stars (4.53 stars)

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

Score: 9.35

84
The Book of Strange New Things
by Michel Faber
1,923 members, 127 reviews
3.72 stars (3.72 stars)

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

Score: 9.35

85
The Slow Regard of Silent Things
by Patrick Rothfuss
3,160 members, 139 reviews
3.84 stars (3.84 stars)

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

Score: 9.23

86
To the Lighthouse
by Virginia Woolf
16,173 members, 240 reviews
3.88 stars (3.88 stars)

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

Score: 9.12

87
Can't We Talk about Something More Pleasant?: A Memoir
by Roz Chast
1,414 members, 111 reviews
4.3 stars (4.3 stars)

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

Score: 9.08

88
Redeployment
by Phil Klay
1,303 members, 66 reviews
3.99 stars (3.99 stars)

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

Score: 9.08

89
Skin Game
by Jim Butcher
2,481 members, 130 reviews
4.34 stars (4.34 stars)

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

Score: 8.7

90
1Q84
by Haruki Murakami
7,621 members, 313 reviews
3.82 stars (3.82 stars)

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

Score: 8.54

91
The Museum of Extraordinary Things
by Alice Hoffman
1,841 members, 112 reviews
3.74 stars (3.74 stars)

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

Score: 8.54

92
The Circle
by Dave Eggers
5,016 members, 388 reviews
3.37 stars (3.37 stars)

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

Score: 8.42

93
Gaudy Night
by Dorothy L. Sayers
4,978 members, 133 reviews
4.33 stars (4.33 stars)

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

Score: 8.18

94
Blindness
by José Saramago
11,727 members, 367 reviews
4.07 stars (4.07 stars)

Lists: JolieLouise (1), EMS_24 (1)

Score: 8

95
The Lies of Locke Lamora
by Scott Lynch
8,634 members, 402 reviews
4.22 stars (4.22 stars)

Lists: meandmybooks (1), SaraHope (1)

Score: 8

96
Home
by Marilynne Robinson
3,339 members, 142 reviews
4 stars (4 stars)

Lists: Osbaldistone (1), souloftherose (1)

Score: 8

97
We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves
by Karen Joy Fowler
3,264 members, 225 reviews
3.83 stars (3.83 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.

98
Night Film
by Marisha Pessl
2,735 members, 265 reviews
3.76 stars (3.76 stars)

Lists: avanders (1), gingercat80 (2)

Score: 7.36

99
The Good Lord Bird
by James McBride
1,693 members, 113 reviews
3.91 stars (3.91 stars)

Lists: snora (1), etxgardener (2)

Score: 7.36

100
Clothes, Clothes, Clothes. Music, Music, Music. Boys, Boys, Boys.
by Viv Albertine
351 members, 14 reviews
4.17 stars (4.17 stars)

Lists: GeePee29 (1), mkunruh (2)

Score: 7.36

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About this list

Started by: lorannen (December 2014)

Type: Numbered

Limit: 5 books

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