Best Books of the 21st Century
The best books published during the 21st century (January 1st, 2001 through December 31st, 2100).
See also
Most Rated Book By Year
Best Fantasy Books of the 21st Century
Best Historical Fiction of the 21st Century
Best Horror Books of the 21st Century
Best 21st Century Non Fiction
Best Science Fiction Books of the 21st Century
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:
80,000 to 99,999 - 100,000 to 199,999 - 200,000 to 499,999 - 500,000 to 999,999
1,000,000 and more
See also
Most Rated Book By Year
Best Fantasy Books of the 21st Century
Best Historical Fiction of the 21st Century
Best Horror Books of the 21st Century
Best 21st Century Non Fiction
Best Science Fiction Books of the 21st Century
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:
80,000 to 99,999 - 100,000 to 199,999 - 200,000 to 499,999 - 500,000 to 999,999
1,000,000 and more
9,650 books ·
22,476 voters ·
list created May 29th, 2008
by deleted user.
Sherry
1442 books
358 friends
358 friends
Jessica
7864 books
1343 friends
1343 friends
Dottie
7769 books
127 friends
127 friends
Katie_marie
1299 books
158 friends
158 friends
Shelley
1194 books
239 friends
239 friends
Jay
1387 books
31 friends
31 friends
Katie
965 books
81 friends
81 friends
Amadeus
164 books
1 friend
1 friend
More voters…
Comments Showing 1-50 of 295 (295 new)
message 1:
by
Genna Fenelli
(new)
Jun 25, 2008 08:58PM
"Swish: Maria in the Mourning," by Pamela Palmer Mutino.
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If this list is supposed to be about the best books of the century, it's pretty short sighted. My pick would be Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man.
Terri wrote: "If this list is supposed to be about the best books of the century, it's pretty short sighted. My pick would be Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man."
You do realize that Invisible Man was written in the 20th century right? This list is for the 21st.
You do realize that Invisible Man was written in the 20th century right? This list is for the 21st.
Cant stand some jodi picoult, sorry Mom! (shes read every one along with anita shreve too...another disappointing yet prolific writer)
Also I must add that I am a Twilight hater for numerous literary reasons...poor vocabulary, lack of ingenious creativity, perpetuation of declining moral values etc etc.
Also I must add that I am a Twilight hater for numerous literary reasons...poor vocabulary, lack of ingenious creativity, perpetuation of declining moral values etc etc.
I have about 170 books on my read shelf. The time travellers wife is unquestionably the worst book i have ever read.
We're only 10 years in and people who read all the current bestsellers are generally idiots anyway, so it's not surprising this list is so awful.
My Votes: Blankets by Craig Thompson, The Bottoms by Joe R. Lansdale and The Perfect Fool by Stewart Lee.
We're only 10 years in and people who read all the current bestsellers are generally idiots anyway, so it's not surprising this list is so awful.
My Votes: Blankets by Craig Thompson, The Bottoms by Joe R. Lansdale and The Perfect Fool by Stewart Lee.
Killthepopular wrote: "I have about 170 books on my read shelf. The time travellers wife is unquestionably the worst book i have ever read.
We're only 10 years in and people who read all the current bestsellers are ge..."
I wouldn't say it's the worst book ever (there is so much trash out there) but it's a shame books like that beat out other truly memorable novels (my vote: The Corrections).
We're only 10 years in and people who read all the current bestsellers are ge..."
I wouldn't say it's the worst book ever (there is so much trash out there) but it's a shame books like that beat out other truly memorable novels (my vote: The Corrections).
Why can't I vote for The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood? It was first published in 2000 and yet when I try to vote for it, it says "not published in this century."
Am I the only one who finds it depressing that, having only recently come to the feeling that I've made something of a decent dent, for my age, in the literature of the centuries up until now, that there are at least 100 or so books of the new century that I need to read?
Twilight?? Come on now. I liked that series I hate to adimit. I'm not quite sure why, but seriously that does not belong on this list. The Book Thief I personally think that definatly should be on this list. I'm reading that now, great story.
Really!? Twilight? and Harry Potter? Greatest books of the 21st Century? Maybe most popular, flavor of the week books, but definitely not the best. Both those series' are very poorly written, they may have an interesting story ... full of holes, but ... THE BEST? c'mon.
Isabelle wrote: "I like Dan Brown (good for on a holiday), but to put his books in this list? I have to say no. "
i loved "The Da Vinci Code" but i understand what your saying. i would have voted for something more like "The Book Thief" or "Water for Elephants" - books that were sooo good that u cried when they ended, maybe not literally but u get the idea :)
i loved "The Da Vinci Code" but i understand what your saying. i would have voted for something more like "The Book Thief" or "Water for Elephants" - books that were sooo good that u cried when they ended, maybe not literally but u get the idea :)
so many good books left off the list; invisible man, black boy, poisonwood bible, sula, third life of grange copeland, women of brewster place, gorilla my love....
Esther wrote: "so many good books left off the list; invisible man, black boy, poisonwood bible, sula, third life of grange copeland, women of brewster place, gorilla my love...."
All of those books were published in the 20th century, not the 21st.
All of those books were published in the 20th century, not the 21st.
Sami wrote: "Isabelle wrote: "I like Dan Brown (good for on a holiday), but to put his books in this list? I have to say no. "
i loved "The Da Vinci Code" but i understand what your saying. i would have vote..."
I certainly do, and those books were very amazing ;)
i loved "The Da Vinci Code" but i understand what your saying. i would have vote..."
I certainly do, and those books were very amazing ;)
Oh my God, They put 'The Time Traveler's Wife' in number one. Nobody respects literature anymore nowadays. I have no idea what Leo or Fyodor might think about this.
IkraAmesta wrote: "Oh my God, They put 'The Time Traveler's Wife' in number one. Nobody respects literature anymore nowadays. I have no idea what Leo or Fyodor might think about this."
Time traveler's Wife is a good book in it's own right. :)
Time traveler's Wife is a good book in it's own right. :)
Sami wrote: "Isabelle wrote: "I like Dan Brown (good for on a holiday), but to put his books in this list? I have to say no. "
i loved "The Da Vinci Code" but i understand what your saying. i would have vote..."
Da Vinci Code is a brilliant book, if only Dan Brown didn't pattern all his books after that.
i loved "The Da Vinci Code" but i understand what your saying. i would have vote..."
Da Vinci Code is a brilliant book, if only Dan Brown didn't pattern all his books after that.
If these were the best books, I would give up reading. I tried reading Twighlight the other day. It was hard to comprehend how such a poorly written book could impress so many people. Then again, pulp is popular. I'm thinking about writing a book myself. Basically, Judas turns out to be a vampire who can travel through time. Sure winner.
Let's just say, "these are the most popular books, but certainly not the best" - except, of course, Ian McEwan.
I think "best" needs to be defined. Best literature or does "best" include having an affect on society. If you include the latter than I think Harry Potter needs to be on the list... and arguably Twilight, as well. These series created excitement about reading, particularly with young people. And they are wonderful for what they are. Remember, Jane Austen was the Jodi Piccoult of her time. You never know what will stand the test of time.
Raees wrote: "This list is not sufficiant. we should try to bring understoodable theories."
Raees: Can you say more to explain what you mean by your wonderful term, "understoodable theories"?
Thanks, M
Raees: Can you say more to explain what you mean by your wonderful term, "understoodable theories"?
Thanks, M
Thejage wrote: "Let's just say, "these are the most popular books, but certainly not the best" - except, of course, Ian McEwan."
I agree. David Sedaris? Harry Potter? Though H.P. will go down as an enduring children's series, a classic. But David Sedaris? Dan Brown. PUH-LEEZE!
(David Sedaris is very funny, but BEST?)
I agree. David Sedaris? Harry Potter? Though H.P. will go down as an enduring children's series, a classic. But David Sedaris? Dan Brown. PUH-LEEZE!
(David Sedaris is very funny, but BEST?)
Killthepopular wrote: "I have about 170 books on my read shelf. The time travellers wife is unquestionably the worst book i have ever read.
We're only 10 years in and people who read all the current bestsellers are ge..."
This list is depressing. The Secret Magdalene was the worst book I've read in ages!
We're only 10 years in and people who read all the current bestsellers are ge..."
This list is depressing. The Secret Magdalene was the worst book I've read in ages!
i am so tired of twilight being on every list. the only list it should be on is the "worst book of the decade". that goes for new moon and all those other books :/
Bryan wrote: "Am I the only one who finds it depressing that, having only recently come to the feeling that I've made something of a decent dent, for my age, in the literature of the centuries up until now, that..."
I am in total agreement.
I am in total agreement.
I would not put Dan Brown on this list...it's interesting content, but it's not ground-breaking literature.
Terri wrote: "If this list is supposed to be about the best books of the century, it's pretty short sighted. My pick would be Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man."
I recently read this and was very pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it. It certainly has messages relevant to present day and gives a window into the experiences of African Americans at a very volatile time in our history.
I recently read this and was very pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it. It certainly has messages relevant to present day and gives a window into the experiences of African Americans at a very volatile time in our history.
Elissa wrote: "I can't add How to Tran Your Dragon. =(
It was published February 15, 2000"
You have to dress it up like a woman.
It was published February 15, 2000"
You have to dress it up like a woman.
Joanie wrote: "Twilight?? Come on now. I liked that series I hate to adimit. I'm not quite sure why, but seriously that does not belong on this list. The Book Thief I personally think that definatly should be on ..."
GO TO HELL! HOW DARE IT INSALT TWILIGHT IN MY PRESENCE? SHUT UR BLOODY MOUTH AND GOT TO HELL!
GO TO HELL! HOW DARE IT INSALT TWILIGHT IN MY PRESENCE? SHUT UR BLOODY MOUTH AND GOT TO HELL!
twilight is th best of the best. but i don't think that kid with those round glasses and his stupid adventures belong to this list. harry potter and j k rowling must go andkill themselves for this stupid writing!
Kassie wrote: "Terri wrote: "If this list is supposed to be about the best books of the century, it's pretty short sighted. My pick would be Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man."
You do realize that Invisible Man..."
yet, there are other books on this list that were also written in the 20th century...
You do realize that Invisible Man..."
yet, there are other books on this list that were also written in the 20th century...
Elissa wrote: "I can't add How to Tran Your Dragon. =(
It was published February 15, 2000"
Technically I don't think the 21st century began until 2001.
It was published February 15, 2000"
Technically I don't think the 21st century began until 2001.
Twilight wasn't the a great book. I will admit that I fell into the hype of it all, but then again I was a freshman in high school when I began the series. Looking back, the Twilight Saga definitely is not one of my favorites now.
I am surprised by how much some of the people here hate the Time Traveler's Wife. Someone said it was the worst they'd ever read. I think that they are lucky to not have been exposed to that many bad books.
I am a big book nerd, and I thought it was solid. Slow in the first portion, dragging through the pregnancy problems, but very human. I remember finding the way the characters interacted very true to reality.
It is not my favorite book, but really (and this goes for other gripes here too) instead of getting angry about people liking a book you don't like, why don't you just encourage people to read one that you think is awesome? I think that would be more fun, don't you?
I am a big book nerd, and I thought it was solid. Slow in the first portion, dragging through the pregnancy problems, but very human. I remember finding the way the characters interacted very true to reality.
It is not my favorite book, but really (and this goes for other gripes here too) instead of getting angry about people liking a book you don't like, why don't you just encourage people to read one that you think is awesome? I think that would be more fun, don't you?
Carla wrote: "I am surprised by how much some of the people here hate the Time Traveler's Wife. Someone said it was the worst they'd ever read. I think that they are lucky to not have been exposed to that many..."
I'm new here, but a lot of people here hate The Time Traveler's Wife? But I LOVE that book. It's so brilliant. It's actually one of my favorite books ever. I love Clare and I love Henry for all his imperfections. Henry's not your average male-protagonist, but you can't help but to like him -- he's cute like an adorable abandoned puppy kind of way.
Audrey Nieffenegger really put in a lot into this novel.
I completely agree with you though. Everyone has their own opinions I guess.
I'm new here, but a lot of people here hate The Time Traveler's Wife? But I LOVE that book. It's so brilliant. It's actually one of my favorite books ever. I love Clare and I love Henry for all his imperfections. Henry's not your average male-protagonist, but you can't help but to like him -- he's cute like an adorable abandoned puppy kind of way.
Audrey Nieffenegger really put in a lot into this novel.
I completely agree with you though. Everyone has their own opinions I guess.