Best Books of the 21st Century

1

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4.62 avg rating — 3,697,199 ratings
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2

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4.34 avg rating — 8,638,662 ratings
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3

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4.34 avg rating — 3,140,633 ratings
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4

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4.39 avg rating — 2,549,180 ratings
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5

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4.58 avg rating — 3,264,459 ratings
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6

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4.50 avg rating — 3,372,993 ratings
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7

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4.47 avg rating — 2,757,201 ratings
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8

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4.43 avg rating — 1,524,860 ratings
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9

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3.94 avg rating — 1,620,855 ratings
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10

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4.33 avg rating — 3,562,364 ratings
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11

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4.17 avg rating — 3,176,238 ratings
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12

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3.99 avg rating — 1,782,808 ratings
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13

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4.14 avg rating — 5,123,689 ratings
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14

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3.91 avg rating — 2,347,284 ratings
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15

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3.99 avg rating — 901,599 ratings
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16

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3.89 avg rating — 1,476,019 ratings
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17

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4.11 avg rating — 1,612,708 ratings
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18

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4.09 avg rating — 3,215,866 ratings
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19

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4.31 avg rating — 2,998,704 ratings
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20

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4.03 avg rating — 638,588 ratings
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21

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3.85 avg rating — 2,349,677 ratings
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22

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4.14 avg rating — 3,963,096 ratings
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23

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3.65 avg rating — 6,558,702 ratings
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24

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3.94 avg rating — 518,711 ratings
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25

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4.30 avg rating — 633,421 ratings
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26

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4.11 avg rating — 923,151 ratings
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27

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4.07 avg rating — 1,996,650 ratings
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28

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4.31 avg rating — 1,208,461 ratings
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29

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4.09 avg rating — 1,289,410 ratings
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30

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3.97 avg rating — 420,540 ratings
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31

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3.94 avg rating — 3,158,944 ratings
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32

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4.10 avg rating — 1,216,419 ratings
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33

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3.85 avg rating — 690,877 ratings
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34

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4.25 avg rating — 921,871 ratings
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35

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4.01 avg rating — 248,429 ratings
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36

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4.19 avg rating — 751,461 ratings
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37

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3.86 avg rating — 1,004,970 ratings
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38

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3.74 avg rating — 1,702,270 ratings
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39

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4.24 avg rating — 734,032 ratings
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40

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3.73 avg rating — 1,805,371 ratings
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41

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4.52 avg rating — 958,263 ratings
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42

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4.13 avg rating — 466,980 ratings
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43

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3.63 avg rating — 1,740,692 ratings
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44

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3.59 avg rating — 1,919,975 ratings
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45

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4.07 avg rating — 802,925 ratings
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46

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4.16 avg rating — 537,628 ratings
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47

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4.28 avg rating — 959,962 ratings
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48

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4.13 avg rating — 3,082,648 ratings
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49

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4.02 avg rating — 971,391 ratings
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50

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4.01 avg rating — 850,035 ratings
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51

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4.11 avg rating — 932,258 ratings
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52

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3.89 avg rating — 263,292 ratings
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53

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3.83 avg rating — 182,497 ratings
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54

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really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 680,882 ratings
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55

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4.15 avg rating — 199,201 ratings
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56

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3.93 avg rating — 282,763 ratings
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57

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4.39 avg rating — 180,780 ratings
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58

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3.98 avg rating — 312,745 ratings
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59

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4.21 avg rating — 385,231 ratings
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60

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4.14 avg rating — 469,092 ratings
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61

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4.23 avg rating — 519,484 ratings
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62

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4.11 avg rating — 643,701 ratings
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63

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4.32 avg rating — 1,651,875 ratings
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64

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4.08 avg rating — 497,282 ratings
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65

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3.80 avg rating — 265,280 ratings
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66

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4.01 avg rating — 269,252 ratings
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67

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4.01 avg rating — 265,957 ratings
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68

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3.89 avg rating — 179,431 ratings
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69

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4.09 avg rating — 371,994 ratings
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70

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3.86 avg rating — 235,974 ratings
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71

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3.70 avg rating — 599,848 ratings
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72

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4.38 avg rating — 933,068 ratings
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73

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3.90 avg rating — 267,672 ratings
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74

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3.83 avg rating — 649,935 ratings
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75

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4.23 avg rating — 173,413 ratings
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76

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4.18 avg rating — 474,252 ratings
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77

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3.66 avg rating — 343,816 ratings
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78

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4.16 avg rating — 369,699 ratings
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79

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4.16 avg rating — 826,861 ratings
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80

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3.97 avg rating — 1,594,751 ratings
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81

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3.96 avg rating — 591,327 ratings
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82

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4.18 avg rating — 203,919 ratings
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83

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4.14 avg rating — 84,688 ratings
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84

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3.92 avg rating — 135,564 ratings
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85

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3.76 avg rating — 191,314 ratings
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86

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4.33 avg rating — 538,742 ratings
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87

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4.23 avg rating — 1,163,875 ratings
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88

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4.60 avg rating — 12,911 ratings
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89

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3.85 avg rating — 110,013 ratings
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90

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3.64 avg rating — 98,691 ratings
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91

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3.93 avg rating — 241,641 ratings
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92

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4.11 avg rating — 277,980 ratings
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93

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4.07 avg rating — 360,867 ratings
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94

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3.94 avg rating — 121,649 ratings
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95

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3.68 avg rating — 252,704 ratings
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96

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4.04 avg rating — 222,158 ratings
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97

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3.96 avg rating — 106,146 ratings
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98

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3.97 avg rating — 1,495,076 ratings
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99

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3.87 avg rating — 105,055 ratings
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100

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4.41 avg rating — 1,117,313 ratings
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9,650 books · 22,476 voters · list created May 29th, 2008 by deleted user.
12 likes · 
Lists are re-scored approximately every 5 minutes.


Sherry 1442 books
358 friends
Jessica 7864 books
1343 friends
Dottie 7769 books
127 friends
Katie_marie 1299 books
158 friends
Shelley 1194 books
239 friends
Jay 1387 books
31 friends
Katie 965 books
81 friends
Amadeus 164 books
1 friend

More voters…


Comments Showing 1-50 of 295 (295 new)


message 1: by Genna Fenelli (new)

Genna Fenelli "Swish: Maria in the Mourning," by Pamela Palmer Mutino.


message 4: by Terri (new)

Terri 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.


message 5: by Kassie (new)

Kassie 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.



message 6: by Christina (new)

Christina Oh dear, someone tell me why "A Million Little Pieces" is on this list.


message 7: by Special K (last edited Jun 09, 2009 09:38AM) (new)

Special K 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.


message 8: by John (last edited Jun 09, 2009 09:31AM) (new)

John Burns 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.


message 9: by Christina (new)

Christina 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).



message 10: by Bonnie (new)

Bonnie 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."


message 11: by Donna (new)

Donna where is TCBoyle


message 12: by Bryan (new)

Bryan Ball 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?


message 13: by Joanie (new)

Joanie 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.


message 14: by Michael (new)

Michael Baaske 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.


message 15: by Isabelle (new)

Isabelle I like Dan Brown (good for on a holiday), but to put his books in this list? I have to say no.


message 16: by Sami (new)

Sami 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 :)



message 17: by Esther (new)

Esther Bradley-detally 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....


message 18: by Greyweather (last edited Oct 31, 2009 06:31AM) (new)

Greyweather 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.


message 19: by Thom (new)

Thom Dunn There are two kinds of people: Those who gripe about what others like and those who don't.


message 20: by Isabelle (new)

Isabelle 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 ;)




message 21: by Ikra (new)

Ikra Amesta 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.


message 22: by Raees (new)

Raees This list is not sufficiant. we should try to bring understoodable theories.


message 23: by [deleted user] (new)

Twilight? Phulease...


message 24: by [deleted user] (new)

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. :)




message 25: by [deleted user] (new)

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.




message 26: by Robin (new)

Robin 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.


message 27: by Thejage (new)

Thejage Let's just say, "these are the most popular books, but certainly not the best" - except, of course, Ian McEwan.


message 28: by Caroline (new)

Caroline 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.


message 29: by Morgan (new)

Morgan 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




message 30: by Morgan (new)

Morgan 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?)




message 31: by Tracy (new)

Tracy 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!


message 32: by Ann (new)

Ann OK, why not a list entitled the past 100 years


message 33: by Imani ♥ ☮ (new)

 Imani ♥ ☮ 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 :/


message 34: by Melanie (new)

Melanie Darrow 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.


message 36: by Bonnie (new)

Bonnie Terrible list! I agree with many of the posters above.


message 37: by Jessup (new)

Jessup The Nanny Diaries? Seriously?


message 38: by Sarah (new)

Sarah D'orsie I would not put Dan Brown on this list...it's interesting content, but it's not ground-breaking literature.


message 39: by Trevor90 (new)

Trevor90 The Book Theif is incredible. It made me cry like a baby.


message 40: by Barb (new)

Barb Hansen 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.


message 41: by Pirtpal (new)

Pirtpal Singh This is very good book.


message 42: by Billy (new)

Billy Gustin 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.


message 43: by Tutti (new)

Tutti Fruiti96 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!


message 44: by Tutti (new)

Tutti Fruiti96 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!


message 45: by Joanne (new)

Joanne 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...


message 46: by [deleted user] (new)

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.


message 47: by Lacy (new)

Lacy 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.


message 48: by Carla (new)

Carla 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?


message 49: by AnnSecret (new)

AnnSecret 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.


message 50: by Amy (new)

Amy Norman I am having a hard time getting through the girl who kicked a hornet's nest! It makes me sad that I love this author and cannot finish the book


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