Over the past five years, I challenged myself to read a total of 250 books. I read comedies and tragedies, memoirs and historical fiction, self-help books and absurd high-fantasy. Some of these books I’ve already forgotten. Others fell into the category of ‘good but not great’. But a 43 of these books crawled their into my brain and stuck there. 43 I now consider some of my favorite books of all time. And now, I’d like to share them with you.
A few quick caveats before we begin:
- I’ve read more than 250 books. This is just a list of my favorite books since I began this challenge. As such, this list is lacking in childrens’ books
- I’ve read more books since finishing this list – those books are not present
- My favorite books may be different than yours, and that’s okay!
- I’ve listed my favorite books below in alphabetical order in two groups: fiction and non-fiction.
Okay! With that in mind, here are three-sentence summaries of my favorite books from the 250 book reading challenge:
My favorite books – fiction
All the Light We Cannot See – Anthony Doerr
All the Light We Cannot See follows two main characters: a blind French girl named Marie-Laure, and a German orphan named Werner. Marie-Laure is sent to live with her reclusive uncle when the Nazi’s invade her hometown. Werner’s fascination with radios leads him to discover a scientific radio show for children hosted by an anonymous Frenchman. Although they come from extraordinarily different backgrounds, Marie-Laure and Werner’s lives collide in more ways than one.
A Man Called Ove – Fredrik Backman
A Man Called Ove is a heartwarming book about the most curmudgeon and bitter man: Ove. Ove is determined to hate everything and has committed to becoming a recluse. That is, until a chatty neighbor and her two daughters move in next door. As Ove reflects on his past, we learn about the events that led him to push people away. Fredrik Backman wrote many of my favorite books, but A Man Called Ove might take the cake.
Anne of Green Gables – L. M. Montgomery
Anne of Green Gables is the story of Anne Shirley, a thin, imaginative, and spirited orphan who was accidentally adopted in lieu of a boy by siblings Marilla and Matthew. We follow Anne through a series of well-intentioned mishaps as she finds home on Prince Edward Island, Canada. Anne’s optimism and way with words win her the hearts of everyone she connects with.
A Storm of Swords – George R. R. Martin
Storm of Swords contains The Red Wedding, The Purple Wedding, Sansa and Tyrion’s wedding, Tywin’s demise, Jaime jumping into the bear pit to save Brienne, Arya and The Hound begrudgingly becoming travel buddies. In this book, Jon meets Ygritte, Sam kills a white walker, Daenerys obtains an army of Unsullied. Literally, all the big plot points happen in this text. Bonus points for Lady Stoneheart – a chilling character that did not make it to film.
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn – Betty Smith
A heart wrenchingly non-sugar-coated, yet immensely touching, novel about coming of age and establishing identity as a woman. The story follows young and ambitious Francie Nolan as she navigates the harsh life living in the tenements of Williamsburg, Brooklyn during the 1940s. Despite her setbacks, struggles, and status as a woman, Francie is determined to become an author – and nothing will dissuade her.
Beartown – Fredrik Backman
Beartown centers around a tiny and remote community in northern Sweden, and their shared devotion to a junior hockey team about to compete in the national semi-final game. While the teenagers on the team struggle with the weight of carrying the hopes of the entire community, one girl struggles with whether or not to share her truth – one that may rip the town apart. Beartown is a simply written novel that carries so much power, beauty, and tragedy – you simply cannot miss it!
The Book Thief – Markus Zusak
The Book Thief follows young Liesel Meminger as she learns to read by stealing banned books in Nazi Germany. Liesel develops bonds with her foster parents and Max, a Jewish boxer hiding from persecution in her basement. It is through these bonds of friendship and the power of words that Liesel begins to question the rhetoric pushed on her by the oppressive Nazi regime.
The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse – Charlie Mackesy
The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse is a story about found friendship among the unlikeliest of companions. As the four new buddies explore the world together, they reflect on and share their inner monologues, insecurities, and self-doubts. The story demonstrates the power of kindness and compassion for everyone around us.
Catching Fire (Hunger Games #2) – Suzanne Collins
The second book of The Hunger Games series, Catching Fire, is certainly the best. We follow Katniss Everdeen as she reenters the games, alongside 23 other former winners. However, this time, whispers of rebellion run throughout PanAm. But really, Catching Fire makes the list for the “clock” – if you know you know.
The Fellowship of the Ring – J. R. Tolkien
The entire Lord of the Rings series may very well top the list of my favorite books of all time. But Fellowship holds such a soft spot in my heart. Join Frodo and the crew as they begin their journey to destroy the One Ring in the fires of Mordor and return peace to Middle Earth. The breaking of the fellowship makes me cry… every single time.
The God of Small Things – Arundhati Roy
This story is told through the disjointed narration of fraternal twins in India, Estha and Rahel, across two different timelines. The novel is a heartbreaking examination that seemingly small moments can have monumental and permanent impact on our lives. Roy examines the injustices of the caste system, the impact of white imperialism, and the desire for control of our lives.
The Great Gatsby – F. Scott Fitzgerald
The Great Gatsby recounts the tale of Jay Gatsby as he obsessively attempts to gain the affection of Daisy Buchannan. The story is told from the perspective of Nick, Gatsby’s neighbor, who observes Gatsby’s behavior as a scientist might a specimen. The entire book cleverly examines socialite culture and highlights that all that glitters may not be gold.
The Hate U Give – Angie Thomas
The Hate U Give follows Starr as she navigates life at the intersection of her two worlds: the poor neighborhood that she calls home, and her extremely wealthy suburban prep school. When her childhood friend is murdered by a police officer, Starr struggles between speaking the truth and staying silent. Over the course of the novel, Starr embarks on a journey of self-identity as she seeks justice for Kahlil.
Harry Potter Series (1-7) – J. K. Rowling
If you haven’t heard of this series by now, then you have certainly been living under a rock. Orphaned boy finds out he is a wizard, attends Hogwarts and foils Lord Voldemort’s plans to take over the world. The entire series makes this list for the pure joy and comfort they have and will always bring me. (I would be remiss if I did not note here that J.K. Rowling spews some seriously harmful anti-trans rhetoric with her platform, and this has certainly impacted my perception of the series).
House of Leaves – Mark Z. Danielewski
A book about a tattoo artist… who finds a manuscript in his murdered neighbor’s apartment… about a documentary… that features an impossible house that is a quarter of an inch bigger on the inside – a wildly complicated plot for a wildly complicated book. The unique story structure will trap you just as the characters were swallowed up into a house with changing dimensions. Does the house really exist – or are we all losing grasp of reality?
Interpreter of Maladies – Jhumpa Lahiri
A collection of short stories that all revolve around the themes of immigration, self-identity, and roots to culture. A married couple acknowledging they fell out of love, an interpreter in India guiding an American family through the lands of their ancestors, and a poor housekeeper in Calcutta recounting her past, rich life. This book features protagonists across continents and social classes connected by their shared ties to India and Indian culture.
The Kite Runner – Kahled Hosseini
A tragic story of privilege, guilt, and redemption told in two timelines: 1970s Afghanistan, and present-day Afghanistan. The story begins with Amir wanting to win the local kite running competition with his friend and family servant Hassan. Then in 1970, we follow Amir’s return to Afghanistan to accept responsibility for his inaction and betrayal of Hassan.
Me Before You – Jojo Moyes
Me Before You follows 26-year old Louisa Clarke as she begins a new job caretaking for Will Traynor, a man who was tragically paralyzed in a motorcycle accident. As Will mourns his previous life of extreme sports and adventure, Louisa makes it her mission to bring him happiness. The novel follows their slow-burn romance over the course of their days spent together.
The Name of the Wind – Patrick Rothfuss
A powerful magician turned bartender (Kvothe) recounts his youth as a performer’s son in a traveling troupe, and his subsequent persistence to enter a university where elements are harnessed to create magic. The university archives hold the knowledge of the powers that murdered his family – and Kvothe will find the answers. Oh – and there is a lot of lute playing and debt repaying.
The Night Circus – Erin Morgenstern
The Night Circus arrives without warning and is only open for visitors after the sun goes down. Within the circus, a competition between two magicians, Celia and Marco, is underway – a battle which only one can survive. Eventually, these two magicians develop a deep love for each other, which throws a bit of wrench in the mix.
Ordinary Grace – William Kent Krueger
In Ordinary Grace, 50-year old Frank Drum reflects on a formative childhood summer in 1961 Minnesota. Death visited Frank frequently and in many forms that summer, from death, to suicide, to accident, and even murder. As his world shatters and falls apart around him, Frank tries desperately to understand fate and tragedy.
The Phantom of the Opera – Gaston Leroux
The Phantom of the Opera recounts the spooky chaos caused by masked ‘The Opera Ghost’ haunting the Palais Garnier. Erik (The Phantom) is infatuated with the opera’s rising star, Christine, who believes he is the ‘angel of music’. What results is a tragic love triangle between Christine, The Phantom, and her childhood friend Raul. If you like the musical, read the book.
The Picture of Dorian Gray – Oscar Wilde
We open the book with Dorian Gray commissioning a self-portrait painting from his long-time friend. Dorian Gray begins as a kind soul, but we see him eventually consumed with greed, lust, and status-climbing ambition. Every time Dorian Gray commits ‘evil’, his self-portrait becomes increasingly disfigured, until is is barely recognizable and drives him mad.
S. – J. J. Abrams
S makes the list of my favorite books simply for its unique writing approach and premise. S follows two students as they communicate entirely with one another in the margins of The Ship of Theseus. As they uncover more and more about the author, V.M. Straka, the annotating duo begin to realize that they might be in a great deal of danger. Within the pages of this book are napkins, decoding tools, treasure maps, and more – it is so much fun!
This Tender Land – William Kent Krueger
This Tender Land kicks off with Odie, Albert, Mose, and Emmy fleeing their pitiless, exploitative, and abusive boarding school in 1932 Nebraska. As they journey along the Mississippi, they learn the stories of others with no place to call “home”. This Tender Land is a wonderfully-written tale of found family and self-discovery and forgiveness.
To Kill a Mockingbird – Harper Lee
A beautifully told story about prejudice, empathy, injustice, and coming of age in 1960s small-town Alabama. The story follows the trial of Tom Robinson, a black man who is falsely accused of assaulting a white woman. To Kill a Mockingbird is told from the lens of Scout, the defense lawyer’s daughter. Scout witnesses the town’s determination to convict the innocent on the basis of prejudice. At the same time, she also comes to recognize her own internalized prejudices against Boo Radley, the town’s “recluse”.
The Westing Game – Ellen Raskin
A whodunnit murder mystery with the whimsicality of ‘Clue’. 16 tenets of ‘Sunset Towers’ are organized into pairs to solve the puzzle of who among them killed Sam Westing. The collection of heirs include a track star, a doctor, a bomber, a bookie, a shin-kicking 12-year-old, and many more – each with their own secrets. Whoever solves the mystery first wins the million dollar Westing estate.
Where the Crawdads Sing – Delia Owens
Where the Crawdads Sing follows Kya as she navigates through her own world of solitude in the natural beauty of the marshes. When Chase Andrews is found dead, the town is quick to accuse “the marsh girl” due to her isolated nature. Facing the death penalty, Kya must defend herself in front of a town that has always wrongfully judged her.
My favorite books – Non-fiction
The Accidental Billionaires – Ben Mezrich
The Accidental Billionaires is a non-fiction-that-reads-like-fiction book about the development and growth of Facebook. The story spans Facebook’s development from an idea at Harvard, to a massive tech conglomerate in Silicon Valley. We also follow Mark Zuckerberg through a series of court trials – one with the Winklevoss twins, who are suing for intellectual property theft, and one with Mark’s former best friend, Eduardo Saverign, who is suing after being shut out of the company he helped build.
A Cook’s Tour: Global Adventures in Extreme Cuisines – by Anthony Bourdain
A Cook’s Tour, world-renowned chef Anthony Bourdain journeys across the world in search of “the perfect meal”. Of course, “the perfect meal” does not truly exist. Every dish served in the book carries with it its own unique flavors, significance, and history. Bourdain shares his love of food and travel, and explores culinary traditions from all over the world.
Born A Crime: Stories From a South African Childhood – Trevor Noah
Born a Crime is an auto-biography of former Daily Show host and comedian, Trevor Noah. He recounts his childhood growing up as the son of a white Swiss man and a black Xhosa woman during South African apartheid. We learn about his journey from South Africa to the desk of the Daily Show. It is a funny and endearing book about self-identity and questioning systems of oppression. The book also acts as a beautiful love letter to his mother and number one fan.
The Boys in the Boat – Daniel James Brown
The Boys in the Boat is a non-fiction book that recounts the true story of the University of Washington rowing team and their quest to win the Olympic gold medal at the 1936 Games in Berlin. The rowing team was assembled of loggers, orphans, shipyard workers, and farmers who were bonded together by a sport that relies entirely on teamwork and unity. Rowing is a magnificent and difficult sport. The Boys in the Boat is a reminder that true grit, undeniable teamwork, and perseverance can lead to astounding outcomes.
The Devil in the White City – Erik Larson
The Devil in the White City in a nonfiction novel that recounts two distinct, yet intertwined, stories surrounding the Chicago World’s Fair in the 1890s. Half of the novel follows architect Daniel Burnham’s struggle to construct the ‘most epic’ World’s Fair on a crunched deadline. The other half of the novel follows H.H. Holmes, a serial killer who used the attraction of the World’s Fair to lure victims to his “Murder Castle”. Equal parts chilling and fascinating, you will learn about the “impossible fair” and the horrors that emerged from it.
Educated – Tara Westover
Educated is a memoir by Tara Westover that recounts her childhood growing up in a survivalist Mormon family in Idaho. We follow her journey educating herself in a home where learning was discouraged, to pursuing a college degree from BYU. Educated is a fantastic book about self-perseverance and the grief that comes with severing ties with the people in your life you hold most dearly.
Far and Away: How Travel Can Change the World – Andrew Solomon
Far and Away is a series of essays that explores places and individuals undergoing political, cultural, and personal changes. The stories range from a detailed account of an eating tour in China, to a conversation on how an Inuit community in Greenland tackles seasonal depression, to a moving conversation with artists who still create despite living under oppressive governments. Far and Away weaves together these narratives with a common thread of humanity, resilience, and love.
Hamilton: The Revolution – Lin-Manuel Miranda
This coffee table book is an annotated script of the musical Hamilton. It contains annotations about inspiration, stories from the show, and notes on writing from the author Lin-Manuel Miranda. Understanding the story of how Hamilton started as a simple idea and morphed into one of the most successful Broadway shows is fascinating. Need I say more?
Into Thin Air – Jon Krakauer
Into Thin Air recounts the events of the ill-fated 1996 Everest expedition. Jon Krakauer, a journalist and mountaineer, describes his experience as part of a team of climbers on the mountain. I appreciate Krakauer’s discussion of the sheer power of nature and his conversation about the ethics of commercializing mountaineering. He explains in simple terms that inexperienced climbers with money pose a serious threat to the entire expedition team.
The Lost City of the Monkey God – Douglas Preston
Lost City of the Monkey God recounts a scientist’s journey to uncover an ancient civilization in the uncharted Honduras rainforest. The Lost City of the Monkey God discusses the challenges of archeology and the team’s efforts to keep the true location of the dig site hidden from pillagers and exploiters looking to sell artifacts for their own financial gain. As an added mystery to this rainforest, everyone who enters the area leaves with an unknown illness.
Persepolis (Volumes 1 & 2) – Marjane Satrapi
Persepolis is a graphic memoir of Satrapi’s experiences coming of age as a woman during the Islamic Revolution in Iran. Volume One recounts Satrapi’s childhood years reading, and questioning the regime gaining power in the area. Volume 2 discusses Satrapi’s life after leaving Iran, and the struggles of assimilating to new cultures and longing for home.
Ruth Bader Ginsberg: A Life – Jane Sherron De Hart
One of my favorite books of all time. This biography follows the life of Ruth Bader Ginsberg from childhood to her seat as the 107th Supreme Court Justice. The book highlights what it was like for a Jewish woman to build a successful legal career in the 1950s. It also recognizes the perseverance and self-initiative it took to become one of the most notable justices.
Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind – Yuval Noah Harari
Sapiens spans the entirety of human history, from the first humans to walk the earth to the present day. This book explores why Homo Sapiens evolved into the species we are today, while similar species, like neanderthals, died off. Harari argues that our ability to tell stories, contextualize the unimaginable, and communicate ideas was what enabled us to create some of the most powerful innovations: from starting fires to landing on the moon.
Wild – Cheryl Strayed
This memoir recounts Strayed’s 1,100-mile adventure walking from the Mexican border all the way to Washington State. Wild is a story of growth, healing, and self-discovery. As she continues on her trek, Strayed reflects on her troubled past, the pain she is experiencing around the loss of her mother, and the healing power of nature.
That’s all, folks!
Hopefully you enjoyed perusing this list of my favorite books that emerged from my 250 book Goodreads challenge. I’ve already found so many more after completing the challenge.
What are your favorite books? Drop a comment below and list them out!
Need inspiration for your next adventure? Check out my list of favorite books about traveling here.
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