What are your favorite books of all time?Answer

When you think back on every book you've ever read, what are some of your favorites? These can be from any time of your life – books that resonated with you as a kid, ones that shaped your personality as a teen, or ones that inspired you. Whatever conditions you want. These are your favorites after all.

Jack of Shadows

Jack of Shadows
ByRoger Zelazny

1971 • 16 Readers • 216 pages 3.7

HIM

HIM
ByGeoff Ryman

2023 • 22 Readers • 296 pages 4.3

Dayspring

Dayspring
ByAnthony Oliveira

2024 • 44 Readers • 433 pages 5

Why this book?

A breathtaking re-imagining of the life of Christ through the eyes of John the Apostle, as Christ's lover

The Library at Mount Char

2015 • 1,018 Readers • 400 pages 4

Ender's Shadow

#1 of 6 in The Shadow Series

Ender's Shadow
ByOrson Scott Card

1999 • 603 Readers • 469 pages 4.2

Why this book?

A great "sequel" to Ender's Game from the perspective of Bean, Ender's right-hand man. Card manages to re-tell the story of the sci-fi bestseller without it feeling boring or repetitive.

The Count of Monte Cristo

Le Comte de Monte-Cristo

The Count of Monte Cristo
ByAlexandre Dumas

1830 • 2,513 Readers • 1,276 pages 4.3

Why this book?

Rambling, ambitious, and a great story (or five).

Green Mansions

Green Mansions
ByWilliam H. Hudson

1904 • 1 Reader • 315 pages

Why this book?

Green Mansions opened my eyes to the beauty of both the natural world and classic literature.

A Short Stay in Hell

A Short Stay in Hell
BySteven L. Peck

2011 • 414 Readers • 88 pages 4.1

Why this book?

Brain-bending, shot through with existential despair and questions of theology.

This Is Not a Love Story

Love Story Universe

2014 • 11 Readers • 322 pages 3

Why this book?

Heartbreakingly beautiful story of two homeless teens in London who have only each other. Fleet's characters are so real I felt as though I knew them personally.

Mr. Big Empty

#1 of 4 in Hollow Folk

Mr. Big Empty
ByGregory Ashe

2017 • 9 Readers • 381 pages 4.5

Why this book?

Another story with a vibrant, believable main character that I fell in love with.

The Extraordinaries

#1 of 4 in The Extraordinaries

2016 • 231 Readers • 405 pages 4.1

Why this book?

Funny and lighthearted YA superhero romp.

A Canticle for Leibowitz

#1 of 2 in St. Leibowitz

A Canticle for Leibowitz
ByWalter M. Miller Jr.

1959 • 916 Readers • 334 pages 3.9

Why this book?

Just a deeply weird sci-fi story informed by Catholicism and the Christian apocalypse.

The Art of Starving

The Art of Starving
BySam J. Miller

52 Readers • 378 pages 4

Why this book?

This book taught me I was strong.

The Boy with a Bird in His Chest

2022 • 41 Readers • 320 pages 3.8

Why this book?

Strange and gorgeous story of a boy born with a bird in his chest. The longing for freedom and normality in this story was so poignant.

The Princess Bride

The Princess Bride
ByWilliam Goldman

1973 • 1,847 Readers • 399 pages 4.2

Why this book?

Who doesn't love The Princess Bride?

The Stories of Ray Bradbury

1980 • 40 Readers • 920 pages 4

Why this book?

I bought this book from my bookseller grandmother as a teenager, and it taught me to value writing from the past. My hardcover copy is literally falling apart from many re-reads.

Nicked

Nicked
ByM. T. Anderson

2024 • 68 Readers • 240 pages 3.4

Why this book?

Hilarious tale of the heist of St. Nicholas' bones. Queer and joyfully wry

The Saint of Bright Doors

The Saint of Bright Doors
ByVajra Chandrasekera

2023 • 214 Readers • 358 pages 4

Why this book?

One of the books I credit for getting me back into reading.

The Saint of Heartbreak

2024 • 13 Readers

Why this book?

Even the worst of us are human and have inherent worth. This love story between Satan and Judas Iscariot hurt my heart and made me realize that we all have a place and a purpose.

Peter Darling

Peter Darling
ByAustin Chant

2017 • 145 Readers • 207 pages 3.9

Why this book?

Delightfully queer romance between a (now-grown) Peter Pan and his nemesis

Angels Before Man

#1 of 2 in Angels

Angels Before Man
Byrafael nicolás

2022 • 116 Readers • 416 pages 3.8

Why this book?

A shimmering, celestial romance between Lucifer and Michael the Archangel that leaves your heart bruised

Pulling the Wings Off Angels

2022 • 34 Readers • 139 pages 4

Why this book?

Sardonic and witty to the max!

Perilous Times

Perilous Times
ByThomas D. Lee

2023 • 93 Readers • 496 pages 3.7

Why this book?

Fun, funny, and oh so British.

Hello Now

Hello Now
ByJenny Valentine

2020 • 4 Readers • 256 pages 5

Why this book?

Hello Now truly took my breath away. It is unfair how good at writing Jenny Valentine is.

Ender's Game

#1 of 6 in Ender's Saga

Ender's Game
ByOrson Scott Card

1985 • 3,747 Readers • 256 pages 4.3

Why this book?

The book that taught me to think creatively when faced with challenges. "The enemy's gate is down."