Genre · ranked
The best literary books of all time
12 ranked · updated July 2026
These essential works define the literary canon by navigating the complexities of human identity, trauma, and the pursuit of independence. Through profound explorations of social structures and intimate relationships, these narratives challenge our perceptions of resilience and the enduring power of the human spirit across diverse historical landscapes.
How this ranking works
Ranked by a Bayesian-weighted score (rating average + rating count) across books classified as Literary & Art House.
Their Eyes Were Watching God
Zora Neale Hurston
Hurston earns this top spot for her masterful depiction of a woman's journey toward self-discovery and independent identity within the constraints of the American South.
Explores: Black female identity, self-discovery, love and relationships.
Call Us What We Carry: Poems
Amanda Gorman
Gorman’s collection secures its place by channeling contemporary social justice and collective hope into a powerful, resonant voice for a new generation of poetry readers.
Explores: Hope, Resilience, Social Justice.
A Little Life
Hanya Yanagihara
This novel is recognized for its unflinching, visceral examination of trauma and the profound, often tragic, complexities of lifelong friendship and human suffering.
Explores: Trauma, Abuse, Friendship.
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow
Gabrielle Zevin
Zevin captures the essence of creative collaboration and the evolution of deep platonic intimacy through the unique lens of video game development and shared ambition.
Explores: friendship, video game development, creative collaboration.
The Great Gatsby
F. Scott Fitzgerald
Fitzgerald’s work remains definitive for its sharp, tragic critique of the American Dream and the hollow social hierarchies of the Jazz Age.
Explores: American Dream, Social Class, Love and Loss.
A Prayer for Owen Meany
John Irving
Irving’s narrative earns its distinction by weaving a complex tapestry of faith, destiny, and the search for meaning in the face of life’s adversity.
Explores: Faith and Doubt, Fate vs. Free Will, Friendship.
The Color Purple
Alice Walker
Walker’s epistolary masterpiece is essential for its raw, courageous portrayal of female resilience and the healing potential of sisterhood amidst intergenerational trauma.
Explores: female resilience, intergenerational trauma, sisterhood.
Olive Kitteridge
Elizabeth Strout
Strout’s short story cycle is celebrated for its compassionate, unvarnished look at the quiet struggles of aging and loneliness in a small coastal community.
Explores: Small Town Life, Aging, Loneliness.
The Corrections
Jonathan Franzen
Franzen’s novel is lauded for its biting, satirical exploration of dysfunctional family dynamics and the persistent, nagging ennui of modern American life.
Explores: Dysfunctional family dynamics, Midwestern ennui, Intergenerational conflict.
Little Bee: A Novel
Chris Cleave
Cleave’s work is vital for its harrowing, intimate treatment of the asylum seeker experience and the lasting impact of childhood trauma on personal identity.
Explores: Asylum Seekers, Trauma, Childhood Trauma.
The Elegance of the Hedgehog
Muriel Barbery
Barbery’s philosophical fiction is distinguished by its intellectual depth and its poignant focus on the hidden lives and class complexities within an urban setting.
Explores: Concealed Identity, Class Differences, Intellectualism.
The Awakening
Kate Chopin
Chopin’s novel is a foundational text for its bold, honest confrontation of marital dissatisfaction and the societal constraints placed upon female desire.
Explores: Female desire, Marital dissatisfaction, Social constraints.
Common questions
Which books on the list explore the theme of female resilience?
Several books on this list address female resilience, most notably Zora Neale Hurston’s 'Their Eyes Were Watching God,' which follows a woman's path to independence, and Alice Walker’s 'The Color Purple,' which focuses on sisterhood and overcoming intergenerational trauma.
Are there any literary novels about video game development?
Yes, 'Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow' by Gabrielle Zevin is featured on this list. It is a literary novel that centers on the lifelong friendship and creative collaboration between two protagonists who work together in the video game development industry.
What are some highly-rated books about dysfunctional family dynamics?
Jonathan Franzen’s 'The Corrections' is a prominent choice for readers interested in dysfunctional family dynamics. The novel is well-regarded for its satirical and realistic portrayal of intergenerational conflict and the complexities of domestic life in the American Midwest.