Top 10 Books Of All Time

Ranked #865 in Books, Poetry & Writing, #39,751 overall

How to Choose the Perfect Book

Choosing the perfect present is a finely honed skill that few of us are blessed with.

So many friends and family seem to have everything, making the task of expressing how much we care with the perfect gift seem almost impossible.

A great book will always save the day! And where better to start than the top 10 books of all time?

Keep reading and the following suggestions will tie up those loose ends on your gift list.

Photograph Courtesy - tnr.com

Top 10 Books Contents Page

Anna Karenina

Leo Tolstoy

Have You Read Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy?

Loading poll. Please Wait...

Madame Bovary

Gustave Flaubert

Have You Read Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert?

Loading poll. Please Wait...

War and Peace

Leo Tolstoy

Have You Read War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy?

Loading poll. Please Wait...

Lolita

Vladimir Nabokov

Have You Read Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov?

Loading poll. Please Wait...

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

Mark Twain

Have You Read The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain?

Loading poll. Please Wait...

Hamlet

William Shakespeare

Have You Read Hamlet by William Shakespeare?

Loading poll. Please Wait...

The Great Gatsby

F. Scott Fitzgerald

Have You Read The Great Gatsby by F Scott Fitzgerald?

Loading poll. Please Wait...

In Search of Lost Time

Marcel Proust

Have You Read In Search of Lost Time by Marcel Proust?

Loading poll. Please Wait...

The Stories of Anton Chekhov

Anton Chekhov

Have You Read The Stories of Anton Chekhov by Anton Chekhov?

Loading poll. Please Wait...

Middlemarch

George Eliot

Have You Read Middlemarch by George Eliot?

Loading poll. Please Wait...

Have You Read These Top 10 Books?

Loading poll. Please Wait...

Which is Your Favourite Read?

Loading poll. Please Wait...

Did You Consider Yourself Well Read Before Reading This List?

Loading poll. Please Wait...

Top 10 Books of All Time

At Amazon

Loading
Loading

Are You An Avid Reader?

Or The Consumate Gift Giver?

  • Centavo May 14, 2012 @ 8:28 pm | delete
    Yes, I certainly am. Just read two of Emma Donoghue's books--Room and Slammerkin. Fantastic reads in my opinion.
  • PeterStreep May 13, 2012 @ 7:40 pm | delete
    I do miss some books on the list. great list though.
  • GabrielaFargasch May 12, 2012 @ 9:43 am | delete
    I love books! My favorites are self-help, motivational books, especially the ones by Dr.Wayne Dyer and Joel Osteen...
  • karmicchristian May 11, 2012 @ 7:42 am | delete
    Sort of... again depends on the genre!
  • HenkWillemse May 11, 2012 @ 2:10 am | delete
    I love reading, thanks for the top 10 books of all time list.
  • Tipi May 5, 2012 @ 10:11 am | delete
    I would love to have time to pursue more reading and other activities, that's an impressive reading list you have here and I like how you made it interactive...hope you get more folks in who are reading!
  • MJsConsignments Apr 27, 2012 @ 7:44 am | delete
    I'm an avid reader and I devour books. Thanks for a great lens!
  • GeekGirl1 Apr 22, 2012 @ 5:27 am | delete
    I haven't read most of the books in this lens. But I will find time to read it.
  • RocklawnArts Apr 19, 2012 @ 5:20 pm | delete
    I aim to read 50 books a year and have done well with it the past few years.
  • goo2eyes Apr 8, 2012 @ 9:23 pm | delete
    i love mills and boon series of books before but .i'm an avid reader of squidoo lenses now. blessings.
  • miaponzo Apr 8, 2012 @ 2:19 am | delete
    I used to be.. but I think the books we read in the USA are quite different from the ones you have mentioned :) Blessed!
  • drbilltellsexcitingstories Apr 7, 2012 @ 9:32 pm | delete
    Avid Reader... and Writer... ;-)
  • virtualboy Apr 7, 2012 @ 1:15 pm | delete
    most of the time yes
  • Carreira Apr 4, 2012 @ 9:27 pm | delete
    Too bad people are stopping the book reading, choosing to pursue monitor reading instead
  • JDWheeler Apr 2, 2012 @ 1:54 pm | delete
    The Great Gatsby was always a favorite of mine. It was one of the first books in high school I read all the way through and really enjoyed.
  • JoshK47 Mar 21, 2012 @ 9:51 am | delete
    Very interesting choices indeed - thanks for sharing!
  • TheLifestyleChanger Mar 21, 2012 @ 9:00 pm | delete
    You're very welcome - thanks for visiting!
  • queenofduvetcovers Mar 21, 2012 @ 8:15 am | delete
    I love to read, thanks for the recommendations! =)
  • TheLifestyleChanger Mar 21, 2012 @ 8:18 am | delete
    My pleasure - thank you for visiting and enjoy your reading.
  • MysticTurtle Mar 21, 2012 @ 7:32 am | delete
    I love to read, and I have a waiting list a couple miles long. Thanks for the additions to my list.
  • TheLifestyleChanger Mar 21, 2012 @ 7:36 am | delete
    That is my pleasure!
  • 7thStone Mar 20, 2012 @ 9:22 am | delete
    Nice lens ... interesting choices for your top 10.
  • TheLifestyleChanger Mar 21, 2012 @ 7:36 am | delete
    Thank you. I enjoyed visiting your lenses today. All the best.
  • flinnie Mar 17, 2012 @ 6:13 am | delete
    Hi,great lens.I read every day.
  • TheLifestyleChanger Mar 21, 2012 @ 7:37 am | delete
    Thank you again Flinnie - I hope you enjoy some of these if you haven't already read them.
  • flowski Mar 17, 2012 @ 12:10 am | delete
    I'm lucky because my kid loves to read, I on the other hand like to write! Great book list, he's got a birthday coming up.
  • TheLifestyleChanger Mar 21, 2012 @ 7:40 am | delete
    Thank you for visiting - I hope there is something suitable on this list for your son.
  • JoyfulPamela Mar 9, 2012 @ 7:42 am | delete
    I love reading of many styles of literature, but classics are my favorites! :)
  • TheLifestyleChanger Mar 21, 2012 @ 7:39 am | delete
    Thank you very much for visiting again. All the best to you and your reading programme.
  • TheLifestyleChanger Mar 21, 2012 @ 7:39 am | delete
    Thank you very much for visiting again. All the best to you and your reading programme.
  • rauspitz Mar 7, 2012 @ 8:57 pm | delete
    I do a lot of reading. Excellent lens!
  • TheLifestyleChanger Mar 21, 2012 @ 7:39 am | delete
    Thank you very much. I appreciate your visit and endorsement.
  • SudokuNut Mar 6, 2012 @ 3:15 pm | delete
    I am an avid reader but I wouldn't call myself "well read". I have a hard time with the "classics" but I do get through a book or two a week on average with more modern authors.
  • TheLifestyleChanger Mar 21, 2012 @ 7:38 am | delete
    Wow! I envy your reading power - I do wish I had the time or speed to read that much.
  • TheSoundofSettling Mar 5, 2012 @ 9:29 pm | delete
    I thought I would have read more on this list...interesting!!!
  • TheLifestyleChanger Mar 21, 2012 @ 7:38 am | delete
    I hope you have a chance to read the rest of the list. Thank you for visiting.
  • Pinkchic18 Mar 5, 2012 @ 1:19 pm | delete
    A great list you've put together! I've read a few, but definitely not all 10!
  • TheLifestyleChanger Mar 21, 2012 @ 7:37 am | delete
    You are certainly in the majority - I don't know anybody who has read all 10 yet!
  • AnthonyAltorenna Mar 2, 2012 @ 11:48 pm | delete
    This is an interesting list. I've never heard of some of these novels, and I was an English Major!
  • TheLifestyleChanger Mar 3, 2012 @ 8:37 pm | delete
    Mmmm. Not sure how to respond to this?
  • COUNTRYLUTHIER Mar 2, 2012 @ 5:57 pm | delete
    I need to get the noggin expander out and bump up my head size bit in reading. Thanks for opening my eyes again to great literature I have not read recently or ever in some cases.
  • TheLifestyleChanger Mar 2, 2012 @ 6:15 pm | delete
    It is a great list, but I don't know anybody who has completed it yet! Maybe that's a challenge I should set?
  • mamabush Feb 29, 2012 @ 7:27 am | delete
    I read a lot, but it's usually non-fiction. :) Great list!
  • TheLifestyleChanger Mar 2, 2012 @ 6:14 pm | delete
    Thank you so much for visiting MamaBush. Glad you enjoyed it.
  • Cumberland Feb 27, 2012 @ 7:23 pm | delete
    I read several books per month. My mix is about 75%/25%, Non-Fiction to Fiction.
  • TheLifestyleChanger Feb 27, 2012 @ 7:32 pm | delete
    I'm so envious - I wish I could plan my time better to be able to do that.
  • Michey Feb 21, 2012 @ 10:03 pm | delete
    I like your lest, and I am above 50%. Great lens
  • TheLifestyleChanger Feb 21, 2012 @ 10:08 pm | delete
    Oh fantastic - am pleased we're heading in the same direction.
  • poddys Feb 21, 2012 @ 3:55 pm | delete
    I used to read a lot as a child, but in recent years I have had little time unfortunately. I used to love adventure stories, like Lord Of The Rings, Treasure Island, Moonfleet etc. Excellent list, it's hard to find just 10 I am sure.
  • TheLifestyleChanger Feb 21, 2012 @ 7:24 pm | delete
    Looks to me like you have replaced your reading time with writing time! Thank you so much for visiting and participating on my lens.
  • navalava Feb 21, 2012 @ 4:34 am | delete
    I read a lot in free time, but now I see I missed some great books.
  • TheLifestyleChanger Feb 21, 2012 @ 5:04 am | delete
    I've missed a few too! Thank you so much for visiting.
  • jercow75 Feb 20, 2012 @ 9:58 pm | delete
    Love to read. Love to give books to my kids.
  • TheLifestyleChanger Feb 21, 2012 @ 5:03 am | delete
    One of the greatest pastimes and definitely one of the greatest gifts to children. Thank you for visiting.
  • Wedding_Mom Feb 18, 2012 @ 4:21 pm | delete
    Great books here, i personally loved Huckleberry Finn found it adventurous and very entertaining. Thank you for sharing!
  • TheLifestyleChanger Feb 19, 2012 @ 6:13 pm | delete
    Huckleberry Finn is one book I need to read - obviously not American!
  • Chi-TownChica Feb 17, 2012 @ 6:44 pm | delete
    Reader, but I give as many as I read!
  • TheLifestyleChanger Feb 17, 2012 @ 7:19 pm | delete
    So generous!
  • ShirleySunshine Feb 17, 2012 @ 5:31 pm | delete
    No, I haven't read even one of the above books, so I'm really ignorant, and unlearned, but I do read my Bible every single day, and that's the most important Book there is!
  • TheLifestyleChanger Feb 19, 2012 @ 6:14 pm | delete
    I'm sure you are definitely not ignorant and unlearned!
  • Momsbusy247 Feb 17, 2012 @ 4:46 pm | delete
    Nice lens for the avid reader. Great selection you got here. Aces!
  • TheLifestyleChanger Feb 17, 2012 @ 4:56 pm | delete
    Thank you so much for visiting and participating in this lens. I really appreciate it. Enjoy your day!
  • PaulaSquidoo Feb 17, 2012 @ 8:44 am | delete
    I'm a reader :-) Looks like I have missed a few on this list. Thanks for the suggestions.
  • TheLifestyleChanger Feb 17, 2012 @ 4:44 pm | delete
    Hello. I hope you have time to relax and enjoy the few you have missed. Thank you so much for visiting.
  • solicitorsdublinhq Feb 16, 2012 @ 7:37 am | delete
    Hi,nice lens and good list.
    I haven't read them all but was surprised that Dickens, one of my favourites, was not included. I like Bleak House.
    Another that might have got a mention is The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand.
  • TheLifestyleChanger Feb 17, 2012 @ 4:43 pm | delete
    You're right - given Dickens' recent anniversary, he should definitely be on the list! I will definitely keep on my revision list.
  • online-punch-clock Feb 16, 2012 @ 12:48 am | delete
    love reading and already read some of the books mentioned above and there are outstanding..so i am sure that i feel good while reading rest ones......
  • TheLifestyleChanger Feb 16, 2012 @ 1:59 am | delete
    I have a few to catch up on too - enjoy!
  • malina123 Feb 14, 2012 @ 11:28 am | delete
    Cool list, I read quite a few of these. Personally not a fan of Great Gatsby though.
  • TheLifestyleChanger Feb 16, 2012 @ 1:59 am | delete
    Thanks so much for visiting and sharing!
  • victorianpassage Feb 13, 2012 @ 11:53 am | delete
    Madame Bovary is the only one from your list I have read. I had an Edwardian printing of Madame Bovary which was fun to read.
  • TheLifestyleChanger Feb 14, 2012 @ 12:29 am | delete
    It is quite a list isn't it? Madame Bovary is one I haven't read, but have put at the top of my list. Thank you for visiting.
  • JoyfulPamela Nov 23, 2011 @ 11:21 am | delete
    I love reading, so I'm looking forward to hearing about your top 10 books. :)
  • TheLifestyleChanger Feb 12, 2012 @ 4:42 am | delete
    Hi - just letting you know my top 10 books are now published and ready for your enjoyment!

More Great Reading

Loading

by

TheLifestyleChanger

My Multiple Sclerosis lens was awarded a Purple Star on 11 February 2012. Thank you so much to RomanticMe for your nomination. This is a huge honour,... more »

Feeling creative? Create a Lens!

The Great Classics 

Great Expectations by Charles Dickens

Great Expectations

Amazon Price: $8.69 (as of 05/23/2012)Buy Now

The Great Classics in DVD 

Anna Karenina by Leo (in DVD)

Leo Tolstoy's Anna Karenina

Amazon Price: $14.90 (as of 05/23/2012)Buy Now

The Great Classics in DVD 

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald (in DVD)

The Great Gatsby

Amazon Price: $7.57 (as of 05/23/2012)Buy Now