We always recommend reading the book before pressing play, so once youve thoroughly devoured this story, check out the other stellar books made into movies. The series was produced for 47 years (19501997), until being renamed Reader's Digest Select Editions.

Franks humanity and grace in light of her circumstances are inspiring and heartbreaking at once. It remains a landmark published piece in American literature, and after you read it, youll most certainly never look at a piece of liver the same way.

It has sparked countless other works in the collection of stellar science fiction books.

Later in life, Frankl became a psychiatrist and practiced what he coined logotherapy, a theory that our lives are primarily driven by the discovery and pursuit of what we find meaningful. In his Pulitzer Prizewinning novel, Angelas Ashes, author Frank McCourt recounts his childhood spent in the slums of Limerick, Ireland: When I look back on my childhood I wonder how I managed to survive at all. Yossarian, a member of an Italian bomber crew during World War II, is desperate to excuse himself from the increasingly high number of suicidal missions his commanders force him and his servicemen to fly.

This work has spawned an entire collection of other pop culture, from Disneys The Lion King to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead by Tom Stoppard. Between 1942 and 1945, Viktor Frankl labored in four Nazi death camps. Reading The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank is a rite of passage for many adolescents and young adults, but older adults will find a lot to appreciate in this young womans wise words. In this magical realism novel, Salman Rushdie offers a timeless, enchanting story of family, heritage, and duty. And most have had profound impacts on literature, culture, or the world in general. When he turns 12, however, Jonas begins to learn the reason his world is very fragile. No list of the best books of all time would be complete without this truly classic novel. Wed be remiss to leave out one of the most beloved American authors of the 20th century: John Steinbeck. Political junkies of all stripes will relish the words of Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein as they recount the experiences and events of Watergate. 4,500 ratings The Oakland Athletics were written off, discarded, and ignored.

published 1996, avg rating 3.26 Pick up a copy to find out; it makes a great summer read, after all. condensed Michael Pollan may ultimately be one of the biggest forces for changes in food systems, sustainability, and healthful living. It offers readers a glimpse of a very specific place and time in history. Learn, alongside Satrapi, about the history and heroes that define this fascinating country. [4] Despite this popularity, old copies are notoriously difficult to sell. Its a story so painful, youd prefer to think it is fiction.

His parents, brother, and pregnant wife perished. What he finds, however, are interactions with adults who leave him frustrated or dismayed. published 1995, avg rating 3.83 Physicians and health care providers could likely fill volumes with the strange, heartbreaking, and obscene things they experience in their practices.

Deeply dark and fascinating, The Long Goodbye belongs to a series of novels about investigator Marlowe, and critics quibble about which are the best. 291,597 ratings Published just months before President Richard Nixons 1974 resignation, the book outlines all the evidence against Nixon and his cohort of political operatives that the two accomplished reporters unearthed during their investigations. Ready? The 1893 Worlds Fair brought the globe to Chicagobut it also brought a cunning serial killer, H.H. published 1995, avg rating 3.90 Theres a reason Readers Digest counts it among the best feminist books. Most science books, even well-written ones, read a bit too much like textbooks. New York City has been home to big personalities, but perhaps none have been quite as powerful as Robert Moses. But Ishmael Beahs A Long Way Gone is an entirely true recounting of his years as a child soldier in Sierra Leone, West Africa. A science fiction novel for the ages, Frank Herberts Dune tells the adventures of Paul Atreideswho will become known as MuadDibas he and his family strive to bring humankinds greatest dream to life while living on a desert planet. One was kidnapped and enslaved. RD.COM Arts & Entertainment Books Best Books & Must-reads. But its powerful prose has won awards, resulted in film and musical adaptations, and earned a spot on best of lists everywhere. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer), best book for you based on your zodiac sign, Do Not Sell My Personal Information CA Residents.

Pilgrim begins to see many of the events in his life as repercussions of that deathly event. Youll see compassion and forgiveness bloom between the Pevensie siblings. Nearly a decade after he first published this book, Pollans call to deeper thought and conversation about our food systems continues to shift the way we eat, grow, and share our food. Need something else to keep you entertained when you finish this book? Youre never too old to visit with Charlotte, Wilbur, and Templeton.

Their hero, Escapist, fights fascists and falls hard for Luna Moth, an ethereal, mysterious, and desirous paramour. Winston Smith, the books leading character, must navigate the Party, Big Brother, and his thoughts, which grow more criminal by the day.

[1][2] The series was published from 1950 until 1997, when it was renamed Reader's Digest Select Editions. But when another man enters the scene, their love story takes a manipulative, violent turn.

101 ratings 6,046 ratings But once upon a time, that wasnt the case. published 1991, avg rating 4.10 ", "Remembering the Reader's Digest Condensed Library", "Readers Digest Condensed Books as diffiult to dispose of as bins of radioactive waste", Clayton Library: "We DONT ACCEPT Readers Digest Condensed Booksthey do not sell. 12,071 ratings Newland Archer, an attorney from a respected family, is engaged to May Welland. They have little to their names, save each other, some scavenged food, and a pistol, yet they must fend off the worst of post-apocalyptic Americaroaming gangs of thieves, isolation, desolation, and devastationas they make their way to the coast, where they hope to figure out whats next. The master of suspense must be included in any list of books you should read in a lifetime.

The Autobiography of Malcolm X stands as the definitive work of an era in American history when cultural, racial, and religious ideologies met at a pinnacle. On Nov. 15, 1959, the small town of Holcomb, Kansas, was turned on end by the savage murder of four members of the Clutter family. In a world made small by 24-hour news and lightning-speed technology, this is a must-read for understanding the plight of fellow humans. published 1996, avg rating 3.90 In East of Eden, he presents a masterpiece that highlights the tension between good and evil through three generations of the Trasks and Hamiltons. Leo Tolstoys sweeping Russian tale of star-crossed lovers is littered with swoon-worthy quotes like, He stepped down, trying not to look long at her, as if she were the sun, yet he saw her, like the sun, even without looking. Described by Fyodor Dostoevsky as flawless, this one belongs on any book collectors shelf. If you havent read it already, grab a copy of this slim little work and prepare to be swept away by madness, intrigue, and bitter fate. It tells the touching story of two boys in modern-day Afghanistan: one wealthy, the other poor. When Alice Walkers award-winning novel was first published in the 1980s, it was quickly censored.

A former high school English teacher, she covers books, words, and grammar for RD.com. The author has said that most of the criticisms come from those who never even cracked open the book.

Sign up for one of these book subscription boxes. A daddy who drinks too much, a mother who marries too much, and a sister whose mouth could make a grown man blushthese characters are brilliant depictions of hilarious, horrific human foibles. 6,639 ratings Could a book you read in high school really be considered one of the best books of all time? As a gay Black man in the 20th century, James Baldwin inspired generations of readers who relate to any one of his identities. 1,671 ratings Harper Lees To Kill a Mockingbird upends the quiet solitude of a segregated Southern town with a story of innocence and virtue, bigotry and hate, love and forgiveness. His award-winning book is widely considered one of the best memoirs of all time. Life is a set path thats followed precisely. published 1989, avg rating 3.89 published 1995, avg rating 3.93 Whimsical and masterful, the stories of this American poet, author, singer, and folk artist have something for everyone. Lets dive in!

Calliope Helen Stephanides was born in Detroit in 1960, the heyday of Motor City, to a Greek American family who lived a quintessentially suburban American life. The novel tells the story of Briony Tallis and how her childhood accusation against a family friend changes three lives forever. The award-winning book (it won the Hemingway Foundation PEN Award and the American Book Award, among others) delves deep into generational trauma and colonization. On the Road recounts a hedonistic cross-country road trip between friends in the aftermath of World War II, a story line inspired by Jack Kerouacs adventures with friend Neal Cassady. Marion and Shiva Stone, twin brothers born of a secret union between an Indian nun and a British surgeon, are orphaned at a young age by their mothers death and fathers disappearance.

Welcome to the wizarding world, muggles. Its a new classic and truly one of the best fiction books youll read all year. In the five decades leading up to one of Americas darkest hours, you will trace the beginning elements of fundamental Islam, the rise of Osama bin Laden, and the terrorist groups that sought to bring down a country. 58 ratings We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices.

1,289 ratings Ernest Hemingway wrote stories filled with powerful emotions and unforgettable characters in a strikingly simple manner. Though its not a light read, youll find yourself flying through the pages until you reach the gut-wrenching finale. This fast-paced historical fiction story covers a lot of ground: race, ethnicity, religion, class struggles, and more.

This book, which features a decidedly American story about an American tradition, belongs on the bookshelf of any American reader. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks is a riveting story about race, medicine, ethics, and the search for life. Its a must-read for its insight and trajectory toward modern-day classic status.

In this, the first installment, Lewis whisks readers through the wardrobe and into a vivid allegory that children and adults have fallen in love with again and again. The suspense wears heavy on the reader, and the choices you must weigh alongside Sethe are haunting. Was it their throwing talent or their ERA? These 1997 volumes were also published as Reader's Digest Select Editions, and all succeeding volumes were published as Reader's Digest Select Editions. The novel was groundbreaking for its depiction of medicine as primarily focused on people rather than procedures. Oliver Sacks recounts stories of patients with a variety of neurological disordersincluding, as the name suggests, a man who mistook his wife for a hatthat leave them physically here but mentally miles away. This masterpiece is the memoir of a college senior whose life is turned upside down when he loses both of his parents within the span of five weeks and finds himself the guardian of his eight-year-old brother. Reviewers have said that though this magical realism book takes time and attention to read, the magnificent tome is absolutely worth it. Its a raw, honest look at a war that changed the country. 752 ratings

Themes of friendship, redemption, and familial love make it a universal chronicle that will keep readers of all ages riveted until the end. 1,763 ratings

Its historical fiction that will grab hold of your 21st-century heart and squeeze it till you cry.

It centers around Celie, who writes about her day-to-day life in letters addressed to God. While this book may have seen an uptick in interest thanks to the 2018 film starring Oprah Winfrey, Mindy Kaling, and Reese Witherspoon, Madeleine LEngles A Wrinkle in Time has long been held as a must-read for its fantastical telling of splitting the fabric of time and space. While the Bennett sisters wit and humor keep the pages flipping, the classic story, which is widely considered one of the best romance novels, also serves as a harbinger for hasty mistakes and erred judgments. Not sure what to pick up after you close the book on Gatsby and friends? Jane Austens classic Pride and Prejudice adorned shelves of many a learned reader in the 1800s and 1900s, but its timeless story and lessons earn it a spot in many home libraries (and on many school reading lists) even today. Her husband is frail from disease, and her childrens lives are falling apart or swirling down the drain. This heartwarming tale of friendship and dedication follows young Wilbur, a runt of a pig, as hes spared from one death but subsequently sent to another almost-certain death. published 1995, avg rating 3.97 31 ratings

Instead, as Michael Lewis reveals, the real secret to winning baseball has little to do with skills and more to do with statistics. If you oppose banning books, this is the novel for you. Facing a divided nation and a crumbling war effort, Lincoln soon turned to those exact politicians to help build a team of rivals, a group of people he could turn to for honest accountability, effort, and eventually support and friendship.

", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Reader%27s_Digest_Condensed_Books&oldid=1097459587, Articles needing additional references from January 2017, All articles needing additional references, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 10 July 2022, at 21:17. Is there any other mother-daughter book as iconic as Little Women? published 1997, avg rating 3.49 This debut novel tells the story of four Chinese women who move to the United States in search of a better life. All are connected by a record company exec named Bennie Salazar (and his assistant, Sasha). Its also one of the most widely read classics all over the world. But, of course, clones are humans, too, and the students lives intertwine with friendship, love, and lust even as they grow more entrapped by their inevitable role in society. published 1985, avg rating 4.10 In one of the most deeply sad books, Lee tells the events, revelations, and lessons through the eyes of a young child. Truman Capotes book In Cold Blood recounts in chilling detail the deaths of the family and the investigation that ultimately led to the arrest of two recently paroled ex-convicts. published 1996, avg rating 4.13

According to the New York Times Book Review, this masterpiece by Gabriel Garca Mrquez is the first piece of literature since the Book of Genesis that should be required reading for the entire human race. One Hundred Years of Solitude recounts the evolution of an entire fictitious town, Macondo. This is a must-read for its portrayal of enduring friendship, its questions about medical science, and its masterful writing.

93 ratings Eight-year-old Scout Finch and her father, Atticus, find themselves enmeshed in the trial of a Black man accused of raping a White woman. The roaring twenties still captivate the imagination of many, so dive into The Great Gatsby for a fantastic story and a historical trip that will leave you reeling.

Every reader should take the time to read a few of the best LGBTQ books ever published.

Americanah won the 2013 U.S. National Book Critics Circle Award for fiction (joining the likes of Ian McEwans Atonement) and captured the imagination of readers all over the world.

It was, of course, a miserable childhood: the happy childhood is hardly worth your while. Widely read and widely taught, To Kill a Mockingbird continues to spark discussions of race in classrooms and libraries across the country.

This American classic tells the story of one Harlem mans spiritual and sexual reckoning. Albert CamusThe Stranger has long lived a dual life of meaning: In one way, its a story of mystery, murder, death, and destruction. No wonder its ranked among the best sad books (have the tissue box handy) and best books for teens. 1,332 ratings Enjoy the journey! The powerhouse novel landed on our list for its overwhelming praise from readers and critics alike. A modern physics guide, this book was perhaps the first to make the most mysterious elements of the universe (black holes and quarks) entirely accessible for the general public. What makes the book even more compelling is how it mashes together history and modern memoir. published 1984, avg rating 3.91 The Little Prince is a timeless tale of a princes journey from planet to planet in search of adventure.

5,764 ratings

Awkward and inelegant as they may be, sixth-grader Margarets questions and quests (to grow bigger breasts, for example, while also seeking out her preferred religion) lead her to greater understanding and self-appreciation. Tolkien.



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