Ultimate Best Books
Ranked by points from the world's most prestigious book lists. How many have you read?
Martin Eden
Jack London
The one opened the door with a latch-key and went in, followed by a young fellow who awkwardly removed his cap. He wore rough clothes that smacked of the sea, and he was manifestly out of place in the spacious hall in which he found himself. He did not know what to do with his cap, and was stuffing it into his coat pocket when the other took it from him. The act was done quietly and naturally, and the awkward young fellow appreciated it. “He understands,” was his thought. “He’ll see me through all right.”
Red Harvest
Dashiell Hammett
I first heard Personville called Poisonville by a red-haired mucker named Hickey Dewey in the Big Ship in Butte.
Noughts & Crosses
Malorie Blackman
'Honestly, Mrs Hadley,' said Meggie McGregor, wiping her eyes.'Honestly, Mrs Hadley,' said Meggie McGregor, wiping her eyes. 'That sense of humour of yours will be he death of me yet!'
The Alexandria Quartet
Lawrence Durrell
The sea is high again today, with a thrilling flush of wind."BALTHAZAR" - Landscape-toes: brown to bronze, steep skyline, low cloud, pearl ground with shadowed oyster and violet reflections.<br><br>"MOUNTOLIVE" - As a junior of exceptional promise, he had been sent to Egypt for a year in order to improve his Arabic and found himself attached to the High Commission as a sort of scribe to await his first diplomatic posting; but he was already conducting himself as a young secretary of legation, fully aware of the responsibilities of future office.<br><br>"CLEA" - The oranges were more plentiful than usual that year.
What We Talk About When We Talk About Love
Raymond Carver
(From Why Don't You Dance?) In the kitchen, he poured another drink and looked at the bedroom suite in his front yard.
Haroun and the Sea of Stories
Salman Rushdie
There was once, in the country of Alifbay, a sad city, the saddest of cities, a city so ruinously sad that it had forgotten its name.
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