Readers' top 100 novels

The Guardian, 2026. A readers list, ranked. See the original list

We use only the titles, authors and places from this list. 100 novels from it are in The Novel Index.

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60
Cover of A Gentleman in Moscow

A Gentleman in Moscow

Amor Towles, 2016

  • Readers' Favourite

On 1 of the 14 lists it was eligible for

70
Cover of The Dispossessed

The Dispossessed

Ursula K Le Guin, 1974

  • Readers' Favourite

On 1 of the 17 lists it was eligible for

80
Cover of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell

Susanna Clarke, 2004

  • Readers' Favourite

On 1 of the 17 lists it was eligible for

The lists that agree with this one most

ListBooks in common
100 novels everyone should read (The Telegraph, 2009)42
The 100 best novels of all time (The Guardian, 2026)42
The Big Read top 100 (BBC, 2003)41
Bokklubben World Library (Norwegian Book Clubs, 2002)30
100 Books to Read in a Lifetime (Amazon.co.uk, 2014)31