With so many wonderful books published each year, readers may find it challenging to choose the best.
In any case, life is too short to read poor literature. Going for the award-winning lot is one of the simplest ways I’ve discovered to choose a good book. These works have been chosen as the greatest in their respective categories by literary geniuses and thousands of readers worldwide.
So let’s have a look at some of the best.
The Most Award-Winning Books
Here are the top ten books that have by far, won the most awards.
1. The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
The Goldfinch is a sweeping and emotionally powerful novel that follows the life of Theodore Decker, a young boy who survives a bombing at an art museum that kills his mother. In the aftermath of the tragedy, Theo becomes obsessed with a small painting, “The Goldfinch,” which he takes and keeps as a personal reminder of his mother. As Theo navigates a tumultuous adolescence and early adulthood, he grapples with loss, love, and the complex world of art and antiques. With masterful prose, vivid characters, and a thrilling plot, The Goldfinch is a masterpiece of contemporary literature that explores the transformative power of art and the human capacity for resilience.
The most exciting part of this book is its exploration of the power of art to influence and shape a character’s life.
2. Bel Canto by Ann Patchett
Bel Canto is a captivating novel by Ann Patchett that tells the story of a group of individuals who are taken hostage during a lavish birthday party in an unnamed South American country. The hostages include an internationally renowned opera singer, her accompanist, a wealthy Japanese businessman, and a group of high-ranking government officials. As the days turn into weeks, the hostages and their captors form unexpected bonds, breaking down barriers of language, culture, and social class. With lyrical prose and unforgettable characters, Bel Canto is a deeply moving exploration of the power of art, music, and human connection in the face of adversity.
The most interesting part of this book is its exploration of the human capacity for compassion and understanding of one another despite language and cultural barriers.
3. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
The Kite Runner is a powerful and haunting novel by Khaled Hosseini that explores the complex relationships between fathers and sons, friends, and countrymen in Afghanistan before and after the Soviet invasion and the rise of the Taliban. The story follows the life of Amir, the privileged son of a wealthy Kabul businessman, and his best friend, Hassan, the son of their Hazara servant. After betraying Hassan, Amir embarks on a journey of redemption, seeking to make amends for his past mistakes and find forgiveness for his guilt. With richly drawn characters and vivid prose, The Kite Runner is a deeply moving and unforgettable tale of friendship, loyalty, and the enduring human spirit.
The most interesting part of this book is the exploration of loyalty, camaraderie, and the power of redemption.
4. The Road by Cormac McCarthy
The Road is an emotive and deeply moving novel by Cormac McCarthy that follows the journey of a father and son as they travel through a post-apocalyptic America. The world they inhabit is bleak and desolate, with few survivors and even fewer resources. As they struggle to survive and avoid the threats posed by marauding gangs, the father and son must confront the fundamental questions of what it means to be human and what values are worth fighting for in a world that seems to have lost all hope. With spare and haunting prose, The Road is a searing portrait of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity.
The most exciting part of this book is its exploration of the power of hope in a post-apocalyptic world.
5. Life of Pi by Yann Martel
Life of Pi is a remarkable novel by Yann Martel that tells the story of Piscine Molitor Patel, a young Indian boy who survives a shipwreck and finds himself adrift in the Pacific Ocean with only a Bengal tiger for company. As Pi struggles to survive the harsh realities of life at sea, he grapples with questions of faith, morality, and the nature of existence. With richly imagined characters and vivid descriptions of life at sea, Life of Pi is a powerful and thought-provoking exploration of the human spirit and the power of the imagination to sustain us in the face of unimaginable adversity.
The most exciting part of this book is its exploration of faith, courage, and the power of the human spirit to overcome misfortune.
6. The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood
The Blind Assassin is a richly layered and masterfully crafted novel by Margaret Atwood that interweaves multiple narratives to tell the story of two sisters, Iris and Laura Chase. After Laura’s mysterious death, Iris reflects on their complex relationship and the secrets they shared. Through Laura’s posthumously published novel, “The Blind Assassin,” which tells the story of a doomed love affair between a young woman and a man who tells her fantastic stories, Atwood explores themes of love, loss, betrayal, and the power of storytelling to shape our lives. With memorable prose and a captivating plot, The Blind Assassin is a stunning achievement in contemporary literature.
The most interesting part of this book is its exploration of the consequences of secrets and lies, and the power of stories to reveal the truth.
7. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
The Book Thief is a poignant and unforgettable novel by Markus Zusak that tells the story of Liesel Meminger, a young girl living in Nazi Germany during World War II. After her brother’s death and her mother’s disappearance, Liesel is taken in by a foster family, where she develops a love of books and reading. As the war intensifies and danger grows ever closer, Liesel’s life is transformed by the power of words, and she becomes a fierce advocate for truth and justice. Using skillful characterization and beautifully crafted writing, The Book Thief is a moving tribute to the human spirit and the redemptive power of literature.
The most interesting part of this book is its exploration of the power of words and literature to bring hope in a time of darkness.
8. The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro
The Remains of the Day is a poignant and deeply affecting novel by Kazuo Ishiguro that tells the story of Stevens, an English butler who has devoted his life to serving his employer, Lord Darlington. As Stevens sets out on a journey to visit a former colleague, he reflects on his life and the choices he has made, including his relationship with his father, his unrequited love for a former housekeeper, and the pivotal moments in his life that have shaped his understanding of duty, loyalty, and honor. With exquisite prose and subtle insights into the human heart, The Remains of the Day is a profound meditation on the nature of love, loss, and regret.
The most exciting part of this book is its exploration of the subtle power of love to shape a person’s life.
9. Midnight’s Children by Salman Rushdie
Midnight’s Children is a sweeping and ambitious novel by Salman Rushdie that tells the story of Saleem Sinai, a boy born at the stroke of midnight on the day of India’s independence. As Saleem grows up, he discovers that he has special powers and a connection to the other “midnight’s children” who were born at the same moment. Rushdie uses Saleem’s life as a lens through which to explore the political and social upheavals that shaped India’s history in the second half of the 20th century, including the partition of India, the rise of Indira Gandhi, and the Emergency. With characters that are intricately developed and a masterful blend of magical realism and political satire, Midnight’s Children is a stunning achievement in contemporary literature.
The most interesting part of this book is its exploration of identity and nationhood in post-colonial India.
10. All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
All The Light We Cannot See is a hauntingly beautiful novel by Anthony Doerr that tells the story of two young people, Marie-Laure and Werner, whose lives are forever changed by the ravages of World War II. Marie-Laure is a blind French girl who flees Paris with her father as the Germans advance, while Werner is a German orphan who is selected for military training and becomes a skilled radio operator. Their paths cross in the town of Saint-Malo, where they must confront the terrible realities of war and find the courage to fight for what they believe in. With lyrical prose and a profound understanding of the human heart, All The Light We Cannot See is a powerful meditation on the nature of love, loss, and the power of the human spirit to endure even in the darkest of times.
The most interesting part of this book is its exploration of the power of hope and faith to sustain us in times of hardship.
