The Greatest American "Friendship, Family" Books of All Time

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This list represents a comprehensive and trusted collection of the greatest books. Developed through a specialized algorithm, it brings together 305 'best of' book lists to form a definitive guide to the world's most acclaimed books. For those interested in how these books are chosen, additional details can be found on the rankings page.

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Friendship

The "Friendship" category of books focuses on the relationships between individuals who share a deep bond of mutual affection, trust, and support. These books explore the complexities of friendship, including the challenges and rewards of maintaining close connections over time. They often depict the joys and struggles of navigating the ups and downs of life with the help of loyal companions, and may touch on themes such as loyalty, forgiveness, and the power of human connection. Whether exploring the dynamics of childhood friendships or the complexities of adult relationships, books in this category offer readers a heartwarming and insightful look into the power of friendship.

Family

The "Family" category of books encompasses stories that revolve around the dynamics, relationships, and experiences of families. These books explore the complexities of familial bonds, including love, loyalty, conflict, and forgiveness. They may focus on different types of families, such as nuclear families, blended families, or extended families, and may cover a range of themes, from coming-of-age tales to domestic dramas. Overall, the "Family" category offers a rich and diverse collection of books that delve into the joys and challenges of family life.

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  1. 1. Charlotte's Web by E. B. White

    A young girl named Fern saves a runt piglet from being slaughtered and names him Wilbur. When Wilbur grows too large, he is sent to live in her uncle's barn, where he befriends a clever spider named Charlotte. When Wilbur's life is in danger again, Charlotte weaves messages into her web to convince the farmer that Wilbur is too special to kill. The book explores themes of friendship, sacrifice, and the cycle of life.

    The 99th Greatest Book of All Time
  2. 2. A Wrinkle In Time by Madeleine L'Engle

    The novel follows the story of a young girl named Meg Murry, her younger brother Charles Wallace, and their friend Calvin O'Keefe as they embark on a cosmic journey to rescue Meg and Charles Wallace's father. The father, a scientist, has been missing since he discovered a new planet using the concept of Tesseract, which is a wrinkle in time. Guided by three mysterious celestial beings, the children travel across different dimensions, face evil forces, and learn about the power of love and self-sacrifice.

    The 203rd Greatest Book of All Time
  3. 3. Housekeeping by Marilynne Robinson

    The novel explores the life of two sisters, Ruth and Lucille, who are raised by a series of relatives in a small, secluded town in Idaho after their mother's suicide. The girls' lives are profoundly affected by the eccentric and transient lifestyle of their aunt Sylvie, who becomes their guardian. The narrative delves deeply into themes of family, identity, womanhood, and the impermanence of life, ultimately leading to a divide between the sisters as they choose different paths in life.

    The 215th Greatest Book of All Time
  4. 4. A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving

    The book is a tale of two childhood friends, one of whom believes he is God's instrument. The story is set in a New England town during the 1950s and 1960s and follows the lives of the two boys, one small and with a strange voice, who has visions of his own death and believes he is an instrument of God, and the other, the narrator, who struggles with faith. The novel explores themes of faith, fate, and the power of friendship against a backdrop of historical and political events, including the Vietnam War.

    The 280th Greatest Book of All Time
  5. 5. The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan

    This novel explores the complex relationships between four Chinese-American mothers and their American-born daughters. The narrative switches between the perspectives of the eight women, revealing their pasts, their struggles with cultural identity, and the misunderstandings that have grown between the generations. The mothers, who all experienced hardship in their native China, want their daughters to have better lives and thus push them to excel in America. The daughters, in turn, struggle to reconcile their American surroundings with their Chinese heritage.

    The 300th Greatest Book of All Time
  6. 6. A Visit From The Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan

    "A Visit from the Goon Squad" is an interconnected collection of stories about a group of characters whose lives intersect in the music industry. The narrative spans several decades, tracing the characters' journey from their youth to middle age. It explores themes of time, change, and the impact of technology on human relationships and the music industry. The novel is known for its experimental structure, including a chapter written as a PowerPoint presentation.

    The 521st Greatest Book of All Time
  7. 7. Sula by Toni Morrison

    The novel is a poignant tale of two African American girls, Nel and Sula, growing up in the racially segregated town of Medallion, Ohio. The narrative explores their friendship, personal struggles, and the societal expectations imposed on them. Sula, the more rebellious of the two, leaves town to live a life of freedom and independence, while Nel chooses to conform to societal norms, marrying and raising a family. When Sula returns, their friendship is tested due to a betrayal, and the town labels Sula as evil. The book delves into themes of friendship, betrayal, individuality, and the societal roles of women.

    The 602nd Greatest Book of All Time
  8. 8. The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver

    The novel follows the journey of a young woman from rural Kentucky who, on her drive west to avoid an unwanted pregnancy, is unexpectedly entrusted with a three-year-old Native American girl. The protagonist settles in Tucson, Arizona, where she builds a non-traditional family with a group of resilient and unconventional women. The narrative explores themes of love, friendship, and the power of the human spirit while tackling issues of social injustice and immigration.

    The 984th Greatest Book of All Time
  9. 9. The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt

    The book follows the life of a young boy who survives a terrorist bombing at an art museum, which kills his mother. In the confusion following the explosion, he steals a priceless Dutch painting, The Goldfinch, which becomes his secret treasure and eventually draws him into the criminal underworld. The narrative explores themes of loss, survival, and the power of art to shape human destiny.

    The 1354th Greatest Book of All Time
  10. 10. Fried Green Tomatoes by Fannie Flagg

    The novel is a heartwarming tale of friendship and love that transcends the boundaries of time and age. Set in Alabama, it alternates between two storylines: one in the 1980s where an unhappy housewife befriends an elderly woman in a nursing home who tells her the story of an indomitable woman in the 1930s. The other story focuses on the life of that woman who runs a café with her sister-in-law, their strong bond, and the murder mystery surrounding them. The narratives intertwine to create a touching and inspiring story about the power of female friendship, resilience, and courage.

    The 1459th Greatest Book of All Time
  11. 11. Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls

    This novel tells the story of a young boy living in the Ozark Mountains who dreams of owning a pair of Redbone Coonhounds for hunting. After working hard to save up enough money, he buys two pups and trains them to be champion hunters. The book explores themes of determination, love, and loss as the boy experiences the joys and heartbreak of owning and training his beloved dogs.

    The 1463rd Greatest Book of All Time
  12. 12. Ellen Foster by Kaye Gibbons

    The novel is a coming-of-age story about a young girl named Ellen Foster who, after her mother's suicide and father's subsequent neglect and abuse, is shuffled between family members and foster homes. Despite the hardships she faces, including poverty and racism in the South, Ellen's remarkable resilience and determination help her to overcome her circumstances. Ultimately, she finds a loving home with a foster mother and begins to heal from her traumatic past.

    The 1820th Greatest Book of All Time
  13. 13. All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

    Set during the turmoil of World War II, the novel follows the intersecting lives of a blind French girl and a German boy. The girl, living in occupied France, seeks solace in the world of books and the imagination, while the boy, a member of Hitler Youth, is a radio operator for the German forces. Their paths cross in the walled city of Saint-Malo, with the narrative exploring themes of survival, morality, and the human spirit.

    The 1997th Greatest Book of All Time
  14. 14. Jacob Have I Loved by Katherine Paterson

    "Jacob Have I Loved" is a coming-of-age novel that follows the story of Louise, a twin sister overshadowed by her talented and beloved sibling, Caroline. Set in a small fishing village on the Chesapeake Bay during World War II, Louise struggles to find her own identity and pursue her dreams amidst the challenges of family dynamics, societal expectations, and the limitations of her environment. As she navigates the complexities of adolescence, Louise must confront jealousy, resentment, and the search for self-worth, ultimately discovering the strength to forge her own path and claim her independence.

    The 2128th Greatest Book of All Time
  15. 15. The Help by Kathryn Stockett

    Set in the early 1960s in Jackson, Mississippi, the story revolves around three main characters: two black maids and a young white woman. The maids, who have spent their lives taking care of white families and raising their children, agree to share their experiences with the young woman, who is an aspiring writer. The book offers a poignant and humorous look at the complex relationships between these women, while also exploring the racial tensions and social changes of the era.

    The 2192nd Greatest Book of All Time
  16. 16. The History of Love by Nicole Krauss

    The novel intertwines the stories of Leo Gursky, a Holocaust survivor living out his twilight years in New York City, and Alma Singer, a 14-year-old girl trying to ease her mother's loneliness after the death of her father. Their lives are connected through a book, written by Leo in his youth as a tribute to his first love, that has been translated into English and published under a different author's name. As Alma investigates the true authorship of the book, their stories converge in a poignant exploration of love, loss, and the power of literature.

    The 2317th Greatest Book of All Time
  17. 17. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

    The book is a semi-autobiographical novel that follows a Native American teenager who leaves his school on the Spokane Indian Reservation to attend an all-white high school in a neighboring town. The protagonist grapples with his own identity, the perceptions and prejudices of his new classmates, and the harsh realities of life on the reservation. Throughout the story, he uses humor and his passion for drawing cartoons to navigate the challenges he encounters.

    The 2361st Greatest Book of All Time
  18. 18. The Mouse And His Child by Russell Hoban

    "The Mouse and His Child" is a heartwarming tale about a wind-up mouse and his child who embark on a journey to find their place in the world. Along the way, they encounter a diverse cast of characters, including a group of tramp-like animals and a malicious rat. Through their trials and adventures, the mouse and his child learn about the importance of family, friendship, and perseverance, ultimately discovering their true purpose in life.

    The 2764th Greatest Book of All Time
  19. 19. The Chosen by Chaim Potok

    The novel explores the unlikely friendship between two Jewish boys in 1940s Brooklyn, New York. One is from a Hasidic background, steeped in religious tradition and destined to follow in his father's footsteps as a spiritual leader, while the other is the son of a secular Jewish intellectual, encouraged to think and question. Their bond is tested by their differing religious views, family expectations, and the external pressures of the surrounding world, including the aftermath of the Holocaust and the creation of the state of Israel. Through their relationship, the book delves into themes of faith, identity, father-son relationships, and the challenges of bridging different worlds and belief systems.

    The 2777th Greatest Book of All Time
  20. 20. Before We Were Free by Julia Alvarez

    This novel tells the story of a young girl growing up in the Dominican Republic during a time of political turmoil. The protagonist and her family experience the fear and uncertainty of living under a dictatorship, as they are constantly surveilled by the government's secret police. Throughout the book, the protagonist navigates her own coming-of-age while also grappling with the larger issues of freedom, oppression, and resistance.

    The 2824th Greatest Book of All Time
  21. 21. A Home at the End of the World by Michael Cunningham

    The narrative revolves around the lives of two boyhood friends navigating through their complicated lives in the 1980s. One of them is a bisexual man mourning the loss of his lover to AIDS, and the other is a straight man who's been in love with his friend since childhood. Their lives intertwine with a bohemian woman who dreams of having a child. The three of them form an unconventional family, exploring the complexities of relationships, love, and the concept of home.

    The 4035th Greatest Book of All Time
  22. 22. Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng

    The book revolves around the Richardson family and the mysterious mother-daughter duo who move into their rental home in Shaker Heights, Ohio. The lives of the seemingly perfect suburban Richardson family become intertwined with the lives of Mia Warren, an enigmatic artist, and her daughter Pearl. As the children of both families form relationships, secrets are uncovered, leading to a dramatic climax. The novel explores themes of motherhood, identity, and the moral complexities of following rules versus following one's instincts.

    The 4370th Greatest Book of All Time
  23. 23. Homecoming by Cynthia Voigt

    The novel follows the journey of four siblings, Dicey, James, Maybeth, and Sammy Tillerman, who are abandoned by their mentally ill mother in a mall parking lot. The eldest, Dicey, takes charge and decides they will travel on foot to find a home with their distant relative in Bridgeport. Throughout their arduous journey, the children face numerous challenges, including scarcity of food, the threat of separation by authorities, and the struggle to stay together as a family. Their resilience, resourcefulness, and the bonds they share are tested as they navigate through the uncertainties and the hope of finding a place where they can belong.

    The 4589th Greatest Book of All Time
  24. 24. The Crossover by Kwame Alexander

    "The Crossover" is a heartfelt and poetic novel that follows the journey of a talented young basketball player named Josh Bell. Set in a world of sports and sibling rivalry, Josh faces challenges both on and off the court as he navigates the complexities of family, friendship, and first love. Through Alexander's lyrical writing style, readers are taken on an emotional rollercoaster that explores themes of identity, loss, and the power of perseverance.

    The 4835th Greatest Book of All Time
  25. 25. Charming Billy by Alice McDermott

    "Charming Billy" is a poignant exploration of love, loss, faith, and the power of stories. The narrative unfolds through the memories of friends and family gathered at a Bronx bar after the funeral of Billy Lynch, a charismatic but troubled man who died of alcoholism. As the mourners share their recollections, the reader learns about Billy's lifelong love for his Irish sweetheart who he believed died young, his subsequent marriage to a woman he didn't love, and his descent into alcoholism. The truth about his sweetheart's fate and the impact of deception on his life form the crux of the story.

    The 5688th Greatest Book of All Time

Reading Statistics

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If you're interested in downloading this list as a CSV file for use in a spreadsheet application, you can easily do so by clicking the button below. Please note that to ensure a manageable file size and faster download, the CSV will include details for only the first 500 books.

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