The 25 best books of the 1930s
The 25 highest-ranked books first published in the 1930s in our ranking of 2,819, scored on how much readers love them, their prize, best-list and bestseller record, and current buzz. We rank 41 books of the 1930s in all. How we rank
- 1
Gone with the Wind94.6Must-Read ScoreGone with the Wind
Few novels are this addictive at this length.
- 2
How to Win Friends and Influence People89.7Must-Read ScoreHow to Win Friends and Influence People
It's one of the best-selling books of all time because its advice still works, nearly a century later, in jobs, marriages and friendships.
- 3
I, Claudius86.3Must-Read ScoreI, Claudius
It's a hugely entertaining historical novel, gossipy, witty and full of intrigue, that brings ancient Rome to life.
- 4
The Grapes of Wrath85.5Must-Read ScoreThe Grapes of Wrath
It's one of the great American novels, a furious, compassionate story of survival and dignity, and it won the Pulitzer Prize.
- 5
Rebecca84.1Must-Read ScoreRebecca
It's a perfect gothic suspense novel, atmospheric, psychologically sharp and impossible to put down, and its opening line, "Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again," is among the most famous ever written.
- 6
The Hobbit82.8Must-Read ScoreThe Hobbit
It's one of the best-selling books ever written, about 100 million copies, and a pick on the BBC's Big Read.
- 7Out of Africa82.3Must-Read Score
Out of Africa
It's on the Modern Library list of the best nonfiction and is a classic of memoir.
- 8
And Then There Were None82.0Must-Read ScoreAnd Then There Were None
It's the best-selling mystery novel ever written, with about 100 million copies, and a PBS Great American Read pick.
- 9
Homage to Catalonia79.2Must-Read ScoreHomage to Catalonia
It's on the Modern Library list of the best nonfiction.
- 10
Marie Antoinette: The Portrait of an Average Woman77.9Must-Read ScoreMarie Antoinette: The Portrait of an Average Woman
It spent months at #1 on the New York Times list in the 1930s.
- 11
The Man Without Qualities77.7Must-Read ScoreThe Man Without Qualities
It's on the Bokklubben list of the 100 greatest books and Le Monde's list of the books of the century.
- 12Absalom, Absalom!77.6Must-Read Score
Absalom, Absalom!
It's in the Bokklubben World Library of the 100 greatest books, and many critics consider it Faulkner's masterpiece.
- 13
Brave New World77.0Must-Read ScoreBrave New World
It's on the Modern Library list of the best novels, was voted onto the BBC's Big Read and is on Le Monde's list of the books of the century.
- 14
How Green Was My Valley74.8Must-Read ScoreHow Green Was My Valley
It spent weeks at #1 on the New York Times list, and the film won the Oscar for Best Picture.
- 15
Lust for Life74.6Must-Read ScoreLust for Life
It's one of the best-selling biographical novels ever and made Van Gogh's life known to millions.
- 16Journey to the End of the Night74.4Must-Read Score
Journey to the End of the Night
It's in the Bokklubben World Library of the 100 greatest books and on Le Monde's list of the 100 books of the century.
- 17
Independent People74.1Must-Read ScoreIndependent People
It's on the Bokklubben list of the 100 greatest books, and Laxness won the Nobel Prize.
- 18The Road Back74.1Must-Read Score
The Road Back
It was one of the ten best-selling books of 1931.
- 19
The Good Earth72.8Must-Read ScoreThe Good Earth
It won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, spent weeks at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list and was one of the ten best-selling books of both 1931 and 1932.
- 20
The Big Sleep72.5Must-Read ScoreThe Big Sleep
It's on TIME's list of the 100 best novels and Le Monde's list of the books of the century.
- 21
Light in August72.4Must-Read ScoreLight in August
It's on both the TIME and Modern Library lists of the best novels, and it's often called Faulkner's most approachable major novel.
- 22
Their Eyes Were Watching God72.4Must-Read ScoreTheir Eyes Were Watching God
It's on TIME's list of the 100 best novels and was voted onto PBS's Great American Read.
- 23
Testament of Youth: One Woman's Haunting Record of the First World War72.0Must-Read ScoreTestament of Youth: One Woman's Haunting Record of the First World War
It's on the Guardian's list of the best nonfiction of all time and is one of the great memoirs of the First World War, told from a woman's side.
- 24
Theatre70.5Must-Read ScoreTheatre
It spent weeks at #1 on the New York Times list.
- 25Murder on the Orient Express70.1Must-Read Score
Murder on the Orient Express
Loved by readers.