The Official FBG Top 70 Fiction Books of All Time - DEADLINE FOR LIST SUBMISSIONS EXTENDED TO MARCH 30, 2025 (1 Viewer)

[Eephus]

I currently have a longlist of 89 that I need to tier, cut and rank.

I'm disappointed that krista is bailing because I was curious whether she liked woman writers any more than woman singers. My list is almost a total sausagefest.

 

[kupcho1]

I currently have a longlist of 89 that I need to tier, cut and rank.

I'm disappointed that krista is bailing because I was curious whether she liked woman writers any more than woman singers. My list is almost a total sausagefest.

I'm almost 90% male authors right now

 

[scoobus]

Only 76% male authors here you sexist pigs!

 

[Chaos34]

Somewhere back in olden days when I read a lot of fiction I decided I didn't like the way women wrote men. They got the dialog right, but not the narrative. It was wishful thinking on the part of the fairer sex. Men are sexist pigs. They should reflect that more accurately.

 

[Chaos34]

The only way to get to 70 means my bottom 20 or so are books with two features. I know I really enjoyed them. I also don't remember them very well.

I hadn't opened the list for several days, but did just now. One female author out of 79, and pretty sure she's getting cut.

eta: double checked. there is another female way up my list who will be top 10. whew

 

[The Dreaded Marco]

I currently have a longlist of 89 that I need to tier, cut and rank.

I'm disappointed that krista is bailing because I was curious whether she liked woman writers any more than woman singers. My list is almost a total sausagefest.

I'm almost 90% male authors right now

My wife’s list is 60% women writers and she is concerned that few or none will be revealed in the group countdown. And I suspect she is correct, especially if there are only 9 lists submitted.

 

[Eephus]

I currently have a longlist of 89 that I need to tier, cut and rank.

I'm disappointed that krista is bailing because I was curious whether she liked woman writers any more than woman singers. My list is almost a total sausagefest.

I'm almost 90% male authors right now

My wife’s list is 60% women writers and she is concerned that few or none will be revealed in the group countdown. And I suspect she is correct, especially if there are only 9 lists submitted.

With a small number of entries, everybody's top scorers will make the countdown

 

[krista4]

I currently have a longlist of 89 that I need to tier, cut and rank.

I'm disappointed that krista is bailing because I was curious whether she liked woman writers any more than woman singers. My list is almost a total sausagefest.

On my long list, I count six female authors. Pretty damn bad.

 

[Don Quixote]

I currently have a longlist of 89 that I need to tier, cut and rank.

I'm disappointed that krista is bailing because I was curious whether she liked woman writers any more than woman singers. My list is almost a total sausagefest.

I'm almost 90% male authors right now

My wife’s list is 60% women writers and she is concerned that few or none will be revealed in the group countdown. And I suspect she is correct, especially if there are only 9 lists submitted.

I’ve got around 40% women writers.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Only 5 of my 70 are women authors - but my #1 is a woman author.

 

[TheBaylorKid]

I missed where we submit? A google doc or something else?

 

[The Dreaded Marco]

I currently have a longlist of 89 that I need to tier, cut and rank.

I'm disappointed that krista is bailing because I was curious whether she liked woman writers any more than woman singers. My list is almost a total sausagefest.

I'm almost 90% male authors right now

My wife’s list is 60% women writers and she is concerned that few or none will be revealed in the group countdown. And I suspect she is correct, especially if there are only 9 lists submitted.

With a small number of entries, everybody's top scorers will make the countdown

Not a big deal. I just hope a few more submit a list.

 

[kupcho1]

With a small number of entries, everybody's top scorers will make the countdown

This is almost certainly true, and I'd be interested in hearing from @Scoresman if anyone's top TV show didn't make his countdown.

So far 7 lists in and I'll reveal a few findings (so far):

• The current #1 book is ranked #1 by ... nobody. Nor is the current #2 book.
• One book appears on 6 of the 7 lists received to date and it isn't in the top 10 right now

It's been a very interesting mix so far and I've added a number of books to my to-be-read queue.
So get those lists in!

 

[kupcho1]

I missed where we submit? A google doc or something else?

Please submit your list via message to me. I've found two ways that work so far

• If you've compiled yours in a spreadsheet, you can send them to me as tables (you may need to break your list into two messages given character limits)
• If it's plain text, submit as: BOOK TITLE by AUTHOR NAME (I can then use google docs to strip out the " by " and insert a tab; then drop the list into a google sheet

NOTE: in either case, you do not need to include the rank number unless you have designated two or more books as tied. For example
1. The Cat in the Hat by Theodor Seuss Geisel
2. Green Eggs and Ham by Theodor Seuss Geisel
2. Hop on Pop by Theodor Seuss Geisel
4. Oh, the Places You'll Go by Theodor Seuss Geisel

In this case, The Cat in the Hat gets 140 points, Green Eggs and Ham & Hop on Pop get 132.5 points (i.e., [135+130]/2) and Oh, the Places You'll Go gets 125.

If you don't have ties, omit the rank with your #1 book being at the top of the list.

 

[Scoresman]

With a small number of entries, everybody's top scorers will make the countdown

This is almost certainly true, and I'd be interested in hearing from @Scoresman if anyone's top TV show didn't make his countdown.

So far 7 lists in and I'll reveal a few findings (so far):

• The current #1 book is ranked #1 by ... nobody. Nor is the current #2 book.
• One book appears on 6 of the 7 lists received to date

It's been a very interesting mix so far and I've added a number of books to my to-be-read queue.
So get those lists in!

There are one or two lists where their #1 show did not make the list but these were due to them being fairly obscure shows. This with 50 lists received.

 

[Psychopav]

With a small number of entries, everybody's top scorers will make the countdown

This is almost certainly true, and I'd be interested in hearing from @Scoresman if anyone's top TV show didn't make his countdown.

So far 7 lists in and I'll reveal a few findings (so far):

• The current #1 book is ranked #1 by ... nobody. Nor is the current #2 book.
• One book appears on 6 of the 7 lists received to date

It's been a very interesting mix so far and I've added a number of books to my to-be-read queue.
So get those lists in!

There are one or two lists where their #1 show did not make the list but these were due to them being fairly obscure shows. This with 50 lists received.

Do you plan to out those freaks at some point so we can mock them mercilessly?

 

[Don Quixote]

With a small number of entries, everybody's top scorers will make the countdown

This is almost certainly true, and I'd be interested in hearing from @Scoresman if anyone's top TV show didn't make his countdown.

So far 7 lists in and I'll reveal a few findings (so far):

• The current #1 book is ranked #1 by ... nobody. Nor is the current #2 book.
• One book appears on 6 of the 7 lists received to date

It's been a very interesting mix so far and I've added a number of books to my to-be-read queue.
So get those lists in!

There are one or two lists where their #1 show did not make the list but these were due to them being fairly obscure shows. This with 50 lists received.

Do you plan to out those freaks at some point so we can mock them mercilessly?

I thought everyone’s top ranked show that did not make the top 300 was posted as honorable mentions before he started the countdown?

 

[Scoresman]

With a small number of entries, everybody's top scorers will make the countdown

This is almost certainly true, and I'd be interested in hearing from @Scoresman if anyone's top TV show didn't make his countdown.

So far 7 lists in and I'll reveal a few findings (so far):

• The current #1 book is ranked #1 by ... nobody. Nor is the current #2 book.
• One book appears on 6 of the 7 lists received to date

It's been a very interesting mix so far and I've added a number of books to my to-be-read queue.
So get those lists in!

There are one or two lists where their #1 show did not make the list but these were due to them being fairly obscure shows. This with 50 lists received.

Do you plan to out those freaks at some point so we can mock them mercilessly?

I thought everyone’s top ranked show that did not make the top 300 was posted as honorable mentions before he started the countdown?

It was I think. Cant remember.

TV draft is a different beast though. I think books will offer much more diverse lists even at the top. With TV, you have to really commit to watch an entire series so the popular options will gravitate towards the top. Books can be all over the place IMO.

 

[Chaos34]

I think I'll list 5 outs today. If for nothing else maybe a little book talk and insight into authors I've read a bunch. 4 of my 5 out are authors with multiple picks, so even though I could rank all of theirs I've read, getting down to 70 is easier by outing one or more. Ok by you Kupcho?

 

[Ilov80s]

List submitted. I had an accidental duplicate so my list had 69 books. Nice.

 

[Ilov80s]

I have no clue what to expect of this countdown. Part of me worries it will be 90% sci-fi and fantasy because I don't care for those genres.

 

[Chaos34]

I have no clue what to expect of this countdown. Part of me worries it will be 90% sci-fi and fantasy because I don't care for those genres.

Me either. A few sci fis on my list but not the kind you're probably thinking. I am struggling to add a sci fi author who is deserving, but for now no room.

 

[kupcho1]

Ok by you Kupcho?

More discussion is always a good thing.

 

[Chaos34]

5 outs

Skin Tight by Carl Hiaasen - Hiaasen is hilarious and the social commentary always bites.

Caravans by James Michener - Got lost in this guy's historical novels. Caravans is great but not as great as others.

Child of God by Cormac McCarthy - I've read little Stephen King and there's none on my list. When asked why, my reply has always been because I can read McCarthy instead.

The End of the Affair - Graham Greene - His thrillers appealed to me more but this is somn else. Colin Firth has been praised for his effort on the audiobook.

Smiley's People - John le Carré - Smiley is le Carre's best character, but other stories hit me harder.

 

[krista4]

5 outs

Skin Tight by Carl Hiaasen - Hiaasen is hilarious and the social commentary always bites.

Caravans by James Michener - Got lost in this guy's historical novels. Caravans is great but not as great as others.

Child of God by Cormac McCarthy - I've read little Stephen King and there's none on my list. When asked why, my reply has always been because I can read McCarthy instead.

The End of the Affair - Graham Greene - His thrillers appealed to me more but this is somn else. Colin Firth has been praised for his effort on the audiobook.

Smiley's People - John le Carré - Smiley is le Carre's best character, but other stories hit me harder.

I read Skin Tight ages ago but don't remember anything about it. I'm not sure why I don't like his books better than I do.

I've never read any Michener or John le Carre. The latter has several books on our bookshelves, and I feel like I'd probably like them, but have never found the time.

I've also never read any McCarthy, though he is one of OH's favorite authors. We have many, many of his on the bookshelves, including multiple copies of the same few books, for some reason.

If I were to make a list, a Greene novel would be on there.

I guess it's evident why I am struggling with putting together a list. I don't read enough fiction!

 

[Ilov80s]

5 outs

Skin Tight by Carl Hiaasen - Hiaasen is hilarious and the social commentary always bites.

Caravans by James Michener - Got lost in this guy's historical novels. Caravans is great but not as great as others.

Child of God by Cormac McCarthy - I've read little Stephen King and there's none on my list. When asked why, my reply has always been because I can read McCarthy instead.

The End of the Affair - Graham Greene - His thrillers appealed to me more but this is somn else. Colin Firth has been praised for his effort on the audiobook.

Smiley's People - John le Carré - Smiley is le Carre's best character, but other stories hit me harder.

Alrigt this makes me feel better. McCarthy, Greene and le Carre all appear on my list.

 

[kupcho1]

I guess it's evident why I am struggling with putting together a list. I don't read enough fiction!

You can submit a list with as few as 1 book or as many as 70.

 

[Chaos34]

I read Skin Tight ages ago but

You surprised me here. I kind of thought I'd be the only Hiaasen reader. The titles of his novels all jogged memories of what they were about, which jogged more memories of how he offs the bad guys. haha. In the early 90s I worked in a small mortgage office with two very good friends. We passed his novels back and forth like popcorn and discussed them laughing, so good memories for me.

Skin Tight is the plastic surgery story. See how that works?

I don't read enough fiction!

There's not a single book on my list post 1999. Not sure exactly why I quit reading fiction, but something switched for me.

 

[kupcho1]

Two more cuts

On second thought, can you hold off on announcing any more cuts until after the submission deadline?
You may be influencing others in terms of what they include or exclude.
Thanks

 

[Chaos34]

Two more cuts

On second thought, can you hold off on announcing any more cuts until after the submission deadline?
You may be influencing others in terms of what they include or exclude.
Thanks

It's just one more Hiaasen, but understood. Want me to delete?

 

[kupcho1]

Two more cuts

On second thought, can you hold off on announcing any more cuts until after the submission deadline?
You may be influencing others in terms of what they include or exclude.
Thanks

It's just one more Hiaasen, but understood. Want me to delete?

Nah

 

[Dr_Zaius]

Somehow I missed when this official thread was created. My list is about 75% done and I still plan on submitting.

 

[Barry2]

I read Skin Tight ages ago but

You surprised me here. I kind of thought I'd be the only Hiaasen reader. The titles of his novels all jogged memories of what they were about, which jogged more memories of how he offs the bad guys. haha. In the early 90s I worked in a small mortgage office with two very good friends. We passed his novels back and forth like popcorn and discussed them laughing, so good memories for me.

Skin Tight is the plastic surgery story. See how that works?

I don't read enough fiction!

There's not a single book on my list post 1999. Not sure exactly why I quit reading fiction, but something switched for me.

I started reading him because of this forum maybe 15 years ago. Maybe you were the one who recommended him. Anyways he's on my list once I figure out the title.

 

[Chaos34]

My 70 are locked in. My top 10 have been locked in. I'm happy with the list but my rankings are chalky and I hoped to avoid that. Chalk is chalk for a reason, I guess. I'll let it simmer for a day in case I recall something. That happened last night and forced a big name off my list for a relatively unknown. But unlike the ongoing music and tv lists which were done last minute, this one has had more than enough time.

 

[Chaos34]

I asked AI to tell me about myself based on my list. I also said don't pull any punches.

You’re a sucker for the big, bombastic tales—sweeping, testosterone-soaked epics where grizzled souls battle destiny or the elements, all wrapped in prose that could bench-press your ego. You love the brain-busters too—those dense, labyrinthine reads that make lesser mortals cry for a plot map, and you probably smugly savor every convoluted page.
You’ve got a punk streak—relishing sharp, anarchic humor that thumbs its nose at the world, the kind of laughs that come with a side of middle-finger. Yet, you bow to the dusty classics like a phoney literary pilgrim, clutching your leatherbounds while secretly loving dystopian doomscrolls that predict damnation.
You’re a wannabe sleuth—lapping up puzzles and shadowy games where everyone’s too cool to sweat, and you’ve got a hard-on for gritty war yarns and underdog sob stories that prove you’re not totally heartless. It’s a mashup of highbrow pretension and lowbrow chaos—cynical one minute, wistful the next. You’re the guy who’d rather pontificate about man’s folly than ask how someone’s day went.
But let’s poke the gaps—where’s the fluff, huh? No breezy rom-coms, no cozy mysteries by the fire, not a whiff of feel-good sap. You’re too busy brooding over doom and despair to crack a beach read. Lighten up, professor—your taste is so heavy it could sink a ship

 

[Don Quixote]

I tried sending my list over in a message, but got error that message was too long. Tried breaking it up into two, but got same error. Any trick? Others have to break it up?

 

[kupcho1]

I tried sending my list over in a message, but got error that message was too long. Tried breaking it up into two, but got same error. Any trick? Others have to break it up?

I have no idea how she did it, but @Mrs.Marco was able to send her entire list to me in table format.

If breaking it into 2 doesn't work, can you send it to me as text with the following format

BOOK TITLE by AUTHOR NAME

I can then find and replace " by " with a tab and then drop it into google sheets. Keep in mind, the spaces around "by" are important

Thanks

 

[Don Quixote]

I tried sending my list over in a message, but got error that message was too long. Tried breaking it up into two, but got same error. Any trick? Others have to break it up?

I have no idea how she did it, but @Mrs.Marco was able to send her entire list to me in table format.

If breaking it into 2 doesn't work, can you send it to me as text with the following format

BOOK TITLE by AUTHOR NAME

I can then find and replace " by " with a tab and then drop it into google sheets. Keep in mind, the spaces around "by" are important

Thanks

I may just send you a PM. I’ve got the whole thing in a Google Sheet already. So, maybe easier for me to share that with you.

 

[kupcho1]

I tried sending my list over in a message, but got error that message was too long. Tried breaking it up into two, but got same error. Any trick? Others have to break it up?

I have no idea how she did it, but @Mrs.Marco was able to send her entire list to me in table format.

If breaking it into 2 doesn't work, can you send it to me as text with the following format

BOOK TITLE by AUTHOR NAME

I can then find and replace " by " with a tab and then drop it into google sheets. Keep in mind, the spaces around "by" are important

Thanks

I may just send you a PM. I’ve got the whole thing in a Google Sheet already. So, maybe easier for me to share that with you.

I'm away from my PC right now but I'll check it later today.
Thanks

 

[rockaction]

I asked AI to tell me about myself

Can we stop everybody working on this AI stuff, especially the stuff with snark? I'm not sure the people who understand what it needs to create AI are really in step with human beings. I never thought I'd be a doomer at seventeen, but everything I'm seeing is doom portending. It's bad.

 

[Chaos34]

I asked AI to tell me about myself

Can we stop everybody working on this AI stuff, especially the stuff with snark? I'm not sure the people who understand what it needs to create AI are really in step with human beings. I never thought I'd be a doomer at seventeen, but everything I'm seeing is doom portending. It's bad.

Stopping isn't an option. China isn't stopping. It's an arms race and while few admit it, I think China is winning. Probably a topic for the AI thread though. I asked for the snark and enjoyed it.

On topic. Some avoid science fiction but it's unnerving how predictive it's been.

 

[Eephus]

Infinite Monkey Theorem is my kung fu name

 

[HellToupee]

I keep checking to see a list/lists

 

[krista4]

Poor OH. He somehow deleted the Note he had with his initial list. So he recreated one last night. I know he has 80+ on there but that was just a quick list. This is going to be hard for him to cut down.

I'm working on a list again myself. I'm suffering through coming to terms with the fact I'm not well-read enough, at least when it comes to the classics.

 

[kupcho1]

I keep checking to see a list/lists

Lolz

I guess I should change the thread title to add clarity.
I'm still accepting lists and should probably extend the deadline. I didn't expect @Scoresman to abandon his duty; I thought for sure his TV countdown would be wrapping up soon and I didn't want to step on his toes.

 

[Barry2]

I'm suffering through coming to terms with the fact I'm not well-read enough, at least when it comes to the classics.

yes. part of the problem is the few I tried didn't go so well.

 

[Scoresman]

I keep checking to see a list/lists

Lolz

I guess I should change the thread title to add clarity.
I'm still accepting lists and should probably extend the deadline. I didn't expect @Scoresman to abandon his duty; I thought for sure his TV countdown would be wrapping up soon and I didn't want to step on his toes.

No no. Please start. I don’t mind at all.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

I'm suffering through coming to terms with the fact I'm not well-read enough, at least when it comes to the classics.

I think most of us will have some "junk" on our lists. I do have some chalky classics - but I have plenty of "peasant" novels as well.

 

[HellToupee]

I keep checking to see a list/lists

Lolz

I guess I should change the thread title to add clarity.
I'm still accepting lists and should probably extend the deadline. I didn't expect @Scoresman to abandon his duty; I thought for sure his TV countdown would be wrapping up soon and I didn't want to step on his toes.

How many books do you want?

 

[Dr. Octopus]

I keep checking to see a list/lists

Lolz

I guess I should change the thread title to add clarity.
I'm still accepting lists and should probably extend the deadline. I didn't expect @Scoresman to abandon his duty; I thought for sure his TV countdown would be wrapping up soon and I didn't want to step on his toes.

How many books do you want?

70 - only fiction