The BBC Big Read

The BBC Big Read is a celebrated initiative that sought to discover the nation's favorite book through public voting. Featuring a diverse range of literary works, it highlights the books that have captured the hearts of readers across the UK.

The Lord of the Rings cover
The Lord of the Rings

Immerse yourself in Middle-earth with J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic masterpieces behind the films... This special 50th anniversary edition includes three volumes of The Lord of the Rings (The Fellowship o… more ...

Pride and Prejudice cover
Pride and Prejudice

Enriched Classics offer readers accessible editions of great works of literature enhanced by helpful notes and commentary. Each book includes educational tools alongside the text, enabling students a… more ...

His Dark Materials cover
His Dark Materials

Accompanied by her daemon, Lyra Belacqua sets out to prevent her best friend and other kidnapped children from becoming the subject of gruesome experiments in the Far North. more ...

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy cover
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

This beautifully illustrated edition of the New York Times bestselling classic celebrates the 42nd anniversary of the original publication—with all-new art by award-winning illustrator Chris Riddell.… more ...

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire cover
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

When the Quidditch World Cup is disrupted by Voldemort's rampaging supporters alongside the resurrection of the terrifying Dark Mark, it is obvious to Harry Potter that, far from weakening, Voldemort… more ...

To Kill a Mockingbird cover
To Kill a Mockingbird

___________________________________ 'Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit 'em, but remember it's a sin to kill a mockingbird.' A lawyer's advice to his children as he defends the real mock… more ...

Winnie the Pooh cover
Winnie the Pooh

Winnie-the-Pooh is a childrens book by English author A. A. Milne and English illustrator E. H. Shepard. Published in 1926, it is a collection of short stories about an anthropomorphic teddy bear, Wi… more ...

Nineteen Eighty-Four cover
Nineteen Eighty-Four

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The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe cover
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

There are a thousand stories in the land of Narnia, and the first is about to be told in an extraordinary motion picture, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, from Walt Dis… more ...

Jane Eyre cover
Jane Eyre

Jane Eyre is a novel by English writer Charlotte Bront�. It was published on 16 October 1847. Primarily of the Bildungsroman genre, Jane Eyre follows the emotions and experiences of its eponymous her… more ...

Catch-22 cover
Catch-22

Features a satirical indicement of military madness and stupidity, and the desire of the ordinary man to survive it. This work tells a tale of the dangerously sane Captain Yossarian, who spends his t… more ...

Wuthering Heights cover
Wuthering Heights

First published in 1847, Wuthering Heights is set on the bleak Yorkshire moors, where the drama of Catherine and Heathcliff, Heathcliff's cruel revenge against Edgar and Isabella Linton, and the prom… more ...

Birdsong cover
Birdsong

While staying as the guest of a factory owner in pre-First World War France, Stephen Wraysford embarks on a passionate affair with Isabelle, the wife of his host. The affair changes them both for eve… more ...

Rebecca cover
Rebecca

The bestselling classic and masterpiece of psychological fiction 'The greatest psychological thriller of all time' ERIN KELLY 'The book every writer wishes they'd written' CLARE MACKINTOSH 'Excellent… more ...

The Catcher in the Rye cover
The Catcher in the Rye

'If you really want to hear about it, the first thing you'll probably want to know is where I was born and what my lousy childhood was like, and how my parents were occupied and all before they had m… more ...

The Wind in the Willows cover
The Wind in the Willows

The escapades of four animal friends who live along a river in the English countryside--Toad, Mole, Rat, and Badger. more ...

Great Expectations cover
Great Expectations

Great Expectations is Charles Dickens's thirteenth novel. It is his second novel, after David Copperfield, to be fully narrated in the first person. Great Expectations is abildungsroman, or a coming-… more ...

Little Women cover
Little Women

This authoritative, accurate text of the first edition (1868-69) of Little Women is accompanied by textual variants and thorough explanatory annotations. more ...

Captain Corelli's Mandolin cover
Captain Corelli's Mandolin

"Set on the Greek island of Cephallonia during World War II, this is the story of a beautiful young woman and her two suitors: a gentle fisherman turned ruthless guerrilla, and the charming mandolin-… more ...

War and Peace cover
War and Peace

"Backgrounds and Sources" includes the publication history of War and Peace, selections from Tolstoy's letters and diaries as well as three drafts of his introduction to the novel that elucidate the … more ...

Gone with the Wind cover
Gone with the Wind

This is the tale of Scarlett O’Hara, the spoiled, light-minded, flirtatious daughter of a wealthy plantation owner in the South, who arrives at young womanhood just in time to see the Civil War forev… more ...

The BBC Big Read was a unique television series aired on BBC Two from October to December 2003, designed to engage the public in a nationwide vote to determine the UK's best-loved book. The initiative encouraged viewers to participate through various voting methods, including web, SMS, and phone, culminating in a final ranking of the Top 21 books based on the votes received. This list features a rich tapestry of literature, showcasing classics like 'The Lord of the Rings' by J.R.R. Tolkien and 'Pride and Prejudice' by Jane Austen, alongside contemporary favorites such as 'Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire' by J.K. Rowling. The Big Read not only celebrated literature but also fostered a sense of community among readers, sparking discussions and encouraging people to explore new titles. The final results reflect a diverse array of genres and styles, making it a fascinating resource for anyone looking to discover beloved books that resonate with readers of all ages.