The BBC Big Read Top 21
Discover the BBC's Top 21 books as voted by readers in a nationwide poll. This list features beloved classics and modern favorites that have captivated audiences across generations.
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
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
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
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
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
___________________________________ '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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
'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
The escapades of four animal friends who live along a river in the English countryside--Toad, Mole, Rat, and Badger. more ...
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
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
"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
"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
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 Top 21 is a curated list that emerged from a nationwide poll conducted by the BBC in 2003, where readers voted for their favorite books. This initiative aimed to promote reading and celebrate literature, resulting in a fascinating collection of titles that span various genres and styles. The list includes iconic works such as 'The Lord of the Rings' by J.R.R. Tolkien, 'Pride and Prejudice' by Jane Austen, and 'Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire' by J.K. Rowling, showcasing both timeless classics and contemporary favorites. Each book on this list has left a significant mark on readers and culture, making it a valuable resource for anyone looking to explore influential literature. Whether you're a lifelong book lover or just starting your reading journey, the BBC Big Read Top 21 offers a diverse selection of stories that resonate with readers of all ages.