14 Best Contemporary Books
We analyzed 4+ expert sources, curated book lists, and recommendations from successful people to find the 14 best contemporary books according to the internet — not just one person's opinion. Each book on this list was mentioned by at least two independent sources, and the ranking is based on how frequently each title appears across all sources studied. This consensus-based approach ensures you get recommendations backed by multiple experts, not a single reviewer's bias.
Goal: Find the best Contemporary books according to the internet (not just one person's opinion).
Method:
- Search for "best contemporary books" and study the top 4+ pages.
- Add only the books mentioned 2+ times.
- Rank the results neatly here.
14 Best Contemporary Books
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A Little Life
Also recommended by
4 people
Soman Chainani recommended this bookSoman Chainani
"The greatest work of fiction I’ve ever read, with the simplest theme: All of us come with baggage and wounds and pain; all of us." - Soman Chainani
Soman Chainani's recommendation of this book 
Andy Cohen recommended this bookAndy Cohen
"I LOVE this book!" - Andy Cohen
Andy Cohen's recommendation of this book 
Nate Berkus recommended this bookNate Berkus
"I will NEVER give away." - Nate Berkus
Nate Berkus's recommendation of this book 
Jack Edwards recommended this bookJack Edwards
"Probably the saddest piece of literature I have ever encountered." - Jack Edwards
Jack Edwards's recommendation of this book
White Teeth
Also recommended by
1 person
Michelle Obama recommended this bookMichelle Obama
"I love the way the story weaves together so many complex and powerful forces that affect our lives and our relationships." - Michelle Obama
Michelle Obama's recommendation of this book
Normal People
A Novel
Also recommended by
5 people
Taylor Swift recommended this bookTaylor Swift
Taylor Swift told a fan she loved this book.
Taylor Swift's recommendation of this book 
Barack Obama recommended this bookBarack Obama
Barack Obama's favorite books of 2019 list.
Barack Obama's recommendation of this book 
Serena Izzo recommended this bookSerena Izzo
"" - Serena Izzo
Serena Izzo's recommendation of this book - Jack Edwards recommended this book
Jack Edwards
"The perfect people for university aged people." - Jack Edwards
Jack Edwards's recommendation of this book 
Brit Marling recommended this bookBrit Marling
"I loved [this book]." - Brit Marling
Brit Marling's recommendation of this book
Little Fires Everywhere
Also recommended by
3 people
John Green recommended this bookJohn Green
"Just brilliant." - John Green
John Green's recommendation of this book 
Melinda Gates recommended this bookMelinda Gates
Melinda Gates recommended this book on Twitter.
Melinda Gates's recommendation of this book 
Judy Blume recommended this bookJudy Blume
"A fabulous book." - Judy Blume
Judy Blume's recommendation of this book
Americanah
Also recommended by
2 people- Barack Obama recommended this book
Barack Obama
Barack Obama's favorite books of 2018 list.
Barack Obama's recommendation of this book 
Kathryn Minshew recommended this bookKathryn Minshew
Most Recommended Books reached out to Kathryn Minshew directly.
Kathryn Minshew's recommendation of this book
The Secret History
Also recommended by
2 people
Jenn Im recommended this bookJenn Im
"A story of a group of students in this really prestigious elite university, and it's a murder mystery." - Jenn Im
Jenn Im's recommendation of this book 
Nicola Sturgeon recommended this bookNicola Sturgeon
"I don’t re-read lots of books, but making an exception for this modern classic." - Nicola Sturgeon
Nicola Sturgeon's recommendation of this book
Gilead
Gilead, Book 1
Also recommended by
1 person- Barack Obama recommended this book
Barack Obama
On the "favorite books" section of Barack Obama's Facebook profile.
Barack Obama's recommendation of this book
Never Let Me Go
Also recommended by
1 person- Jack Edwards recommended this book
Jack Edwards
"Has some great twists and turns." - Jack Edwards
Jack Edwards's recommendation of this book
A Man Called Ove
A Novel
A Visit from the Goon Squad
Goon Squad, Book 1
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine
A Novel
Signs Preceding the End of the World
The Heart's Invisible Furies
A Novel
Visitation
Sources
Edited by
Software engineer whose passion for tracking book recommendations from podcasts inspired the creation of MRB.
Lead investor at 3one4 Capital whose startup expertise and love for books helped shaped MRB and its growth.
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