100 Years of 100 Things: Best Sellers

John Grisham's legal thrillers gained immense popularity in the 1990s, captivating readers with their fast-paced plots and relatable characters. His novels often feature young, idealistic lawyers battling powerful corporations or corrupt systems. Grisham's stories explore themes of justice, morality, and the complexities of the legal system. The success of his books reflects a fascination with courtroom dramas and a desire for stories that offer both suspense and social commentary. His works have been adapted into numerous successful films, further solidifying his place in popular culture.

Zane Grey's Western novels were incredibly popular during the 1920s, capturing the spirit of the American frontier. His stories often featured rugged cowboys, thrilling adventures, and dramatic landscapes. Grey's works contributed to the romanticized image of the West in American culture. His success was further amplified by the adaptation of his novels into popular Hollywood films. The popularity of his books reflected a longing for simpler times amidst the rapid changes of the modern world.

The Joy Luck Club explores the intricate bonds between mothers and daughters across cultural and generational divides. The story follows four Chinese immigrant families in San Francisco, focusing on their struggles to maintain cultural heritage while adapting to American life. Through sixteen interwoven narratives, Amy Tan delves into themes of identity, tradition, and the power of maternal love.

The novel follows a 24-year-old fact-checker for a highbrow magazine as he navigates the early 1980s yuppie party scene in New York City. His life is marked by cocaine use, nightclubbing, and the recent departure of his wife, Amanda. The story, written in the second person, delves into themes of grief, materialism, and the protagonist's gradual realization of the superficiality of his life. The novel is a vivid portrayal of the excesses and disillusionments of the 1980s urban culture.

The Bonfire of the Vanities is a drama that centers on three main characters: Sherman McCoy, a WASP bond trader; Larry Kramer, a Jewish assistant district attorney; and Peter Fallow, a British expatriate journalist. The novel explores the complexities of New York City in the 1980s, delving into themes of ambition, racism, social class, politics, and greed. It was originally conceived as a serial in the style of Charles Dickens and ran in 27 installments in Rolling Stone before being published in book form. The story follows the characters through their interactions and conflicts, highlighting the superficial values and hypocrisies of the city's elite and the underlying social tensions of the time.

Set in the closing months of World War II, 'Catch-22' is a satirical novel that follows the story of Captain John Yossarian, a bombardier stationed on the island of Pianosa off the coast of Italy. The novel explores the absurdity and inhumanity of warfare through Yossarian's attempts to escape his flying duties, thwarted by the bureaucratic rule known as 'Catch-22'. This rule creates a paradox where a man is considered insane if he willingly continues to fly dangerous missions, but if he requests to be relieved of duty, he is proven sane and thus ineligible for relief. The novel is known for its nonchronological structure, circular reasoning, and its critique of military bureaucracy and the illogical nature of war.

White Noise follows Jack Gladney, a professor of Hitler studies at a small liberal arts college, and his family as they navigate the complexities of modern life. The novel delves into themes such as the fear of death, media saturation, and the effects of technology on social relations. Key events include an airborne toxic event that threatens their town and Jack's discovery of his wife's involvement in an experimental study of a psychopharmaceutical called Dylar. The novel critiques consumer culture and the ways in which people cope with mortality and uncertainty through consumption and technological distractions.

The book tells the story of Jonathan Livingston Seagull, a seagull who is different from the others in his flock. While most seagulls focus on eating and survival, Jonathan is passionate about flying and constantly challenges himself to improve his flight skills. His nonconformity leads to his banishment from the flock, but he continues to pursue his dreams, eventually finding other like-minded seagulls and learning valuable lessons about love, kindness, and transcendence. The story is an allegory about seeking a higher purpose in life and not compromising one's vision, even in the face of societal pressure[2][4][5].

Even Cowgirls Get the Blues follows Sissy Hankshaw, a girl born with oversized thumbs, as she hitchhikes across America, encountering a variety of eccentric characters and exploring themes of freedom, identity, and relationships. The novel blends humor with magical realism, raising questions about societal norms and personal liberation.

The novel follows Hazel Grace Lancaster, a 16-year-old girl with thyroid cancer that has spread to her lungs, and Augustus Waters, a 17-year-old boy who lost his leg to osteosarcoma. They meet at a cancer support group and develop a deep bond over their shared experiences and favorite books. The story explores themes of mortality, the meaning of life, and the intensity of their love as they face the harsh realities of their illnesses. The narrative is marked by its direct and introspective tone, as Hazel navigates her feelings and the existential questions that come with facing death.

The novel is set in a near-future New England in the Republic of Gilead, a patriarchal, totalitarian state that has overthrown the United States government. Offred, the narrator, is one of the 'Handmaids', women who are forcibly assigned to produce children for the ruling class, known as 'Commanders'. The story explores themes of powerless women, loss of female agency and individuality, and the suppression of women's reproductive rights. Offred's life is marked by her restrictive routine, her memories of her past life, and her interactions with the Commander, his wife Serena Joy, and other Handmaids, including her friend Ofglen who is part of an underground resistance movement. The novel is a scathing satire, an ominous warning, and a tour de force of narrative suspense[3][4][5].

White Teeth is Zadie Smith's debut novel, published in 2000. The book focuses on the later lives of two wartime friends—the Bangladeshi Samad Iqbal and the Englishman Archie Jones—and their families in London. It spans over 50 years, detailing the trials and tribulations of their families and exploring Britain's relationship with immigrants from the British Commonwealth. The novel addresses themes of identity, race, and the complexities of multiculturalism, and it is known for its vivid characters, humor, and strong narrative structure.

Forever... is a groundbreaking novel by Judy Blume that delves into the complexities of teenage relationships, focusing on Katherine and Michael's journey through first love, sexual exploration, and eventual heartbreak. The book has been both celebrated for its honest portrayal of teenage sexuality and challenged for its explicit content.

In 'The Machine', Joe Posnanski chronicles the 1975 season of the Cincinnati Reds, often referred to as the Big Red Machine. The book delves into the larger-than-life personalities of players like Pete Rose, Joe Morgan, and Johnny Bench, as well as other key team members such as Tony Perez, Davey Concepcion, and Ken Griffey Sr. Posnanski explores the team's dominant performance throughout the season and their dramatic World Series against the Boston Red Sox, particularly the epic Game 6. The book humanizes the players and provides insights into their motivations, struggles, and the team's overall dynamic under manager Sparky Anderson.

Set in a post-apocalyptic North America known as Panem, The Hunger Games follows Katniss Everdeen, a 16-year-old girl from District 12, who volunteers to participate in the 74th Hunger Games to save her younger sister Prim. Alongside Peeta Mellark, the other tribute from District 12, Katniss must use her hunting skills and wits to survive the arena. The Games are a tool of oppression by the Capitol to remind the districts of their defeat in a past rebellion. As Katniss and Peeta navigate the treacherous arena, they also manipulate the audience and sponsors to gain advantages, while sparking the beginnings of a rebellion against the Capitol's tyrannical rule.

The novel, presented as the posthumously published memoirs of Humbert Humbert, explores themes of obsession, pedophilia, and the manipulation of reality. Humbert, a European intellectual and pedophile, becomes infatuated with Dolores Haze, whom he kidnaps and sexually abuses after marrying her mother. The narrative delves into the complex and disturbing relationship between Humbert and Lolita, highlighting issues of morality, solipsism, and the erasure of Lolita's independent identity. The book is known for its eloquent but deceptive narrator and its exploration of delusion, coercion, and cruelty.

In 'Eat, Pray, Love', Elizabeth Gilbert chronicles her journey as she leaves behind her outwardly successful but inwardly unfulfilling life in the United States. The book is divided into three parts, each set in a different country: Italy, where she seeks pleasure and indulges in the local culture; India, where she delves into spiritual practices and meditation; and Bali, Indonesia, where she aims to find a balance between worldly enjoyment and divine transcendence. The memoir is a personal and introspective account of Gilbert's struggles, growth, and self-discovery during her travels.

Published in 1936, 'Gone with the Wind' is a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel that explores the complexities of human passions during the American Civil War and Reconstruction. The story revolves around Scarlett O’Hara, the spoiled and manipulative daughter of a wealthy plantation owner in Georgia, as she navigates through heartbreak, ambition, and survival. The novel vividly depicts the dramatic changes and social upheaval of the time, featuring a cast of unforgettable characters including Rhett Butler, Melanie Hamilton, and Ashley Wilkes. It is a sweeping narrative filled with intricate character relationships, emotional depth, and a striking commentary on resilience in the face of adversity.

In 'The Da Vinci Code', Robert Langdon is called to the Louvre Museum in Paris after the murder of the curator, Jacques Saunière. Along with French cryptologist Sophie Neveu, Langdon embarks on a perilous journey to decipher cryptic clues hidden in the works of Leonardo da Vinci. The plot revolves around an alternative religious history, suggesting that Jesus Christ and Mary Magdalene had a child, and their descendants are protected by the Priory of Sion. The novel is a blend of relentless adventure, scholarly intrigue, and cutting wit, with numerous twists and turns that keep the reader engaged until the astonishing conclusion.

Published in 1947, 'Gentleman's Agreement' is a powerful exploration of antisemitism in the United States. The novel follows Philip Green, a journalist who pretends to be Jewish to write about antisemitism, exposing the subtle and pervasive forms of prejudice in American society. The book became a bestseller and was adapted into an Academy Award-winning film.

Published in 1925, 'The Great Gatsby' is a tragic love story, a mystery, and a social commentary on American life during the Jazz Age. The novel is narrated by Nick Carraway, who moves to Long Island and becomes entangled in the lives of his wealthy and mysterious neighbor, Jay Gatsby, and Gatsby's obsession to win back his first love, Daisy Buchanan. The story delves into themes of honesty, the temptations of wealth, and the struggle to escape the past, ultimately reflecting on the disintegration of the American Dream.