{"id":37514,"date":"2025-09-23T01:46:10","date_gmt":"2025-09-23T01:46:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/37514\/"},"modified":"2025-09-23T01:46:10","modified_gmt":"2025-09-23T01:46:10","slug":"readers-pick-the-best-book-of-1926","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/37514\/","title":{"rendered":"Readers pick the best book of 1926"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tReaders Say\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\tHint: A certain honey-obsessed bear is still teaching timeless lessons.<\/p>\n

\"\"
\n\tBoston Public Library. (Blake Nissen\/ For The Boston Globe)\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBy Annie Jonas<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSeptember 22, 2025 | 4:45 PM\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

4 minutes to read<\/p>\n

As the Associates of the Boston Public Library narrows the field of contenders for their annual Hundred-Year Book Debate, we asked Boston.com readers to weigh in on which book from 1926 has had the most lasting impact<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHundred-year book debate: Which 1926 classic still stands the test of time?\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

Readers were both passionate and nostalgic, choosing books that have weathered the test of time \u2013 as well as sharing which books from our current moment will be remembered a century from now.<\/p>\n

When we asked readers to weigh in on the eight books selected by the Associates of the Boston Public for debate, we heard from 194 readers.<\/p>\n

In a close race, \u201cWinnie-the-Pooh\u201d by A. A. Milne emerged as the best book with 86 votes, narrowly edging out \u201cThe Sun Also Rises\u201d by Ernest Hemingway, which received 85 votes.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Other contenders included T. E. Lawrence\u2019s \u201cSeven Pillars of Wisdom: A Triumph\u201d (12 votes), Sean O\u2019Casey\u2019s \u201cThe Plough and the Stars\u201d (5 votes), Langston Hughes\u2019 \u201cThe Weary Blues\u201d (4 votes), and Willa Cather\u2019s \u201cMy Mortal Enemy\u201d (2 votes). Edna Ferber\u2019s \u201cShowboat\u201d and Zona Gale\u2019s \u201cPreface to Life\u201d both received no votes.<\/p>\n

Which of these books do you think is the best?<\/p>\n

\u201cMy Mortal Enemy\u201d by Willa Cather<\/p>\n

\u201cShowboat\u201d by Edna Ferber<\/p>\n

\u201cPreface to Life\u201d by Zona Gale<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Sun Also Rises\u201d by Ernest Hemingway<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Weary Blues\u201d by Langston Hughes<\/p>\n

\u201cSeven Pillars of Wisdom: A Triumph\u201d by T. E. Lawrence<\/p>\n

\u201cWinnie-the-Pooh\u201d by A. A. Milne<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Plough and the Stars\u201d by Sean O\u2019Casey<\/p>\n

For many readers, Winnie-the-Pooh is more than just a children\u2019s book. It\u2019s a treasure trove of simple wisdom, tender friendship, and \u201ctimeless life lessons,\u201d according to reader Nancy J. from Arlington.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Kathleen from Weymouth echoed this sentiment, writing that the book endures to remain \u201ca classic still enjoyed today.\u201d<\/p>\n

On the other side of the literary spectrum is Ernest Hemingway\u2019s \u201cThe Sun Also Rises,\u201d a portrayal of a WWI veteran struggling with meaning and purpose. Many readers commented that the story and its characters feel as relevant today as they did in the 1920s.<\/p>\n

Massiel P. from Miami, Florida put it succinctly: \u201cEven with the passing of time, it remains a novel that captivates every reader. The character of Brett Ashley stands out as a remarkably powerful figure, and it is a work where Hemingway\u2019s iceberg theory is masterfully established.\u201d<\/p>\n

As part of our poll, we also asked readers which modern books they believe will still resonate 100 years from today.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Susanne D. from Jamaica Plain said \u201cPachinko\u201d by Min Jin Lee would still captivate future generations. \u201cIt\u2019s a family saga that is so well-crafted with such engaging and interesting characters. One of the best books I have read in a long time,\u201d she said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Similarly, Jeff L. from Killingworth, Connecticut, suggested \u201cThe Ionian Mission\u201d by Patrick O\u2019Brian, calling the Aubrey-Maturin series \u201cthe best historical fiction ever.\u201d<\/p>\n

However, not all the suggestions were centered on epic, historical sagas. Cynthia from Cambridge took a different route, recommending \u201cCunk on Everything\u201d by Philomena Cunk \u2013 a comedic encyclopaedia of \u201call human knowledge.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

While Boston.com readers may have reached a consensus on the best book from 1926, the real verdict \u2013\u00a0and the three finalists \u2013 are still up for debate. Readers can vote to narrow the Associates of the BPL\u2019s list to three contenders<\/a> by Sept. 27. A live debate will take place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Rabb Auditorium in the Central Library at Copley Square on Feb. 10, 2026.<\/p>\n

Below, readers share their thoughts on the best book from 1926.<\/p>\n

Responses have been lightly edited for grammar and clarity.<\/p>\n

Which of these books do you think is the best?\"\"A bench plaque beside the Chestnut Hill Reservoir quotes author A.A. Milne\u2019s characters from the Winnie the Pooh books. Lane Turner\/Globe Staff\u201cWinnie-the-Pooh\u201d by A. A. Milne<\/p>\n

\u201cWinnie the Pooh, by A.A. Milne, is one of the best books written of all time. Every child, from a rich family or a poor family, can read Winnie the Pooh, and become a part of the Hundred Acre Wood, and learn the true meaning of friendship, and that we should help each other because we are all in the same boat.\u201d \u2013\u00a0Margot W., Boston<\/p>\n

\u201cA beautiful, quiet series of books. Something needed for children of all ages.\u201d \u2013\u00a0Josephine S., Brookline<\/p>\n

\u201cEveryone needs a good book to read to a child. A few years ago, I came across the 75th anniversary edition and bought it, to enjoy with my grandchild. I usually will get a Pooh book as a gift for a new edition to a family.\u201d \u2013 L.P.W., Malden<\/p>\n

\u201cThe simple premise of living your best life against all odds through a fable-like story that speaks to all.\u201d \u2013\u00a0M.R., Yarmouth<\/p>\n

\"\"(Left to right) Ernest Hemingway, Harold Loeb, Lady Duff Twyson (wearing hat), Hadley Hemingway, Don Stewart, and Pat Guthrie sitting at a cafe in Pamplona, Spain during summer 1925. \u2013 Ernest Hemingway Collection, John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum\u201cThe Sun Also Rises\u201d by Ernest Hemingway<\/p>\n

\u201cHemingway\u2019s story about disaffected young people trying to forget about the awful recent past still resonates a century later and stands as one of the best examples of the author\u2019s pared-down style.\u201d \u2013 Noah B., Mansfield<\/p>\n

\u201cThe first time I was introduced to Hemingway was in college, but my boyfriend and I at the time would read his short stories out loud and fell in love with \u2018The Nick Adams Stories.\u2019\u00a0<\/p>\n

As we got married and had children, I read \u2018The Old Man and the Sea\u2019 to my middle son, Luke who loves fishing \u2026 We are such Hemingway fans that our WiFi is named \u2018The Old Man and the Sea.\u2019 His books stand the test of time!\u201d \u2013\u00a0Sherry Ann M., Pittsgrove, New Jersey<\/p>\n

\u201cName recognition and they built an industry off the book.\u201d \u2013\u00a0Jeff, Belmont<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a true classic of 1926, and it established Hemingway as an important voice in literature.\u201d \u2013\u00a0Scott, South New Jersey<\/p>\n

Boston.com occasionally interacts with readers by conducting informal polls and surveys. These results should be read as an unscientific gauge of readers\u2019 opinion.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Profile\t<\/p>\n

Annie Jonas is a Community writer at Boston.com. She was previously a local editor at Patch and a freelancer at the Financial Times.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSign up for Book Club<\/p>\n

Stay up to date on local books news, events, and recommendations from Boston.com.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Readers Say Hint: A certain honey-obsessed bear is still teaching timeless lessons. Boston Public Library. (Blake Nissen\/ For…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":37515,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[30],"tags":[288,93,61,60],"class_list":{"0":"post-37514","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-books","8":"tag-books","9":"tag-entertainment","10":"tag-ie","11":"tag-ireland"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37514","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=37514"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37514\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/37515"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=37514"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=37514"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=37514"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}