Great Books List with 20 Titles Ideal for You and Your Family

Jurassic World: The Ultimate Visual History is a beautiful hardcover must-have title that should be on your great books list for the family. The book comprehensively looks at making the first Jurassic World movie from 2015 and the sequels Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom and Jurassic World: Dominion.

Not only will fans enjoy rare and never-before-seen imagery of epic locations, but they also will delve into the creative process of the three films’ incredible visual effects. This informative book features interviews with key creatives from the movies. The book even explores Jurassic World toys and the Netflix animated hit Camp Cretaceous.

Jurassic World: The Ultimate Visual History will look stunning on any Jurassic World fan’s coffee table, ready to be read and enjoyed daily. The introduction of the book is by director Colin Trevorrow. The 256-page book is by James Mottram, a film critic, journalist, and author. He has written several books on cinema, including The Making of Dunkirk and Die Hard: The Ultimate Visual History.

The Jurassic World: The Official Cookbook is a must for every Jurassic World fan. The epic cookbook is designed to look like an in-world souvenir from the park. It boasts beautiful photographs by Ted Thomas of excellent treats and entrees to celebrate the regions of the iconic Jurassic theme parks.

The cookbook boasts more than 50 recipes by Elena P. Craig that celebrate the dinosaurs and the theme park – Jurassic Fritters, Raptor Worthy Wraps, Shrimp A La Isla Nublar, and the Omnivore’s Bowl are just a few of the scrumptious recipes. Of course, there are dessert recipes to satisfy your sweet tooth, too – Dino Tracks Shortbread Cookies, a Three Horn Sundae, and Popcorn Tail Clubs.

The cookbook by Dayton Ward is divided into sections of the park, giving you actual dinosaur facts and feeding times for dinosaur exhibits like the mosasaur’s feeding show. Jurassic movie fans of all ages will love The Official Cookbook; it’s a perfect addition to a great books list for dinosaur and movie lovers.

Celebrate the 40^th anniversary of everyone’s favorite extra-terrestrial by teaching your little one new words as E.T. learns the words, too. E.T.’s First Words is a pop culture board book celebrating the 1982 hit movie E.T.

The 10-page board book features interactive wheels that turn so you and your little one can find the correct word to complete the sentence that describes E.T.’s adventures. Your young readers will enjoy watching E.T. play dress up, phone home, and more. Add this to your great books list for small children this season.

Mary Had A Little Plan is an inspiring story published by Union Square Kids about a little girl with a small plan that hugely affects her community. A little girl who is known for adding a bit of sparkle everywhere she goes transforms an abandoned lot in her neighborhood to the delight of everyone while bringing the whole community together. Proving that even the smallest ideas can have the biggest impact, this title is on the great books list for young children.

The newest young adult thriller by New York Times bestselling author Melissa de la Cruz centers around the disappearance of Amelia, a beautiful influencer, following a vacation with her boyfriend. As soon as #WhereisAmeliaAshley starts trending, the world’s attention is grabbed – but what is real, and what is staged to grab the spotlight? Fans of true crime will love this suspense-filled story published by Union Square & Co., which is why it is on the great books list.

I Cannot Draw a Horse is written by award-winning author and illustrator Charise Mericle Harper, who created a funny story about drawing a horse. It’s an art lesson and book rolled into one, perfect for elementary-aged readers. This children’s book will delight all readers with a cat who wants to be a horse, but the book cannot draw a horse. All that comes out is the same “nothing shape.” Enjoy finding out if the cat will finally get to be a horse.

What middle-aged child doesn’t love secret plots, cool science, and a curse? Twelve-year-old Algie Emsworth is ecstatic at his new adventure prospects at a health resort in South Florida in this title on the great books list. It’s the late 19th century, and Algie dreams of becoming a naturalist. Being surrounded by unexplored swamps, new species, and exotic animals is perfect for him.

But it’s a threatening hotel guest, a red-tide curse, and a spreading sickness that force a courageous Algie, along with Frankie and Lulu, to use his detective skills to figure out what’s really going on at the Hotel Paraiso. Children aged 8-12 will love this comedic and exciting scientific mystery book by Samantha San Miguel.

Every child grows up loving the world of Walt Disney. For a select few, this love blossoms into a career: an Imagineer. In The Imagineering Story: The Official Biography of Walt Disney Imagineering, get an inside look into what it takes to work in one of the most magical jobs on Earth.

Filmmaker Leslie Iwerks compiled this book after gaining access to the archives, Imagineers currently on staff, and projects set for the future. If you or someone you know is a dreamer, add this story to your great books list because it will inspire anyone who cracks open the cover.

The first pick in 2023 for Reese’s Book Club, The House in the Pines is now a New York Times bestseller. This title by Random House Books should make your great books list for its suspense and literary twists and turns.

Looking to remember what she witnessed during the mysterious death of her best friend Aubrey, Maya sets out to her hometown of Bershires to revisit this painful past. While the summer of Aubrey’s death was full of agonizing memories, Maya begins to recall just how terrible the circumstances of her story were and starts to question: is it possible to unlock the past without reliving it?

Bea wants what every daughter of a con woman wants: to marry the uber-rich and live off of his decades of wealth. Comfortably. In Stone Cold Fox, the reader meets Bea as she sets her sights on Collin Case, a one percenter who will surely fall for her feminine wiles.

The most significant roadblock for Bea lies in the blessing of Collin’s family and friends, especially his closest pal, Gale Wallace-Leicester. While the cat-and-mouse game between these two begins innocently enough, Bea finds herself putting everything on the line and questioning her next steps. On the great books lists for you and your friends; add this to your book club discussion for one juicy night of gossip.

Your kiddos will love this action-packed graphic novel by Scholastic, Spy Ninjas: Virtual Reality Madness! Chad and Vy are transported into a virtual world through a VR set after discovering a secret project Zorgo base filled with gadgets, gizmos, and top-notch technology.

Mike Anderson illustrates this adventure book by Vannotes with dynamic drawings. The story is filled with exploding food and wacky characters as the Spy Ninjas attempt to escape the virtual world. Don’t pass up this title; it will surely make a great books list for kids ages 8 to 12.

Spy Ninjas: The Ultimate Guidebook gives fans of the popular YouTube show a behind-the-scenes look at the famous characters and villains. The Spy Ninjas’ mission continues as they try to stop the evil shadow network. The guidebook gives various tips and tricks to becoming the ultimate spy ninja. Perfect addition to a great books lists for your YouTube-loving child.

Follow super thief Riley Wolf, master of disguise, on a wild ride in Three-Edged Sword. The heist novel by NYT bestselling writer Jeff Lindsay, the author of the Dexter series, takes the reader on an adventure as a rogue government agent abducts the only two people Riley loves.

This story on the great books list takes you to vivid remote locales with twists and turns from espionage, thievery, love, and betrayal. Three-Edged Sword is the third installment in the Riley Wolf series, but don’t worry; new readers can jump in without missing a beat.

Short on prep time? Let 6-Minute Dinners help you out! Full of 100 recipes with six ingredients or less requiring six minutes of prep time, treat yourself to a little extra time to unwind…and not prepare a meal.

Find recipes for every meal requiring minimal preparation with ingredients you can find around your house. Try cooking sheet-pan chicken fajitas or a goat cheese frittata that are both quick and tasty. Please your taste buds and your hungry family by using these recipes from this cookbook on the great books list.

The book, One Bold Move a Day: Meaningful Actions Women Can Take to Fulfill Their Leadership and Career Potential by Shanna Hocking was written to help build confidence. The book will help you be more intentional with your career and life goals. Hocking shares how her enthusiasm to divulge new ideas and strategies was squashed by others early in her career.

In One Bold Move a Day, Hocking reveals how transforming her mindset helped her regain power. She shares her techniques for Bold Mindset Shifts, the Power of Uplifting Others, Being the Boss Everyone Wants to Work For, and more. Making bold moves gives you the power to achieve your goals with intention. Part of this great books list for motivational entrepreneurship, this book will help transform your thinking.

The magical, mystery Carrefour Curse by Dianne K. Salerni brings intrigue to life as 12-year-old Garnet finally meets her odd, quarrelsome relatives in a dark, dangerous mansion called Crossroad House. Garnet learns that the dying patriarch of the Carrefour family steals powers from others to stay alive. Garnet uncovers the curse. Is she meant to break the curse or become a part of it? Your kiddo will love reading this creepy page-turner on the great books list for tweens, published by Holiday House.

Curiosity is a curious thing! With Factopia published by Britannica Books, let your curiosity get the best of you as you wander the trail of 400 extraordinary facts, like discovering that a squid has a brain shaped like a doughnut. Cool right? Turn the pages from topic to topic of hilarious facts and fill your brain with ingenious and witty information. You’ll be sure to impress your friends with this title on the great books list!

Your young reader will love the fifth installment of The Invincible Girls Club, published by Simon & Schuster. On the great books list for its appeal toward younger elementary kids, Recess All-Stars shows that girls have just as much right to the kickball field during recess as boys. Regardless of what the boys say.

This girl group doesn’t back down when Lauren and her three friends are challenged to a game for control of the kickball field during recess. Can they rise to the challenge? And is it worth fighting the boys for? If your child is a fan of The Babysitters Club, he or she will love Recess All-Stars.

Celebrate your littlest love, whether your son, daughter, niece or nephew, with the No. 1 New York Times best-selling book, Love from the Very Hungry Caterpillar. The book combines sweet sayings with Eric Carle’s wonderful illustrations to show your little loves how special they are true. “You are the cherry on my cake… You make my heart flutter. You make the stars sparkle.” On the great books list for small children for its endearing sayings and bold illustrations.

The new Harriet Tubman: A Little Golden Book Biography by JaNay Brown-Wood introduces your preschoolers to a true hero. Tubman helped free enslaved Black people as a conductor on the Underground Railroad. Little Golden Book biographies are the perfect way to introduce nonfiction to preschoolers. Brown-Wood is an award-winning author, educator, and literary advocate focusing on diversity in children’s literature. This great books list idea for your little learner is illustrated beautifully by Robert Paul Jr.