15 Best John Steinbeck Books
We analyzed 5+ expert sources, curated book lists, and recommendations from successful people to find the 15 best john steinbeck 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 John Steinbeck books according to the internet (not just one person's opinion).
Method:
- Search for "best john steinbeck books" and study the top 5+ pages.
- Add only the books mentioned 2+ times.
- Rank the results neatly here.
15 Best John Steinbeck Books
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases (at no extra cost to you).
East of Eden
Also recommended by
5 people
Jordan Peterson recommended this bookJordan Peterson
Recommended on Jordan Peterson's website.
Jordan Peterson's recommendation of this book 
Oprah Winfrey recommended this bookOprah Winfrey
"So rich and full of drama you won't be able to turn the pages fast enough!" - Oprah Winfrey
Oprah Winfrey's recommendation of this book 
Emma Watson recommended this bookEmma Watson
On the "books read" section of Emma Watson's GoodReads profile.
Emma Watson's recommendation of this book 
Sam Hinkie recommended this bookSam Hinkie
"Pls everyone read [this book]." - Sam Hinkie
Sam Hinkie's recommendation of this book 
Jenn Im recommended this bookJenn Im
"A f***ing classic." - Jenn Im
Jenn Im's recommendation of this book
The Grapes of Wrath
Also recommended by
4 people
Michelle Obama recommended this bookMichelle Obama
"I reread [this book] with the girls, too." - Michelle Obama
Michelle Obama's recommendation of this book - Jordan Peterson recommended this book
Jordan Peterson
Recommended on Jordan Peterson's website.
Jordan Peterson's recommendation of this book 
Christopher Hitchens recommended this bookChristopher Hitchens
"[The author's] 1939 classic." - Christopher Hitchens
Christopher Hitchens's recommendation of this book 
Nelson Mandela recommended this bookNelson Mandela
"I found many similarities between the plight of the migrant workers in [this novel] and our own laborers and farmworkers." - Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela's recommendation of this book
Of Mice and Men
Also recommended by
2 people- Jordan Peterson recommended this book
Jordan Peterson
Recommended on Jordan Peterson's website.
Jordan Peterson's recommendation of this book 
Kathie Lee Gifford recommended this bookKathie Lee Gifford
"I felt very adult reading this book. I loved the dueling simplicity and complexity." - Kathie Lee Gifford
Kathie Lee Gifford's recommendation of this book
Cannery Row
Cannery Row, Book 1
Travels with Charley
In Search of America
Also recommended by
3 people
Richard Branson recommended this bookRichard Branson
Richard Branson recommended this book on his "70 must-read books" blog post.
Richard Branson's recommendation of this book 
Tim Ferriss recommended this bookTim Ferriss
"Beautifully written, simply written, and hilarious." - Tim Ferriss
Tim Ferriss's recommendation of this book 
Austen Allred recommended this bookAusten Allred
"Most American book of all time." - Austen Allred
Austen Allred's recommendation of this book
Tortilla Flat
Also recommended by
1 person- Christopher Hitchens recommended this book
Christopher Hitchens
"[The main character] manages to lay so many women that, afterward, even the females who didn’t receive his attentions prefer to claim, rather than appear to have been overlooked, that they were included, too." - Christopher Hitchens
Christopher Hitchens's recommendation of this book
To a God Unknown
In Dubious Battle
Sea of Cortez
A Leisurely Journal of Travel and Research
Sweet Thursday
Cannery Row, Book 2
The Moon is Down
The Pastures of Heaven
The Pearl
The Wayward Bus
The Winter of Our Discontent
Sources
- 1
‹ John Steinbeck’s 5 Most Iconic Works Book Marks
bookmarks.reviews
- 2
Our 8 Essential John Steinbeck Reading List, Ranked - The Manual
themanual.com
- 3
12 Best John Steinbeck Books to Broaden Your Perspective - TCK Publishing
tckpublishing.com
- 4
The 13 Best John Steinbeck Books
publishersweekly.com
- 5
The 15 Best John Steinbeck Books Everyone Should Read | Reedsy Discovery
reedsy.com
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.
Comments
Did we miss something? Have feedback?
Help us improve this page by sharing your thoughts