What the guides cover
The guides are practical: how to fit reading into a busy week, how to start a book club and lead a discussion, where to find classics to read, and how to use the tools that make reading cheaper and easier, such as public libraries and e-readers. Everything is written for adult readers, from people returning to books after years away to people who already read every day.
How the reading lists are chosen
Our reading lists include only long-established classics first published in 1930 or earlier, so every book is in the public domain in the United States and easy to find for free. For each book we give the title, the author and a one-line premise. We don't summarize plots beyond the opening situation, so nothing is spoiled.
Why there are no ratings
We don't give books stars, scores or rankings, and the lists are in no particular order. Readers disagree about books all the time, and a book that bores one reader can be another reader's favorite. We describe what a book is about and leave the verdict to you.
How the site is funded
The site has no partner links, no sponsored posts and no advertising. We don't sell books, and no publisher, library or device maker pays for mentions. When we name a service, such as a library lending app, it is because readers are likely to meet it.
Facts that change
Library rules, lending apps and e-reader features change often, and they vary between libraries and countries. Our guides describe how things generally work and point you to your library or the device maker for current details. Public domain dates in our lists follow US rules as of 2026; other countries use different rules.
Who the guides are for
If you used to read a lot and lost the habit, start with the reading habit guide. If you already read often and want company, the book club pages are the place to begin. If you want to try older books but don't know where to start, the themed lists and the classics for book clubs page give you a manageable first choice.
Corrections and contact
If you spot a mistake, such as a wrong author, an outdated detail about a lending service, or a book that doesn't belong on a list, please write to contact@roundtopbooks.com. We read every message and fix confirmed errors. See the privacy policy for how we handle email.