Random Book Generator
Choose a century or leave all on, tap Generate, and get a well-known novel with its author and year.
427 to pick from. Tap Spin.
Picked
427 to pick from. Tap Spin.
Options
Recent picks
How it works
- Pick a century, or keep every century on.
- Tap Generate for a random novel.
- Tap again for another book or share it.
Every pick starts from your browser's cryptographic random number generator, so each option has the same chance unless you set a weight. The pool behind this tool holds 427 options. How the randomness works.
Ways to use it
Book club pick
Members spin three novels and vote on one for next month. The winner gets read by everyone.
Reading challenge
Fill each slot in a yearly challenge with a random book from a different century. It makes the year feel more varied.
Library trip
A teen spins a book and hunts for it on the shelves. If it's checked out, she places a hold.
English class essays
A teacher assigns novels by spin so the reading list stays mixed. Students then compare authors from different eras.
Gift idea
Spin a classic for a friend who says they never read the old stuff. Pair it with a bookmark and a short note.
Questions people ask
What is the difference between a novel and other books?
A novel is a long work of fiction with characters and a plot. Biographies, cookbooks and textbooks are nonfiction, so they are not on this list. Short story collections are also left off.
Can I get only 19th-century classics?
Yes. Set the century filter to the 1800s and every result will come from that century. Switch back to all centuries whenever you want a mix.
How should I choose a classic to start with?
Pick a shorter one first. Many famous novels run under 200 pages and make a gentle start. Reading a chapter a day keeps a long book from feeling heavy.
Is the year when the book was written?
It is the year the novel was first published, which can be a little after it was written.