Wikipedia
Great books
The great books are books that are thought to constitute an essential foundation in the literature of Western culture. Specified sets of great books typically range from 100–150, though they differ according to purpose and context. For instance, some lists are built to be read by undergraduates in a college semester system (130 books, Torrey Honors Institute), some are compiled to be sold as a single set of volumes ( 500 books, Mortimer Adler), while some lists aim at a thorough literary criticism (2,400 books, Harold Bloom).
Usage examples of "great books".
If they could proclaim his true identity -- Speaker for the Dead, author of the two -- no, the three -- great books of Speaking.