Zeit Literaturkanon

https://www.librarything.com/award/335/ZEIT-Literaturkanon (2012), 70 Books

The ZEIT Literaturkanon is a curated list of 70 European novels published between 1945 and 2009, assembled in 2012 for a seven-part summer series in the German weekly newspaper DIE ZEIT. Conceived by literary editor Iris Radisch, its purpose was to spotlight the most artistically and historically significant works of the post-war era—ten titles for each decade—to prompt debate and guide readers rather than to rank “the best” by popularity. Selection was not opened to public voting; instead, roughly 30 prominent critics and cultural journalists from DIE ZEIT’s circle each championed one or more books in short essays that were later collected in the volume Kontinent der Bücher (2013).

100 Books You Must Read Before You Die

BBC Radio Oxford (2020), 102 Books

This BBC list was chosen mainly by authors but also other 'book' experts such as bookshop staff, with short audio discussions on each work.
Actual number of books chosen was 102.

50 Best Cult Books

Telegraph (2016), 50 Books

A cult book may be hard to define but one thing is for sure: you know a cult book when you see one. Cult books are somehow, intangibly, different from simple bestsellers - though many of them are that. And people have passionate feelings on both sides: Our critics present a selection of the most notable cult writing from the past two centuries. Some is classic. Some is catastrophic. All of it had the power to inspire

The names/initials of the editors who voted on this are: Christopher Howse, TP, Andrew McKie, Serena Davies, Martin Chilton, Sarah Crompton, Sameer Rahim, Dominic Sandbrook, Tim Martin, Toby Clements, AMcK, Ceri Radford, Mick Brown, Alex Clark, Sam Leith

Horror: The 100 Best Books

"Horror: The 100 Best Books" Book by Stephen Jones (Editor) and Kim Newman (Editor) (1988), 100 Books

First published in 1988, Horror: The 100 Best Books has remained the only book of its kind: a solid (and entertaining) annotated reading list spanning the range of horror fiction from the 16th to the 20th century. The device of asking 100 horror, fantasy,and science fiction writers to write about their favorite horror books might seem at first to capture an idiosyncratic sample, but through diplomacy and diligence, editors Stephen Jones and Kim Newman succeeded in obtaining short essays on most (if not all) of the well-known classics, as well as many more lesser-knowns that are well worth discovering. Readers who follow up on these recommendations will find tips about books by writers mostly known for other genres--such as Iain Banks, Robert Holdstock, Lisa Tuttle, and David Morrell.

1000 Novels Everyone Must Read

The Guardian (2009), 997 Books

Selected by the Guardian’s Review team and a panel of expert judges, this list includes only novels – no memoirs, no short stories, no long poems – from any decade and in any language. Originally published in thematic supplements – love, crime, comedy, family and self, state of the nation, science fiction and fantasy, war and travel – they appear here for the first time in a single list.

Who Voted?
There's not a lot of concrete information about the exact number of critics who voted. If we go by the critics mentioned on many of the summaries of the books, and how many editors at the guardian at the time, I think a safe assumption would be 40 people worked on this list. If anyone has any additional information please let me know.

What Is the Best Work of American Fiction of the Last 25 Years?

New York Times (2006), 26 Books

The New York Times Book Review's editor, Sam Tanenhaus, sent out a short letter to a couple of hundred prominent writers, critics, editors and other literary sages, asking them to please identify...

Best German Novels of the Twentieth Century

Wikipedia (1999), 10 Books

The Best German Novels of the Twentieth Century is a list of books compiled in 1999 by Literaturhaus München and Bertelsmann, in which 99 prominent German authors, literary critics, and scholars of German ranked the most significant German-language novels of the twentieth century.

The group brought together 33 experts from each of the three categories. Each was allowed to name three books as having been the most important of the century.

100 Greatest Childrens Books of All Time

BBC (2023), 100 Books

BBC Culture polled 177 books experts from 56 countries in order to find the greatest children's books ever. From Where the Wild Things Are to Haroun and the Sea of Stories, here's the top 100.

Sight & Sound’s Top Five Film Books

Sight & Sound Magazine (2010), 5 Books

Which are the best five books about film ever written? This was the question Sight & Sound asked 51 leading critics and writers – and a clear-cut top five emerged…

Best Books (Fiction, Prose) : Experts Choose Their Favourites

The Book "Best Books" (1996), 197 Books

This list of books is from the book titled "Best Books: Experts Choose Their Favourites". This is a very small set of the books that are listed in the book. This is only the Fiction, non-fiction prose, drama, and genre fiction. The experts in these categories who made up the lists are: Brenda Richardson, Chris Murray, Roz Kaveney, Anthony Thwaite, Claire Tomalin, Malcolm Bardbury, Oliver Harris, Ian F A Bell, Kadiatu Kanneh, Brian Aldiss, Marina Oliver, Colin Dexter, Derek Parker, and T. J. Lustig.

Five Books to Read on a Desert Island

Tampa Bay Times (1983), 63 Books

We asked several notable people to tell us which are their five favorite books -- the books they'd choose if they were, say, stranded on a desert island.

Most of the people asked were authors themselves, but responders also included government officials, librarians, a theater manager, a reverend, and a spelling bee champion.

It seems like they asked 14 people

125 Best Romance Books of All Time

Parade (2024), 127 Books

"We spoke to best-selling authors—everyone from Jojo Moyes to Nicholas Sparks to Julia Quinn to Taylor Jenkins Reid—and passionate people at indie bookstores all over the country to create this list".

Who voted and how many people?
Since they don't list an exact amount of authors they asked or how many bookstores they talked to, I am going to go with 20.

The 30 best fiction books of the last 30 years

Los Angeles Times (2025), 30 Books

This list showcases the 30 best fiction books published in the last 30 years, curated to celebrate the 30th edition of the L.A. Times Festival of Books. The selection focuses on outstanding works of fiction published since the festival's inception in 1996. It was curated by a diverse group of experts including authors, editors, critics, and scholars, ensuring a broad and informed perspective on what constitutes the most impactful fiction of the past three decades. The Los Angeles Times organized and presented this list, although the detailed methodology of how each book was chosen beyond the expert input is not specified.

Who Voted: Authors, editors, critics, scholars, and other experts.
I am not sure the exact count but they have a different expert/critic/author write about each of the books, so I am going to go with 30 since that's how many books there are.

The 30 best nonfiction books of the last 30 years

Los Angeles Times (2025), 30 Books

This list, curated by the Los Angeles Times, celebrates the 30 best nonfiction books published in the U.S. over the last 30 years. Created in honor of the 30th edition of the L.A. Times Festival of Books, the selection highlights works that have significantly shaped the literary landscape since the festival's inception in 1996. The list was developed by surveying a diverse group of authors, editors, critics, scholars, and other literary experts, ensuring a well-rounded and informed collection. The purpose is to honor influential nonfiction works that continue to spark discussion and reflection among readers.

Who Voted: Authors, editors, critics, and scholars
It does specify exactly how many people where asked to choose books but there are 30 books with 30 different experts/authors that have written comments, so i am going with 30

Tozai Mystery Best 100 (2012 Revision)

Shūkan Bunshun (Japanese Newspaper) (2012), 100 Books

Tozai Mystery Best 100 (東西ミステリーベスト100, Tozai Misuteri Besuto 100, lit. The Top 100 Mystery Novels of the East and the West) is a list published in the Japanese magazine Shūkan Bunshun (the Weekly Bunshun) in 1985 by Bungeishunjū. This list was also published in book form in 1986.
508 people who love mystery novels, including the 123 members of Mystery Writers of Japan, took part in the survey.
This revised edition came out in 2012.

The Top 21: The Best Novels of the 21st Century

De Groene Amsterdammer (2020), 23 Books

This list, created by De Groene Amsterdammer and published on March 27, 2025, but backdated to March 4, 2020, highlights what are considered the best books of the 21st century so far. The list was curated based on a literary survey conducted among 81 critics, writers, academics, and publishers. The methodology involved collecting opinions from these literary professionals to determine the top 21 books, reflecting a broad range of critical perspectives and expertise. The list reflects a curated selection process rather than a public vote, emphasizing the insights of those deeply engaged with the literary field.

The Best Southern Novels of All Time

Oxford American (2009), 32 Books

A list of the best southern novels of all time by Oxford American Magazine judged by 130 experts as well as authors.

Atlantic Canada's 100 Greatest Books

Book (2009), 100 Books

A book by Trevor J. Adams and Stephen Patrick Clare that ranks and reviews the top 100 books written by Atlantic Canadian writers, published in the region, or focusing on the region. The 100 selected books were chosen from a list of over 2,000 titles voted on by more than 700 authors, editors, and critics

The Best Southern Nonfiction of All Time

Oxford American (2009), 25 Books

The best southern United States nonfiction books of all time judged by 130 literary experts and authors.

What are the Goncourt Winners’ Favorite Books?

Télérama (2023), 80 Books

Discover the treasured reads of Goncourt Prize laureates. This collection brings together the personal favorites of ten distinguished French and Francophone writers, each a recipient of the prestigious Goncourt Prize.

From the vibrant narrative styles of young Senegalese author Mohamed Mbougar Sarr to the seasoned perspectives of Hervé Le Tellier, these celebrated authors reveal the books that have profoundly influenced their literary journeys.

Featuring a diverse array of titles that have captivated these writers since childhood, this list offers a rich exploration of literary lineage and inspiration. Dive into the 'ideal library' of Leïla Slimani, Nicolas Mathieu, Marie NDiaye, and other notable voices, and enhance your reading repertoire with works that have shaped some of the greatest minds in contemporary literature.

The Guardian's Essential Library

The Guardian (2002), 100 Books

The Guardian asked eminent writers to choose 10 books from their respective fields to make up a capsule library of indispensable volumes. The only rules were that the books had to be in print and readily available in the UK.

From art to science via fiction and memoir, these are their selections for the Guardian's Essential Library of 100 vital books.

Art and music chosen by Susan Sontag
Biography chosen by Michael Holroyd
Fiction chosen by Julian Barnes
Fiction in translation chosen by Julian Barnes
History chosen by Simon Schama
Memoir and autobiography chosen by Linda Grant
Poetry chosen by Andrew Motion
Politics chosen by Timothy Garton Ash
Science chosen by Steve Jones
Travel chosen by Jan Morris

100 Best Spiritual Books of the Century

Spirituality & Practice (2001), 100 Books

At the turn of the millennium, HarperSanFrancisco, a leading publisher of religious and spiritual books, asked Philip Zaleski, editor of the annual The Best Spiritual Writing series, to look back over the twentieth century and compile a list of the 100 best books in the genre. The nominating panel included Spirituality & Practice book review editor Frederic A. Brussat, Thomas Moore, Natalie Goldberg, Rodger Kamenetz, Harold Kushner, Lawrence Kushner, Christopher de Vinck, David Young, Kabir Helminski, Helen Tworkov, Ron Hansen, Joseph Bruchac, Huston Smith, Lawrence Cunningham, and John Wilson.

All the books had to be published in English for the first time in the twentieth century. Stephen Hanselman of HarperSanFrancisco explained that the list, boasting titles from 50 different publishers, "will guide readers to books that will enrich their souls, serve as a reminder of the twentieth century's enduring spiritual legacy, and spark conversation about the blossoming genre of spiritual writing.

100 Life-Changing Books

National Book Award (2006), 100 Books

National Book Award-winning authors got together to select what was, in their opinions, 100 life-changing books.

There were 38 National Book Award authors who submitted life-changing book picks; they are: Adam Bagdasarian, Ai, Andre Dubus III, Ann Cameron, B.H. Fairchild, Beth Kephart, Charles Wright, Clarence Major, Deirdre Bair, Ellen Howard, Howard Norman, Ivan Doig, Jacques Barzun, Jean M. Auel, Jill Abramson, John Balaban, Joseph Bruchac, Joyce Carol Oates, Joyce Carol Thomas, Kimberly Willis Holt, Laurie Halse Anderson, Lloyd Alexander, Lois Lowry, Mark Bowden, Milton Meltzer, Myron Levoy, Nikki Giovanni, Paul West, Philip Schultz, Richard Peck, Richard Wilbur, Sherod Santos, Stephen Dixon, Stephen King, Susan Mitchell, Tony Hillerman, Tor Seidler, Tracy Kidder.

The 100 Greatest Books of 2025

The Greatest Books (2025), 100 Books

This list is aggregated from many lists by various sources by The Greatest Books Since this is an aggregation of many 2025 specific lists, I am using a voter count of 150

The 100 Greatest Books of 2023

The Greatest Books (2023), 100 Books

This list is aggregated from every best of list we could find for 2023 using our same tried and true weighted algorithm.

Since this is an aggregation of many 2023 specific lists, I am using a voter count of 150

The 100 Greatest Books of 2024

The Greatest Books (2024), 100 Books

This list is aggregated from 30+ best of 2024 lists by various sources by The Greatest Books

Since this is an aggregation of many 2024 specific lists, I am using a voter count of 150

Famous Authors Name Their Favorite Novels(from 1915)

New York Times (1915), 38 Books

This list of famous authors listing their 6 favorite novels was published in the New York Times on September 5th, 1915. The authors who answered were James Lane Allen, Edwin Lefevre, Oliver Onions, Honore Willsie, Susan Glaspell, Gene Stratton Porter, Eleanor Atkinson, Leona Dalrymple, Frank H. Spearman, and Harvey J. O’Higgins

50 All-Time Favorite Romance Books

New York Public Library (2022), 50 Books

"NYPL Romance Committee have chosen what we think are some of the best romance novels, both recently published and classics, that we return to again and again. Somehow we managed to narrow it down to just 50—categorized by classics, contemporary, LGBTQ, historicals, sci-fi/fantasy, and thrillers. These are the books that we can't forget and that still have the power to make us smile or catch our breath".
The 2021 NYPL Best Romance Committee: Anne Rouyer and Kate Fais (co-chairs), Annie Lin, Anthony Murisco, Avigail Sharon, Christel Ellis, Danielle Shur, Digna Motta, Emily Small, Emily Valentine, Grace Loiacano, Hannah Spratt, Roxanne Russell, Ruth Guerrier-Pierre, and Stephanie Anderson (advisor).

Best Books Listed for High School Students

William J. Bennett (1984), 35 Books

In 1984, William J. Bennett, then chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities, conducted an informal and unscientific survey among scholars, journalists, teachers, and leaders in government and culture to identify essential readings for high school students. Prompted by a query during a press meeting, Bennett sought to determine a core list of literary works deemed vital for every student to study before graduation. The survey garnered responses from 325 individuals, including feedback through a syndicated column by George F. Will and input from high school teachers participating in seminars sponsored by the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Mellon Foundation. The resulting list of thirty most frequently mentioned works, highlighted by Shakespeare's oeuvre, the Declaration of Independence, Mark Twain's "Huckleberry Finn," and the Bible, aimed to elevate the standard of reading material in high schools, suggesting that a selection of any ten from the list would offer significant educational value.

*NOTE*
I did not include any of the documents of United States history since they are not books. I also only included the top 3 highest rated William Faulkner novels, since including every one of his novels seems excessive.

The Top 100 Mystery Novels of All Time

Mystery Writers of America (1990), 100 Books

Not to be outdone by the British Crime Writers' Association - Top 100 Crime Novels of All Time, the Mystery Writers of America came up with their list five years later.

who voted?
“more than 3,000 members” (MWA Florida Chapter membership page)

How did they vote?
Each member listed five favorite titles and the 100 highest vote-getters became the master list.

The names of the voters are not listed

The 100 Stories that Shaped the World

BBC (2019), 100 Books

In 2019, BBC Culture conducted a global poll to identify the most influential fictional stories that have transcended generations and cultures to shape society. They surveyed 108 experts—including authors, academics, journalists, critics, and translators—from 35 different countries. Each was asked to nominate up to five fictional works that they felt had significantly impacted mindsets or influenced history. The resulting list encompassed novels, poems, folk tales, and dramas in 33 languages, including ancient ones like Sumerian and K’iche'. Homer's "Odyssey" topped the list, highlighting its enduring presence in global storytelling. Other notable works included "Uncle Tom's Cabin" by Harriet Beecher Stowe, recognized for its role in shaping political thought in the U.S. The initiative aimed to spark conversation about why certain stories endure and how they continue to resonate, inspiring change and transcending divisions across time and space.

The best books in Spanish for the last 25 years

El Pais (2016), 24 Books

50 critics, writers and booksellers from both sides of the Atlantic choose the milestones of the last quarter century.

19 Best Books from the 2010s

Vox (2019), 19 Books

This list highlights the most important books of the 2010s, curated by Vox staff members. The selection criteria focused on books that personally impacted the staff, those that changed their perspectives or stayed with them in unique ways. The list was compiled by a diverse group of contributors including Constance Grady, Ezra Klein, Alissa Wilkinson, and others, reflecting personal choices from a wide range of staff across different departments. Although the list does not specify the exact number of contributors, it is evident that it represents a collective effort to capture the decade's most thought-provoking literature. The methodology involved each staff member choosing a single significant book from the decade, resulting in a collection of works that resonated deeply with the curators at particular moments in their lives.

The Top 100 Crime Novels of All Time

Crime Writers' Association (1990), 100 Books

The Top 100 Crime Novels of All Time is a list published in book form in 1990 by the British-based Crime Writers' Association.

How many people potentially voted?
“800 members” (2020 figure on CWA history page; still quoted today)

How did they vote?
Each member listed five favorite titles in each of ten sub-genres (Golden Age, Hard-boiled, Espionage, etc.); the 100 highest vote-getters—regardless of category—became the master list.

The voter identities are unknown.

The Great Books Podcast from John J. Miller

The National Review (2025), 327 Books

A wide variety of literary experts join John J. Miller to discuss some of the greatest books ever written (Miller's guests include scholars, literary critics, translators, and more!).

Since this is a podcast and there are 327 books mentioned and each episode has different guests, I am going to go with 327 total voters

The Greatest 20th Century Novels

Waterstone (1997), 23 Books

Waterstone’s 1999 poll of the greatest 20th century novels, according to British writers. This appeared to be the result of muddle in the way questions were put to and answered by the 47 authors, critics and media personalities who voted in the poll.

100 China Books You Have To Read

The China Project (2019), 100 Books

This is the The China Project Book List, 100 books about China across all genres — fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and everything in between — ranked from 100 to 1.
We sourced broadly, in an attempt to create a unique, inclusive list that has something for everyone, neither catering to a specific taste nor pandering to any preconceived idea of what such a list should look like.
There was no criteria except availability in English. We decided to limit all authors to one title".
List of contributors: https://thechinaproject.com/books-writers/

From the China Project - https://thechinaproject.com/the-china-project-manifesto/
"The China Project exists to provide audiences around the world with an accurate, comprehensive, and contextual understanding of China — a country whose rise has been reshaping the entire world order".

Top 100 World Literature Titles

Perfection Learning (2017), 99 Books

The top 100 titles for the world literature classroom, ranked in order of popularity, chosen by literature teachers from across the country.

Who voted?
it says "literature teachers from across the country" which doesn't give me much to go by. I am just going to pick a conservative number of 25.

The Ideal Library

Book (2024), 121 Books

100 prominent cultural figures, mostly writers, were polled for their choice of an "ideal library". The following list is a tally of every book that received at least 2 votes.

Big Read (Bulgarian)

Bulgaria (2009), 99 Books

This list is the Bulgarian version of the BBC Big Read.

Big Reading is a campaign broadcast on Bulgarian National Television , with the aim of polling Bulgarians about their favorite novels. The show is based on the BBC 's Great Reading English format . It started in Bulgaria on October 5 , 2008 and ended on March 22, 2009 . Voting is done by e-mail, via the Internet , by telephone or by letter . Initially, 100 novels were selected ( December 21 , 2008), of which the first 12 were subsequently ranked.

Engagement was strong: after the first four weeks organisers had already logged 35 000 ballots, 97 % cast online and 66 % from women, and internal figures circulating after the finale put the overall tally at about 100 000 votes, with roughly 14 000 of them arriving during the closing broadcast itself

Top 10 British, Irish or Commonwealth Novels from 1980 to 2005

The Observer (2006), 10 Books

The Observer asked 150 literary luminaries to vote for the best British, Irish or Commonwealth novel from 1980 to 2005.

Fantasy and Horror: A Critical and Historical Guide

Book (1999), 722 Books

Fantasy and Horror: A Critical and Historical Guide to Literature, Illustration, Film, TV, Radio, and the Internet, edited by Richard Neil Barron, is an exceptionally comprehensive and well-researched exploration of the history of fantasy and horror literature. Barron, a renowned science fiction bibliographer and scholar, has curated a nearly 800-page volume featuring contributions from numerous experts and academics in the field. This book delves deeply into the evolution of both genres, offering rich discussions and insights into their development and key works.

The book's unique ranking system categorizes notable works of fantasy and horror literature using a variety of labels. These labels serve to highlight different aspects of each book's significance:

** (The Best of the Best)
* (The Best)
F (Best Fantasy)
H (Best Horror)
MF (Modern Fantasy)
EB (Selected by Everett F. Bleiler)
DH (Selected by David Hartwell)
FR (Selected by Franz Rottensteiner)
L1 (Fantasy Literature for Children and Young Adults)
L2 (Higher Ranked Fantasy Literature for Children and Young Adults)
To create a more organized understanding of the books listed, I assigned points based on these labels and devised a smart ranking system, giving each book a score according to its accumulated points. This method allowed for a clearer hierarchy, showcasing the most significant works in the genres.

I highly recommend this guide to anyone interested in a meticulously organized summary of fantasy and horror literature. It is an essential resource for those who wish to explore the depth of these genres and their history in greater detail.

How many contributors are there?
Counting the chapter authors and the three guest critics, you’re looking at roughly two-dozen named specialists. There’s no statement like “X hundred voters” anywhere, because the book never positioned itself as a popularity poll – it’s closer to an annotated canon chosen by experts

48 Good Books

University of Buffalo (2010), 49 Books

Recommended literature by the Undergraduate Academies and Libraries of the University of Buffalo.

description from their old website:
In cooperation with the UB Libraries, the UB Undergraduate Academies announce the Good Books project, a list of 48 good books which embody the mission and spirit of the five Undergraduate Academies: Civic Engagement, Entrepreneurship, Global Perspectives, Research Exploration and Sustainability The Academies Council members, an advisory board of faculty and staff, nominated books that have been personally important to them. You could read one book from this eclectic list, which ranges from biography to politics to poetry, each month over the course of your college career. Some of these books may be familiar, others quite unknown, but Council Members put their heads together to devise a list of “unrequired reading” that have inspired inquiry, pleasure, and a renewed engagement with civic life.

who voted?
the page says "The Academies Council members, an advisory board of faculty and staff, nominated books"

I am going to assume it's a minimum 10 unknown people who worked on this list.

The 75 Best Books of the Past 75 Years

Parade Magazine (2016), 88 Books

A list of voted on by 17 employees(book sellers) at Parnassus Books in Nashville, TN for Parade Magazine.

The 100 Best Novels of the 20th Century

Folha de São Paulo (1999), 98 Books

Folha de São Paulo, also known as simply Folha, is a Brazilian daily newspaper founded in 1921 under the name Folha da Noite and published in São Paulo by the Folha da Manhã company. Folha got ten critics and writers to choose the one hundred best novels published since 1900.

100 Books, 100 Companions

Zeit Online (2023), 99 Books

The book list, curated by the editorial team of the German publication ZEIT, features 100 influential books categorized by themes such as Fear, Night, Sorrow, Lost, Sex, Identity, and Departure. Each book was chosen to provide readers with companionship and guidance through various stages and challenges of life.

The list includes a diverse range of works from world literature spanning different time periods and cultures.

Please visit the original list, because it's really well done. Alongside each book, there are texts including reviews and personal reflections from the authors, offering readers a deeper connection to the literary works. Each category in the list is designed to address a central life question or emotion, providing a comprehensive reading experience that reflects the human condition.

Note: This list contains 99 books. I double and triple checked. I am not sure where that 100th book went.

Who voted?
roughly 80–90 writers and critics fed suggestions into the process, while a three-person editorial core made the final call. The names of the critics are available.

The Millions: The Best Fiction of the Millennium

The Millions (2009), 20 Books

A poll of The Millions contributors and 48 of their favorite writers, editors, and critics, asking a single question: “What are the best books of fiction of the millennium(2000), so far?” The results were robust, diverse, and surprising.

Who Voted?
They list all 56 voters and their names on the article

100 Best Novels Written in Spanish in the Past 25 Years

Semana Magazine (2007), 99 Books

Colombian magazine Semana published a list of the best Spanish language novels of the last 25 years. The list, complied by 80 writers, literary critics and journalists named the 100 best novels written in Spanish.

The Best Novels You’ve Never Read

NY Mag (2007), 60 Books

Talk to any critic and you’ll hear about a book you must read—often one you were begged to read by some reviewer when it came out, but which quickly slipped off your radar. Such is the plight of critics. Which is why we decided, with the help of the National Book Critics Circle, to ask professional critics (and some other writers) to pick the best under-the-radar book of the past ten years or so.

Big Read (Hungarian)

Hungaria (2005), 98 Books

Big Read is the Hungarian version of the BBC Big Read.

The Big Read was imported into Hungary under the name A Nagy Könyv (lit. "The Big Book") and took place in 2005. Around 1400 libraries, 500 book shops and 1300 schools participated in the competition in various ways. It proved to be far more popular in Hungary (with a population of 10 million) than in the UK (with a population of 60 million), with 400,000 votes arriving (as opposed to 140,000 votes in the UK competition in the corresponding period).

Voting for the top 100 began in late February: one was allowed to vote for any novel published in Hungarian. It ended on April 23, when the 50 "foreign" and 50 Hungarian most popular novels were selected.

On June 11, the top 12 novels were chosen in the framework of a television show presented by cultural celebrities. In the next months, 12 short films were made from these novels and screened in television, which competed with each other in pairs.

On December 15, the population selected their ultimate favourite by SMS and phone. The winning novel, which received the title "the most liked novel of Hungary 2005", was the same book as the result of the previous round, Eclipse of the Crescent Moon. The other two Hungarian books that participated in the final were The Paul Street Boys and Abigél.