50 Books to (Re-)Read at 50

nextavenue (2012), 51 Books

Your essential short list of novels, nonfiction and biographies

Got some time on your hands? This list of 50 great books is a good way to raise your literary IQ. It's by no means the "definitive" list, but each of these masterpieces is at least as relevant and powerful today as when it was written. And they're all still terrific reads.

Who voted?
Seems like it was just 1 person Mike Hammer

F. B. Perkins' List of 100 Best Fiction

LibraryThing (from The Book Lover by James Baldwin (1910)) (1877), 100 Books

A list compiled by Frederic Beecher Perkins, library sciences pioneer, editor, writer.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederic_Beecher_Perkins
He first published the list in an article titled 'The Best Hundred Novels' in the January 1877 edition of the Library Journal.
The list can also be found in the Book Lover (1910) where author James Baldwin lists it amongst others and states that "It has often been asked by lovers of good fiction, "What are the hundred best novels." The following list, prepared some years ago by Mr. F.B. Perkins for the "Library Journal,"... contains the titles of a considerable portion of all that is best in the department of prose fiction..." - p. 271.

Masterpieces of World Literature

Frank N. Magill (1991), 244 Books

Scholar Frank N. Magill’s famous literary studies reference book. A selection of over 200 of the greatest works of literature of all time

Charles R. Johnson's Book Choices from "The Writer's Library"

The Writer's Library: The Authors You Love on the Books That Changed Their Lives (Book) (2020), 11 Books

These are Charles R. Johnson's book choices from the interview with him in the book "The Writer's Library: The Authors You Love on the Books That Changed Their Lives" by Nancy Pearl and Jeff Schwager

Luis Alberto Urrea's Book Choices from "The Writer's Library"

The Writer's Library: The Authors You Love on the Books That Changed Their Lives (Book) (2020), 13 Books

These are Luis Alberto Urrea's book choices from the interview with him in the book "The Writer's Library: The Authors You Love on the Books That Changed Their Lives" by Nancy Pearl and Jeff Schwager

Jonathan Lethem's Book Choices from "The Writer's Library"

The Writer's Library: The Authors You Love on the Books That Changed Their Lives (Book) (2020), 16 Books

These are Jonathan Lethem's book choices from the interview with him in the book "The Writer's Library: The Authors You Love on the Books That Changed Their Lives" by Nancy Pearl and Jeff Schwager

Sylvia Plath's Recommended Books

Sylvia Plath (2019), 14 Books

Sylvia Plath, one of the greatest poets and writers of the 20th century, worried that she wasn’t reading fast enough. “I must go on reading and enjoying slowly, and not want to devour the University Library at one desperate gulp,” she wrote to her mother from Smith College in 1952. “Even if I read every hour from now till the end of the year I still would never be close to finishing the ever-expanding list of book ‘I must read!’” She told her mother the same thing four years later: “The pressure is constant, and I am surrounded with a pleasant torture: piles and piles of books, all of which I want so much to read; the pain is that no matter how solidly I work, I never will read enough, and I am always fighting to keep up.”

Here are some of the books that Plath loved, as highlighted in her letters.

The 100 Greatest Non-Fiction Books

The Guardian (2011), 100 Books

The Guardian's list of the greatest non-fiction books of all time. here's their description:

After keen debate at the Guardian's books desk, this is our list of the very best factual writing, organised by category, and then by date.

Nancy Pearl's 100 Good Reads, Decade by Decade

Book Lust (Book) (2009), 100 Books

For more than two decades librarian Nancy Pearl has been one of the USA's most important book 'influencers'
https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/the-a-list-book-lister-nancy-pearl/

Her 2003 work Book Lust: Recommended Reading for Every Mood, Moment, and Reason has a lot of recommended works, close to two thousand by my reckoning. There is one chapter in the work called '100 Good Reads, Decade By Decade', ten books per decade from 1900.

Jennifer Egan's Book Choices from "The Writer's Library"

The Writer's Library: The Authors You Love on the Books That Changed Their Lives (Book) (2020), 13 Books

These are Jennifer Egan's book choices from the interview with him in the book "The Writer's Library: The Authors You Love on the Books That Changed Their Lives" by Nancy Pearl and Jeff Schwager

101 of the World's Greatest Books (1950)

101 of the World's Greatest Books (Book) (1950), 100 Books

101 of the World's Greatest Books by Spencer Armstrong, 1950 edition. I could not find much information about Spencer Armstrong.

Russell Banks's Book Choices from "The Writer's Library"

The Writer's Library: The Authors You Love on the Books That Changed Their Lives (Book) (2020), 9 Books

These are Russell Banks's book choices from the interview with him in the book "The Writer's Library: The Authors You Love on the Books That Changed Their Lives" by Nancy Pearl and Jeff Schwager

The 100 Greatest Novels of All Time: The List

The Observer (2003), 100 Books

The list of essential fiction from the past 300 years from Robert McCrum of The Observer.

How to Read and Why

Harold Bloom (2000), 42 Books

Information is endlessly available to us; where shall wisdom be found?" is the crucial question with which renowned literary critic Harold Bloom begins this impassioned book on the pleasures and benefits of reading well. For more than forty years, Bloom has transformed college students into lifelong readers with his unrivaled love for literature. Now, at a time when faster and easier electronic media threatens to eclipse the practice of reading, Bloom draws on his experience as critic, teacher, and prolific reader to plumb the great books for their sustaining wisdom. - Amazon

Top 10 Books by Jeanette Winterson

Radical Reads (2023), 10 Books

This list, curated by the New York-based bookstore One Grand and featured on Radical Reads, presents Jeanette Winterson's top ten favorite books. It aims to showcase the influential reads of the acclaimed author, known for her exploration of themes like queer love and identity. The selection reflects Winterson's personal literary journey and preferences, emphasizing books that have resonated with her on an emotional and intellectual level. The methodology is informal and subjective, driven by Winterson's personal reflections and associations with each book, rather than any structured selection process or public voting. No specific number of voters or contributors is mentioned, as the list represents Winterson's individual choices and insights.

David Bowie's Top 100 Favorite Books

David Bowie (2016), 97 Books

David Bowie was not only one of the most famous musicians of the 20th Century he was also one of the most well read, at times travelling with some 1400 books on him. Here's a collection of his favorites.
Note this list is only 97 books. The following magazines I could not find anywhere as book collections, therefore not added:
Raw (comic, ’80s)
Viz (comic, early ’80s)
Private Eye (satirical magazine, ’60s – ’80s)

Richard Ford's Book Choices from "The Writer's Library"

The Writer's Library: The Authors You Love on the Books That Changed Their Lives (Book) (2020), 8 Books

These are Richard Ford's book choices from the interview with him in the book "The Writer's Library: The Authors You Love on the Books That Changed Their Lives" by Nancy Pearl and Jeff Schwager

The Telegraph’s 100 Novels Everyone Should Read

Telegraph (2009), 104 Books

The best novels of all time from Tolkien to Proust and Middlemarch

The 100 Greatest Novels

greatbooksguide.com (2007), 104 Books

Critic Ted Gioia's selection of the 100 greatest novels ever written.

The Greatest Novel of All Time

William Faulkner (1962), 1 Books

Author William Faulkner named Tolstoy's "Anna Karenina" as the single greatest novel of all time.

30 top books about Africa (MalWarwickOnBooks)

MalWarwickOnBooks (2022), 32 Books

Mal Warwick, an author, co-author, or editor of some 20 books, and also a member of the National Book Critics Circle and the Northern California Book Reviewers. He's reviewed over 2,200 books on his blog.
"... 30 top books about Africa in two lists: the top nonfiction books, and the top novels. I’ve recently read and reviewed nearly all these books... Each of the two lists is arranged in alphabetical order by the authors’ last names. I’ve awarded each title I’ve reviewed a rating of ★★★★☆ or ★★★★★ in each of the two lists."
Note the list is actually 32 books.

Greatest Prose Works of the 20th Century

Vladimir Nabokov (1965), 4 Books

Author Vladimir Nabokov's selection of the Top 4 greatest prose works of the 20th century.

Readers’ Top 100 Novels Of All Time

Guardian (2026), 100 Books

After critics and authors picked their top 100 novels we asked for your favourites. From Uruguay to the Isle of Skye, more than 3,000 readers cast their votes.

W. Somerset Maugham’s Ten Greatest Novels of All Time

Great Novelists and Their Novels (1954), 10 Books

Maugham's studies of the lives and masterpieces of ten great novelists are outstanding examples of literary criticism at its finest. Afforded here are some of the formulae of greatness in the genre, as well as the flaws and heresies which enfeeble it. Written by a master of fiction, "Ten Novels and Their Authors" is a unique and invaluable guide.

Peter Singer's Top 10 Books

Guardian (2001), 10 Books

Controversial philosopher and professor of bioethics Peter Singer has been working in the field of 'practical ethics' for 30 years - "which means that when I began there was no such field". He was a passionate founder of the modern animal rights movement and has written on animal rights, abortion, euthanasia and the ethical implications of the global rift between rich and poor.

100 Must-Read Classics in Translation

Bookriot (2017), 100 Books

Here is a list of must-read classics in translation from around the world, written in languages other than English.
All of these were published before 1967.

The voter for this list seems to be only 1 person, Rebecca Hussey.

Everything You Should Read without Being a Library Rat

Book by Luiz Carlos Lisboa (1972), 98 Books

This list is from a Brazilian book about the greatest books of all time. Unfortunately I have been unable to find the entire book. If anyone has any leads let me know! This list is ONLY the more "modern" books on the list and is from our friends at The Modern Novel. Here is their description:

"This comes from a book by Luiz Carlos Lisboa, published by Editora Papagalo. There are actually two books. This one is a guide to the best of world literature. (The other one is a guide to Brazilian literature).

This list will only give the authors and titles of twentieth century novels but, in fact, the book goes back to Homer and covers short stories, poetry, drama and non-fiction, with a brief (one-page) description of each work and its author.
"

Ninety-Nine Novels: The Best in English since 1939

Anthony Burges (Book) (1984), 99 Books

Ninety-Nine Novels: The Best in English since 1939 — A Personal Choice is an essay by British writer Anthony Burgess, published by Allison & Busby in 1984. It covers a 44-year span between 1939 and 1983. Burgess was a prolific reader, in his early career reviewing more than 350 novels in just over two years for The Yorkshire Post. In the course of his career he wrote more than 30 novels

Great Books

Anthony O'Hear (2013), 22 Books

A short list of essential works of the Western Canon, as selected scholar Anthony O'Hear.

Laurie Frankel's Book Choices from "The Writer's Library"

The Writer's Library: The Authors You Love on the Books That Changed Their Lives (Book) (2020), 13 Books

These are Laurie Frankel's book choices from the interview with him in the book "The Writer's Library: The Authors You Love on the Books That Changed Their Lives" by Nancy Pearl and Jeff Schwager

100 Main Fantasy and Science-Fiction Books

www.mirf.ru (Russian) (2008), 112 Books

Critera:" Our list includes only those books and series that have become universally recognized pillars of fantasy literature or have had a significant impact on the development of individual fantasy trends. At the same time, we did not give in to the temptation to attribute the main contribution to science fiction to English-speaking authors: almost a fifth of our list is occupied by books by Russian masters of the word.

So, here are those 100 books that, according to MirF, any self-respecting fan of science fiction simply must read!" (translated)

voters:
Boris Nevsky,
Dmitry Zlotnitsky,
Vladimir Puzii,
Petr Tyulenev

John Lubbock, The Choice of Books (1896)

The Choice of Books (Book) (1896), 147 Books

The List that started it all. This is one of the very first "Greatest Books of All Time" lists and caused quite a stir back in it's day. Here's a good article about it: https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/features/sir-john-lubbock-the-book-list-literature-reading-godfather-mustread-listicle-a8320811.html

John Lubbock, 1st Baron Avebury, 4th Baronet, PC, DL, FRS, FRAI (30 April 1834 – 28 May 1913), known as Sir John Lubbock, 4th Baronet from 1865 until 1900, was an English banker, Liberal politician, philanthropist, scientist and polymath. Lubbock worked in his family company as a banker but made significant contributions in archaeology, ethnography, and several branches of biology. He coined the terms "Paleolithic" and "Neolithic" to denote the Old and New Stone Ages, respectively. He helped establish archaeology as a scientific discipline, and was influential in debates concerning evolutionary theory.

Donald Barthelme’s Reading List

Believer Mag (1985), 82 Books

81 books recommended by Author Donald Barthelme to his students at the University of Houston.

Madeline Miller's Book Choices from "The Writer's Library"

The Writer's Library: The Authors You Love on the Books That Changed Their Lives (Book) (2020), 17 Books

These are Madeline Miller's book choices from the interview with him in the book "The Writer's Library: The Authors You Love on the Books That Changed Their Lives" by Nancy Pearl and Jeff Schwager

Top 100 Science-Fiction, Fantasy Books

NPR (2011), 100 Books

NPR did a readers survey of the Top 100 Science Fiction and Fantasy books in 2011. More than 60,000 ballots were cast in our annual summer reader's survey — click here to see the full list of 100 books, complete with links and descriptions. Below is a list of the top 100 winners.

How to Read Literature Like a Professor: A Reading List

Thomas C. Foster (2003), 125 Books

English professor Thomas C. Foster, at the end of his book, includes a recommended "reading list".

Choosing the Century's(20th) Favorite Books(1924)

The Literary Digest (1924), 182 Books

This is a list from "The Literary Digest International Book Review", which was a prestigious literary publication in the early 20th century.

This list's results were from a nation-wide poll in 1923/1924. There were 1,753 votes.

I love these old lists!

Dave Eggers's Book Choices from "The Writer's Library"

The Writer's Library: The Authors You Love on the Books That Changed Their Lives (Book) (2020), 12 Books

These are Dave Eggers's book choices from the interview with him in the book "The Writer's Library: The Authors You Love on the Books That Changed Their Lives" by Nancy Pearl and Jeff Schwager

James Baldwin, The Book Lover: A Guide to the Best Reading (1910)

Book (1910), 150 Books

The Book Lover: A Guide To The Best Reading is a literary guidebook written by James Baldwin and first published in 1885. The book is a comprehensive guide to the best books and authors of the time, providing readers with an extensive list of recommended reading. Baldwin covers a wide range of genres, including poetry, fiction, drama, and essays, and offers insightful commentary on each work.

25 Books to Read Before You Die

Powell's Books (2023), 25 Books

This list, titled '25 Books to Read Before You Die,' was created by Powell's Books staff in response to a customer request for a list of essential reads. The selection criteria focused on books that have the potential to change the way readers think and feel, reflecting a diverse range of interests and perspectives. The list was curated through a collaborative process involving Powell's colleagues, with over 1,400 nominations received before a final vote determined the 25 titles included. The methodology emphasized a broad representation of influential texts without restricting choices to any specific genre or canon, highlighting a mix of classic and contemporary works. The list last received an update in May 2023, aiming to offer readers transformative literary experiences.

The 100 Best Novels in Translation by Boyd Tonkin

Book (2019), 102 Books

The 100 Best Novels in Translation by Boyd Tonkin is a curated guide to world literature, presenting a personal selection of 100 outstanding novels originally written in languages other than English and published between 1600 and 2000. Drawing on his deep experience as a literary critic and former judge of major international fiction prizes, Tonkin aims not to establish a rigid canon but to inspire curiosity, debate, and discovery. Each entry offers a thoughtful summary and analysis, along with praise for the translators who bring these works to English-speaking audiences. While the book has faced some criticism for its Eurocentric focus and gender imbalance, it remains a passionate, well-informed celebration of global fiction and the art of translation.

One Hundred Best Books (1916)

John Cowper Powys (1916), 98 Books

John Cowper Powys’ Best 100 Books published more than a century ago, in 1916. John Cowper Powys (8 October 1872 – 17 June 1963) was an English novelist, philosopher, lecturer, critic and poet.

C.K. Shorter List of Best 100 Novels

The Bookman February 1898 (1898), 100 Books

A list by Clement Shorter, a British journalist and literary critic. The Queenslander, April 4, 1898 described the list thus: "Mr. Clement K. Shorter, asked by 'The Bookman' to write out a list of 100 of the best novels in the English language, supplied the following list, naming only one book of each author, and giving the date of publication". Translated novels were included.

Stephen King names his 10 favourite books of all time

Express (2017), 10 Books

This list is a personal selection by Stephen King, showcasing his top ten favorite books of all time. The criteria for selection are based on King's literary influences and personal inspirations, highlighting a mix of classic and lesser-known works. The list was curated by Stephen King himself, providing insight into the books that have shaped his writing career. The list was initially shared during Goodreads' 10th anniversary in 2017. Although King acknowledges the subjective nature of such a list, he emphasizes the impact these books have had on his own work, without any major voting or public contribution involved in the selection process.

The 100 Best Nonfiction Books of All Time

The Guardian (2017), 100 Books

After two years of careful reading, moving backwards through time, Robert McCrum has concluded his selection of the 100 greatest nonfiction books. Take a quick look at five centuries of great writing

Michael Chabon and Ayelet Waldman's Book Choices from "The Writer's Library"

The Writer's Library: The Authors You Love on the Books That Changed Their Lives (Book) (2020), 22 Books

These are Michael Chabon and Ayelet Waldman's book choices from the interview with him in the book "The Writer's Library: The Authors You Love on the Books That Changed Their Lives" by Nancy Pearl and Jeff Schwager

T. C. Boyle's Book Choices from "The Writer's Library"

The Writer's Library: The Authors You Love on the Books That Changed Their Lives (Book) (2020), 14 Books

These are T. C. Boyle's book choices from the interview with him in the book "The Writer's Library: The Authors You Love on the Books That Changed Their Lives" by Nancy Pearl and Jeff Schwager

An Expert's 200-Book List

The Detroit Free Press (1973), 196 Books

Digby Diehl, chief book editor of the Los Angeles Times, chose 200 of his favorite books for prospective readers. The New York Times described Diehl as a prolific literary critic and writer (source: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/01/obituaries/digby-diehl-collaborator-on-memoirs-of-the-famous-dies-at-76.html).

**"The Last Whole Earth Catalog" was not included here because it is a magazine.**

Susan Choi's Book Choices from "The Writer's Library"

The Writer's Library: The Authors You Love on the Books That Changed Their Lives (Book) (2020), 12 Books

These are Susan Choi's book choices from the interview with him in the book "The Writer's Library: The Authors You Love on the Books That Changed Their Lives" by Nancy Pearl and Jeff Schwager

William Gass’ Fifty Literary Pillars

A Temple of Texts: Essays (Book) (2007), 50 Books

Winner of the 2007 Truman Capote Award for Literary Criticism, "A Temple of Texts" is the latest critical collection from one of America's greatest essayists and novelists. Here, William H. Gass pays homage to the readerly side of the literary experience by turning his critical sensibility upon all the books that shaped his own development as a reader, writer, and human being. With essays on figures ranging from William Shakespeare and Gertrude Stein to Flann O'Brien and Robert Burton, Gass creates a "temple" of readerly devotion, a collection of critical explorations as brilliant and incisive as readers have come to expect from this literary master, but also a surprisingly personal window into the author's own literary development.