Booker Prize

Booker Prize (Yearly Award), 59 Books

The Booker Prize for Fiction, also known in short as the Booker Prize, is a literary prize awarded each year for the best original full-length novel, written in the English language, by a citizen of either the Commonwealth of Nations, Ireland, or Zimbabwe.[1] The winner of the Booker Prize is generally assured of international renown and success and, for this reason, the prize is of great significance for the book trade.[2] It is also a mark of distinction for authors to be nominated for the Booker longlist or selected for inclusion in the shortlist.

Who votes?
The Booker Prize is always voted on by 5 unknown people.

12 Must-Read Romantasy Books (Woman's World)

Woman's World (2024), 12 Books

This list presents a selection of 12 essential 'romantasy' books, a blend of romance and fantasy genres, curated to offer readers an immersive and escapist experience. The criteria for selection emphasize the inclusion of strong romantic elements that drive the narrative within fantastical settings, featuring themes like epic journeys, magic, and morally complex characters. The list is curated by Melissa D'Agnese and Carissa Mosness, book editors at Woman's World, who are passionate about this trending literary genre. The list aims to guide readers through the burgeoning popularity of romantasy, as evidenced by the genre's significant presence on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok. The methodology focuses on highlighting books that promise a combination of adventure, romance, and intricately built worlds, ensuring a comprehensive overview of this captivating subgenre.

The 50 Best Sci-Fi Books for Every Kind of Reader

Men's Health (2024), 49 Books

Joshua St. Clair and Milan Polk created this list for Men's Health titled "The 50 Best Sci-Fi Books for Every Kind of Reader"

Pulitzer Prize for History

Pulitzer Prize (Yearly Award), 107 Books

The Pulitzer Prize for History has been awarded since 1917 for a distinguished book upon the history of the United States. Many history books have also been awarded the Pulitzer Prize for General Non-Fiction and Pulitzer Prize for Biography or Autobiography.

Two people have won the Pulitzer Prize for History twice; Margaret Leech, for Reveille in Washington, 1860-1865 in 1941 and In the Days of McKinley in 1960, and Bernard Bailyn, for The Ideological Origins of the American Revolution (1968) and Voyagers to the West: A Passage in the Peopling of America on the Eve of the Revolution (1987).

Do You Agree?

The Bradenton Herald (1933), 3 Books

From a section of the The Bradenton Herald published in 1933. I am uncertain who the author is.

The Booklist Century: 100 Books, 100 Years

BookList (2005), 100 Books

The Booklist Century: 100 Books, 100 Years" is a curated list of 100 books created by Booklist to commemorate its 100th anniversary. The list celebrates a century of literature, selecting one book from each year that has had a significant impact over time. The impact considered is broad, encompassing literary, economic, sociological, and behavioral effects, showcasing the diversity in the criteria for selection. The process of choosing books highlighted the challenges of comparing different kinds of impacts and dealing with years that offered either an abundance of influential works or a scarcity of notable publications.

The compilation was undertaken by the Booklist staff, who also faced the task of acquiring a copy of each book, relying on their own collections and the resources of several Chicago-area libraries. This effort underscores the commitment and collaborative effort behind the project. The list includes a wide range of genres and types of books, from literature and cookbooks to children's books and sociological reports, indicating a comprehensive approach to recognizing books' varied impacts on society.

The Drama 100 - A Ranking of the Greatest Plays of All Time

Book (2007), 100 Books

Which plays are truly great, and why? This book by Daniel Burt profiles 100 of the greatest plays drawn from all cultures and periods of literature.

Nordic Council Literature Prize

Nordic Council Literature Prize (Yearly Award), 65 Books

This list highlights the context and methodology of the Nordic Council Literature Prize, which is awarded annually to a work of imaginative literature written in one of the Nordic languages. The purpose of the prize is to recognize works that meet high literary and artistic standards, and it aims to increase interest in the literature of neighboring countries and enhance Nordic cultural fellowship. The prize is curated by an adjudication committee appointed by the Nordic Council, consisting of ten members with expertise in Nordic literature, representing Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. Additional members may be included for nominations from Åland, the Faroe Islands, Greenland, or the Sami language area. The prize, established in 1962, carries a monetary reward of 350,000 Danish kroner and is considered one of the most prestigious awards for Nordic authors. Eligible works are those published within the last four years, with a shorter eligibility period for works in Danish, Norwegian, or Swedish.

Potter, Pi, and Pilgrim: What any library of the aughts ought to contain (Best not from Canada)

The National Post (newspaper) (2010), 10 Books

The National Post, a famous and popular Canadian newspaper published an article in January of 2010 about the best books of the 2000s. They did both Canadian specific, International specific, as well as honorable mentions for both lists. This list is the best non-Canadian novels of the 2000s.

They asked a broad selection of Canadian writers, critics, editors, agents, bloggers, and others who work in the publishing industry.

100 Best Novels Written in English

The Guardian (2015), 100 Books

Respected literary critic Robert McCrum selects the definitive 100 novels written in English.

Top 10 books to help you survive the digital age

Guardian (2018), 10 Books

"From Philip K Dick’s obtuse robots to Mark O’Connell’s guide to transhumanism, novelist Julian Gough picks essential reading for a helter skelter world".
Julian Gough is the author of the novel, Connect a 'novel of ideas... disguised as a techno-thriller'. He is also the author of three previous novels, two BBC radio plays, a successful stage play, and the ending to Time Magazine’s 2011 computer game of the year, Minecraft, which has sold over 140 million copies.

The 10 Best of the Decade(2000)

Entertainment Weekly (2020), 10 Books

Entertainment Weekly's top 10 best books of the 2000s

The College Board: 101 Great Books Recommended for College-Bound Readers

The College Board, an American not-for-profit organization (2002), 121 Books

The 101 great books recommended by "The College Board", an American not-for-profit organization that was formed in December 1899 as the College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB) to expand access to higher education.

The 100 Best Books in the World

AbeBooks.de (in German) (2021), 101 Books

German bookseller website AbeBooks.de makes their selection for the "100 greatest books ever written".

August Derleth Award

British Fantasy Society (Yearly Award), 50 Books

The August Derleth Award is one of the British Fantasy Awards bestowed annually by the British Fantasy Society. The award is named after the American writer and editor August Derleth. It was inaugurated in 1972 for the best novel of the year, was not awarded in 2011, and was resumed in 2012 for the best horror novel of the year.

Best Books Ever

Book Depository (2006), 100 Books

"Whatever it's called we love a list of what we think are the best books of all time so we've compiled an entirely arbitrary and personal selection of 100 titles below for you to disagree with."

Robert Holdstock Award

British Fantasy Society (Yearly Award), 12 Books

The Fantasy book award from The British Fantasy Society

Top 10 books books on the history of science (Guardian)

Guardian (2004), 10 Books

Simon Singh's favourite books on the history of science.

Simon Singh is a physicist-turned-author whose books combine the twin disciplines of science and history. His first book, Fermat's Last Theorem, looked at the history of the world's most notorious mathematical problem; his next, The Code Book, looked at the history of cryptography.

The Twenty Greatest Philosophy Books (Book from 2006)

James Garvey (2006), 20 Books

The essential guide to the top twenty greatest books in philosophy for those who have just never quite found the time to read them.

In this witty and engaging book, James Garvey offers an introductory account of the must-read books from the whole history of philosophical writing. From Plato to Popper, Descartes to Wittgenstein, the greatest books in philosophy have had a huge impact on the development of contemporary society, politics, economics and culture. This entertaining and intelligent guide introduces the philosophical questions central to these books that are of genuine interest to the general reader and opens up often complex and challenging ideas for wider debate.

James Garvey is the Managing Director of the Royal Institute of Philosophy and the Editor of The Philosophers' Magazine

100 Children's Books to Read in a Lifetime

Amazon (USA) (2014), 100 Books

A list of 100 Children's Books to Read in a Lifetime, as chosen by Amazon Book Editors.

Also here: https://www.amazon.com/b?ie=UTF8&node=9660210011

1,000 Books to Read Before You Die: A Life-Changing List

1,000 Books to Read Before You Die(Book) (2018), 969 Books

A list written by James Mustich, a bookseller, editor, and writer. Here's the publisher's description:

Celebrate the pleasure of reading and the thrill of discovering new titles in an extraordinary book that’s as compulsively readable, entertaining, surprising, and enlightening as the 1,000-plus titles it recommends.

Covering fiction, poetry, science and science fiction, memoir, travel writing, biography, children’s books, history, and more, 1,000 Books to Read Before You Die ranges across cultures and through time to offer an eclectic collection of works that each deserve to come with the recommendation, You have to read this. But it’s not a proscriptive list of the “great works”—rather, it’s a celebration of the glorious mosaic that is our literary heritage.

Great Books

The Learning Channel (2006), 47 Books

"Great Books is an hour-long documentary and biography program that aired on The Learning Channel. The series was a project co-created by Walter Cronkite and former child actor Jonathan Ward under a deal they had with their company Cronkite-Ward, the The Discovery Channel, and The Learning Channel. Premiering on September 8, 1993, to coincide with International Literacy Day, the series took in-depth looks into some of literature's greatest fictional and nonfictional books and the authors who created them. The series is mostly narrated by Donald Sutherland." - Wikipedia

50 Sci-Fi/Fantasy Novels That Everyone Should Read

Flavor Wire (2013), 90 Books

Explore the realms of magic and the future with Flavor Wire's "50 Sci-Fi/Fantasy Novels That Everyone Should Read." This expertly curated list offers a gateway for those new to the genre and a treasure trove for avid fans. Highlighting only the most compelling narratives, the list includes a single work or series per author, focuses on novels with adult appeal, and excludes short stories. It's a diverse collection designed to spark imagination and discussion among readers of all levels. Dive into these essential reads and expand your literary horizons.

The 25 Greatest Horror Books Of All Time

Forbes (2024), 25 Books

Horror is a genre that elicits strong reactions—it can be thrilling for some and unsettling for others. This curated list celebrates the best horror books that have shaped the genre and left a lasting impact on readers. Featuring timeless classics like Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, Bram Stoker's Dracula, and Stephen King's The Shining, these novels have set the standard for horror storytelling. They've not only sent chills down our spines but also influenced how horror narratives are crafted and perceived. Whether you're a long-time fan or new to horror, this selection offers some of the most compelling and influential reads in the genre.

21 books for the XXI century

Cultura/s (2020), 20 Books

In a reflection on the turn from the second to the third decade of this century, Cultura/s has selected 21 books that are particularly representative of those published since the year 2000. This list, compiled at the close of 2020—a year likely to be remembered as historically pivotal—offers an international perspective based on the publication date of the books in their original language.

note: even though it says 21 books, the list seems to only have 20

Top 100 Books

Lincoln Journal Star (1999), 100 Books

This list is partly a metalist (using sources that thegreatestbooks.org has already used), but the article also says that Journal Star staff members were polled and used as sources for the below list as well. All of the books are from the 20th century and are listed in chronological order.

100 German Must-Reads

Deutsche Welle (2018), 100 Books

This curated list of "100 Must-Reads" highlights essential German-language literature translated into English, aiming to bridge the gap between German-speaking authors and English-speaking readers. Initiated in response to the limited availability of German literature in English markets, the project compiles novels and stories that offer fresh insights into German, Austrian, and Swiss cultures. Through extensive research, including consultations with translators and online libraries, the team at DW selected works ranging from literary classics to modern gems. The list includes diverse genres and tones, from light-hearted vacation reads to somber, tragicomic, and experimental works. Videos accompanying each book bring the stories to life with real-world settings, enhancing the reading experience. This collection encourages readers to explore beyond their familiar authors and engage in debates, with each title accompanied by background information and recommendations for further reading.

6 Must-Read Books About Philippine Life And Literature

Vogue Philippines (2022), 6 Books

6 Must-Read Books About Philippine Life And Literature By Tara FT Sering

100 Best Non-Fiction Books of the 20th Century (and Beyond) in English

Counterpunch (2014), 135 Books

In response to the proliferation of "best of the century" lists from major publications at the turn of the millennium, Jeffrey St. Clair and his colleague Alex decided to compile their own lists of the best books written and later translated into English during the 20th century. Their selections, aimed at the CounterPunch audience, diverged from mainstream choices, focusing instead on works that resonated deeply with their unique reader base. These lists became highly popular on the CounterPunch website, attracting over two million unique visitors and influencing librarians to reconsider the collections they maintained. However, a technical mishap during a website upgrade resulted in the loss of these carefully curated lists, likened humorously by Alex to the burning of the Library of Alexandria. Despite initial disheartenment, renewed interest and requests from the community prompted St. Clair to revisit and update these lists, reintroducing them with both cherished and new selections of non-fiction literature from the 20th century.

50 Classics You Must Read Before You Die

Gyldendal (Denmark Publisher) (2024), 50 Books

This list is from Gyldendal, the largest publisher in Denmark. This is what the translated description says:

We asked Gyldendal's fiction editors about their greatest reading experiences. Here are their picks for 50 classics you should read before you die. Find out which ones you have already read, which ones you should re-read and, not least, which ones you should read for the first time. Happy reading!

100 Best Political Books

Guardian (2017), 103 Books

"We thought now was an excellent moment to publish a supplement which highlights outstanding books that have shaped political thought, deepened our understanding of how politics ticks and offered signposts to future directions for our world. It felt timely because this era is characterised by exceptional flux. Today’s orthodoxy can turn into tomorrow’s redundancy and today’s unthinkable can become tomorrow’s inevitable".

The selectors consisted of authors, historians, political commentators and the Guardian staff.

Recommended Reading List for Students (China 2020)

Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China (2020), 99 Books

This is the official recommended reading list of books for Students from the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China (2020)

Balkan literature: the best contemporary fiction to add to your reading list

New East Digital Archive (2017), 10 Books

A list of the ten best contemporary Balkan literature, by Hannah Weber.

25 of the Greatest Romance Novels of All Time

Oprah Daily (2024), 25 Books

"With all due respect to Pride and Prejudice and Jane Eyre, for this list, we’re looking at the Romance Novel™... For every title that made the list there’s another that deserves a spot, but here are a few of the genre’s most beloved books, the ones that installed the genre’s buttons and the ones that are reimagining those buttons for a new century and more diverse readership."
Appears to have been chosen by the editors of the magazine.

The Well-Educated Mind

Book (2003), 178 Books

In her best-selling work on home education, The Well-Trained Mind, Susan Wise Bauer provided a road map of classical education for parents wishing to home-school their children; that book is now the premier resource for home-schoolers. In The Well-Educated Mind, Bauer takes the same elements and techniques and adapts them to the use of adult readers who want both enjoyment and self-improvement from the time they spend reading. Followed carefully, her advice will restore and expand the pleasure of the written word.

25 Books to Read Before You Turn 25

The Guardian (2026), 25 Books

This list presents a curated set of 25 essential reads—one recommended for each year of life up to 25—designed to help young readers (and those introducing them to books) rediscover the pleasure and formative power of reading rather than impose a rigid syllabus; selections were guided by age-appropriateness, enduring emotional or cultural value, and the ability to spark enjoyment, and the compiler framed the choices as a buffet of suggestions rather than a prescriptive regimen. It was created for The Guardian by Sam Leith, who assembled the recommendations by consulting leading children’s and literary writers and critics and by prioritising titles that might kindle or rekindle a lifelong love of reading; the notable methodological points are that the list pairs one title with each year up to 25, explicitly leans on expert recommendations, and acknowledges that many worthy books were necessarily left out.

Who Voted: unknown people voted -- Jacqueline Wilson, Michael Rosen, Katherine Rundell, Frank Cottrell-Boyce, Nicolette Jones and others

32 Best Romantasy Books of All Time

Parade (2025), 32 Books

This list features the 32 best romantasy novels of all time and is curated by Michael Giltz. The purpose of the list is to highlight the top novels in the romantasy genre, a blend of romance and fantasy, which has gained significant popularity. The selection criteria include a combination of personal recommendations from Giltz, insights from bestseller lists, and opinions from online platforms like Reddit and GoodReads. The list also incorporates findings from a readers' poll on Reddit, showcasing fan favorites in the genre. The methodology involves a mix of subjective curation informed by both popular opinion and market trends, aiming to guide readers in exploring this captivating genre.

The Best Classics

The Times (2006), 93 Books

The Times selection of the 100 best classic works of literature.

National Book Award for Translated Literature (2018-present)

National Book Award (Yearly Award), 8 Books

The National Book Award for Translated Literature honours outstanding translations of literary works published in the US and translated from any language into English. It first ran from from 1967 to 1983, and was reintroduced in its current form in 2018. The prize is open to living authors and translators and includes both fiction and nonfiction works.

Who voted: The award is judged by five litterateurs, whose names can be seen on the National Book Awards' website.

The 50 Most Influential Books of All Time

Open Education Database (2010), 50 Books

The "The 50 Most Influential Books of All Time," as compiled by the Open Education Database, celebrates literature's unparalleled power to inspire, educate, and transform individuals and societies at large. This diverse collection spans various genres, time periods, and subjects, illustrating the profound impact that written words can have on humanity's evolution. These books have been carefully selected for their significant contributions in shaping political and governmental landscapes, setting new benchmarks in literary excellence, challenging and reshaping societal norms, and advancing academic and intellectual discourse in science, religion, and beyond.

The 100 Best Thrillers according to Télérama

Télérama (2024), 100 Books

The French magazine Télérama has explored the depths of crime fiction to present its own "ideal library" in noir. Spanning from foundational detective novels to the latest voices in the genre, they've curated a list of 100 books designed to thrill, transport, and stimulate thought. These selections are organized into ten major themes, offering readers a diverse range of stories to delve into the world of mystery and suspense.

The Andre Norton Award

The Andre Norton Award (Yearly Award), 18 Books

The Andre Norton Nebula Award for Middle Grade and Young Adult Fiction (formerly the Andre Norton Award for Young Adult Science Fiction and Fantasy) is an annual award presented by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association (SFWA) to the author of the best young adult or middle grade science fiction or fantasy book published in the United States in the preceding year. It is named to honor prolific science fiction and fantasy author Andre Norton (1912–2005)

Any published young adult or middle grade science fiction or fantasy novel is eligible for the prize, including graphic novels. There is no limit on word count. The award was originally not a Nebula Award, despite being presented along with them and following the same rules for nominations and voting, but in 2019 SFWA announced that the award was considered a Nebula category.

The Greatest Books of All Time

Reader's Digest (2022), 100 Books

Reader's Digest has created a list of greatest books of all time. Their website says:

To land in the top 100, a book needed to truly stand out in the stacks. We considered best sellers, award winners, and books that are highly rated by readers and critics alike. Many have been made into blockbuster movies. (Make sure to check out these exciting book to movie adaptations coming out this year!) Going on, many are taught in schools today. Many have snagged spots on other “best of” lists published by the likes of the New York Times, The Guardian, NPR, PBS, Time magazine, and more. And most have had profound impacts on literature, culture, or the world in general.

Reader's Digest mentions that the list is updated periodically by writers specialize in book content. Book selections are made by editors at Reader's Digest.

No voters are named. The article is written by Leandra Beabout, who i am going to assume is the 1 voter.
A former English teacher, Leandra writes about books and lifestyle for Reader's Digest. She also has bylines in the Guardian, the Telegraph and The Healthy. Leandra splits her time between the U.S. and India, where she and her husband currently live in the lower Himalayas.

The Little Big Bulgaria Read

Bulgaria (2009), 100 Books

Running from 27 February to 19 June 2011, Bulgarian National Television’s licensed BBC-format campaign “The Little Big Bulgaria Read” (Малкото Голямо Четене) invited only school-age readers to name their single favourite children’s novel and amassed well over 100,000 ballots on its website—augmented, in later phases, by postcard and SMS votes—making it the largest national children’s reading poll on record. Eligible voters were primarily pupils aged roughly 7–14, mobilised through classroom events, reading clubs and a slate of BNT-backed art, writing and video contests; adults could watch, but votes cast from adult accounts were screened out during registration. The rules were purely popularity-based: any children’s book could be nominated, the 100 most-nominated titles advanced to a second ballot, and the top ten were defended by celebrity-and-kid “champions” in a live prime-time final. That broadcast saw Astrid Lindgren’s Pippi Longstocking top the list with 16.238 % of the final-round vote, edging the Harry Potter series (15.027 %) and Bulgaria’s own Patilansko Tsarstvo (12.43 %). BNT never published raw vote totals or a voter roll, but its mid-year corporate report confirms the headline participation figure and hails the project as “a nationwide opinion survey on children’s reading tastes”.

20 Posthumous Works You Should Read Before You Die

The National Post (2008), 20 Books

This list contains twenty notable books that were published after the death of their authors.

The Australian Collection: Australia's Greatest Books

Book (1985), 97 Books

A 1ist of classic Australian books selected by writer and editor Geoffrey Dutton.

A Century of Reading

Lithub (2018), 118 Books

LitHub did a best of each decade for every decade of the 20th century. The lists seem to have been written by Emily Temple, which is an author and critic.

The Top 100 Sports Books of All Time

Sports Illustrated (2002), 100 Books

This list showcases a curated selection of sports books by the editors of Sports Illustrated, highlighting their favorite works that transcend traditional sportswriting by offering incisive, witty, and stylistically rich prose. The selection criteria focus on books that display the traits of great literature and capture the passion and drama inherent in sports. Compiled with love and reason, and born from intense and sometimes unruly discussions among the editors, this list reflects a critical examination of sports literature. The list includes books that have been best-sellers, were made into movies, are out of print, or are by authors with other noteworthy titles, emphasizing the literary and cultural impact of these works.

Keating’s 100 best crime and mystery books

Book (1987), 99 Books

H. R. F. Keating was the crime books reviewer for the London Times for 15 years, a former chairman of the British Crime Writers’ Association, and a past president of the Detection Club. His 100 Best Crime and Mystery Books was published 1987.

H.R.F Keating, author of The Perfect Murder and mystery reviewer for the Times of London, offers a concise commentary on the finest mystery books ever written. From Poe's tales of mystery and imagination to P. D. James's A Taste for Death, Keating delivers a highly-readable evaluation of 100 authors and their masterpieces. This collection is a must for all devoted mystery readers.

125 Books We Love for Adults

NY Public Library (2020), 125 Books

125 Books We Love
Celebrate the Library’s anniversary with 125 books, from the last 125 years, that inspire a lifelong love of reading.