The 40 best plays of all time

Independent, 41 Books

Paul Taylor and Holly Williams choose 40 brilliant plays to watch, hear or read

25 Books by Black Authors You Should Read This February

Oprah Daily, 25 Books

Oprah's curated list celebrates Black authors, emphasizing the importance of recognizing Black voices throughout the year, not just during Black History Month. This selection showcases a range of perspectives, from the profound insights of esteemed writers like Maya Angelou to the fresh narratives of newer talents like Oprah's Book Club selection Leila Mottley, as well as pioneering figures such as Ann Petry. The list is designed to enrich readers' understanding of both the adversities and achievements of Black people in America through the powerful medium of literature. By featuring a mix of historical and contemporary voices, Oprah's collection highlights the significant contribution of African American authors to literature and society, offering readers a selection of seminal works that reflect the diverse and dynamic experiences of the Black community.

Click If You Dare: 100 Favorite Horror Stories

NPR, 101 Books

NPR's horror novel and story poll transformed 7,000 nominations from its audience into a curated list of 100 must-read horror favorites, designed to cater to a wide array of readers. This initiative, much like NPR's other reader polls, was not intended to create a ranked or exhaustive compilation but rather to highlight a diverse and evocative selection of horror literature. The final list includes a mix of deeply unsettling works, alongside titles that, while not strictly horror, brush against the genre's dark themes or offer commentary on horrific subjects. Noteworthy is the exclusion of any works by the panel of expert judges—Stephen Graham Jones, Ruthanna Emrys, Tananarive Due, and Grady Hendrix—despite nominations, to avoid conflicts of interest. Stephen King, a prolific figure in horror, received a notable mention with over a thousand nominations, leading to a decision to allow authors a spot for both a novel and a short story, if needed, to honor the genre's tradition of classic horror in short form. This list serves as a guide for those looking to explore horror's chilling depths or to find tales that linger long after the page is turned, curated with insights from both the NPR audience and respected genre experts.

Top 100 Killer Thrillers

NPR, 100 Books

NPR's "Killer Thrillers" poll has culminated in a definitive list of the top 100 thriller novels, selected through a process that involved the enthusiastic participation of NPR's audience. Initiating with a nomination of approximately 600 novels, the poll attracted over 17,000 ballots, reflecting a wide engagement and a deep interest in the thriller genre. The resulting list is noted for its diversity, spanning various styles and periods, and for the intense debate it spurred regarding the inclusion of certain titles that push the boundaries of the traditional thriller category. Expert panelists, including critics and novelists, contributed to the selection process, offering insights into the dark and suspenseful nature of the chosen works. The endeavor not only highlighted the varied tastes and preferences of the NPR audience but also underscored the expansive definition of what constitutes a thriller, embracing a breathless sense of excitement as the unifying criterion. This poll has effectively mapped the landscape of thriller literature as seen through the eyes of a wide and engaged readership, offering a rich resource for discovering compelling tales of suspense and adventure.

Powell's Essential List: 25 Essential Sci-Fi and Fantasy Books Isn't Enough: Our 25 Honorable Mentions

Powells' City of Books, 25 Books

Powell's Books has unveiled a follow-up to their celebrated Essential List: 25 Best Sci-Fi and Fantasy Books of the 21st Century (So Far), introducing an "Honorable Mentions" list that spotlights outstanding titles which narrowly missed inclusion. After extensive deliberations and contributions from the entire Powell's team, this list comprises exceptional science fiction and fantasy books that have significantly impacted the genre. Despite focusing on works published after 1999, to maintain a contemporary perspective, the list also acknowledges timeless classics that, due to various constraints, couldn't be featured in their initial selection. This Honorable Mentions list serves as a tribute to the depth and diversity of the genre, including both beloved works from the last two decades and enduring favorites that continue to resonate with readers. Powell's encourages readers to explore these selections and share their own indispensable titles, further enriching the ongoing conversation about the essential reads in science fiction and fantasy.

Powell's Essential List: 25 Best Sci-Fi and Fantasy Books of the 21st Century

Powells' City of Books, 25 Books

Powell's Books has curated a compelling list of the 21st century's best science fiction and fantasy novels, offering an escape into realms far beyond the mundane realities of our current world. This collection is a vibrant tapestry of narratives, featuring distant planets, formidable dragons, and epic space romances. It brings together a diverse array of characters—from mutants and robots to prophets and space creatures—embarking on adventures filled with mythology, galactic wars, and profound philosophical inquiries. These selections are not just about escapism; they boldly tackle significant contemporary issues such as climate change, race, gender identity, sexuality, and class, while also delving into the universal themes of love, loss, heartache, and hope. Highlighting the imaginative potential of the 21st century, Powell's list presents 25 essential reads that promise to enchant, challenge, and inspire readers with their visionary insights and fantastical worlds.

The Books You've Always Meant to Read

Waterstones, 229 Books

That classic you're too embarrassed to admit you've never read? That doorstopper of a read still propping up one leg of your bed? You're amongst friends! Make good all your bookish ambitions with our guide to the essential additions to your home library - the best books you've never read.

Best Foreign Work of Fiction Chosen by Francophone Writers

French literary magazine Transfuge, 134 Books

The French literary magazine Transfuge asked a group of francophone writers to pick their best foreign work of fiction.

The authors polled are: Pierre Assouline, Frédéric Beigbeder, Nina Bouraoui, Michel Butor, Eric Chevillard, Claro, Charles Dantzig, Jacques Darras, Florence Delay, Jean-Paul Dubois, Eric Faye, Alain Finkielkraut, Eric Fottorino, Jérôme Garcin, Régis Jauffret, Jacques Julliard, Philippe Labro, Linda Lê, Gilles Lipovetsky, Richard Morgiève, Marie Ndiaye, Claude Pirotte, Lydie Salvayre, Jean-François Sirinelli, Alain-Gérard Slama, Phillipe Sollers, Tzvetan Todorov, Michel Tournier

The Modern Library: The Two Hundred Best Novels in English Since 1950

The Modern Library (Book), 209 Books

The authors have chosen the 200 books since 1950 that they consider to be the best. It includes some familiar names and some surprises. Witty and controversial, their aim is to encourage reading.

The Authors
- Dame Carmen Thérèse Callil, DBE, FRSL was an Australian publisher, writer and critic who spent most of her career in the United Kingdom. She founded Virago Press in 1973 and received the Benson Medal from the Royal Society of Literature in 2017
- Colm Tóibín FRSL is an Irish novelist, short story writer, essayist, journalist, critic, playwright and poet. His first novel, The South, was published in 1990. The Blackwater Lightship was shortlisted for the Booker Prize.

30 Books Every Adult Should Read Before They Die

The British Museums, Libraries, and Archives Society, 30 Books

The list of books recommended by Britain's librarians as must-reads before one dies was compiled through a World Book Day poll by the Museum, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA). Librarians across the country were asked to select books they believe every adult should read, culminating in a diverse selection that highlights both classic literature and contemporary favorites. The initiative reflects the insights of librarians who, through their professional experience and personal tastes, guide readers towards works that are not only culturally significant but also enriching on a personal level. This endeavor underscores the value of librarian recommendations in navigating the vast world of literature, offering a blend of historical importance, narrative excellence, and thematic depth across various genres and eras.

A Century of Reading

Lithub, 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.

12 Novels Considered the Greatest Book Ever Written

Encyclopedia Britannica, 12 Books

Literary critics, historians, avid readers, and even casual readers will all have different opinions on which novel is truly the “greatest book ever written.” Is it a novel with beautiful, captivating figurative language? Or one with gritty realism? A novel that has had an immense social impact? Or one that has more subtly affected the world? Here is a list of 12 novels that, for various reasons, have been considered some of the greatest works of literature ever written.

Top 100 Science-Fiction, Fantasy Books

NPR, 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.

The Ultimate Book Bucket List: The 75 Best Books Of All Time

Refinery29, 75 Books

What is the best book of all time? This question is impossible to answer — to some, the best book of all time might be Twilight by Stephenie Meyer. To others, it could be A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking. If we’re looking at plain numbers, it appears that The Bible is the best-selling book of all time — but does that really make it the best book of all time?
Because there are just so many books well worth a read, we’ve collated some of the very best stories ever told for you in the list below. They’re even sorted by genre, so you can pick your favourite and get started — do you like fiction, non-fiction, romance, or even fantasy? We’ve got you covered.

My Favourite Book - Australian Big Read

Australian Big Read, 103 Books

In a unique initiative by ABC Television in Australia, a nationwide poll was conducted to discover the country's favorite books. Launched in September, the campaign encouraged Australians to nominate and vote for their most cherished literary works. The process attracted participation from tens of thousands of individuals, reflecting a wide spectrum of literary preferences across the nation. The results, revealed during a special program titled "My Favourite Book," showcased a diverse range of titles, including works by both international and Australian authors, highlighting the varied literary tastes among Australians. The endeavor not only celebrated beloved literary classics but also emphasized the importance of literature in Australian culture.

Modern Fantasy: The 100 Best Novels

Modern Fantasy: The 100 Best Novels (Book), 102 Books

This collection of 100 brief (2-3 page) essays by British sf magazine editor Pringle offers an informed and admittedly subjective guided tour of a genre that encompasses such widely divergent titles as Tolkien's Lord of the Rings (1954-55), Flann O'Brien's The Third Policeman (1967), and Stephen King's Salem's Lot (1975). Following the format of his earlier collection, Science The 100 Best Novels (LJ 7/86), Pringle presents his selections in chronological order and includes a synopsis of the story, a discussion of the author's overall contribution to fantasy literature, critical commentary on the title's significance, and a brief publishing history. An introductory essay tackles the difficulty of defining fantasy, while a "Brief Bibliography" directs readers to other discussions of the genre. By no means a definitive subject guide, this entertaining volume should serve as a solid introduction to the elusive field of imaginative literature.

Science Fiction: The 100 Best Novels

David Pringle, 100 Books

Science Fiction: The 100 Best Novels, An English-Language Selection, 1949-1984 is a nonfiction book by David Pringle, published by Xanadu in 1985 with a foreword by Michael Moorcock. Primarily, the book comprises 100 short essays on the selected works, covered in order of publication, without any ranking. It is considered an important critical summary of the science fiction field.

Best Books Listed for High School Students

William J. Bennett, 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 500 best books of all time from Culture Café users

Culture Café, 499 Books

In October 2008, the Culture Café site asked Internet users to vote for their ten favorite books. After collecting 5,000 votes and listing more than 3,000 titles, here are the results of the 500 best chosen by Internet users of the site

Details on the method and classification

- A list of ten books was requested from Internet users, in order of preference of their favorite works (all genres, nationalities, and dates of publication). The votes were anonymous.
- Only the rankings containing the ten titles were counted. The votes containing fewer were automatically deleted by the software.
- The book arriving first in each ranking was awarded ten points, the second nine points, etc.
- The series of novels (Harry Potter, Dune, etc.) have been counted under the generic name of the complete series"

500 Great Books by Women

Book, 506 Books

The editors of this work-one is a teacher, one a writer, and one a women's bookstore owner-clearly love to read, are committed to promoting women's writing, and want to provide a useful guide for readers of similar inclination. The editors, along with some 30 contributors, have written brief descriptions (about 200 words) of 500 selected books. To be included, books had to be written by a woman and be in prose, in print, and in English (or in translation). The editors selected books they personally loved that represent multicultural and international perspectives. The entries are arranged thematically, including sections for art, family, identity, work, and 15 additional themes. The selections are somewhat unexpected, but they do include at least one sampling of the most acclaimed women writers (e.g., Angelou, Morrison, Weldon, and Oates).

100 Best Novels, in Translation, Since 1900

CounterPunch, 100 Books

Jeffrey St. Clair and Alexander Cockburn's list of the best novels, in translation, since 1900.

The Top 100 Mystery Novels of All Time

Mystery Writers of America, 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.

Big Read (Bulgarian)

Bulgaria, 100 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.

As if You Don't Have Enough to Read, Fiction Edition

New York Times, 120 Books

This is the fiction version of the non-fiction list. The description of the non-fiction list is -- Inspired by The Guardian's recent list of the 100 greatest nonfiction books, we here at the magazine decided to create our own list. Dispensing with all pretense to rigor — it's a list, silly! — we simply asked each member of the staff to pick their five favorites.
Note. I did delete one entry where someone just listed one author. These are ranked at the top of the list. I aggregated the duplicates into a rank.

Finding Comfort in the Classics

NY Times, 21 Books

Editors and writers on the Books desk — along with colleagues from the newsroom — recommend some time-tested books that offer escape from the present moment. This list came out during COVID

World Fantasy Award—Novel

World Fantasy Awards, 55 Books

The World Fantasy Awards are given each year by the World Fantasy Convention for the best fantasy fiction published in
English during the previous calendar year. The awards have been described by book critics such as The Guardian as a
"prestigious fantasy prize", and one of the three most prestigious speculative fiction awards.
The World Fantasy Award—Novel is given each year for fantasy
novels published in English or translated into English. A work of fiction is defined by the organization as a novel if it is 40,000
words or longer. The Novel category has been awarded annually since 1975.

The Hundred Most Influential Books Since The War (WW2)

Central and East European Publishing Project, 100 Books

In 1986, a diverse group of writers and scholars came together to try to assist independent East European writers and publishers both at home and in exile. The Chairman was Lord Dahrendorf, Warden of St.Antony's College, Oxford. Other members were the French historian Francois Furet; Raymond Georis, Director of the European Cultural Foundation, Amsterdam; Laurens van Krevelen of the Dutch publishing house Meulenhoff; the Swedish writer Per Wastberg, at the time President of International PEN; the European correspondent of the New Yorker, Jane Kramer; and the historian and commentator Timothy Garton Ash. It was
envisaged that support would take two forms: first, to ensure publication in the original languages, and second, to encourage more translations.

One of the basic tenets of this initiative, which came to be known as the Central and East European Publishing Project (CEEPP), was that the geopolitical division of Europe - the Iron Curtain was then still very much a reality - had interrupted the normal and healthy flow not just of people but also of books and ideas. Its aim, in the words of Ralf Dahrendorf, was to foster a "common market of the mind" throughout the whole of Europe. After 1989, CEEPP was able to expand its activities and organize workshops and in-house training for those involved in publishing, but its main concern remained to facilitate the publication of worthwhile books and journals.

At Trustees' meetings, titles submitted by publishers for consideration were scrutinized for their quality and relevance. Not surprisingly, there were, among the Orwells, Poppers, and Hannah Arendts, some very odd works, and also some strange omissions. Inspired and provoked by the perusal of these lists over the years, the Trustees decided that in their final year of activity (the Project disbanded at the end of 1994) they would respond to the challenge of producing, as a jeu d'esprit, a consciously arbitrary list of the 100 books which have been most influential in the West since 1945.

An initial list was put together by a small panel consisting of Robert Cassen, Dahrendorf, Garton Ash, Michael Ignatieff, Leszek Kolakowski, and Bryan Magee. It was then revised, following an extensive discussion at the last meeting of CEEPP Trustees. Works of fiction were included only when they had a wider impact.

Big Read (German)

Germany, 100 Books

The Big Read initiative was launched in Germany by the public television broadcaster ZDF in 2004, under the name "Das große Lesen". Based on the BBC version of Big Read, it was designed as a game show to determine the top 50 books read and liked by the German people.

An initial list of 200 books was sent to more than 10,000 bookshops to start the survey. Supported by the Börsenverein des Deutschen Buchhandels and Stiftung Lesen 60,000 votes were already cast within the first week. Four weeks later the list had grown to 12,615 book nominations, and after the casting of 250,000 votes the 'winners' were determined.

The 20 Best Novels of the Decade (2010s)

Literary Hub, 39 Books

The 20 Best Novels of the Decade (2010-2019) chosen by the Literary Hub staff. This does not include translated books. This actually includes 39 books because they included 19 additional books in "Dissenting Opinions" section. I am assuming those are in ranked order.

Big Read (Hungarian)

Hungaria, 100 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.

The 100 Best YA Books of All Time

Time, 100 Books

With a panel of celebrated authors—Elizabeth Acevedo, Kacen Callender, Jenny Han, Jason Reynolds, Adam Silvera, Angie Thomas and Nicola Yoon—TIME presents the most compelling, enlightening and influential young-adult books, in chronological order beginning in the 1800s.

15 Essential Colombian Novels You Should Read

Juan Cardenas and Margarita García Robayo, 18 Books

Recommendations from Juan Cardenas and Margarita García Robayo, on the Eve of Hay Festival Cartagenards, which ran from 1976 to 1995, and the Goodman Fielder Wattie Book Awards, which ran from 1968 to 1995 (known as the Montana Book Awards from 1994 to 1995).

Ahead of the 15th edition this weekend, two of Colombia’s contemporary literary stars—Juan Cardenas and Margarita García Robayo—share 15 essential Colombian novels to enjoy.

The 100 Best Fantasy Books of All Time

Time, 98 Books

With a panel of leading fantasy authors—N.K. Jemisin, Neil Gaiman, Sabaa Tahir, Tomi Adeyemi, Diana Gabaldon, George R.R. Martin, Cassandra Clare and Marlon James—TIME presents the most engaging, inventive and influential works of fantasy fiction, in chronological order beginning in the 9th century.
*note* I combined some of the books here. All the Lord of the Rings books are combined.

The Main Works of Russian literature

Polka Academy, 108 Books

These are books that left a mark on history, expanded the possibilities of literature, influenced the development of language, thought and society, reported something new about the world and man - and entered the Russian literary canon.

We turned to authoritative writers, literary scholars, publishers, critics, and teachers and offered to name any number of the most important, in their opinion, literary works (without specifying the criteria of importance).

The ZORA Canon: The 100 greatest books ever written by African American women

Zora, 100 Books

The ZORA Canon is a distinguished list featuring the 100 greatest books by African American women, marking a first in acknowledging this specific literary group. Rooted in a deep cultural tradition, it spans 160 years of literature, from pre-emancipation times to the present. The selection includes a wide array of genres, such as fiction, nonfiction, plays, anthologies, and poetry, covering a range of topics from historical to personal narratives. This list was meticulously compiled by a panel of experts in African American women's literature. It not only celebrates the contributions of these authors but also serves as a comprehensive reference for readers. The ZORA Canon is a tribute to underrecognized writers and a gateway for exploring the rich cultural and literary history of African American women.

The Big Read

BBC, 200 Books

The Big Read was a survey on books carried out by the BBC in the United Kingdom in 2003, where over three-quarters of a million votes were received from the British public to find the nation's best-loved novel. The year-long survey was the biggest single test of public reading taste to date, and culminated with several programmes hosted by celebrities, advocating their favourite books.

Harold Bloom's The Western Canon

The Western Canon (Book) by Harold Bloom, 1501 Books

The Western Canon: The Books and School of the Ages is a 1994 book about Western literature by the American literary critic Harold Bloom, in which the author defends the concept of the Western canon by discussing 26 writers whom he sees as central to the canon.
The Western Canon includes four appendices listing works that Bloom at the time considered canonical, stretching from the earliest scriptures to Tony Kushner's Angels in America. Bloom later disowned the list, saying that it was written at his editor's insistence and distracted from the book's intention.
In adding this list, I did expand certain titles into multiple books, and combined some, since some are single short stories. This was a difficult list to add since there are so many books.

25 Greatest Science Books of All Time

Discover Magazine, 25 Books

Discover Magazine staff presents the essential reading list for anyone interested in science.

International Dublin Literary Award

International Dublin Literary Award, 28 Books

The International Dublin Literary Award (Irish: Duais Liteartha Idirnáisiúnta Bhaile Átha Chliath), established as the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award in 1996, is presented each year for a novel written or translated into English. It promotes excellence in world literature and is solely sponsored by Dublin City Council, Ireland. At €100,000, the award is one of the richest literary prizes in the world.

Our Users' Favorite Books of All Time

The Greatest Books Users, 1351 Books

The Greatest Books determined by the users of this web site. If you would like to contribute add your favorite books to your "My Favorite Books" user list. Whenever someone adds books to their list, or reorders them, this list will updated(after a short delay) and the rankings will get updated.

50 Best Cult Books

Telegraph, 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 Top 100 Crime Novels of All Time

Crime Writers' Association, 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.

Best Science Book Ever

the Royal Institution of Great Britain, 23 Books

On 19 October 2006, the Royal Institution of Great Britain named the 1975 short story collection The Periodic Table, by Primo Levi, the best science book ever. After taking nominations from many scientists in various disciplines, authors, and other notable people (such as the Archbishop of Canterbury), the Royal Institution compiled a shortlist of books for consideration. This shortlist was presented to the public at an event held at Imperial College and the audience voted to determine which book was "the best."

Andrew Carnegie Medals for Excellence in Fiction and Nonfiction

Andrew Carnegie Medals for Excellence, 23 Books

The Andrew Carnegie Medals for Excellence in Fiction and Nonfiction, established in 2012, recognize the best fiction and nonfiction books for adult readers published in the U.S. in the previous year and serve as a guide to help adults select quality reading material. They are the first single-book awards for adult books given by the American Library Association and reflect the expert judgment and insight of library professionals who work closely with adult readers.

Royal Society Prizes for Science Books

The Royal Society, 35 Books

The Royal Society Science Books Prize is an annual £25,000 prize awarded by the Royal Society to celebrate outstanding popular science books from around the world. It is open to authors of science books written for a non-specialist audience, and since it was established in 1988 has championed writers such as Stephen Hawking, Jared Diamond, Stephen Jay Gould and Bill Bryson. In 2015 The Guardian described the prize as "the most prestigious science book prize in Britain".

Top 50 Irish Novels

James Joyce Center with The Irish Times, 50 Books

The James Joyce Center co-sponsored a contest with The Irish Times voting on the best Irish novels. They had a predetermined list of books which the voters could choose from.

15 Australian Classics for your Consideration

The Sydney Morning Herald, 15 Books

15 Australian books that every Australian can enjoy if they want to understand our literature, our country and ourselves. Susan Wyndham, the Herald's literary editor consulted friends, colleagues and Australian Classics by Jane Gleeson-White and The Macquarie PEN Anthology of Australian Literature, edited by Nicholas Jose and others.

Horror: The 100 Best Books

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

Top 20 Latin American Books To Read Before You Die

Latin Times, 20 Books

Latin Times has put together a list of 20 Latin American themed books you must read before you die. Think of it as your bucket list of books.

The themes and genres of the books on this list range from classic, to modern to biography. Each book was carefully selected and thought to be great reads.

The 100 Best Mystery and Thriller Books of All Time

Time, 100 Books

With a panel of celebrated authors—Megan Abbott, Harlan Coben, S.A. Cosby, Gillian Flynn, Tana French, Rachel Howzell Hall, and Sujata Massey—TIME presents the most gripping, twist-filled, satisfying, and influential mystery and thriller books, in chronological order beginning in the 1800s.