PEOPLE Picks the Best Books From the 1980s

PEOPLE Magazine (2024), 15 Books

from their website:

In celebration of our 50th year, we're looking back at some of our favorite reads over the decades.

No matter how old you are, we've all got those books that have made a lasting impression on us. Whether it's the book your mom read to you at night when you were a kid, one a beloved English teacher introduced you to or one that opened your mind and heart at an important point, some books really stand the test of time.

In celebration of 50 years of PEOPLE, we polled our staff about the books from decades past that made a difference in their lives or the culture at large. Here are our picks from the 1980s.

PEOPLE Picks the Best Books From the 1970s

PEOPLE Magazine (2024), 15 Books

description from their website:

In celebration of our 50th year, we're looking back at some of our favorite reads over the decades.

No matter how old you are, we've all got those books that have made a lasting impression on us. Whether it's the book your mom read to you at night when you were a kid, one a beloved English teacher introduced you to or one that opened your mind and heart at an important point, some books really stand the test of time.

In celebration of 50 years of PEOPLE, we polled our staff about the books from decades past that made a difference in their lives or the culture at large. Here are our picks from the 1970s.

The Spouter-Inn; or, A Conversation with Great Books

The Spouter-Inn Podcast (2024), 74 Books

This is a podcast about "Great Books". Here is the description from the website:

Reading is far from dead. More people than ever are reading—on Kindles, iPads, and phones, in paperbacks and hardcover. The choice of what to read is endless: new online content appears every morning, and many of us have that ever-growing pile of “books I might read someday.” Some of the books in that pile might be so-called “classics,” “great books” that have been read for hundreds—even thousands—of years. But who picks up a copy of Homer’s Iliad from the bookstore table, or downloads a copy of Dante’s Divine Comedy? These books aren’t always easy to begin, and the fact that you might have studied them in college or high school just makes them seem more like work and not play. It’s not always clear how to get into these books: Can you skip parts? Can you start at the end? Why isn’t this more like a novel?

At The Spouter-Inn, we want to invite you into a series of conversations about books—how they’re shaped, what kind of world they come out of, and how they speak to us right now. Whether you’ve done the reading or are just curious, come join Suzanne (a literature professor at Princeton University) and Chris (a PhD dropout and poet) as talk about these books and what it means to read them today. Guests for many episodes often include academics and literature experts.

The 100 Greatest Novels

Nezavisimaya Gazeta (Russian Newspaper) (2008), 101 Books

The list of “100 best books” according to the Russian newspaper “NG-Ex libris” (book review, supplement to “Nezavisimaya Gazeta”), published on January 31, 2008.

This ranking consists of 100 novels that, in the opinion of the editorial team, shook the literary world and influenced the entire culture. Books are listed in chronological order.

Who voted?
The list wasn’t crowdsourced—it was drawn up in-house by NG-Ex Libris’s own editorial desk. Roughly five staff critics, led by editor-in-chief Evgeny Lesin, debated and agreed on the final 100 titles during their weekly editorial meetings in January 2008.

The Greatest Books of 2024 - Honorable Mention

The Greatest Books (2024), 1114 Books

This is honorable mention lists of greatest books of 2024. The original list of the top 100 is here: https://thegreatestbooks.org/lists/746. This list are the books ranked 101 and after.

This list is ranked

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

13 Best True Crime Books to Devour

Marie Claire (2024), 13 Books

13 Best True Crime Books to Devour from Marie Claire

who voted?
Maria Ricapito, Andrea Park

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.

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.

23 of the Best and Swooniest Romantasy Books

Book Riot (2023), 23 Books

This list, curated by Silvana Reyes Lopez for Book Riot, showcases a selection of 23 notable romantasy books, which are fantasy romance novels. The purpose of the list is to highlight the best and most enchanting titles within this popular sub-genre, which combines elements of romance and fantasy. The selection criteria focus on romantic narratives set in magical worlds, appealing to readers who enjoy epic love stories with fantasy elements. The methodology involves identifying current trends and popular titles in the genre, as romantasy has gained traction through platforms like social media and TikTok, where it garners significant attention and engagement.

16 Essential Romantasy Novels

Books & Bao (2025), 16 Books

This list presents a curated selection of 16 essential romantasy novels, which are characterized by their blend of romantic and fantastical elements, with a strong focus on romance as a central theme. The selection criteria emphasize the combination of magical, action-packed plots enriched with intense romantic narratives, distinguishing them from general fantasy works with mere romantic subplots. The list is curated by Polly Clover and is hosted on the website Books and Bao, with an emphasis on 'spicy' must-reads within the romantasy genre. The methodology appears to be based on thematic appeal and the ability of these novels to engage readers with compelling series and world-building, as well as their popularity and critical acclaim in the genre.

13 of Our Favorite Books On Black Resistance and Revolution

OkayAfrica (2017), 13 Books

This list presents 13 influential books focusing on Black resistance and revolution, curated by Damola Durosomo for OkayAfrica. The selection highlights works that embody revolutionary thinking by Black visionaries, emphasizing their significance in fostering social progress and challenging oppressive systems. The list, published on October 25, 2017, aligns with OkayAfrica's celebration of Black revolution icons and movements, showcasing literature that continues to inspire and spark revolutionary spirit. The criteria for selection include the impact of the books on historical and contemporary movements for racial equality and social justice, with a focus on authors who have played pivotal roles in these areas. The methodology does not involve public voting but is based on editorial choice, reflecting the personal favorites of the curator or publication.

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.

Ms. Readers’ 100 Best Feminist Non-Fiction Books of All Time

Ms. Magazine (2011), 100 Books

This list is a compilation of the top 100 feminist non-fiction books of all time, curated by Ms. Magazine based on reader input. The selection criteria focused on feminist themes, with particular emphasis on work, sex, and intersectionality, as reflected in the choices of Ms. readers. The list was created through a voting process that occurred over two-and-a-half weeks on platforms such as Goodreads, the Ms. Blog, and Facebook, with votes counted until September 25, 2011. To resolve ties, books were ranked by the number of platforms they received votes on, followed by their rank on Goodreads. This pseudo-scientific methodology involved contributions from several individuals, including Cortney Rock, Sarah Richardson, Holly Derr, Jessica Stites, and Mimi Seldner.

Who voted?
They don't specify the exact voter count. I am going to guess at least 50 people. If someone has more information please let me know

The new modern classics — the nation’s favourite 20th century novels

The Times (2024), 50 Books

The list comprises the top 50 bestselling modern classics from the 20th century, as determined by Nielsen BookScan's UK print sales data over the five-year period ending in mid-2024. It highlights enduring favorites across genres like dystopian fiction, literary classics, and dark academia, reflecting readers' preferences for stories that explore themes of paranoia, societal breakdown, and personal struggles. Influenced by TikTok trends, school curriculums, and TV adaptations, the list captures a mix of angst-driven narratives and occasional moments of humor and hope. While heavily dominated by American and British authors, it underscores a darker, introspective literary canon that resonates with contemporary audiences seeking to process complex emotions and turbulent realities.

23 Must-Read Science Books About the Environment, Chosen by Earthwatch Scientists

Earthwatch (2020), 22 Books

This list features 23 must-read science books about the environment, curated by Earthwatch scientists and staff to engage readers with conservation and environmental topics. The selection criteria focused on personal recommendations from these experts, emphasizing the impact these books had on their understanding and passion for environmental science. The Earthwatch team aimed to provide insights into how these works can inspire individuals to support nature and the conservation movement, even when not participating in Earthwatch expeditions. The methodology involved asking contributing scientists and staff to share their favorite environmental science reads and the significance of these books in their professional and personal journeys.

100 Notable Books of 2018

New York Times (2018), 100 Books

2018s notable fiction, poetry and nonfiction, selected by the editors of The New York Times Book Review.

who voted:
Trade sources differ: a C-SPAN–based 2015 blog post tallied roughly 16 New York Times Book Review staffers, while a 2023 Publishers Weekly profile said the desk now has “more than 20 editors, critics and reporters” To keep our rankings conservative, we therefore credit each NYT list to 10 voters.

Books of the Decade (1980s)

The Independent (1989), 76 Books

Published on Saturday 23rd December 1989 under the banner “Books of the Decade”, the feature invited this eclectic panel of novelists, historians, biographers, editors and journalists to nominate their standout titles of the 1980s. Their votes produced an aggregated ranking headed by Rites of Passage by William Golding (the only book mentioned four times), followed by a cluster of runners‑up—Bonfire of the Vanities, Love in the Time of Cholera, The Satanic Verses, Money and several others—each cited twice. A long tail of single mentions reflects the diversity of tastes across fiction, history, poetry, literary criticism and science writing. The overall spread highlights how British literary culture at the close of the decade balanced home‑grown talent with major international voices, and how the 1980s produced enduring work across genres, from Golding’s maritime morality tale to Rushdie’s controversial magic‑realist epic.

Who were the voters?
The panel comprised 22 well‑known writers, critics, broadcasters and public intellectuals—largely British, with a few Irish and American voices—who were invited by the newspaper to look back at the 1980s and choose the books that had mattered most to them. The voters were:

Melvyn Bragg, A. S. Byatt, Jan Morris, Ronald Hayman, Barbara Everett, Allan Gurganus, John Banville, Michael Foot, Ruth Dudley Edwards, Eric Christiaansen, Gabriel Josipovici, D. J. Taylor, Hugo Barnacle, Robert Winder, Jeremy Paxman, David Owen, Claire Tomalin, Godfrey Hodgson, Peter Levi, Tom Maschler, Mark Lawson and Blake Morrison.

The Best Of The 1980s

Sun-News (1989), 20 Books

The Best Of The 1980s from a newspaper article on December 22nd, 1989 from the Associated Press Editors.

20 of the Most Important Books for Economics before 1940

New York Public Library (2014), 20 Books

20 of the Most Important Books for Economics before 1940
By John Balow, Curator for Business, History and Social Science, Collections Strategy

The 25 Greatest Kids Books of All Time

Forbes (2024), 25 Books

This list is a compilation of 'The 25 Greatest Kids Books Of All Time,' curated by Forbes contributor Sughnen Yongo. The selection criteria for the list include reader reviews, legacy, and critical acclaim, highlighting books that offer comfort, valuable lessons, and imaginative narratives for children. The methodology is rooted in the enduring impact and recognition of the books, featuring classics that have been beloved across generations. The list reflects a diverse array of storytelling, from imaginative tales to narratives infused with moral lessons, aimed at engaging and inspiring young readers.

The Top 100 Book Series of All Time

Audible (2024), 100 Books

The feeling of discovering that your favorite new listen is actually the start of a series is euphoric. That you can immediately hit play and re-enter a beloved new world, or love story, or era from history is a gift to the devoted listener. But how to pick just 100 of these unique and immersive listening journeys? We defined a series as having a minimum of three books, and—after some debate—we decided the titles had to be anchored in fiction. There are plenty of genres to explore—from YA to horror to historical fiction, from fresh voices to seminal tales, hours upon hours of discovery await.

Here are the people who worked on the list: https://web.archive.org/web/20240111065043/https://www.audible.com/blog/editors

It seems like there were 18 people who worked on this and their names are listed on the page above

The Best Translated Fiction

The Booker Prize (2024), 17 Books

The Booker Prize asked the authors and translators longlisted for the International Booker Prize 2024 to recommend their favourite works of global fiction that have been translated into English

Who voted?
17 people voted and they are listed in the article

People Are Sharing The One Book That Has Stood Out To Them In All Their Years Of Reading

Buzzfeed (2022), 31 Books

By Hannah Loewentheil of BuzzFeed.
A list of 31 best books that individuals state is their single best book, sourced by "browsing through the subreddit r/books and parsed through responses from the BuzzFeed Community".
While the list is numbered I think it is an unranked list.

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.

40 Most Important Books, 1927-2001

World Literature Today (2001), 40 Books

Published in 2001 for World Literature Today’s 75th anniversary, the list was built by a panel of about three dozen experts—35 writers and professors from 22 countries were reported as submitting ballots—whom the editors had originally assembled as “40 scholars” for the project. The judges were asked to single out works they felt had proved most “important” to engaged general readers rather than merely to academics, and they could choose only titles issued during the magazine’s own lifespan (1 January 1927 – 31 December 2001). The resulting, unranked Top 40 covers four genres (fiction, poetry, drama, essays), draws on 29 different national literatures, and includes 23 books first written in languages other than English, underlining the list’s deliberately concise yet genuinely international scope.

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.

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).

31 Books Every South African Should Read

Brand South Africa (2016), 31 Books

This list, titled '31 Books Every South African Should Read,' is curated by Brand South Africa, aiming to provide readers with a deeper understanding of South African culture, history, and societal issues through literature. The selection includes a diverse range of genres such as non-fiction, fiction, and poetry, showcasing the works of influential South African novelists, poets, journalists, and historians. The list does not specify the methodologies or criteria used for selecting these works, nor does it detail the number of contributors or voters involved in its creation. However, it serves as a cultural touchstone for insights into the country's past and present, reflecting on themes of apartheid, democracy, and identity within the South African context.

Making Sense of Chinese History

Scholar's Stage (2018), 20 Books

This list, titled "Making Sense of Chinese History: A Reading List," is curated by Tanner Greer and aims to provide an introductory guide to understanding Chinese history through its literature, philosophy, and historical narratives. The selection is divided into two levels based on the reader's commitment, with "Level One" featuring shorter, more accessible works and "Level Two" comprising more comprehensive texts. Greer's intent is not to offer an overview of Chinese civilization but rather to introduce readers to the key figures and ideas that have shaped the "great conversation" of Chinese tradition. This humanist approach emphasizes the importance of understanding historical and literary allusions to engage with modern Chinese discourse. The methodology is personal and subjective, reflecting Greer's perspective and focus on essential readings for grasping the cultural and intellectual heritage of China.

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".

20 Best Chinese Non-Fiction Books of the 20th Century

Time Out Beijing (2015), 20 Books

Time Out Beijing's best Chinese non-fiction books of all time, as voted for by 24 Chinese literature experts, novelists, literary agents, publishers, editors, critics and journalists for their top book picks from the last 100 years, based on the following criteria:

- Available in English
- Published after 1900
- A book that illuminates some interesting aspect of Chinese society; historical or modern, observational or analytical, playful or scholarly; poignant and relevant to readers today".

20 Best Chinese Fiction Books of the 20th Century

Time Out Beijing (2015), 20 Books

"Time Out Beijing's best Chinese fiction books of all time, as voted for by 24 Chinese literature experts, novelists, literary agents, publishers, editors, critics and journalists for their top book picks from the last 100 years, based on the following criteria:

- Available in English
- Published after 1900
- Written by a Mainland or Greater China-born author.

Read the full lists of what each expert voted for and why each book means so much to them in our judges' section".

The Golden Man Booker

Booker Prize (2018), 5 Books

The Golden Man Booker was a special one-off prize awarded in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Booker Prize. All of the previous 51 winning titles since the Booker's inception in 1969 were eligible.

Five judges read the books from each relevant decade and chose a title which to be pitted against the judges' other choices. The judges' shortlist of five titles was announced on 26 May 2018, with voting also commencing that day. The winner was announced at a ceremony on 8 July 2018, at London's Southbank Centre, with the award going to Michael Ondaatje for his 1992 novel The English Patient.

The judges were (chosen decade in parentheses):

Robert McCrum (1970s)
Lemn Sissay (1980s)
Kamila Shamsie (1990s)
Simon Mayo (2000s)
Hollie McNish (2010s)

The Best of the Booker

Booker Prize (2008), 6 Books

The Best of the Booker was a one-time award given in 2008 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Booker Prize. The prize considered all 41 past Booker-winning novels since 1968, with a shortlist of six titles selected by a panel including novelist Victoria Glendinning, broadcaster Mariella Frostrup, and Professor John Mullan. Notable nominees included two-time Booker winners Peter Carey and J.M. Coetzee. The public chose Salman Rushdie’s Midnight’s Children as the winner, a novel that had previously won both the 1981 Booker and the 1993 Booker of Bookers, awarded for the prize’s 25th anniversary.

2 . Who actually picked the winner?
Unlike a normal Booker year, the panel’s work stopped at the shortlist stage. From 12 May until early July the international reading public voted online (via the Man Booker website and partner media sites). Roughly 8,000 readers cast ballots; 36 % of them chose Salman Rushdie’s Midnight’s Children.
theguardian.com
reuters.com

The result was revealed on 10 July 2008 at the London Literature Festival on the South Bank, where Rushdie’s sons accepted the glass trophy on his behalf.
en.wikipedia.org

Key take-away: in the 40th-anniversary “Best of the Booker,” the panel curated quality, while the public delivered the final verdict, making Midnight’s Children the only novel to have won the main Booker (1981), the 25th-anniversary “Booker of Bookers” (1993), and this 40-year crown.

Zeit Library of 100 Non-Fiction Books

Zeit-Bibliothek (1984), 100 Books

The success of the Zeit Library of 100 Books led to the project being expanded five years later to include a collection of 100 non-fiction books, the Zeit-Bibliothek der 100 Sachbücher, with Raddatz again being in charge. The jury for this consisted of noted academics: Ralf Dahrendorf, Manfred Eigen, Theodor Eschenburg, Wolf Lepenies, Golo Mann, Alexander Mitscherlich, Fritz J. Raddatz, Thomas von Randow and Uta Ranke-Heinemann.

Books That Shaped an Era

TIME (1999), 5 Books

This list, titled 'Books That Shaped an Era,' is curated by TIME and aims to highlight significant literary works that have had a profound impact on different societies and eras. The selection criteria seem to focus on the historical and cultural influence of each book, as well as their lasting popularity and contribution to literary traditions. While the exact methodology or number of contributors involved in the selection process is not explicitly stated, the list appears to be an editorial choice by TIME, reflecting the magazine's perspective on influential literature.

20 Best New Zealand Books of the 21st Century

The Conversation (2024), 20 Books

As no New Zealand books appeared in the NYT list of best 21st century works The Coversation proceeded to create their own New Zealand list.
"... we worked with The Conversation’s NZ editor Finlay Macdonald, a former book publisher and Listener editor. Together, we asked more than 20 local literary experts to each share their favourite NZ book of the century."

Best Australian Books of the 21st century (The Conversation)

The Conversation (2024), 43 Books

As no Australian works appeared in the New York Times list of the Best Books of the 21st century the Conversation took action: "The Conversation’s Books & Ideas team, seeking to right a wrong (and just very curious), asked 50 Australian literary experts to each share their favourite Australian books of this century"
All the experts are named and also give a synopsis on their choices.
Actual number of works came to 43 as a couple of books were chosen more than once.

Harenberg Buch der 1000 Bücher

Harenberg Buch der 1000 Bücher (2005), 1065 Books

The Book of 1000 Books is a reading canon of literary works, edited by Joachim Kaiser and compiled with the assistance of a team of authors. The book was published by the Dortmund-based Harenberg-Verlag . It contains summaries and further information on works from the entire history of literature. These include novels , plays , novellas , non-fiction books , travelogues , and children's books . It is arranged alphabetically by author and, due to various editions, contains up to 1070 books.

The publisher never printed a full roster of everyone who worked on Das Buch der 1000 Bücher, but contemporary blurbs for the 3rd (2005) and earlier editions all give the same headline figure: roughly 150 contributors (“Mitarbeiter”) supplied the individual write-ups that editor Joachim Kaiser curated into the final canon.

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.

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

Fifty Representative Historical Novels (Jonathan Nield, 1925)

A Guide to the Best Historical Novels and Tales by Jonathan Nield (1925), 50 Books

This list was compiled by Jonathan Nield who published several editions of "A Guide to the Best Historical Novels and Tales" between 1902 and 1929. This list is from the 1925 edition.

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.

Book by Book: Notes on Reading and Life (Michael Dirda)

Book by Book: Notes on Reading and Life (2007), 18 Books

In his stimulating book of essays the Pulitzer Prize winning critic Michael Dirda proclaims the following:
"What should a person know of the world’s literature? It has always seemed obvious to me that the great patterning works ought to lie at the heart of any structured reading program. By “patterning works” I mean those that later authors regularly build on, allude to, work against".
“Know these well," he says, "and nearly all of world literature will be an open book to you.”

The Greatest Tech Books of All Time

The Verge (2023), 40 Books

The Verge staff picks for the greatest tech books of all time.
"We were less interested in works that are supposedly influential and more in ones that have endured, with ideas that are still relevant today, stories that have captured something essential about technology, and writing that’s made us stand up in our seats. These books don’t project a single vision of what tech is but continue to challenge what it can be".

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.

Current’s 100 Books of the 21st Century

Current (2024), 100 Books

This list, titled 'Current’s 100 Books of the 21st Century,' is a curated selection of significant books from the 21st century, emphasizing a balance between fiction and nonfiction, with a notable focus on works that engage with theological and spiritual themes. The list was compiled by an in-house committee of life-long readers, researchers, writers, academics, editors, and teachers associated with the publication 'Current,' under the guidance of Nadya Williams. The methodology involved alternating between fiction and nonfiction and giving preference to books that received multiple nominations from committee members, though the numbering does not imply a strict ranking. The list intentionally contrasts with the 'New York Times' 100 Best Books of the 21st Century' by including works that reflect concerns of the soul and by incorporating books from Christian publishers, which the 'NYT' list notably lacked. The selection process was subjective, with some books marked by asterisks to indicate their appearance on both lists, and only one book per author included to ensure diversity.

30 Best Australian books of the 21st century

Readings (2024), 30 Books

Another reaction to that NYT list of best books of the 21st Century, this time from the Australian book retailer Readings.
"As fierce advocates for Australian literature we were disappointed not to see any of our own remarkable writers on the(NYT) list... We reached out to members of the Australian literary community, from writers to publishers and our own passionate booksellers, asking them to nominate their favourite Australian books, published since 2000. The result is this list of the 30 best Australian books of the 21st century." Over 600 votes were cast.

The exact number of voters was not specifically mentioned, but based on their summary, I am going to guess at least 20. If anyone has a more accurate count please let me know.

100 Best 20th-Century American Books

Hungry Mind Review (1999), 100 Books

Yet another reaction to the now notorious Modern Library 100 list. This is from the discontinued Hungry Mind Review, the history of which can be found at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruminator_Review

What the Hungry Mind Review of Spring 1999 had to say about its list:
The books were chosen by five writers: Mary Moore Easter, Heid E. Erdrich, Bill
Holm, David Mura, and George Rabasa, under the direction of Bart Schneider,
editor of the Hungry Mind Review, and J. Otis Powell of The Loft Literary Center in
Minneapolis.

The Hungry Mind Review list provides a compelling alternative to the Modern
Library's selection of "100 Best Novels published in the English language since
1900," announced last July. Although the Modern Library list was criticized for
including only six books by nonwhite writers, only nine books by women, and very
few books published after 1960, it initiated a lively national discussion. The HMR list
reflects a far more realistic race and gender balance, and includes a good number
of contemporary books. Our list is however limited to books written by Americans.

While the Modern Library list is restricted to novels, the Hungry Mind Review
includes distinguished books of nonfiction and collections of short fiction. "Opening
the list to nonfiction makes sense in a literary century that has witnessed the
blurring of the line between fiction and nonfiction," according to Hungry Mind
Review editor Bart Schneider. "It's thrilling to have James Agee's Let Us Now
Praise Famous Men, as well as the autobiographies of Malcolm X and Alice B.
Toklas, on this list," Schneider adds. "Essential 20th-century writers like James
Baldwin, Joan Didion, and Gore Vidal, who each have collections of nonfiction
included on the list, are commonly thought to have done their best writing in the
essay form."