The Century's Most Significant Swedish Books

The TV program Röda Rummet (SVT) (1998), 100 Books

The TV program Röda Rummet (SVT) held a poll in the spring of 1998 to determine which books are the most significant Swedish books of the century. Approximately 17,000 viewers participated in the voting, and half of the votes went to the top twenty books on the list, which includes a hundred titles. The list, which was not previously available online, has been published by TT/Swedish newspapers.

Introduction to a top 100 list of Swedish books.

BIF (Biblioteket i fokus) (1997), 98 Books

The following top-100 list is the result of BIF's poll for the "Swedish Book of the Century," which was conducted in the autumn of 1997. Over 21,000 votes were received from library visitors all over the country.

The list comes from the magazine Biblioteket i fokus (established on December 11, 1997)

Top ten Brazilian novels of the last twenty years

GLAUCO ORTOLANO (2001), 11 Books

This list presents the top ten Brazilian novels of the last twenty years, curated to highlight the richness and complexity of Brazilian literature. The selection criteria are based on the novels' impact, literary merit, and representation of Brazilian culture, with consideration for both urban and regional influences. The list was created by Glauco Ortolano, a Brazilian novelist and academic at the University of Oklahoma, who serves as a contributing editor for World Literature Today. The methodology involved a critical evaluation of contemporary Brazilian literature, acknowledging the challenges of representing a diverse literary landscape. The selection includes works that have gained both national and international recognition, reflecting the dynamic nature of Brazilian storytelling.

60 Essential English-Language Works of Modern Indian Literature

World Literature Today (2010), 62 Books

60 Essential English-Language Works of Modern Indian Literature. There's not much information on

7 Books About the Partition of India and Pakistan

electric literature (2021), 7 Books

The tragedy of colonial India's partition into Pakistan and India has filled volumes.
Here though is a very short list consisting of a few of the best. It's from Anjali Enjeti whose own debut novel dealt with partition and the long shadow it casted.
"Partition literature encompasses a wide variety of fiction and nonfiction published in multiple countries and multiple languages. They capture some of the most harrowing events of the era, but also the courage, sacrifice, and generosity of the human spirit."

Best Books on Indian History

leverageedu.com (2023), 23 Books

Best Books on Indian History
This has both works of popular history as well as others being part of the history curriculum.

13 Incredible Icelandic Books in Translation

Books and Bao! (2024), 13 Books

13 Incredible Icelandic Books in Translation

These are your essential Icelandic books, written by the finest Icelandic authors of the 20th and 21st Centuries.

David Bowie's Top 100 Favorite Books

David Bowie (2016), 97 Books

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

A Canonical List: 100 Romanian Books of Prose in 100 Years (1918-2018)

României literare (2019), 100 Books

The magazine conducted a literary survey to compile a canonical list of the 100 most valuable and representative works of Romanian prose published between 1918 and 2018, including novels, memoirs, and journals. They invited 30 critics, reviewers, and literary historians to participate, asking them to select up to 100 titles each. Some participants listed fewer than 100 titles, while others exceeded this number. In total, 676 different titles were nominated, highlighting a wide range of preferences. Notably, 360 of these titles appeared only once across all the lists. The final selection focused on works that received between 7 and 30 nominations. The editors chose not to publish individual critics' choices or the number of nominations each title received. Instead of ranking the books, they organized the list in roughly chronological order based on the publication year of the selected works, using the earliest published book when authors had multiple entries. The project aimed to propose a canonical collection of Romanian prose from the specified period. The survey was conducted by Sorin Lavric and Cristian Pătrășconiu, with significant contributions from Roxana Chioseolu, who centralized and electronically organized the nominations.

The 50 Best Romance Novels to Read Right Now

Time (2024), 50 Books

The 50 Best Romance Novels to Read Right Now

Happily ever after. These three words form the backbone of the romance genre... was our first non-negotiable in selecting the titles on this list... we began in early 2024 by speaking with booksellers, editors, authors, and other industry experts who helped us understand the nuances and evolution of romance.

The all-time classics, the best literary Dutch-language books

boekwijzer (2022), 5 Books

The all-time classics, the best literary Dutch-language books as chosen by readers and app users for boekwijzer.app

List of best Dutch-language books

NPS and NRC Handelsblad (2007), 10 Books

List of best Dutch-language books
"This list is based on an internet survey on books, carried out by the Dutch newspaper NRC Handelsblad in the beginning of 2007. The Dutch public originally voted for their best-loved books from a "long-list"... In March 2007 the final voting as shown below was presented on Dutch national television".

The list is based on approximately 6,500 votes

50 (+1) essential texts from Dutch literature

literairecanon.be (2020), 52 Books

The literary canon presented here is an initiative by the Royal Academy for Dutch Language and Literature (KANTL), supported by Literatuur Vlaanderen. A canon committee, chaired by Erik Vlaminck and comprising various literary experts, was formed to develop this dynamic list. This canon aims to explore, showcase, and explain the roots and literary heritage of Dutch-language literature, particularly focusing on the essential works recognized in Flanders.

The canon is not intended to be a rigid list of mandatory readings but rather a flexible guide that reflects contemporary tastes and historical significance. It serves as a resource and inspiration for educators, reading groups, librarians, publishers, cultural ministers, media creators, and other readers, playing a part in promoting reading culture.

Contributors to the canon include a wide array of literary scholars and professionals who have written new texts or adapted previous versions for this updated list. The project encompasses more than just the list itself, involving editorial work, programming, and various promotional activities.

In summary, the canon is a curated, evolving selection of significant Dutch-language literary works from Flanders, designed to educate, inspire, and foster a love of reading while reflecting on the literary past and its relevance today.

Who voted?
The 2020 revision of the Literaire Canon was drawn up by a ten-person committee convened by the Royal Academy for Dutch Language and Literature (KANTL) and chaired by novelist Erik Vlaminck.
Committee roster: Hugo Brems, Luc Devoldere, Leen Huet, Samuel Mareel, Willy Vandeweghe, Leen van Dijck, Bert Van Raemdonck, Annelies Verbeke and Frank Willaert (plus Vlaminck as chair).

the Dutch Literary Canon in 100 Works

dbnl (2002), 121 Books

This list was compiled by the Digitale Bibliotheek voor de Nederlandse Letteren (dbnl) through a survey conducted among members of the Maatschappij der Nederlandse Letterkunde (Society for Dutch Literature), which includes a representative group of literary scholars, historians, writers, publishers, and publicists. The survey aimed to identify the most valuable and representative works in Dutch literature over time, effectively forming a Dutch literary canon. Participants were asked to nominate authors and titles they considered classics, as well as to highlight any unjustly forgotten works. Out of 1,485 questionnaires sent, 299 responses were received. The results revealed that Multatuli emerged as the most canonical author, particularly for his work "Max Havelaar", which frequently occupied the top position. Medieval literature was also well represented in the list, while the 18th century received comparatively less attention. The survey highlights ongoing discussions about the Dutch literary canon and emphasizes the importance of promoting Dutch literary heritage, with recommendations to make classic texts more accessible through modern media and education.

* Note: I removed a couple of items on this list because they were not books. There were songs

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.

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 100 Stories that Shaped the World

BBC (2019), 100 Books

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

The Best Japanese Work of Fiction Published in Japanese during Japan’s Heisei era

The Asahi Shimbun (2019), 30 Books

In 2019, Japan's Heisei era (1989-2019) concluded, giving way to the new Reiwa era. This significant transition prompted the media and literary communities to reflect on the highlights of the past three decades, including the most outstanding works of Japanese fiction.

One of Japan's most prestigious national newspapers, The Asahi Shimbun, conducted a survey involving 120 literary experts and book reviewers who had contributed to the publication. They were asked to select their choice for the best book published during the Heisei period.

* Note, this list might have some translation issues. It obviously is not just fiction

100 Greatest Books of All Time

Steve Donoghue (2024), 100 Books

Steve Donoghue is a renowned book critic whose work has appeared in prestigious publications such as The Washington Post, The American Conservative, The Spectator, The Wall Street Journal, The National, and the Daily Star. He is a regular contributor to The Boston Globe, the Vineyard Gazette, and the Christian Science Monitor, and he serves as the Books Editor for Georgia’s Big Canoe News.

Steve's YouTube channel, Steve Donoghue, boasts over 7,700 videos dedicated to books in one form or another. His "100 Greatest Books of All Time" list is unique in that it is unranked—except for the very first book, which he deems the definitive greatest book of all time. The list stands out for its inclusion of more non-Western works than is typical for such compilations and notably features "Animal Liberation" by Peter Singer, highlighting its significant influence and potential to be recognized as a classic in the years to come.

You can watch the series detailing his selections here:

The 100 Greatest Books of All Time: 100-91!
The 100 Greatest Books of All Time: 90-81!
The 100 Greatest Books of All Time: 80-71!
The 100 Greatest Books of All Time: 70-61!
The 100 Greatest Books of All Time: 60-51!
The 100 Greatest Books of All Time: 50-41!
The 100 Greatest Books of All Time: 40-31!
The 100 Greatest Books of All Time: 30-21!
The 100 Greatest Books of All Time: 20-11!
The 100 Greatest Books of All Time: The Top Ten!

Truelit's 100 Best Books of the Quarter Century

/r/truelit (2024), 102 Books

The /r/truelit subreddit with many people from around the globe, all voted on the 100 best books of the 21st century in 2024. These are the results.

Note: Users could not list an author twice, so authors like Tokarczuk with multiple masterpieces suffered as a result. The “Favorite authors” list only includes authors who had multiple books reach two votes.

Voters: 252 unknown voters

Horror: Another 100 Best Books

Book (2005), 100 Books

This is a follow-up of Horror: The 100 Best Books

Here's the description of the book:

Horror: Another 100 Best Books features one hundred of the top names in the horror field discussing one hundred of the most spine-chilling novels ever written. Each entry includes a synopsis of the work as well as publication history, biographical information about the author of each title, and recommended reading and biographical notes on the contributor. Author Ramsey Campbell also offers a new foreword to the book describing the evolution of horror over the past two decades from the way it's written by a crop of new and exciting writers to the way it's received by a new market of readers. Horror: Another 100 Best Books will be the definitive guide to the tremendous library of horror fiction available today. a reference that no fan can live without.

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

100 Must-Read Classics, as Chosen by our Readers

Penguin (UK) (2022), 100 Books

from the website:

Everyone loves a classic novel, but where to start? From Jane Austen to Charles Dickens, Toni Morrison to Fyodor Dostoevsky, the fiction canon is so vast you can easily get lost in it.

So we asked our readers to tell us about their favourite classic books. The resulting list of must-reads is a perfect way to find inspiration to start your classics adventure. There's something for everyone, from family sagas and dystopian fiction to romances and historical fiction.

Horror Literature: A Core Collection and Reference Guide

Book edited by Marshall B. Tymn (1981), 385 Books

The book Horror Literature: A Core Collection and Reference Guide is a comprehensive reference work designed to serve a wide audience, from library acquisitions staff and educators to scholars, researchers, and general readers interested in horror fiction. Edited by Marshall B. Tymn, the book provides an extensive overview of the genre, tracing its origins from Gothic romance through to modern horror literature. Contributors such as Frederick S. Frank, Benjamin Franklin Fisher IV, Jack Sullivan, and Robert Weinberg bring their expertise to different eras and forms of horror literature, including novels, anthologies, pulp magazines, and supernatural verse.

The book's purpose is to offer bibliographic control of horror fiction and related genres, presenting over 1,300 key works and providing a historical framework for understanding the development of the genre. Each chapter includes annotated bibliographies, critical essays, and a focus on core collection titles, selected based on their influence, popularity, and historical significance. The guide also aims to highlight the importance of horror literature as an entertaining yet intellectually stimulating form of art, while also addressing the contributions of well-known and lesser-known authors in the field.

Voters:
Edited by Marshall B. Tymn, with contributors such as Frederick S. Frank, Benjamin Franklin Fisher IV, Jack Sullivan, and Robert Weinberg

Bram Stoker Award for Novel

Horror Writer Association (Yearly Award), 40 Books

The Bram Stoker Award for Best Novel is a prestigious literary honor presented annually by the Horror Writers Association (HWA) to recognize outstanding achievement in horror fiction. Named after Bram Stoker, the iconic author of Dracula, the award celebrates the best full-length novel in the genre each year.

First established in 1987, the Bram Stoker Award has grown into one of the most respected accolades in horror literature. The award process is unique because it uses a jury and peer-driven nomination system, ensuring that the selections are a reflection of the horror writing community's collective judgment. The award seeks to highlight novels that not only excel in storytelling and creativity but also contribute significantly to the evolution and innovation of horror as a genre.

Fantasy and Horror: A Critical and Historical Guide

Book (1999), 722 Books

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

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

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

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

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

Horror Writer Association's Top 40 Horror Books of All Time

Horror Writer Association (1996), 40 Books

Here is the description of this list from the Horror Writer Association

The HORROR WRITERS ASSOCIATION was formed, in part, to foster a greater appreciation of dark fiction among members of the general public. Whether you are new to Horror, or simply want to become familiar with some of the classics and “bests” of dark fiction, the following books are a wonderful place to begin.

Like most “best of” lists, ours is somewhat quirky. The books that appear here were picked using a survey of HWA’s general membership in 1996, so many excellent books published more recently do not appear here, and some of those that do are now out of print. Most of the recognized classics of dark fiction do appear here, though.

The 50 Best Horror Novels of All Time

Paste Magazine (2018), 50 Books

This is the description from the website:

Horror is a peculiar genre. If it’s meant purely to scare, then some of the heftier books on this list would have wracked up a body count, terrifying readers to death over 700 pages or more. And what is scary? What might shock one reader is laughable to another. Ghosts, serial killers, great heaving monsters, the loss of self-control, plagues, impossible physics and a creepy clown all figure into our countdown, with entries spanning from the 1800s to the last few years. One (obvious) author makes five(!) appearances, and easily could have qualified for a few more; another has written just one novel during his decades-long career. We narrowed our focus to prose novels, so please don’t ask after The Books of Blood or Uzumaki. And while we kept an eye on the diversity of our featured authors, the inclusion of women, authors of color and queer creators came naturally as we gathered the best of the best. We’re prepared for you to question our choices, we ask only that you leave the chainsaw at home before doing so. Without further ado, we present our choices for the best horror novels of all time.

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.

The Books That Built The French

TNS-Sofres/SNCF–Lire (2004), 101 Books

Published in the October 2004 issue of Lire magazine, the list popularly known as “The 100 Favourite Books of the French” was in fact the result of a nationwide postal survey titled “Les livres fondateurs des Français.” Polling institute TNS-Sofres designed the study for the railway company SNCF as the flagship event of its travelling literacy campaign “En train de lire,” held during the book festival Lire en fête. Between 16 June and 26 July 2004, a representative panel of 10,000 French residents aged 15 + was screened to keep the 3,800 who had bought at least one book in the previous year; they were asked to list up to three books that had “marked [them] for life.” 2,121 usable questionnaires came back—about 57 %—and the 100 most-cited titles formed the final ranking, offering a portrait of readers’ lifelong favourites rather than an expert literary canon.

The 101 Favorite Novels of 'Le Monde' Readers

Le Monde (2019), 101 Books

After compiling a list of the 100 greatest novels according to Le Monde's critics, the newspaper decided to engage its readership by asking them to vote for their favorite novels. A total of 26,000 readers participated, each submitting up to five titles. This exercise was both challenging and enjoyable for the participants, who had to reflect on their reading experiences and make difficult choices to narrow down their selections.

From these contributions, Le Monde collected 70,000 book titles, out of which 11,000 unique books were mentioned. The final list consists of the top 101 novels, reflecting the diverse tastes and personal literary "Pantheons" of the readers. Notably, this list differs significantly from the critics' list, with only 17 titles appearing on both. The selection process was free from algorithms, focusing instead on the personal connections and memories that readers have with these works.

Elena Ferrante Names her 40 Favourite Books by Female Authors

The Guardian (2020), 40 Books

Elena Ferrante, the acclaimed Italian author known for My Brilliant Friend and the Neapolitan novels, has curated a list of her 40 favorite books written by female authors from around the world. This list, which spans diverse cultures and time periods, highlights stories that focus on women's experiences, particularly in the 20th century. Ferrante’s selections include a mix of well-known and lesser-known works, with authors ranging from Toni Morrison and Zadie Smith to Japanese author Mieko Kawakami and Italian novelist Natalia Ginzburg.

Have You Read 100 Great Books?

The Jasper Lee Company (1950), 102 Books

The book Have You Read 100 Great Books? by The Jasper Lee Company, particularly the revised and expanded 1950 edition, is a curated collection of numerous book lists compiled by various authorities on literature. The primary purpose of the book was to provide readers with a guide to some of the greatest books, particularly those that are enjoyable and stimulating for the general public.

The process of creating the final list involved several steps:

Collection of Lists: The Jasper Lee Company gathered numerous lists of great books from eminent authorities, including public libraries, scholars, and notable literary figures. These lists were varied, coming from different sources, including libraries, academic institutions, and individual authors.

Master List: From these collected lists, the company created a "master" list of 1,500 works, eliminating any duplications.

Final List of 100: From this master list of 1,500 books, they selected a final list of 100 great books that they deemed most enjoyable and accessible for the average reader. This final selection represents a consensus of mid-20th-century opinion on what constituted great literature.

The book also includes detailed information about the sources of these lists, highlighting how different libraries and authorities contributed to the selection process. The final list of 100 books, though derived from the broader collection of 1,000 to 1,500 works, represents the editorial judgment of those involved in the publication of the book. The selection process was not strictly objective but was influenced by the preferences and opinions of the editors and contributors at the time. The book is noted for its broad approach to curating literature, reflecting the tastes and literary standards of the mid-20th century.

Who voted:
Since this aggregates 26 different lists, I am going to assume at least 26 people helped make this list

Our Users' Honorable Mention Favorite Books of All Time

The Greatest Books Users (2024), 6877 Books

The Honorable Mention Greatest Books determined by the users of this web site. There's another list for the Top 100. This is our user's favorite books starting at number 101.

This list has over 5000+ voters from all over the world

If you would like to contribute add your favorite books to your "My Favorite Books" user list.

Our Users' Top 100 Favorite Books of All Time

The Greatest Books Users (2024), 100 Books

The Top 100 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.

This list has over 5000+ voters from all over the world

The 100 Novels That Have Most Enthralled "Le Monde" Since 1944

Le Monde (2019), 100 Books

This list highlights the 100 novels that have most captivated the editors and critics at Le Monde since the year 1944.

The list reflects a subjective selection of novels that have captivated the editors and critics at Le Monde over the past 75 years. The list does not aim to be an objective ranking or a comprehensive panorama of literature since 1944, but rather a collection of literary works that have left a significant impression on the contributors to the newspaper.

The selection process involved Le Monde's literary team diving into the newspaper's archives, sifting through decades of articles and reviews. The books were chosen based on moments of enthusiasm and admiration expressed by the critics over the years. This approach underscores the subjective nature of literary criticism and emphasizes the personal connection between the critics and the texts. Rather than striving for an exhaustive or algorithm-driven list, the focus was on highlighting the passionate, sometimes contradictory, and always personal responses that these novels elicited from the critics of Le Monde.

Who picked the books? The list was hand-curated by three in-house critics – Jean Birnbaum (then editor-in-chief of Le Monde des livres), Florent Georgesco and Raphaëlle Leyris – “with the invaluable help of our librarians.”

100 Best Books of the 21st Century

Book Enthusiast Substack (2024), 100 Books

The Book Enthusiast Substack created this list as a response to the 2024 NY Times "Best Books of the 21st Century" List. In total 1,327 people submitted ballots, which translated to 13,216 individual votes for 2,320 books.

TrueLit's Top 100 Favorite Books (2023)

/r/TrueLit (2023), 100 Books

The TrueLit subreddit, one of the best forums on the internet for discussing literature, released their Top 100 Favorite Books list. It looks like over 300 members voted.

The Books of Our Time

Der Spiegel (2016), 50 Books

The list of 50 books in the article was curated by a team from SPIEGEL, including Tobias Becker, Martin Doerry, Sebastian Hammelehle, Elke Schmitter, Claudia Voigt, and Volker Weidermann. The purpose of this list is to reflect the pivotal moments and the dramatic shifts in global politics, culture, and society since the epochal year of 1989. The selected books represent a diverse range of voices and themes, illustrating how literature has engaged with the complex realities of our time. These works were chosen for their significance in capturing the spirit of the post-Cold War era, addressing issues such as the rise of global capitalism, the clash between secular and religious ideologies, and the personal and collective struggles of individuals in a rapidly changing world .

Novels that Changed The World

Radio France (2022), 20 Books

The French book list focuses on novels that have not only made significant marks on the literary world but have also influenced real historical events throughout the 20th and 21st centuries, transcending national borders. It highlights how some novels have transformed the societies in which they were written, altering perceptions of what a "novel" can be, or even changing the very image of literature within their originating countries. The list covers works from twenty authors—ten men and ten women—whose writings range from creating new worlds and narratives to contributing to the dismantling of old ones and reshaping our understanding of history. This initiative, curated by Mathias Enard and directed by Laure-Hélène Planchet, with Aurélie Marsset as the production assistant, delves into texts that have notably stirred their times.

This list has 20 books, and each book as a podcast that discusses the books by renowned literary critics, experts, and authors.

Ezra Klein Show's Most Recommended Books

Ezra Klein Show (2024), 177 Books

This is a collation of all the books recommended by every guest that came on The Ezra Klein Show organized by most recommended and by guest appearances. It is one of the best long form interview shows when it comes to the depth of the topics discussed, the diversity and expertise of the lineup of guests and the very thoughtful interview questions that had yielded such nuanced and insightful responses.

The guests were not just nobodies - we have CEOs, ex presidents, famous writers, politicians, scientists... The list is therefore a combination of classics and those works that have caught the attention of the great and the good.
The total number of books recommended is over 1500, this list is only those that were mentioned by at least 2 show guests

Who voted:
528 guests voted. All their names are listed on the website

The 100 Novels You Must Read in Your Lifetime

Esquire (2023), 103 Books

This list focuses on what are deemed "classic" novels that one must read in a lifetime, as defined by Italo Calvino: a classic always has something to say. This collection strictly includes novels—excluding essays, biographies, short stories, and autofiction, which, despite being popular today, are not considered for this compilation. Emphasizing "modern classics," the criteria restrict entries to the best books from the last 100 years, thus excluding older foundational texts commonly studied in schools like those by Cervantes or Dickens. The list features a mix of Nobel and Strega prize winners among others, spanning a diverse range from Italian literature to global works without discrimination by genre. Acknowledging the subjective nature of such compilations, the curator invites debate and views the list not as an exhaustive decree but as a personal selection open for discussion, highlighting the playful and proposal-driven nature of this endeavor.

The 50 best French language books from 1900 to today

Le Temps (2019), 69 Books

A jury of 50 people – journalists, booksellers, librarians, professors, heads of literary institutions and festivals from French-speaking Switzerland – established the list of literary masterpieces of the 20th and 21st centuries.

The list takes into account only literature written in French, whether from France, Switzerland, Belgium, Canada, Africa or Asia, or elsewhere, since the choice of a writing language is also made according to travels and exiles, as for Samuel Beckett or Agota Kristof, two authors very well placed in the ranking.

Top 100 Books, As Chosen By Canadians

The Gazette(Newspaper) (2005), 98 Books

This list is from a newspaper poll of readers from The Gazette in Montreal, Quebec, Canada · Wednesday, September 28, 2005

Who voted?
Readers. They do not specify a count. I am conservatively going to guess 50 people

The 50 Best Memoirs of the Past 50 Years

NY Times (2019), 50 Books

The New York Times’s book critics select the most outstanding memoirs published since 1969.

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.

What are the Goncourt Winners’ Favorite Books?

Télérama (2023), 80 Books

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

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

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

'The perfect library': the 196 books selected by 133 personalities

XLSemanal and Zenda (2020), 195 Books

XLSemanal and Zenda asked 133 people who are in one way or another connected to the world of literature what is the "perfect library"

Top 25 Best Fiction Books on China: Understanding Contemporary China through Modern Literary Fiction

What’s on Weibo (2018), 26 Books

The "Top 25 Modern Fiction Works on China" compiled by What’s on Weibo is a curated list designed to provide insights into modern-day China through contemporary literature. This selection follows a previous compilation of non-fiction works, now focusing on literary fiction that reflects the societal changes and cultural nuances of the People's Republic of China since the pivotal year of 1978, marking the start of China's "Reform and Opening Up." The list exclusively features works available in English, excluding those centered on Hong Kong and Taiwan due to space limitations. The selection emphasizes modern fiction rather than historical texts, aiming to enhance understanding of China's recent past and its rapid evolution. Notable older works by authors like Lu Xun and Eileen Chang are acknowledged as deserving their own focused list.

Books that Shaped the Century

LOGOS 20th Century Books Project (2020), 101 Books

The "Books that Shaped the Century" collection features 100 pivotal books from the twentieth century, selected by a panel from LOGOS, the international book publishing journal. This panel, consisting of publishers, librarians, and booksellers, identified books that profoundly influenced societal thoughts and actions, thereby shaping historical progress. The selection was made from 500 titles recommended by various prestigious sources, including The New York Times Book Review and Waterstones bookshops. The collection includes a diverse range of works, from children's books and plays to significant texts in social sciences, science, and humanities, covering topics such as psychology, politics, medicine, and feminism. This influential collection has been exhibited across Europe and the UK and is now permanently located at the Oxford Brookes University Library.

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The final selection was made not by a public vote but by roughly thirty publishing professionals—publishers, senior librarians, and leading booksellers—who sat on the International Advisory Board of LOGOS: The Journal of the World Book Community. Their brief was to distil the 500 most-frequently cited ‘books of the century’ (as nominated by outlets such as The New York Times Book Review and Waterstones) down to the 100 that, in their judgment, most powerfully shaped twentieth-century thought and history.

50 Best Nonfiction Books of All Time

Reader's Digest (2024), 51 Books

This list presents a curated selection of the best nonfiction books of all time, aimed at readers seeking enlightening, educational, and compelling reads. The selection criteria for this list include books that have been recognized by major literary awards such as the Pulitzer, the National Book Critics Circle, and the National Book Foundation, as well as influential best-seller lists. The compilation was curated by Jennifer Kushnier and offers a diverse range of nonfiction genres, including true crime, science, history, and politics, among others. This list is independently selected, and the methodology focuses on books that provide comprehensive views on topics, essential insights, or transformative storytelling.