About this list

Esquire, 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.

This list was originally published in 2023 and was added to this site almost 2 years ago.