I defined best as books that I couldn’t put down that I think about often, books I refer to in casual conversation, books I’ve recommended to friends to get them into reading. I guess that boils down to books that have had a lasting impact on me?
This list is shaping up to be so much more connected with the cultural phenomenon of books in the beginning of the 21st century than the NYT list IMO. Even if I didn’t read it or wouldn’t call it “the best,” I know that these books were (and maybe even still are) huge at their time of release. Love it!!
I also picked “The Interestings” by Meg Wollitzer— I’m so thrilled to see it. I’d also love to see the list of books that get only one vote at some point. I think it would serve as an answer to “what backlist books can I read while I wait for 3 months for a new release” queries.
I love your interpretation of “best!” My votes were for books that both shaped me as a reader and/or defined a genre. Enjoyment of the book was mandatory for all my picks.
For me, "best" books are those that have stuck with me, that meant something to me when I read them and continue to mean something to me now. (This biased my list to recent books that are still relevant, the very early 21st century when I was young and more susceptible to such things.)
Loving the reading experience isn't a sufficient condition - too many books are great reads! - but it's absolutely essential. Literature is not meant to be torture.
Omg, I love your last sentence 😂. I felt like I was being tortured reading Lincoln in the Bardo (I'm sorry!!!) and I was like this it NOT what it's about
I looooved Yellowface. In hindsight, that should have been in my top ten but it was not!
I've ordered and added Bel Canto to my must-read list; this is a good reminder. And I have Cutting for Stone sitting on my bookshelf/on my TBR but read The Covenant of Water (also Verghese) over the holidays and it took me SO LONG. His books are powerful but also at times, a slog. (The slog was worth it a the end but I don't know that I'm ready for another one!).
My niche criticism is that I personally think the ACOTAR books should be lumped into one category. Because if you've read one, you've read them all. But I do agree that book 2 is best!
I think you'll love Joan Didion. Her writing is superb. The Year of Magical Thinking broke my heart though, read it when you can handle something devastating.
Would I like Carley Fortune? I know you are a fan. I was sent a couple of her books but I haven't started either.
Re: ACOTAR: I took my cue from the NYT list which listed multiple of the Neapolitan Quartet novels, but I tend to agree.
IDK if you’d like Carley Fortune. I could see you being into it as a pool/vacation read. Def start with Every Summer After, which is my favorite!
Re: Joan Didion - yeah, that’s what kept me from reading this book in the first place. The Year of Magical Thinking has been on my goodreads to-read shelf since like, 2012. So will start with some of her less traumatic writing.
SO appreciate you doing this - it is so fun to read!! Best for me usually means it has staying power - books that I remember and recommend over and over (vs. ones I have to scroll through my Goodreads to remember that I read)
I agree that “best” is such a subjective word - especially for any type of art, be it books, music, dance, visual art, etc. - it feels almost impossible to collectively agree on the definition alone, much less examples of that definition! 🙃 For me, I sent in a mixture of “bests”. I picked a few that I simply loved, some that I felt were really important reads for me personally, and then a few that I for sure loved but also thought were important at large and made an impact culturally. I had no idea how others would pick, but I’ve been so happy to see several already mentioned!
PS I feel like this list is going to add SO MANY to my TBR - more so than the two NYT lists 😂
Okay, it's official, I MUST read Bel Canto!! Tom Lake and These Precious Days are both high on my rating lists - not sure how I've never gotten around to her other reads!
Hi Becca! I’m loving this list so much. I defined “best” as something I truly enjoyed (so not a slog but more of a page-turner) and something that has truly stuck with me and I still think about in some level. And for me, it has to be well written.
I defined best as books that I couldn’t put down that I think about often, books I refer to in casual conversation, books I’ve recommended to friends to get them into reading. I guess that boils down to books that have had a lasting impact on me?
I agree with this massively!!
This list is shaping up to be so much more connected with the cultural phenomenon of books in the beginning of the 21st century than the NYT list IMO. Even if I didn’t read it or wouldn’t call it “the best,” I know that these books were (and maybe even still are) huge at their time of release. Love it!!
Agreed!!
I also picked “The Interestings” by Meg Wollitzer— I’m so thrilled to see it. I’d also love to see the list of books that get only one vote at some point. I think it would serve as an answer to “what backlist books can I read while I wait for 3 months for a new release” queries.
This would be so fun!
Best for me meant I rated it 5 stars on Goodreads AND I still think about it AND I would read it again.
I love your interpretation of “best!” My votes were for books that both shaped me as a reader and/or defined a genre. Enjoyment of the book was mandatory for all my picks.
Yellowface! Yes!!!
Absolutely loving this series. Crushing it
Here 2 Crush! That's my motto.
For me, "best" books are those that have stuck with me, that meant something to me when I read them and continue to mean something to me now. (This biased my list to recent books that are still relevant, the very early 21st century when I was young and more susceptible to such things.)
Loving the reading experience isn't a sufficient condition - too many books are great reads! - but it's absolutely essential. Literature is not meant to be torture.
Omg, I love your last sentence 😂. I felt like I was being tortured reading Lincoln in the Bardo (I'm sorry!!!) and I was like this it NOT what it's about
I looooved Yellowface. In hindsight, that should have been in my top ten but it was not!
I've ordered and added Bel Canto to my must-read list; this is a good reminder. And I have Cutting for Stone sitting on my bookshelf/on my TBR but read The Covenant of Water (also Verghese) over the holidays and it took me SO LONG. His books are powerful but also at times, a slog. (The slog was worth it a the end but I don't know that I'm ready for another one!).
My niche criticism is that I personally think the ACOTAR books should be lumped into one category. Because if you've read one, you've read them all. But I do agree that book 2 is best!
I think you'll love Joan Didion. Her writing is superb. The Year of Magical Thinking broke my heart though, read it when you can handle something devastating.
Would I like Carley Fortune? I know you are a fan. I was sent a couple of her books but I haven't started either.
OK I've read 10 of these. So we are up to 22.
Oh and I’m up to 20 read and 8 want to read (pretty good 28 books resonate with me out of 40 total)
I love this long stream of conscious comment!
Re: ACOTAR: I took my cue from the NYT list which listed multiple of the Neapolitan Quartet novels, but I tend to agree.
IDK if you’d like Carley Fortune. I could see you being into it as a pool/vacation read. Def start with Every Summer After, which is my favorite!
Re: Joan Didion - yeah, that’s what kept me from reading this book in the first place. The Year of Magical Thinking has been on my goodreads to-read shelf since like, 2012. So will start with some of her less traumatic writing.
I think I’ll have to try read as many off your list of 100 before the end of the year-seems more my interest here than NYT!
Truly love this goal. So honored!
SO appreciate you doing this - it is so fun to read!! Best for me usually means it has staying power - books that I remember and recommend over and over (vs. ones I have to scroll through my Goodreads to remember that I read)
This is so fun! I trust this list more than NYT for recs I’ll actually enjoy and my TBR list is growing…
Between this list and last weeks BOP episode I’m about to have a “Backlist back-half” of the year!
I agree that “best” is such a subjective word - especially for any type of art, be it books, music, dance, visual art, etc. - it feels almost impossible to collectively agree on the definition alone, much less examples of that definition! 🙃 For me, I sent in a mixture of “bests”. I picked a few that I simply loved, some that I felt were really important reads for me personally, and then a few that I for sure loved but also thought were important at large and made an impact culturally. I had no idea how others would pick, but I’ve been so happy to see several already mentioned!
PS I feel like this list is going to add SO MANY to my TBR - more so than the two NYT lists 😂
Okay, it's official, I MUST read Bel Canto!! Tom Lake and These Precious Days are both high on my rating lists - not sure how I've never gotten around to her other reads!
I feel the same. I bought it earlier this year, but need to start it when I'm back from Maine.
I'm obsessed with The Interestings and Fates and Furies made it onto my own list! truly surprised it wasn't on the Times main list.
A lot of people were!!
Hi Becca! I’m loving this list so much. I defined “best” as something I truly enjoyed (so not a slog but more of a page-turner) and something that has truly stuck with me and I still think about in some level. And for me, it has to be well written.