NYT's 100 Best Books of the 21st Century

Some thoughts about this list from the New York Times

Description from the NYT about this project: “As voted on by 503 novelists, nonfiction writers, poets, critics and other book lovers — with a little help from the staff of The New York Times Book Review.

In collaboration with the Upshot — the department at The Times focused on data and analytical journalism — the Book Review sent a survey to hundreds of novelists, nonfiction writers, academics, book editors, journalists, critics, publishers, poets, translators, booksellers, librarians and other literary luminaries, asking them to pick their 10 best books of the 21st century.

We let them each define “best” in their own way. For some, this simply meant “favorite.” For others, it meant books that would endure for generations.

The only rules: Any book chosen had to be published in the United States, in English, on or after Jan. 1, 2000. (Yes, translations counted!)”

A few thoughts:

24 years is a long time. I had forgotten about a lot of these books, and there were many that I have never heard of. It’s fun to look back at the “century” thus far and remember what was published, but also yet another method of showing me what I haven’t read yet! I added several to Goodreads, which is always exciting for me.

Combining fiction, memoirs, nonfiction, poetry? I like to separate things into categories—music, movies, books. I get the point of this project but I would, for example, like to see the top 100 novels as voted upon, memoirs, nonfiction, etc. Let’s do more lists!

Some surprises. I think Demon Copperhead at #61 is a bit of a travesty. I’m not sure another book captures the cultural and socioeconomic journey of America in the 21st century as this novel does. It’s also a masterpiece in character and plot development. Maybe it’s too new? I will write about this book (and all of these) at some point soon.

Detransition, Baby (#87). Beautiful, dark, funny. This portrait of trans people in the current era is groundbreaking.

The Great Believers (#64). One of my favorite books I’ve read in years. A beautiful and moving portrait of the AIDS crisis in Chicago in the 80s, with a modern-day French tie-in.

A Brief History of Seven Killings (#42). I totally forgot about this book, and what a fun and engrossing 700-page adventure this book was.

Americanah (#27). Having spent some time in Nigeria, this book was really interesting to me, portraying both the Nigerian and US side of this love story that takes place across continents.

NO TOWLES ON THIS LIST IS A CRIME! Not sure what kind of crime, exactly, but seems like it should be a crime. I have texted many people that I’m so glad to be reading Towles again with Table for Two.

PS. I need to read more. Also, there are so many books.