Who wants to read forever?

The NY Times' Best Books of the 21st Century

When the NY Times asked me to participate in their feature on the best 100 books since 2000, I figured I was a back-up in case the big names didn’t want their picks made public. So I was very surprised when I saw:

I mean, who cares what I think? I’m gobsmacked and honored, but confused nonetheless.

If you love reading, I urge you to read the list. This is just the start (gift link). It’s best use is to add to your TBR pile. So many titles I meant to read when they came out, but callously forgot… Here’s my second chance. Also, I found it comforting to browse these lists, to see so many incredible books, a never-ending fountain of human thought and creativity, hope and joy, insight and reckoning. Maybe we’re not doomed, after all.

My picks, in case you’re curious:

I tried to represent the genre books (notably science fiction, fantasy, horror, speculative fiction) that I imagine were most influential, particularly on the next generation of writers. Inevitably, you forget books you should’ve mentioned. It was a relief to see my picks on other participants’ lists. You don’t want to look like a weirdo.

I suppose spy fiction fans might wonder why I didn’t put some spy novels on my list. It didn’t occur to me at the time. I guess I must think speculative fiction more influential than spy fiction. To a degree, that’s true: so much spy fiction treads a well-worn path. But these books provide food for thought, try to stretch the bounds of human experience.

Alright, I’ll wrap it up now. Keep reading the series, discover more books. Agree or disagree, or add your picks in the comments. Let’s keep the conversation going.