Recs if you like The Story of the Lost Child...

winners, shortlist and longlist (this will be a very long list indeed). complete from 2016-2026

sunny settings, or books that feel sunny and offer escapism from the winter blues in an eclectic blend of genres.

Editing to add: okay some of these books are SAD, my dudes, just like my seasonal affective disorder. But at the same time, they are soft and kind and a safe place for the big sad, if that makes sense?

In order from #1 (My Brilliant Friend) to 100 (Tree of Smoke)

novels that track friendships throughout time. full of complex childhood comparison trauma, friend break ups and perhaps reconciliations, shifting friend group dynamics, and the impact of age on our most foundational relationships.

A list published in 2024 by the New York Times, as voted on by 503 novelists, poets, critics, and other book lovers—with a little help from the staff of The New York Times Book Review

A list with ALL longlisted titles from the National Book Award for Translated Literature (USA) and the International Booker prize (UK) .

Updated once new nominees are announced.

Currently updated with: • NBA 2018-2025 • International Booker 2016-2026

according to the New York Times

Recommendations welcomed! This list will be updated as needed.

Books by Italian authors (or authors who have substantially lived in Italy and can write it very well) translated into English that are usually set in Italy.

Suggestions welcome ☺️🫶

The list of the 100 best books of the 21st century from the New York Times

longlists of every year from 2016 onwards

the neapolitan novels, also known as the neapolitan quartet, are a four-part series of fiction by the pseudonymous Italian author elena ferrante.

books set in Naples or by Neapolitan authors

A goal to read the 100 books rated in the 21st century (so far) as published by the New York times in 2024, list in order from 100-1 but you can find the original list on the NYT website.

for me to keep track