The New York Times‘ recent list of “100 Notable Books of the 21st Century” sparked a spirited debate. While the selection undoubtedly included many literary gems, it also left out a plethora of equally deserving titles.

This omission is not a criticism of the Times’ list per se, but rather an opportunity to celebrate the richness and diversity of contemporary literature. We present 71 more books that, in our opinion, deserve a spot on the list of the best books of the 21st century.

These books span genres and continents, offering diverse perspectives and captivating narratives. They explore themes of love, loss, identity, social justice, and the human condition in all its complexity.

Here are some highlights:

Fiction:

“The Ocean at the End of the Lane” by Neil Gaiman: A haunting and lyrical tale of childhood, memory, and the power of imagination.

“The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood: A dystopian masterpiece that resonates with contemporary anxieties about gender and power.

“The Rover” by Joseph Conrad: A gripping adventure story that explores the dark side of colonialism and human nature.

“A Long Petal of the Sea” by Isabel Allende: An epic novel that follows the journey of a Chilean family fleeing the Spanish Civil War.

“The Underground Railroad” by Colson Whitehead: A powerful and moving historical novel about the horrors of slavery and the resilience of the human spirit.

Non-Fiction:

“Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind” by Yuval Noah Harari: A thought-provoking exploration of human history and our place in the universe.

“The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History” by Elizabeth Kolbert: A chilling account of the ongoing mass extinction event and its implications for the future of life on Earth.

“The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” by Rebecca Skloot: A captivating and moving account of the woman whose cancer cells revolutionized medical research.

“Between the World and Me” by Ta-Nehisi Coates: A powerful and unflinching essay on race and racism in America.

“The Power of Habit” by Charles Duhigg: A groundbreaking work that explores the science of habit formation and its impact on our lives.

Poetry:

“The Wasteland” by T.S. Eliot: A landmark modernist poem that explores the fragmentation and disillusionment of modern life.

“The Love Poems of John Donne” by John Donne: A collection of passionate and witty love poems that continue to resonate with readers centuries later.

“The Wild Iris” by Louise Glück: A moving and meditative collection of poems about nature, love, and loss.

“The Collected Poems of Sylvia Plath” by Sylvia Plath: A powerful and unflinching collection of poems that explores themes of mental illness, womanhood, and the creative process.

“The Dream of a Common Language” by Adrienne Rich: A collection of poems that addresses themes of feminism, sexuality, and social justice.

This is just a small sample of the many remarkable books that were not included in the New York Times list. We encourage readers to explore these and other great books, and to discover the rich and diverse world of literature that awaits.

This list serves as a reminder that literary excellence is not confined to any single list or institution. It is a dynamic and ever-evolving landscape, full of stories waiting to be discovered and shared.