Books Q&A live: we answered your questions about our 100 top novels lists

The Guardian's books team, led by Liese Spencer and David Shariatmadari, hosted a live Q&A session on June 12, 2026, to discuss the extensive public reaction to their "100 greatest novels list" and the subsequent "readers’ choices of the 100 best." During the session, they addressed reader questions regarding the specific criteria used for selecting the novels. One reader, Escoppycoppy, inquired about the exact phrasing of the prompt given to contributors, questioning whether terms like "best," "greatest," or "favourite" were used and how that might have influenced the selections. David Shariatmadari clarified that the contributors were asked for the "best novels of all time published in English" and to provide their "top 10." He noted that the responses varied, suggesting a blend of critical merit and personal significance played a role in many contributors' choices. Shariatmadari cited author Benjamin Myers, who stated he selected 10 titles that advanced the capabilities of the novel while also considering their influence on his personal reading and writing, illustrating the nuanced approach taken by contributors.