Many of us find joy in looking back and taking stock of our reading lives, which is why The New York Times Book Review decided to mark the first 25 years of this century with an ambitious project. Originally published Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024, this 48-page special section takes a first swing at determining the most important, influential books of the 21st century, as voted on by 503 novelists, nonfiction writers, poets, critics and other book lovers. We hope you’ll discover a book you’ve always meant to read, or encounter a beloved favorite you’d like to pick up again.