Introduction
Since 2003, the Loveliest Book Group in London has been meeting regularly to discuss a full range of literature including fiction and non-fiction, poetry, plays, short stories, self-help and more. We’ve endured pandemics, recessions, Olympics and all the weather the capital has to offer and we’re still going strong.
Both individually and collectively, we are regularly asked, “What’s been the best book you’ve read and discussed?” Tricky.
Some books aren’t amazing to read but allow for fascinating discussion. The reverse is also true. We needed a way to help articulate to friends, family and other book groups which titles are slapdash time-wasters — and those which offer something more.
The History
We have been tracking favourite books since inception, initially through end-of-year voting with each member assigning books a score from a five-point scale. At our 10-year anniversary, LBG produced its Favourite & Least Favourite Books list, based on a canvas of the full membership. The Top 10 titles from our first decade can be found below.
Over time, however, this voting mechanic proved to be an unwieldy way to create – and maintain – a league table of books. We needed a methodology which could:
- Adapt to regular changes in membership;
- Consider many facets of a book, such as:
- The potency of its ideas
- The quality of discussion generated
- The the quality of writing; and,
- Move away from a blunt star-rating system towards something more sophisticated and useful for other readers
About the Pantheon
The Loveliest Book Group Pantheon is our tool to recognise books and authors with ideas worth sharing. By design, books in the Pantheon aren’t necessarily the most well-written – although there is likely a bias towards quality – but are those which spark imperative thoughts and discussion.
Books are vital to our own personal explorations of literature, politics, society, art, science – indeed, the entire world around us. The Pantheon celebrates the select few which have most inspired us over the years, lifting them for consideration by other book groups and readers.
Entry Criteria
The entry criteria is intentionally stringent. Books included in the Pantheon must clear a significant bar such that we can proudly and collectively stand behind them as representative of our values, namely free expression and spirited debate.
The criteria for Pantheon entry includes:
- All official book selections are eligible
- Pantheon entries require unanimous assent
- A majority of active membership must not abstain