ABC Radio National launches poll for best Australian books

ABC Radio National is conducting a poll to identify the 100 best Australian books of all time. The initiative allows for nominations of up to 10 books by October 1, with the final countdown scheduled for October 17 and 18.

While the poll serves as a counterpoint to international lists that often favor British and American titles, the concept of ranking literature remains controversial. Critics argue that such lists reflect specific tastes or fleeting fashions rather than intrinsic quality. Some writers have called for the abolition of these rankings, suggesting that comparing unique works of art to one another treats literature as a commodity.