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21st Century Literature
We read literary fiction from 2000 to present, with the intent of finding those literary gems of timeless and enduring quality. We're less focused on the latest bestsellers, or discussing books already well-represented in other groups. Our passion is to explore works, from around the world, which stand a chance of being remembered fifty years from now.
In addition to seeking out books with literary merit, we also encourage lively and thought-provoking discussions.
All are welcome to join 21CL, whe ...more
category
tags
21st-century, anthologies, authors-in-translation, autofiction, award-nominees, award-winners, awards, best-of-the-century, book-club, and book-of-the-month
group type
This is a public group. Anyone can join and invite others to join.
rules
Respectful disagreement is welcome. …more
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Current & Upcoming 21CL Reads: 2026 & 2027
By 21st Century … · 1 post · 160 views
last updated Jan 14, 2026 08:00AM
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Welcome to 21CL - Say hello here!
By Terry · 1187 posts · 1196 views
By Terry · 1187 posts · 1196 views
last updated Oct 04, 2026 07:21PM
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Index to Previous Book Discussions
By Hugh · 9 posts · 392 views
last updated Apr 02, 2021 10:03AM
(We're Testing Something New) - Introducing: The Literary Collective Schedule
By Beige , aka Jo · 8 posts · 82 views
By Beige , aka Jo · 8 posts · 82 views
last updated Mar 26, 2026 11:00AM
(September 2026) Fantastical Fiction
By Beige , aka Jo · 18 posts · 55 views
By Beige , aka Jo · 18 posts · 55 views
last updated Sep 12, 2026 03:57PM
(August 26) Women In Translation
By 21st Century … · 98 posts · 90 views
By 21st Century … · 98 posts · 90 views
last updated Sep 06, 2026 11:23AM
(June 26) - LitFic of the Aughts/Noughties
By 21st Century … · 7 posts · 42 views
By 21st Century … · 7 posts · 42 views
last updated Jun 06, 2026 09:35AM
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QOTW - Suggest a Question
By Beige , aka Jo · 2 posts · 45 views
By Beige , aka Jo · 2 posts · 45 views
last updated Mar 17, 2026 06:10AM
Which Is the Most Memorable Character Written Since The Year 2000?
By Beige , aka Jo · 10 posts · 46 views
By Beige , aka Jo · 10 posts · 46 views
last updated Oct 13, 2026 01:13PM
Average ratings, how do you consider/interpret them (if at all)?
By Beige , aka Jo · 24 posts · 60 views
By Beige , aka Jo · 24 posts · 60 views
last updated Sep 12, 2026 07:51AM
The first book you read that was written for adults (2026/07/13)
By Henk · 21 posts · 55 views
By Henk · 21 posts · 55 views
last updated Sep 06, 2026 01:45PM
Books you've underlined/highlighted the most (in the last year or so)? - (3/20/26)
By Beige , aka Jo · 14 posts · 59 views
By Beige , aka Jo · 14 posts · 59 views
last updated Jul 24, 2026 10:30AM
Do you have any 'gateway' books? - (3/28/26)
By Beige , aka Jo · 23 posts · 70 views
By Beige , aka Jo · 23 posts · 70 views
last updated Jun 08, 2026 07:06AM
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21CL - What are you reading?
By Logophile · 1892 posts · 920 views
By Logophile · 1892 posts · 920 views
last updated Sep 19, 2026 01:17PM
2026 Booker Prize Shortlist @ The Mooske Group
By Beige , aka Jo · 23 posts · 101 views
By Beige , aka Jo · 23 posts · 101 views
last updated Sep 29, 2026 12:17AM
21CL -- 2025 US/Canada Republic of Consciousness Prize
By Marc · 1 post · 25 views
By Marc · 1 post · 25 views
last updated Dec 17, 2025 05:03AM
audio book recommendations
By Nadine in Cal… · 20 posts · 88 views
By Nadine in Cal… · 20 posts · 88 views
last updated Nov 07, 2023 06:42PM
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(Oct 26) - Tremor by Teju Cole
By 21st Century … · 8 posts · 47 views
By 21st Century … · 8 posts · 47 views
last updated Oct 09, 2026 11:58AM
(Dec 26) Nominations - 21CL book you most want to read before 2026 ends
By Beige , aka Jo · 11 posts · 55 views
By Beige , aka Jo · 11 posts · 55 views
last updated Oct 13, 2026 05:15AM
(Sept 26) - Everything Under by Daisy Johnson
By 21st Century … · 26 posts · 79 views
By 21st Century … · 26 posts · 79 views
last updated Oct 10, 2026 12:46PM
(Nov 26) - The Last King of California by Jordan Harper
By 21st Century … · 1 post · 11 views
By 21st Century … · 1 post · 11 views
last updated Oct 02, 2026 05:45AM
(Aug 26) - Steppe by Oksana Vasyakina
By 21st Century … · 37 posts · 57 views
By 21st Century … · 37 posts · 57 views
last updated Sep 11, 2026 05:12PM
(Aug 26) - Lili Is Crying by Hélène Bessette
By 21st Century … · 20 posts · 54 views
By 21st Century … · 20 posts · 54 views
last updated Sep 11, 2026 01:55PM
(Feb-Dec 26) - Knausgard's Morningstar series
By Henk · 72 posts · 108 views
By Henk · 72 posts · 108 views
last updated Oct 08, 2026 04:07PM
(Nov & Dec 26) - Public Library and Other Stories by Ali Smith
By 21st Century … · 9 posts · 27 views
By 21st Century … · 9 posts · 27 views
last updated Sep 07, 2026 12:18PM
(July 2026) - Will and Testament by Vigdis Hjorth
By 21st Century … · 26 posts · 43 views
By 21st Century … · 26 posts · 43 views
last updated Aug 25, 2026 02:01PM
(June/July 2026) - The Whole Story and Other Stories by Ali Smith
By 21st Century … · 55 posts · 55 views
By 21st Century … · 55 posts · 55 views
last updated Jul 24, 2026 11:05AM
(June 2026) - My Tender Matador by Pedro Lemebel
By Henk · 44 posts · 48 views
By Henk · 44 posts · 48 views
last updated Jul 20, 2026 01:29AM
The Morning Star - no spoilers please!
By Ruben · 28 posts · 82 views
By Ruben · 28 posts · 82 views
last updated Feb 08, 2026 02:39PM
The Morning Star - spoilers welcome
By Ruben · 15 posts · 43 views
By Ruben · 15 posts · 43 views
last updated Oct 15, 2025 07:45AM
The Maniac - whole book, open discussion, expect spoilers
By Hugh · 23 posts · 77 views
By Hugh · 23 posts · 77 views
last updated Jan 04, 2025 05:44AM
The Maniac - background (no spoilers)
By Hugh · 17 posts · 59 views
By Hugh · 17 posts · 59 views
last updated Dec 20, 2024 02:29PM
Huck Out West- background and non-spoiler content
By Sam · 11 posts · 51 views
By Sam · 11 posts · 51 views
last updated Dec 05, 2024 09:31AM
Huck Out West Spoiler content welcome
By Sam · 36 posts · 31 views
By Sam · 36 posts · 31 views
last updated Dec 01, 2024 07:07AM
Tell Me I'm Worthless - Background and nonspoiler content
By David · 15 posts · 54 views
By David · 15 posts · 54 views
last updated Oct 22, 2024 11:07AM
The Penguin Book of the International Short Story @ TSSC
By Beige , aka Jo · 1 post · 13 views
By Beige , aka Jo · 1 post · 13 views
last updated Oct 08, 2026 06:30AM
How Can a Short Story Capture an Entire Life in Just a Few Pages?
By RAPHAËL · 9 posts · 31 views
By RAPHAËL · 9 posts · 31 views
last updated Nov 24, 2025 02:26AM
Wild Milk by Sabrina Orah Mark (week 4)
By Marc · 4 posts · 21 views
By Marc · 4 posts · 21 views
last updated Mar 27, 2025 03:03PM
I Sexually Identify As An Attack Helicopter by Isabel Fall (week 3)
By Marc · 3 posts · 76 views
By Marc · 3 posts · 76 views
last updated Mar 27, 2025 04:57AM
The Husband Stitch by Carmen Maria Machado (Week 2)
By Marc · 6 posts · 34 views
By Marc · 6 posts · 34 views
last updated Mar 27, 2025 02:41AM
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2026 - most wanted
Hunchback by Saou Ichikawa, tr. by Polly Barton
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