ABC Radio National’s Top 100 Australian Books invites listeners to nominate up to ten favourite literary works by Australian writers. The results will be counted down on air during the annual Top 100 Books broadcast on October 17‑18.

Research by Shakiba Barghi, a PhD candidate at the University of Melbourne and 2026 ABC Top 5 program recipient, shows that sharing favourite books and giving recommendations creates recognition and connection between readers.

Online reading hubs such as BookTok, Bookstagram and BookTube now display readers’ tastes publicly. These platforms turn personal preferences into small performances of readership, letting others see what you love.

Because favourite books are linked to memories, genre discoveries and community moments, they act as signals of personal identity and belonging. Mentioning a beloved title can instantly reveal a part of who you are and the circles you share with.