The Real Best Twitter Feeds

This week, TIME published their list of the "140 Best Twitter Feeds."

It's a dumb list.

Don't get me wrong--I follow seven of the people on it. But there's no "best" about it; it comprises Twitter feeds that have a lot of followers. And not necessarily even the best of those. They claim these are the feeds that are "shaping the conversation," to which I say, "not any conversation I'm involved in or listening to."

So with encouragement from Pop Culture Nerd, I have compiled My Own Damn List.

Everyone is on this list for a reason, but not all for the same reason. Interestingly, more of them don’t follow me than do…which leads me to the conclusion that only following people who follow you back is a poor way to get the most out of Twitter (in case you were wondering).

TIME categorized their list and ranked it using some bizarre voting system that really just illustrates who has the most interns. I'm going with alphabetical. With the exception of the first person on the list, who occupies that position because she's the primary reason I like Twitter at all. Rather than categorize everyone, I've included their Twitter bios, most of which are fairly descriptive.

And because I'm on a roll, I figured I'd hand out some awards too...

• Best Author: Alafair Burke (Runners-up: Colette Caddle, Hilary Davidson, Brad Parks and Marcus Sakey)
• Best Publisher: Tyrus Books
• Best Family: The Jordans (Runners-up: The Palmers)

So without further ado, here's the list:

1	Jen Forbus	A book blogger who has a special love of crime fiction! Crafter on the side. And always momma to my furry babies.
2	A.N. Smith	Author of HOGDOGGIN', YELLOW MEDICINE, and Editor of PLOTS WITH GUNS ezine
3	Alafair Burke	Author of Ellie Hatcher and Samantha Kincaid thrillers, law professor, pop culture fiend, political junkie, dog walker, foodie, good egg
4	Amanda G. Beals	Speak only when it improves the silence. Fierce bibliophile. Love Bulldogs, Boston, kettlebells, kettle ponds and THISISBANDIT.COM.
5	Andy Boyle	Bearded expat Nebraskan. Digital Developer with The New York Times Regional Media Group. Former reporter. Likes: books, bikes and booze. Dislikes: Fascists.
6	Angela James	Executive Editor for Carina Press, Harlequin's digital-first imprint. Dragging the world to the digital dark side, one reader at a time.
7	Barbara Scully	My tweets are often full of typos, but read carefully, there might be a gem! I'm a writer. Sometimes I'm on the radio. Most of the time I'm a mom!
8	Barry Eisler	Novelist; Blogger; Former CIA
9	BBC Global News	Official BBC feed reflecting top news stories and programmes broadcast across BBC World News television, BBC World Service radio and online
10	Bermuda Onion
11	Bethanne Patrick	Blogger, book reviewer, author interviewer, author --but above all, a reader.
12	Bill Cameron	Guy who eats bacon and writes, including the Skin Kadash mysteries DAY ONE, CHASING SMOKE, LOST DOG and COUNTY LINE (June 2011).
13	bookavore	Bookseller (manager of @wordbrooklyn), book reader. Don't judge my exclamation points.
14	Brad Parks	Author of crime fiction. Winner of the Nero and Shamus Awards. Leader of the dubious. User of prepositional phrases.
15	BreakingNews	Breaking news alerts around the world from hundreds of sources 24 hours a day.
16	Brett Battles	Award winning thriller author of the Jonathan Quinn international thriller series, among other things, and a refugee from the entertainment industry.
17	Brian Lindenmuth	A news wire bringing the online mystery/crime fiction community to you
18	Bryan Gruley	Novelist Starvation Lake and The Hanging Tree. Chicago Bureau Chief, The Wall Street Journal.
19	Catherine Ryan Howard	Writer, astronaut, skinny - well, 1 out of 3 ain't bad. Author of Mousetrapped: A Year and a Bit in Orlando, Florida. Frequently over-caffeinated. Likes pink.
20	Chapters Bookstore	Chapters Bookstore, Parnell Street, Dublin 1. Ireland's largest independent bookstore.
21	Chris Bookarama	A mom and reader living by the great, blue Atlantic.
22	Chris F. Holm	Writer. Scientist. Technophobic hypocrite.
23	Christine Bohan	Journalist, politics addict, webhead. I work for the Comment is Free section of the Guardian website.
24	Christine McCann
25	Colette Caddle	I'm an Irish novelist who warns would-be authors not to prevaricate, then wanders off to tweet, drink tea and pare pencils
26	Colleen Lindsay	Publishing browncoat. Cat herder. Queer human. Professional nerd. TARDIS fan.
27	Craig McDonald	Crime novelist; author of Edgar/Anthony nominated Hector Lassiter series
28	Dana Kaye	I'm an independent book publicist and blogger.
29	Daniel O’Shea	Thriller writer, Beloit College and Marmion Acad alum
30	Daniel Palmer	Tech thriller writer, musician.
31	Dave White	Author of When One Man Dies and The Evil That Men Do. Blogger at Do Some Damage & On the Banks
32	Declan Burke	Irish author, arts journalist. Editor of 'Down These Green Streets: Irish Crime Writing in the 21st Century' (Liberties Press)
33	Do Some Damage	The Twitter site for the blog site for some of today's coolest crime fiction writers.
34	Duane Swierczynski	I write crime novels, comic books, and other stuff that will rot your brain.
35	Elizabeth A. White	Reading enthusiast (especially crime fiction) and book reviewer / blogger who also loves cooking, wine, and hard rock music.
36	Ellen Clair Lamb	Writer, editor, researcher, amateur theater impresario
37	Eoin Purcell	Consultant, publisher, blogger and book lover.
38	Erin McHugh	I write. I sell books. I sell my own books. Perfect.
39	Evil Ray	If I were an animal, I'd be a human.
40	Fake AP Stylebook	Style tips for proper writing.
41	G.P. Putnam’s Sons	Founded in 1838, Putnam is one of the oldest and most prestigious imprints in the publishing industry.
42	Galley Cat	The First Word on the Book Publishing Industry
43	Grand Central Publishing	Grand Central Publishing (formerly Warner Books) founded in 1970.
44	Gregg Hurwitz	My latest thriller novel is THEY'RE WATCHING. I also write comics, TV (ABC's V), and scripts, mostly about suspense and mayhem. It beats working.
45	Gutter Bookshop	The Gutter Bookshop is an independent bookshop in Dublin, Ireland selling books, gifts and stationery. Owner Bob Johnston tweets on behalf of the shop.
46	Hank Phillippi Ryan	mystery author, Emmy winning investigative news reporter, Beatles fan, crime fighter, theater lover, romance writer, Intl Thriller Writers, not Phillipi
47	Harlan Coben	#1 International Bestselling author of such novels as TELL NO ONE, CAUGHT and the Myron Bolitar series. Also a snazzy dancer.
48	Harper Collins
49	Hawaii Book Blog	Blogging about Hawaiʻi's authors, books, and literary events!
50	Hilary Davidson	Freelance writer with criminal tendencies. Author of THE DAMAGE DONE (Forge, 2010) and the upcoming THE NEXT ONE TO FALL.
51	Hippiechick68	You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one.
52	Ian Collings	Writer, #ITFC fan, OU Lit student.
53	Ian Lewis	Bookish Web developer. Trying out book orientated web ideas. Fascinated by: who reads what & why; social media; punctuation; grammar. Keen #FridayReads promoter
54	Iris Blasi	Coordinator of Digital Media for literary PR firm @HMI_PR. Formerly an editor. Forever a reader.
55	Janet Rudolph	I'm all about Crime Fiction, Chocolate and Team Building.
56	Jason Pinter	Bestselling crime writer/upcoming ZEKE BARTHOLOMEW series for young readers. Huffington Post and Daily Beast contributor. Publishing wonk. New Yorker. Dork.
57	Jeff Abbott	I'm the quiet guy who writes thrillers. My next books: Adrenaline, out in US on 7/1 from Grand Central. The Last Minute, out in 6/11 in the UK from Sphere.
58	Jenn’s Bookshelf	Book Blogger/Reviewer.Book Club Leader.
59	Jennifer Jordan	She writes, she reads, she walks upright! Unless she hasn't had her caffiend. Then she grunts, she trips, she starts fights with walls!
60	Jennifer Kavanagh	Politics Junkie - Current Affairs Addict - Law Lecturer - Caffeine Addict - Occasionally Sane
61	Joe Hill	Author of HORNS, Heart-Shaped Box, 20th Century Ghosts, and Locke & Key
62	Joe Lansdale
63	John Connolly	Author of the Charlie Parker mysteries, THE GATES, and THE BOOK OF LOST THINGS.
64	Jon Jordan	Publisher of CRIMESPREE MAGAZINE ~ We never sleep, nope not ever.
65	Jonathan Hayes	Writer, forensic pathologist, reformed Englishman, happy New Yorker, slowly coming out of hibernation. Profanity Risk Level: Orange.
66	Joseph Finder	NYT bestselling thriller writer, Dad, Red Sox fan
67	Joseph Wallace	I'm a writer of nonfiction books, noir stories, and a novel, DIAMOND RUBY.
68	JT Ellison	International and bestselling author. Lover of stories, wine, golf and husband, not necessarily in that order.
69	Kalen	Book Babe Extraordinaire (mkting/PR.) Unrepentant liberal. Queen of food allergies. Her indoors. Turn ons: pro cycling, baseball, footie, politics, photography.
70	Kate Gardiner	Journalist. Photographer. Medillian. Social media for media
71	Kathleen Schmidt	A bookish broad, unpredictable tweeter, mother of two, lover of sports, reader of books. I'm also CEO of KMSPR, my book publicity company.
72	Keith Rawson	Keith likes hardboiled crime, noir, cheeseburgers, beer, ne'er do well writer, publisher of Crimefactory magazine
73	Kelli Stanley	Crime fiction writer, noirhead, fedora-lover. Author of the Miranda Corbie series (City of Dragons) and Roman noir (The Curse-Maker), both from Macmillan.
74	krimiblogger	Blogging about crime fiction and the mystery scene.
75	Laura Bradford	Literary Agent at Bradford Literary Agency. I made it myself.
76	Laura Curtis	NY mystery & romance writer with 3 crazed Irish Terriers.
77	Lauren O’Brien	Believer in the greater good, healing qualities of a good book, the unparalleled love of a dog, and the existence of quality television
78	Lesa Holstine	Book reviewer, book blogger & librarian.
79	Libby Jordan	I'm me...and that's enough for now.
80	Lisa Bonchek Adams	I write about cancer, grief & loss, family. Mom to 3 kids, cancer survivor. Creator of #mondaypleads + #dailynag. I have very bad luck--but it's not contagious.
81	Lisa Unger	New York Times bestselling and award winning author.
82	Little, Brown and Co.	One of the U.S.'s oldest and most distinguished publishing houses
83	Lydia Ondrusek	I write. Yes, I know you do too. It's a commonality, don't you love those? New: King of the Marshmallows MG story series, Quake.
84	Marcus Sakey	I'm a professional liar. My upcoming book is THE TWO DEATHS OF DANIEL HAYES. Buy it and you'll lose those last 5 lbs while saving a baby seal under a rainbow.
85	Margaret Brown	What to read next? Shelf Unbound magazine features the best of indie publishing.
86	Maria Duffy	Mother of four, writer, dreamer, chocolate eater, shoe lover, diet hater, positive thinker. I write women's fiction & blog for Hello!
87	Mark Billingham	Crime writer. Very average comedian. Looking out of the window a speciality.
88	Matthew J. McBride	I write crime fiction. I have a bull named Hemingway & I do my own stunts.
89	Meg Gardiner	Author of the Evan Delaney and Jo Beckett novels. Edgar award winner. Escaped lawyer. Recovering mime. Californian in London. Mom of three.
90	Mel	I'm an aspiring crime writer, delighted to be represented by Curtis Brown UK. I blog at High Heels and Book Deals and write a bit of this and that, as you do.
91	Michael Alatorre	father, Mac admin, boomer or joneser (depending how you cut it), and on occasion golfer (duck!)
92	Michael Harvey	I am a crime novelist, journalist and documentary producer. I live in Chicago.
93	Michael Kruse	St. Pete Times staffer. 2009 Green Eyeshade winner. 2010 AASFE winner. 2011 ASNE winner. Davidson grad. Lover of Lauren Electric. I let people keep talking.
94	Michael Palmer	New York Times Bestselling Author.
95	Michele Filgate	Events Coordinator at RiverRun Bookstore. Writer. Reader. Critic. Member of the NBCC. Freelance Public Radio Producer.
96	Michelle Erin	A 20-something reader, book blogger, lawyer, dancer, & new runner. I adore music, Michigan football, baseball, good beer, questionable tv, and my cats.
97	Michelle Shannon	Book Blogger, Mother, Wife, Management Accountant, and Bibliophile Extraordinaire
98	Mike Cooper	Author, mathematician, tinkerer. Crime, finance, and technology.
99	Minotaur Books	Publisher of mystery, thriller, and suspense novels, Minotaur is the Beast of Crime Fiction!
100	Miriam Parker	Reader, writer. Also, the Marketing Director for Little, Brown's new Mystery/Suspense imprint @mulhollandbooks.
101	Mulholland Books	Little, Brown's new imprint devoted to Suspense fiction.
102	Murderati	We are MURDERATI - 14 mystery writers dedicated to Mysteries, Murder and Marketing.
103	Naomi Johnson	http://drowningmachine.blogspot.com
104	Nina L. Diamond	JOURNALIST/COLUMNIST/MEDIA CRITIC/AUTHOR OMNI alum. Much AdoAboutPublishing humor col, INDEPENDENT PUBLISHER mag. PANDEMONIUM: NPRMiami84-98 satire writer/perf
105	Pop Culture Nerd	News & opinions about pop culture from inside Hollywood, advance reviews of books & movies
106	Rachel Mort-Adams	Newly 40! Writer. Married. Slightly demented. Passionate abt writing, the Arts, dogs, books, singing & handbags. Vocal abt mental & invisible illness. Atheist.
107	Random House	Random House book and author news
108	Reading Is Fundamental	RIF is the nation's oldest and largest children's literacy nonprofit providing free books and literacy resources to children and families across the U.S.
109	Rebecca Cantrell	Novelist who writes the Hannah Vogel mystery series, starting with A TRACE OF SMOKE
110	Rebecca Shinsky	Panty-throwing, book-loving wild woman. Reader, critic, lover of indie bookstores. NBCC member.
111	Rev. Naomi King	Unitarian Universalist preacher, teacher, knitter, swimmer, reader, coffee drinker, lover of life!
112	Rhian Davies	All about books, mainly crime fiction.
113	Ridley Pearson	Author of crime novels and books for younger readers, reader, father, YA, crime novels
114	RJ Ellory	R.J. Ellory is the multi-award winning author of A Quiet Belief In Angels, A Simple Act of Violence, The Anniversary Man and Saints of New York.
115	Robert Burdock	A book-sniffing weirdo who loves nothing more than being surrounded by dead trees. Also aspiring to one day give myself the title of journalist.
116	Roisin Walsh	Irish blogger sharing info about aromatherapy, massage, holistic health while striving to make the world a more positive place. Lover of quotes + also a Foodie
117	Romenesko	Updates from Poynter's Romenesko column.
118	Ron Charles	Washington Post Book World, Fiction Editor and weekly critic.
119	Rosemary Mac Cabe	Journalist, blogger, sub editor. Also: TV addict, music lover, Justin Bieber admirer.
120	Russel McLean	Crime writer, bookseller, miscreant.
121	Ruth Jordan
122	Ruth Seeley	A graduate of the 'where's the content?' school of PR. Oh and I have a BA in English too. Now tweeting from Little Condo on the Prairie
123	Sabrina E. Ogden	I am a grasshopper by day, creator of a really lame book blog, wife, mother to two adorable beagles, and a lover of books and eating. My friends call me Kate.
124	Sarah Weinman	News Editor for Publishers Marketplace (@publisherslunch); crime fiction columnist for LAT; deadline slave; chocolate chip scone addict; expat Canadian.
125	Sarah Wendell	I'm Sarah from Smart Bitches, I like Trashy Books
126	Simon & Schuster	Simon & Schuster is one of the largest English language publishers in the world.
127	Simon Palmer	Freelance public relations; plastic Geordie; dance music; vinyl records; dogs; skinhead.
128	Sleep Talkin’ Man	My mild-mannered husband lives quite a colorful existence in his dreams.
129	Steve Hockensmith	I got on the New York Times bestseller list once, but I hate to keep mentioning it. Let's just say I write books, O.K.? The silly, made-up kind. How about you?
130	Steve Weddle	writer
131	Susan Daly	Journalist, dancer, prancer, chancer. Deputy Editor of TheJournal.ie
132	Swapna	Blogger. Book Reviewer. Freelance Copyeditor. NBCC Member. Beer Snob.
133	The Nation	Weekly journal of opinion, featuring analysis on politics and culture. Founded in 1865.
134	TheJournal.ie	An Irish website allowing you to read, share and shape the news.
135	Tor Books	Publisher of SF, Fantasy, Horror, Paranormal Romance, Mystery, Thriller and Suspense, and other speculative fiction
136	Trish	Book nerd. Blogging nerd. Knitting nerd. Espresso nerd. You can talk nerdy to me. Co-founder of TLC Book Tours.
137	Tyrus Books	One of the indie presses that all the kids talk about.
138	Una Mullally	You can rock or you can leave
139	Vanessa O’Loughlin	Writer, Mum, director Inkwell Writers Workshops, founder www.writing.ie, PRO Irish PEN
140	WMNF News	Updates from the WMNF Community Radio News Team

Please chime in and let me know what you think of the list. Who did I forget? Who is new to you?

Thanks!