Or just more people have had the opportunity to READ the classics, while the newer maybe-classics-someday are still making the rounds. There's actually a lot more on the list this time that I HAVEN'T read than I have, which is odd. But there seems to be more new picture books on that list than new chapter books-- maybe because people read them aloud frequently? And chapter books, to become favorites, are likely reread over and over, too, but I don't know about you, but once you get to be an adult you just don't do as much rereading as you did as a kid, so newer books don't have as much chance to sink in that way. As opposed to picture books, which get read over and over by their very nature.

Also, with easy readers and early chapter books counting this time around, there's more competition. I know I had to make room on my lists for a few of those!