New York Times Best Books of the 21st Century

The Road

A father and son journey through a desolate, post-apocalyptic landscape, facing unimaginable challenges in a world stripped of hope. This Pu…

The Fifth Season

Cloud Atlas

A mind-bending epic that weaves six interconnected stories across time and space, exploring humanity's relentless pursuit of power and its c…

Atonement

A young girl's false accusation alters lives forever in this gripping tale of love, guilt, and redemption.

The Underground Railroad

A gripping tale of a young slave's desperate bid for freedom, reimagining the Underground Railroad as a literal network of tracks and tunnel…

Tenth of December

A wryly hilarious and disturbing collection of short stories that illuminate human experience with astonishing charm and intensity.

Station Eleven

In a world ravaged by a deadly pandemic, a traveling troupe of artists and musicians brings hope and culture to the remnants of civilization…

Never Let Me Go

In a hauntingly beautiful tale, Kazuo Ishiguro explores love, friendship, and the fragility of life through the eyes of Kathy, a woman refle…

Exit West

A love story set against the backdrop of a crumbling city, Exit West follows the journey of Nadia and Saeed as they navigate a world in cris…

Between the World and Me

A powerful and intimate letter from a father to his son about race in America, blending personal narrative with historical and social commen…

The Days of Abandonment

A woman's harrowing journey into the depths of despair and self-discovery after being abandoned by her husband, set against the backdrop of …

Persepolis

A poignant and humorous graphic memoir of a young girl's life in Iran during the Islamic Revolution, offering a unique perspective on histor…

My Brilliant Friend

A rich, intense story about two friends, Elena and Lila, growing up in 1950s Naples, reflecting a nation's transformation and the enduring b…

The Plot Against America

In an alternate history, Charles Lindbergh's isolationist policies lead to a chilling transformation of America, seen through the eyes of a …

Pachinko

A sweeping, multi-generational saga of a Korean family navigating love, sacrifice, and identity across a tumultuous century, from the bustli…

The Year of Magical Thinking

A raw and poignant exploration of love, loss, and resilience, this memoir captures the essence of a marriage and the profound impact of grie…

Fun Home

A darkly humorous and heartbreaking graphic memoir exploring family, identity, and the complex relationship between a daughter and her close…

Life After Life

What if you could live your life over and over again, perfecting it each time? Ursula Todd does just that in this captivating novel that ble…

Hateship, Friendship, Courtship, Loveship, Marriage

Alice Munro's masterful short stories explore the complexities of human relationships with her signature depth and insight.

The Sympathizer

A gripping spy novel set against the backdrop of the Vietnam War, exploring the life of a conflicted captain torn between two worlds and ide…

Demon Copperhead

A modern retelling of David Copperfield set in a poverty-stricken American community, Demon Copperhead is a gripping tale of survival, resil…

Middlesex

A captivating tale of identity and transformation, Middlesex explores the life of Calliope Stephanides, a unique individual caught between g…

The Vegetarian

A shocking act of rebellion in South Korea, 'The Vegetarian' explores themes of shame, desire, and the struggle to understand others through…

Sing, Unburied, Sing

A haunting tale of a young boy navigating family, loss, and the supernatural on a road trip to free his father from prison.