Tree of Smoke
A gripping, surreal journey through the Vietnam War, blending psychological operations and profound human truths in a vivid, epic narrative.
New York Times Best Books of the 21st Century
A curated list of the best books of the 21st century as voted by literary luminaries and the staff of The New York Times Book Review.
How to Be Both
A genre-bending novel that intertwines the lives of a Renaissance artist and a modern-day teenager, exploring art, time, and identity in a p…
Bel Canto
A captivating tale of love, music, and unexpected connections in a hostage crisis, blending poignant moments with humor.
Wayward Lives, Beautiful Experiments
Discover the untold stories of young Black women who defied societal norms in early 20th-century Philadelphia and New York, reshaping urban …
Bring Up the Bodies
A gripping tale of power, betrayal, and intrigue in the court of Henry VIII, winner of the Man Booker Prize 2012.
On Beauty
A witty and heartfelt exploration of love, family, and the complexities of modern life, 'On Beauty' weaves together the stories of two feudi…
The Human Stain
A distinguished professor's life unravels when a false accusation of racism surfaces, revealing a deeply buried secret that challenges the v…
The Sympathizer
A gripping spy novel that explores the complex life of a Vietnamese captain torn between two worlds during and after the Vietnam War.
The Return
A gripping memoir of a son's quest to uncover the truth about his father's disappearance in Libya, blending personal loss with a universal t…
The Collected Stories of Lydia Davis
Discover the unique and celebrated short stories of Lydia Davis, praised by literary giants for her emotional depth and formal inventiveness…
Detransition, Baby
A provocative and deeply moving novel that explores the complex intersections of gender, relationships, and family, as three women navigate …
Pastoralia
George Saunders' acclaimed collection of stories blurs the line between the absurd and the profound, offering a hypnotic and original take o…
Pulphead
A sharp-eyed, uniquely humane tour of America's cultural landscape, from high to low, by the award-winning John Jeremiah Sullivan. This coll…
The Story of the Lost Child
Dive deeper into Elena Ferrante's Neapolitan series with this insightful companion, exploring the turbulent life of Elena and the mysterious…
A Manual for Cleaning Women
A vivid journey through the lives of women who clean, filled with humor, heartache, and unexpected grace in the most ordinary places.
Septology
A profound and intricate exploration of life, death, and the human condition, Septology weaves together the stories of a man and his mentor …
An American Marriage
A powerful and timely love story that explores the devastating impact of a wrongful conviction on a young African-American couple, delving i…
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow
A poignant tale of friendship, creativity, and the complexities of love, this novel explores the decades-long journey of two collaborators w…
Exit West
In a world where doors magically transport people across borders, a young couple navigates love, displacement, and the search for home in a …
Olive Kitteridge
In the quiet town of Crosby, Maine, Olive Kitteridge navigates life's complexities with sharp wit and unyielding strength, revealing the pro…
The New York Times Best Books of the 21st Century is a curated list of the top 100 books of the 21st century, as voted on by 503 novelists, nonfiction writers, poets, critics, and other book lovers. The list includes a diverse range of genres and themes, reflecting the rich literary landscape of the past two decades. Each book is accompanied by a brief description and, in many cases, a personal endorsement from a notable author or critic. This list is a valuable resource for readers looking to discover new books or revisit beloved classics.