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.
All Aunt Hagar's Children
A Pulitzer Prize-winning collection of stories that delves into the lives of ordinary Washington, D.C. residents, exploring their struggles …
The New Jim Crow
Michelle Alexander exposes the shocking truth about the American criminal justice system's role in perpetuating racial discrimination, revea…
The Friend
A heartfelt exploration of grief and the profound bond between a woman and her late friend's Great Dane, blending humor and deep emotion.
Far From the Tree
A profound exploration of how families navigate love and acceptance when their children are radically different from them, celebrating the s…
We the Animals
Three brothers navigate a chaotic, loving, and tumultuous childhood in a family where love is both fierce and dangerous. This powerful novel…
The Great Believers
A sweeping, heart-wrenching tale of friendship, loss, and resilience set against the backdrop of the AIDS epidemic in 1980s Chicago and the …
Veronica
A raw and evocative tale of friendship, love, and self-discovery spanning the glamour of 1980s New York and the raw reality of its aftermath…
10:04
A witty and introspective novel that explores the chaos of modern life, love, and the fear of mortality in a world on the brink.
Demon Copperhead
A modern retelling of David Copperfield set in a poverty-stricken American community, Demon Copperhead is a gripping tale of survival, resil…
Heavy
Kiese Laymon's raw and powerful memoir delves into the physical and emotional toll of violence, grief, and trauma, offering a deeply persona…
Middlesex
A captivating tale of identity and transformation, Middlesex explores the life of Calliope Stephanides, a unique individual caught between g…
Stay True
A poignant memoir exploring friendship, grief, and the search for identity, Hua Hsu's 'Stay True' is a heartfelt journey through loss and th…
The Flamethrowers
Reno, a young artist, rides into 1970s New York and gets entangled in a world of art, passion, and political turmoil, leading to a dangerous…
The Looming Tower
Uncover the chilling true story behind the events leading to 9/11, from the rise of radical Islam to the ignored warnings that could have pr…
Runaway
Juliet abandons her teaching job to dive into a passionate love affair, but love comes with its own set of power struggles and betrayals. Th…
Train Dreams
Robert Grainier's life unfolds against the backdrop of a changing America, capturing the essence of a disappearing way of life in the Americ…
Trust
A Wall Street tycoon's marriage is threatened by a novelist's expose, revealing a tale of greed, love, and betrayal in this Pulitzer Prize-w…
A Mercy
Set in 1680s America, 'A Mercy' delves into the complex and unsettling dynamics of slavery through the poignant story of a mother and daught…
The Goldfinch
A gripping tale of loss, art, and obsession, 'The Goldfinch' follows Theo Decker as he navigates a world forever changed by tragedy, drawn i…
A Brief History of Seven Killings
A gripping oral biography of a near-mythic assassination attempt on Bob Marley, weaving together voices from ghosts to CIA agents in a vivid…
Small Things Like These
In 1985 Ireland, a coal merchant confronts the dark secrets of his community, uncovering the complicit silences enforced by the Church durin…
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.