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.

Cover of The Argonauts

The Argonauts

4.2

A genre-defying memoir that explores love, identity, and the complexities of family through a personal journey and rigorous intellectual inq…

Cover of White Teeth

White Teeth

3.8

A vibrant, hilarious, and poignant tale of three families navigating life in post-war London, where cultures collide and identities are expl…

Cover of Bel Canto

Bel Canto

3.5

A captivating tale of love, music, and unexpected connections in a hostage crisis, blending poignant moments with humor.

Cover of Pastoralia

Pastoralia

3.5

George Saunders' acclaimed collection of stories blurs the line between the absurd and the profound, offering a hypnotic and original take o…

Cover of Pulphead

Pulphead

4.3

A sharp-eyed, uniquely humane tour of America's cultural landscape, from high to low, by the award-winning John Jeremiah Sullivan. This coll…

Cover of An American Marriage

An American Marriage

4.4

A powerful and timely love story that explores the devastating impact of a wrongful conviction on a young African-American couple, delving i…

Cover of We the Animals

We the Animals

4.2

Three brothers navigate a chaotic, loving, and sometimes dangerous childhood in a mixed-race family, forging their own paths as they grow up…

Cover of Runaway

Runaway

3.9

Juliet's escape from a stifling teaching job leads her into a whirlwind of passion and betrayal, exploring the complexities of love and lost…

Cover of The Goldfinch

The Goldfinch

3.3

A gripping tale of loss, art, and obsession, 'The Goldfinch' follows Theo Decker as he navigates a world forever changed by tragedy, drawn i…

Cover of Sing, Unburied, Sing

Sing, Unburied, Sing

4.4

A haunting tale of family, loss, and the supernatural, where a young boy must navigate the ghosts of his past while protecting his younger s…

Cover of The Overstory

The Overstory

3.9

A monumental novel that intertwines the lives of nine strangers with the ancient, interconnected world of trees, revealing a hidden catastro…

Cover of Pachinko

Pachinko

4.1

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

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.

Source: https://archive.is/EtN68