| 2024 | Smoke and Ashes: Opium's Hidden Histories | Cundill History Prize source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Longlist · History | |
| 2024 | Smoke and Ashes | The New Yorker Best Books of the Year source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Also Recommended | |
| 2024 | Smoke and Ashes: Opium's Hidden Histories | NPR Books We Love source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Books We Love | |
| 2024 | Smoke and Ashes | The Economist Books of the Year source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · History | |
| 2024 | Smoke and Ashes: Opium and the Making of the Modern World | Chicago Public Library Best of the Best source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Must-Read Books: Nonfiction | |
| 2024 | Smoke and Ashes: Opium's Hidden Histories | Publishers Weekly Best Books source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Nonfiction | |
| 2022 | The Nutmeg's Curse: Parables for a Planet in Crisis | Rathbones Folio Prize source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Longlist · Literature | |
| 2021 | Gun Island | Dublin Literary Award source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Longlist · Fiction | |
| 2015 | Flood of Fire | Goodreads Choice Awards source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Nominee · Historical Fiction | |
| 2015 | Flood of Fire | The Guardian Best Books of the Year source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Fiction | |
| 2013 | River of Smoke | Dublin Literary Award source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Longlist · Fiction | |
| 2011 | River of Smoke | Washington Post Best Books of the Year source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Notable Fiction | |
| 2011 | River of Smoke | Amazon Editors' Best Books of the Year source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Top 100 | |
| 2010 | Sea of Poppies | Dublin Literary Award source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Longlist · Fiction | |
| 2008 | Sea of Poppies | Booker Prize source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Shortlist · Fiction | |
| 2008 | Sea of Poppies | Vulture / New York Magazine Best Books of the Year source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Best Books | |
| 2008 | Sea of Poppies | The Boston Globe Best Books of the Year source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Fiction | |
| 2008 | Sea of Poppies | The Economist Books of the Year source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Fiction | |
| 2008 | Sea of Poppies | Publishers Weekly Best Books source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Fiction | |
| 2008 | Sea of Poppies | Washington Post Best Books of the Year source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Notable Fiction | |
| 2008 | Sea of Poppies | Amazon Editors' Best Books of the Year source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Top 100 | |
| 2006 | The Hungry Tide | Dublin Literary Award source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Longlist · Fiction | |