| 2023 | Constructing a Nervous System | Rathbones Folio Prize source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Winner · Literature | |
| 2023 | Constructing a Nervous System | Andrew Carnegie Medals for Excellence source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Finalist · Nonfiction | |
| 2022 | Constructing a Nervous System: A Memoir | National Book Critics Circle Awards source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Finalist · Criticism | |
| 2022 | Constructing a Nervous System | Washington Post Best Books of the Year source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · 10 Best Books | |
| 2022 | Constructing a Nervous System | TIME Best Books of the Year source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · 100 Must-Read | |
| 2022 | Constructing a Nervous System | Booklist Editors' Choice source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Adult Books: Memoirs | |
| 2022 | Constructing A Nervous System | Chicago Public Library Best of the Best source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Best Books | |
| 2022 | Constructing A Nervous System | Chicago Public Library Best of the Best source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Best Books: Top 10 | |
| 2022 | Constructing a Nervous System: A Memoir | NPR Books We Love source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Books We Love | |
| 2022 | Constructing a Nervous System | The New Yorker Best Books of the Year source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Essential Reads | |
| 2022 | Constructing a Nervous System | Kirkus Best Books of the Year source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Nonfiction | |
| 2022 | Constructing a Nervous System | New York Times 100 Notable Books source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Nonfiction | |
| 2022 | Constructing a Nervous System: A Memoir | Publishers Weekly Best Books source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Nonfiction | |
| 2022 | Constructing a Nervous System | TIME Best Books of the Year source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Nonfiction | |
| 2016 | Negroland: A Memoir | Baillie Gifford Prize for Non-Fiction source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Shortlist · Non-Fiction | |
| 2016 | Negroland: A Memoir | The Economist Books of the Year source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Biography and memoir | |
| 2015 | Negroland | National Book Critics Circle Awards source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Winner · Autobiography | |
| 2015 | Negroland: A Memoir | Washington Post Best Books of the Year source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · 10 Best Books | |
| 2015 | Negroland: A Memoir | Chicago Public Library Best of the Best source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Best Books: Nonfiction | |
| 2015 | Negroland | Kirkus Best Books of the Year source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Nonfiction | |
| 2015 | Negroland | New York Times 100 Notable Books source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Nonfiction | |
| 2015 | Negroland | TIME Best Books of the Year source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Nonfiction | |