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Chicago Public Library Best of the Best 2016

Chicago Public Library Best of the Best 2016 names 271 books across 10 categories. 89 of them also won or were shortlisted for an award.

Best Books

  1. A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towlessource (opens in a new tab)
  2. A Study in Scarlet Women by Sherry Thomassource (opens in a new tab)
  3. All the Single Ladies: Unmarried Women and the Rise of An Independent Nation by Rebecca Traistersource (opens in a new tab)
  4. American Heiress: The Wild Saga of the Kidnapping, Crimes and Trial of Patty Hearst by Jeffrey Toobinsource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Another Brooklyn: A Novel by Jacqueline Woodsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Another Day in the Death of America: A Chronicle of Ten Short Lives by Gary Youngesource (opens in a new tab)
  7. Are We Smart Enough to Know How Smart Animals Are? by Frans De Waalsource (opens in a new tab)
  8. At the Existentialist Café: Freedom, Being, and Apricot Cocktails With Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone De Beauvoir, Albert Camus, Martin Heidegger, Karl Jaspers, Edmund Husserl, Maurice Merleau-Ponty and Others by Sarah Bakewellsource (opens in a new tab)
  9. Barkskins: A Novel by Annie Proulxsource (opens in a new tab)
  10. Before the Fall by Noah Hawleysource (opens in a new tab)
  11. Behold the Dreamers: A Novel by Imbolo Mbuesource (opens in a new tab)
  12. Bellevue: Three Centuries of Medicine and Mayhem at America's Most Storied Hospital by David M. Oshinskysource (opens in a new tab)
  13. Blood at the Root: A Racial Cleansing in America by Patrick Phillipssource (opens in a new tab)
  14. Born to Run by Bruce Springsteensource (opens in a new tab)
  15. Brighton by Michael T. Harveysource (opens in a new tab)
  16. Children of the New World: Stories by Alexander Weinsteinsource (opens in a new tab)
  17. Commonwealth: A Novel by Ann Patchettsource (opens in a new tab)
  18. Dark Matter: A Novel by Blake Crouchsource (opens in a new tab)
  19. Dark Money: The Hidden History of the Billionaires Behind the Rise of the Radical Right by Jane Mayersource (opens in a new tab)
  20. Darktown: A Novel by Thomas Mullensource (opens in a new tab)
  21. Do Not Say We Have Nothing: A Novel by Madeleine Thiensource (opens in a new tab)
  22. Dodgers: A Novel by William Beverlysource (opens in a new tab)
  23. Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City by Matthew Desmondsource (opens in a new tab)
  24. Grief Is the Thing With Feathers: A Novel by Max Portersource (opens in a new tab)
  25. Grunt: The Curious Science of Humans at War by Mary Roachsource (opens in a new tab)
  26. Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race by Margot Lee Shetterlysource (opens in a new tab)
  27. His Bloody Project: Documents Relating to the Case of Roderick Macrae : A Historical Thriller by Graeme Macrae Burnetsource (opens in a new tab)
  28. Homegoing by Yaa Gyasisource (opens in a new tab)
  29. I Contain Multitudes: The Microbes Within Us and A Grander View of Life by Ed Yongsource (opens in a new tab)
  30. I Let You Go by Clare Mackintoshsource (opens in a new tab)
  31. Imagine Me Gone: A Novel by Adam Haslettsource (opens in a new tab)
  32. In the Country We Love: My Family Divided by Diane Guerrerosource (opens in a new tab)
  33. In the Darkroom by Susan Faludisource (opens in a new tab)
  34. Jane Steele: A Confession by Lyndsay Fayesource (opens in a new tab)
  35. Kill 'em and Leave: Searching for James Brown and the American Soul by James McBridesource (opens in a new tab)
  36. Lab Girl by Hope Jahrensource (opens in a new tab)
  37. Lilac Girls: A Novel by Martha Hall Kellysource (opens in a new tab)
  38. Mischling: A Novel by Affinity Konarsource (opens in a new tab)
  39. Miss Jane: A Novel by Brad Watsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  40. Moonglow: A Novel by Michael Chabonsource (opens in a new tab)
  41. Morning Star by Pierce Brownsource (opens in a new tab)
  42. My Name Is Lucy Barton: A Novel by Elizabeth Stroutsource (opens in a new tab)
  43. News of the World: A Novel by Paulette Jilessource (opens in a new tab)
  44. Rise of the Rocket Girls: The Women Who Propelled Us, From Missiles to the Moon to Mars by Nathalia Holtsource (opens in a new tab)
  45. Secondhand Time: The Last of the Soviets by Svetlana Aleksievichsource (opens in a new tab)
  46. Seven Brief Lessons on Physics by Carlo Rovellisource (opens in a new tab)
  47. Shrill: Notes From A Loud Woman by Lindy Westsource (opens in a new tab)
  48. Strangers in Their Own Land: Anger and Mourning on the American Right by Arlie Russell Hochschildsource (opens in a new tab)
  49. Swing Time by Zadie Smithsource (opens in a new tab)
  50. The Arm: Inside the Billion-dollar Mystery of the Most Valuable Commodity in Sports by Jeff Passansource (opens in a new tab)
  51. The Association of Small Bombs by Karan Mahajansource (opens in a new tab)
  52. The Fire This Time: A New Generation Speaks About Race by Jesmyn Wardsource (opens in a new tab)
  53. The Firebrand and the First Lady: Portrait of A Friendship : Pauli Murray, Eleanor Roosevelt, and the Struggle for Social Justice by Patricia Bell-Scottsource (opens in a new tab)
  54. The Gene: An Intimate History by Siddhartha Mukherjeesource (opens in a new tab)
  55. The Girls: A Novel by Emma Clinesource (opens in a new tab)
  56. The Glorious Heresies by Lisa McInerneysource (opens in a new tab)
  57. The Invisible Library by Genevieve Cogmansource (opens in a new tab)
  58. The Last Painting of Sara De Vos by Dominic Smithsource (opens in a new tab)
  59. The Mothers: A Novel by Brit Bennettsource (opens in a new tab)
  60. The Nix by Nathan Hillsource (opens in a new tab)
  61. The North Water: A Novel by Ian McGuiresource (opens in a new tab)
  62. The Return: Fathers, Sons and the Land in Between by Hisham Matarsource (opens in a new tab)
  63. The Secrets of Wishtide: A Laetitia Rodd Mystery by Kate Saunderssource (opens in a new tab)
  64. The South Side: A Portrait of Chicago and American Segregation by Natalie Y Mooresource (opens in a new tab)
  65. The Summer Before the War: A Novel by Helen Simonsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  66. The Trespasser by Tana Frenchsource (opens in a new tab)
  67. The Underground Railroad: A Novel by Colson Whiteheadsource (opens in a new tab)
  68. The Vegetarian: A Novel by Kang Hansource (opens in a new tab)
  69. The Widow by Fiona Bartonsource (opens in a new tab)
  70. The Wonder: A Novel by Emma Donoghuesource (opens in a new tab)
  71. Thus Bad Begins by Javier Maríassource (opens in a new tab)
  72. To the Bright Edge of the World: A Novel by Eowyn Iveysource (opens in a new tab)
  73. Unseen City: The Majesty of Pigeons, the Discreet Charm of Snails & Other Wonders of the Urban Wilderness by Nathanael Johnsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  74. Victoria the Queen: An Intimate Biography of the Woman Who Ruled An Empire by Julia Bairdsource (opens in a new tab)
  75. Weapons of Math Destruction: How Big Data Increases Inequality and Threatens Democracy by Cathy O'Neilsource (opens in a new tab)
  76. What Is Not Yours Is Not Yours: Stories by Helen Oyeyemisource (opens in a new tab)
  77. Whatever Happened to Interracial Love?: Stories by Kathleen Collinssource (opens in a new tab)
  78. When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithisource (opens in a new tab)
  79. White Trash: The 400-year Untold History of Class in America by Nancy Isenbergsource (opens in a new tab)
  80. Wolf Boys: Two American Teenagers and Mexico's Most Dangerous Drug Cartel by Dan Slatersource (opens in a new tab)

Best Books: Top Ten

  1. Blood at the Root: A Racial Cleansing in America by Patrick Phillipssource (opens in a new tab)
  2. Commonwealth: A Novel by Ann Patchettsource (opens in a new tab)
  3. Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City by Matthew Desmondsource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Lab Girl by Hope Jahrensource (opens in a new tab)
  5. News of the World: A Novel by Paulette Jilessource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Swing Time by Zadie Smithsource (opens in a new tab)
  7. The Girls: A Novel by Emma Clinesource (opens in a new tab)
  8. The Underground Railroad: A Novel by Colson Whiteheadsource (opens in a new tab)
  9. The Vegetarian: A Novel by Kang Hansource (opens in a new tab)
  10. Weapons of Math Destruction: How Big Data Increases Inequality and Threatens Democracy by Cathy O'Neilsource (opens in a new tab)

Best Fiction for Older Readers

  1. As Brave as You by Jason Reynoldssource (opens in a new tab)
  2. Dara Palmer's Major Drama by Emma Shevahsource (opens in a new tab)
  3. Furthermore by Tahereh Mafisource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Garvey's Choice by Nikki Grimessource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Gertie's Leap to Greatness by Kate Beasleysource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Ghost by Jason Reynoldssource (opens in a new tab)
  7. Lily and Dunkin by Donna Gephartsource (opens in a new tab)
  8. Lucy & Andy Neanderthal by Jeffrey Brownsource (opens in a new tab)
  9. Ms. Bixby's Last Day by John David Andersonsource (opens in a new tab)
  10. Nine, Ten: A September 11 Story by Nora Raleigh Baskinsource (opens in a new tab)
  11. Once Was A Time by Leila Salessource (opens in a new tab)
  12. Save Me A Seat by Sarah Weekssource (opens in a new tab)
  13. Spirit Week Showdown by Crystal Allensource (opens in a new tab)
  14. The Adventurer's Guide to Successful Escapes by Wade Albert Whitesource (opens in a new tab)
  15. The Best Man by Richard Pecksource (opens in a new tab)
  16. The Evil Wizard Smallbone by Delia Shermansource (opens in a new tab)
  17. The Family Fletcher Takes Rock Island by Dana Alison Levysource (opens in a new tab)
  18. The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Regan Barnhillsource (opens in a new tab)
  19. The Great Shelby Holmes by Elizabeth Eulbergsource (opens in a new tab)
  20. The Haunting of Falcon House by Eugene Yelchinsource (opens in a new tab)
  21. The Inquisitor's Tale, Or, the Three Magical Children and Their Holy Dog by Adam Gidwitzsource (opens in a new tab)
  22. The Nameless City: I by Faith Erin Hickssource (opens in a new tab)
  23. The Wild Robot by Peter Brownsource (opens in a new tab)
  24. Two Naomis by Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovichsource (opens in a new tab)
  25. Unbound: A Novel in Verse by Ann E. Burgsource (opens in a new tab)

Best Fiction for Younger Readers

  1. A Case of the Clones by Ada Hoppersource (opens in a new tab)
  2. Apple Picking Day! by Candice F. Ransomsource (opens in a new tab)
  3. Cleo Edison Oliver, Playground Millionaire by Sundee T. Fraziersource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Cody and the Mysteries of the Universe by Tricia Springstubbsource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Don't Disturb the Dinosaurs by Ada Hoppersource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Get A Hit, Mo! by David A. Adlersource (opens in a new tab)
  7. Hippopotamister by John Patrick Greensource (opens in a new tab)
  8. Juana & Lucas by Juana Medinasource (opens in a new tab)
  9. March of the Mini Beasts by Ada Hoppersource (opens in a new tab)
  10. Ogres Awake! by James Sturmsource (opens in a new tab)
  11. Pedro, First Grade Hero by Fran Manushkinsource (opens in a new tab)
  12. Pete Likes Bunny by Emily Arnold McCullysource (opens in a new tab)
  13. Pug by Ethan Longsource (opens in a new tab)
  14. Rabbit & Robot and Ribbit by Cece Bellsource (opens in a new tab)
  15. Robots Rule the School by Ada Hoppersource (opens in a new tab)
  16. Slingshot and Burp by Richard Haynessource (opens in a new tab)
  17. Squirrel in the House by Vivian Vande Veldesource (opens in a new tab)
  18. The Cookie Fiasco by Mo Willemssource (opens in a new tab)
  19. The Football Fumble by David A. Kellysource (opens in a new tab)
  20. The Gold Medal Mess by David A. Kellysource (opens in a new tab)
  21. The Infamous Ratsos by Kara LaReausource (opens in a new tab)
  22. The Not-a-pig by Polly Fabersource (opens in a new tab)
  23. The Princess in Black and the Hungry Bunny Horde by Shannon Halesource (opens in a new tab)
  24. The Sky Is Falling by Ada Hoppersource (opens in a new tab)
  25. The Soccer Surprise by David A. Kellysource (opens in a new tab)
  26. We Are Growing! by Mo Willemssource (opens in a new tab)

Best Informational Books for Older Readers

  1. A Poem for Peter: The Story of Ezra Jack Keats and the Creation of The Snowy Day by Andrea Davis Pinkneysource (opens in a new tab)
  2. Answering the Cry for Freedom: Stories of African Americans and the American Revolution by Gretchen Woelflesource (opens in a new tab)
  3. Brown V. Board of Education: A Fight for Simple Justice by Susan Goldman Rubinsource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Bubonic Panic: When Plague Invaded America by Gail Jarrowsource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Dive!: World War II Stories of Sailors & Submarines in the Pacific by Deborah Hopkinsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Fannie Never Flinched: One Woman's Courage in the Struggle for American Labor Union Rights by Mary Cronk Farrellsource (opens in a new tab)
  7. Fashion Rebels: Style Icons Who Changed the World Through Fashion by Carlyn Becciasource (opens in a new tab)
  8. Freedom Over Me: Eleven Slaves, Their Lives and Dreams Brought to Life by Ashley Bryansource (opens in a new tab)
  9. How to Build A Museum: Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture by Tonya Boldensource (opens in a new tab)
  10. In the Shadow of Liberty: The Hidden History of Slavery, Four Presidents, and Five Black Lives by Kenneth C. Davissource (opens in a new tab)
  11. Let your Voice Be Heard: The Life and Times of Pete Seeger by Anita Silveysource (opens in a new tab)
  12. Poop Detectives: Working Dogs in the Field by Ginger Wadsworthsource (opens in a new tab)
  13. Sachiko: A Nagasaki Bomb Survivor's Story by Caren Stelsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  14. Some Writer!: The Story of E.B. White by Melissa Sweetsource (opens in a new tab)
  15. The Borden Murders: Lizzie Borden & the Trial of the Century by Sarah Millersource (opens in a new tab)
  16. The Plot to Kill Hitler: Dietrich Bonhoeffer : Pastor, Spy, Unlikely Hero by Patricia McCormicksource (opens in a new tab)
  17. The Tragic Tale of the Great Auk by Jan Thornhillsource (opens in a new tab)
  18. This Kid Can Fly: It's About Ability (not Disability) by Aaron Philipsource (opens in a new tab)
  19. This Land Is Our Land: A History of American Immigration by Linda Barrett Osbornesource (opens in a new tab)
  20. Vietnam: A History of the War by Russell Freedmansource (opens in a new tab)
  21. Vincent's Starry Night and Other Stories: A Children's History of Art by Michael Birdsource (opens in a new tab)
  22. We Will Not Be Silent: The White Rose Student Resistance Movement That Defied Adolf Hitler by Russell Freedmansource (opens in a new tab)
  23. Will's Words: How William Shakespeare Changed the Way You Talk by Jane Sutcliffesource (opens in a new tab)
  24. Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World by Rachel Ignotofskysource (opens in a new tab)
  25. Writing With Rosie: You Can Write A Story Too by Patricia Reilly Giffsource (opens in a new tab)

Best Informational Books for Younger Readers

  1. A Spy Called James: The True Story of James Lafayette, Revolutionary War Double Agent by Anne F. Rockwellsource (opens in a new tab)
  2. Anything-but-ordinary Addie: The True Story of Adelaide Herrmann, Queen of Magic by Mara Rockliffsource (opens in a new tab)
  3. Elizabeth Started All the Trouble by Doreen Rappaportsource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Esquivel!: Space-age Sound Artist by Susan Woodsource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Follow the Moon Home: A Tale of One Idea, Twenty Kids, and A Hundred Sea Turtles by Philippe Cousteausource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Freedom in Congo Square by Carole Boston Weatherfordsource (opens in a new tab)
  7. Giant Squid by Candace Flemingsource (opens in a new tab)
  8. Guess Who, Haiku by Deanna Caswellsource (opens in a new tab)
  9. I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark by Debbie Levysource (opens in a new tab)
  10. If You Are A Kaka, You Eat Doo-doo: And Other Poop Tales From Nature by Sara Martelsource (opens in a new tab)
  11. Jazz Day: The Making of A Famous Photograph by Roxane Orgillsource (opens in a new tab)
  12. Place Value by David A. Adlersource (opens in a new tab)
  13. Plants Can't Sit Still by Rebecca E. Hirschsource (opens in a new tab)
  14. Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat by Javaka Steptoesource (opens in a new tab)
  15. Six Dots: A Story of Young Louis Braille by Jen Bryantsource (opens in a new tab)
  16. Steamboat School by Deborah Hopkinsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  17. The First Step: How One Girl Put Segregation on Trial by Susan E. Goodmansource (opens in a new tab)
  18. The Marvelous Thing That Came From A Spring: The Accidental Invention of the Toy That Swept the Nation by Gilbert Fordsource (opens in a new tab)
  19. The Princess and the Warrior: A Tale of Two Volcanoes by Duncan Tonatiuhsource (opens in a new tab)
  20. The Real Poop on Pigeons!: A Toon Book by Kevin McCloskeysource (opens in a new tab)
  21. The Tree in the Courtyard: Looking Through Anne Frank's Window by Jeff Gottesfeldsource (opens in a new tab)
  22. Their Great Gift: Courage, Sacrifice, and Hope in A New Land by John Coysource (opens in a new tab)
  23. Two Friends: Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass by Dean Robbinssource (opens in a new tab)
  24. When Green Becomes Tomatoes: Poems for All Seasons by Julie Foglianosource (opens in a new tab)
  25. Whoosh!: Lonnie Johnson's Super-soaking Stream of Inventions by Chris Bartonsource (opens in a new tab)

Best Picture Books

  1. A Bike Like Sergio's by Maribeth Boeltssource (opens in a new tab)
  2. A Family Is A Family Is A Family by Sara O'Learysource (opens in a new tab)
  3. A Piece of Home by Jeri Hanel Wattssource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Alan's Big, Scary Teeth by Jarvissource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Blocks by Irene Dicksonsource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Daniel Finds A Poem by Micha Archersource (opens in a new tab)
  7. Emma and Julia Love Ballet by Barbara McClintocksource (opens in a new tab)
  8. Excellent Ed by Stacy McAnultysource (opens in a new tab)
  9. Good Night Like This by Mary Murphysource (opens in a new tab)
  10. Grandad's Island by Benji Daviessource (opens in a new tab)
  11. Hank's Big Day: The Story of A Bug by Evan Kuhlmansource (opens in a new tab)
  12. Henry Wants More! by Linda Ashmansource (opens in a new tab)
  13. I Am A Story by Dan Yaccarinosource (opens in a new tab)
  14. I Hear A Pickle: (and Smell, See, Touch, and Taste It, Too!) by Rachel Isadorasource (opens in a new tab)
  15. It Is Not Time for Sleeping: (a Bedtime Story) by Lisa Graffsource (opens in a new tab)
  16. La Madre Goose: Nursery Rhymes for Los Niños by Susan Middleton Elyasource (opens in a new tab)
  17. Little Red and the Very Hungry Lion by Alex T. Smithsource (opens in a new tab)
  18. Maybe Something Beautiful: How Art Transformed A Neighborhood by F. Isabel Campoysource (opens in a new tab)
  19. More-igami by Dori Klebersource (opens in a new tab)
  20. My New Mom & Me by Renata Galindosource (opens in a new tab)
  21. On the Farm, at the Market by G. Brian Karassource (opens in a new tab)
  22. School's First Day of School by Adam Rexsource (opens in a new tab)
  23. The Journey by Francesca Sannasource (opens in a new tab)
  24. The Storyteller by Evan Turksource (opens in a new tab)
  25. The Summer Nick Taught His Cats to Read by Curtis Manleysource (opens in a new tab)
  26. They All Saw A Cat by Brendan Wenzelsource (opens in a new tab)
  27. Thunder Boy Jr by Sherman Alexiesource (opens in a new tab)
  28. Twenty Yawns by Jane Smileysource (opens in a new tab)
  29. Wonderfall by Michael Hallsource (opens in a new tab)
  30. Woodpecker Wants A Waffle by Steve Breensource (opens in a new tab)

Best Teen Fiction

  1. American Girls by Alison Ummingersource (opens in a new tab)
  2. As I Descended by Robin Talleysource (opens in a new tab)
  3. Burn Baby Burn by Meg Medinasource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Exit, Pursued by A Bear by E. K. Johnstonsource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Georgia Peaches and Other Forbidden Fruit by Jaye Robin Brownsource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Highly Illogical Behavior by John Corey Whaleysource (opens in a new tab)
  7. If I Was your Girl by Meredith Russosource (opens in a new tab)
  8. Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Córdovasource (opens in a new tab)
  9. Last True Love Story by Brendan Kielysource (opens in a new tab)
  10. On the Edge of Gone by Corinne Duyvissource (opens in a new tab)
  11. Radical by E. M. Kokiesource (opens in a new tab)
  12. Salt to the Sea: A Novel by Ruta Sepetyssource (opens in a new tab)
  13. Scarlett Epstein Hates It Here by Anna Breslawsource (opens in a new tab)
  14. Shallow Graves by Kali Wallacesource (opens in a new tab)
  15. Spontaneous by Aaron Starmersource (opens in a new tab)
  16. Symptoms of Being Human by Jeff Garvinsource (opens in a new tab)
  17. The First Time She Drowned by Kerry Klettersource (opens in a new tab)
  18. The Haters by Jesse Andrewssource (opens in a new tab)
  19. The Lie Tree by Frances Hardingesource (opens in a new tab)
  20. The Radiant Road: A Novel by Katherine Catmullsource (opens in a new tab)
  21. The Smell of Other People's Houses by Bonnie-Sue Hitchcocksource (opens in a new tab)
  22. The Star-touched Queen by Roshani Chokshisource (opens in a new tab)
  23. The Steep & Thorny Way by Cat Winterssource (opens in a new tab)
  24. The Sun Is Also A Star by Nicola Yoonsource (opens in a new tab)
  25. This Savage Song by Victoria Schwabsource (opens in a new tab)
  26. This Song Is (not) for You by Laura Nowlinsource (opens in a new tab)
  27. Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blakesource (opens in a new tab)
  28. Watched by Marina Tamar Budhossource (opens in a new tab)
  29. We Are the Ants by Shaun David Hutchinsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  30. When the Moon Was Ours by Anna-Marie McLemoresource (opens in a new tab)
  31. Where Futures End by Parker Peevyhousesource (opens in a new tab)

Best Teen Graphic Novels and Manga

  1. Archie: Volume One, The New Riverdale by Mark Waidsource (opens in a new tab)
  2. Complex Age by Yui Sakumasource (opens in a new tab)
  3. Faith: Vol. 1, Hollywood and Vine by Jody Housersource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Head Lopper: Vol. 1, The Island or A Plague of Beasts by Andrew MacLeansource (opens in a new tab)
  5. I Hate Fairyland: Volume One, Madly Ever After by Skottie Youngsource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Jonesy: Volume One by Sam Humphriessource (opens in a new tab)
  7. Orange, The Complete Collection, Vol. 1 by Ichigo Takanosource (opens in a new tab)
  8. Orange, The Complete Collection, Vol. 2 by Ichigo Takanosource (opens in a new tab)
  9. Paper Girls by Brian K. Vaughansource (opens in a new tab)
  10. Plutona by Jeff Lemiresource (opens in a new tab)
  11. Princess Jellyfish: Volume 1 by Akiko Higashimurasource (opens in a new tab)
  12. The Vision: Vol. 1, Little Worse Than A Man by Tom Kingsource (opens in a new tab)
  13. Yona of the Dawn by Mizuho Kusanagisource (opens in a new tab)

Best Teen Nonfiction

  1. Blood Brother: Jonathan Daniels and His Sacrifice for Civil Rights by Rich Wallacesource (opens in a new tab)
  2. Muslim Girl: A Coming of Age by Amani Al-Khatahtbehsource (opens in a new tab)
  3. Samurai Rising: The Epic Life of Minamoto Yoshitsune by Pamela S Turnersource (opens in a new tab)
  4. The V-word: True Stories About First-time Sex by Amber Keysersource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Uprooted: The Japanese American Experience During World War II by Albert Marrinsource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Wonder Women: 25 Innovators, Inventors, and Trailblazers Who Changed History by Sam Maggssource (opens in a new tab)

About the Chicago Public Library Best of the Best

Lists come from CPL's yearly Best of the Best pages on chipublib.org (2014-2025), which link to staff lists on chipublib.bibliocommons.com; titles and authors were read from those BiblioCommons lists. Year is the year in the list name, which is the publication year of the books. Category is the BiblioCommons list name with the year removed (for example "Best Teen Fiction", "Best Books: Top Ten", "Must-Read Books: Fiction"). From 2023 the adult picks are "Our Favorite Books" plus genre "Must-Read Books" lists, all linked from the Best of the Best page. Top 10 lists repeat titles from the full adult list; both are kept as separate categories. For 2007-2013 there is no CPL year page that is still live; we used CPL's own BiblioCommons lists in the same series (teen fiction 2007-2013, teen nonfiction 2008, kids lists 2010-2013). For 2009 kids lists we used the archived chipublib.org Best of the Best page via Wayback; CPL titled that page "Best of the Best 2010" but it covers books of 2009, so it is filed as 2009, and its section names were mapped to the BiblioCommons style ("Picture Books" to "Best Picture Books", "Nonfiction" to "Best Nonfiction"). Award-winner, NatureConnections and Healthy Living sections were left out. 2006 is left out because no archived list for books of 2006 was found. Adult lists from 2013 and earlier were left out because they compile outside sources, not CPL picks. Authors are the catalog's main author put in first-last order; editors are used for anthologies. Translators are filled only for a few titles where the CPL catalog record credits one, so most translated books lack a translator. Where one list names two books from the same series (e.g. Ty's Travels: All Aboard! and Ty's Travels: Zip, Zoom!), the series and book title are joined with a dash so the catalog keeps them apart; catalog series tags such as "(I can read book, Book None)" are dropped.

Organization: Chicago Public Library. Official site (opens in a new tab)

The most recommended books of 2016