Best Books of the Year
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Kirkus Reviews

Kirkus Best Books of the Year 2012

Kirkus Reviews' Kirkus Best Books of the Year 2012 names 395 books across 4 categories. 104 of them also won or were shortlisted for an award.

Children's

  1. "Who Could That Be at This Hour?" by Lemony Snicketsource (opens in a new tab)
  2. A Black Hole Is Not a Hole by Carolyn Cinami DeCristofanosource (opens in a new tab)
  3. A Greyhound of a Girl by Roddy Doylesource (opens in a new tab)
  4. A Home for Bird by Philip C. Steadsource (opens in a new tab)
  5. A Stick Is an Excellent Thing by Marilyn Singersource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass by Russell Freedmansource (opens in a new tab)
  7. And Then It's Spring by Julie Foglianosource (opens in a new tab)
  8. Applesauce by Klaas Verplancke, translated by Helen Mixtersource (opens in a new tab)
  9. Beach Feet by Kiyomi Konagaya, translated by Yuki Kanekosource (opens in a new tab)
  10. Bear Has a Story to Tell by Philip C. Steadsource (opens in a new tab)
  11. Belly Flop! by Stephen McCraniesource (opens in a new tab)
  12. Boot & Shoe by Marla Frazeesource (opens in a new tab)
  13. Cardboard by Doug TenNapelsource (opens in a new tab)
  14. Castle by David Macaulay and Sheila Keenansource (opens in a new tab)
  15. Cat Tale by Michael Hallsource (opens in a new tab)
  16. Charley's First Night by Amy Hestsource (opens in a new tab)
  17. Chloe by Peter McCartysource (opens in a new tab)
  18. Chuck Close: Face Book by Chuck Closesource (opens in a new tab)
  19. Cold Cereal by Adam Rexsource (opens in a new tab)
  20. Cold Snap by Eileen Spinellisource (opens in a new tab)
  21. Day by Day by Susan Galsource (opens in a new tab)
  22. Discovering Black America by Linda Tarrant-Reidsource (opens in a new tab)
  23. Dreaming Up by Christy Halesource (opens in a new tab)
  24. Drummer Boy of John John by Mark Greenwoodsource (opens in a new tab)
  25. East Dragon, West Dragon by Robyn Eversolesource (opens in a new tab)
  26. Electric Ben by Robert Byrdsource (opens in a new tab)
  27. Extra Yarn by Mac Barnettsource (opens in a new tab)
  28. Fifty Cents and a Dream by Jabari Asimsource (opens in a new tab)
  29. Fish Had a Wish by Michael Garlandsource (opens in a new tab)
  30. Georgia in Hawaii by Amy Noveskysource (opens in a new tab)
  31. Green by Laura Vaccaro Seegersource (opens in a new tab)
  32. Hades by George O'Connorsource (opens in a new tab)
  33. Hand in Hand by Andrea Davis Pinkneysource (opens in a new tab)
  34. Heroes of the Surf by Elisa Carbonesource (opens in a new tab)
  35. Hide & Seek by Il Sung Nasource (opens in a new tab)
  36. Homer by Elisha Coopersource (opens in a new tab)
  37. In a Glass Grimmly by Adam Gidwitzsource (opens in a new tab)
  38. Into the Woods by J. Torressource (opens in a new tab)
  39. Island by Jason Chinsource (opens in a new tab)
  40. Jimmy the Greatest! by Jairo Buitrago, translated by Elisa Amadosource (opens in a new tab)
  41. Legends of Zita the Spacegirl by Ben Hatkesource (opens in a new tab)
  42. Liar & Spy by Rebecca Steadsource (opens in a new tab)
  43. Little White Duck by Andrés Vera Martínez and Na Liusource (opens in a new tab)
  44. Lulu and the Duck in the Park by Hilary McKaysource (opens in a new tab)
  45. Man From the Land of Fandango by Margaret Mahysource (opens in a new tab)
  46. Mom, It's My First Day of Kindergarten! by Hyewon Yumsource (opens in a new tab)
  47. Monsieur Marceau by Leda Schubertsource (opens in a new tab)
  48. Mousterpiece by Jane Breskin Zalbensource (opens in a new tab)
  49. My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece by Annabel Pitchersource (opens in a new tab)
  50. National Geographic Book of Animal Poetry by J. Patrick Lewissource (opens in a new tab)
  51. Never Trust a Tiger by Lari Donsource (opens in a new tab)
  52. Now by Morris Gleitzmansource (opens in a new tab)
  53. Ocean Sunlight by Molly Bang and Penny Chisholmsource (opens in a new tab)
  54. Oh, No! by Candace Flemingsource (opens in a new tab)
  55. On the Day I Died by Candace Flemingsource (opens in a new tab)
  56. One Times Square by Joe McKendrysource (opens in a new tab)
  57. Penny and Her Doll by Kevin Henkessource (opens in a new tab)
  58. Question Boy Meets Little Miss Know-It-All by Peter Catalanottosource (opens in a new tab)
  59. Sadie and Ratz by Sonya Hartnettsource (opens in a new tab)
  60. Shadow on the Mountain by Margi Preussource (opens in a new tab)
  61. Son by Lois Lowrysource (opens in a new tab)
  62. Spirit Seeker by Gary Goliosource (opens in a new tab)
  63. Splendors and Glooms by Laura Amy Schlitzsource (opens in a new tab)
  64. Squeak, Rumble, Whomp! Whomp! Whomp! by Wynton Marsalissource (opens in a new tab)
  65. Step Gently Out by Helen Frostsource (opens in a new tab)
  66. Summer of the Gypsy Moths by Sara Pennypackersource (opens in a new tab)
  67. The Amazing Adventures of John Smith, Jr., AKA Houdini by Peter Johnsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  68. The Amazing Harry Kellar by Gail Jarrowsource (opens in a new tab)
  69. The Beetle Book by Steve Jenkinssource (opens in a new tab)
  70. The Case of the Deadly Desperados by Caroline Lawrencesource (opens in a new tab)
  71. The Dogs of Winter by Bobbie Pyronsource (opens in a new tab)
  72. The Impossible Rescue by Martin W. Sandlersource (opens in a new tab)
  73. The Mighty Mars Rovers by Elizabeth Ruschsource (opens in a new tab)
  74. The Mighty Miss Malone by Christopher Paul Curtissource (opens in a new tab)
  75. The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegatesource (opens in a new tab)
  76. The Quiet Place by Sarah Stewartsource (opens in a new tab)
  77. The Revolution of Evelyn Serrano by Sonia Manzanosource (opens in a new tab)
  78. The Seven Tales of Trinket by Shelley Moore Thomassource (opens in a new tab)
  79. The Spindlers by Lauren Oliversource (opens in a new tab)
  80. The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse by Aesopsource (opens in a new tab)
  81. The Vengekeep Prophecies by Brian Farreysource (opens in a new tab)
  82. The Wild Book by Margarita Englesource (opens in a new tab)
  83. This Is Not My Hat by Jon Klassensource (opens in a new tab)
  84. Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnagesource (opens in a new tab)
  85. Trains Go by Steve Lightsource (opens in a new tab)
  86. Twelve Kinds of Ice by Ellen Bryan Obedsource (opens in a new tab)
  87. Water Sings Blue by Kate Coombssource (opens in a new tab)
  88. We March by Shane W. Evanssource (opens in a new tab)
  89. We've Got a Job by Cynthia Y. Levinsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  90. What Little Boys Are Made Of by Robert Neubeckersource (opens in a new tab)
  91. What's the Time, Mr. Wolf? by Debi Gliorisource (opens in a new tab)
  92. Wonder by R.J. Palaciosource (opens in a new tab)
  93. You Are Stardust by Elin Kelseysource (opens in a new tab)
  94. Z Is for Moose by Kelly Binghamsource (opens in a new tab)
  95. Zombie Makers by Rebecca L. Johnsonsource (opens in a new tab)

Fiction

  1. A Hologram for the King by Dave Eggerssource (opens in a new tab)
  2. A Land More Kind Than Home by Wiley Cashsource (opens in a new tab)
  3. A Violet Season by Kathy Leonard Czepielsource (opens in a new tab)
  4. A Woman of Consequence by Anna Deansource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Absolution by Patrick Flanerysource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Accidents of Providence by Stacia M. Brownsource (opens in a new tab)
  7. Aerogrammes by Tania Jamessource (opens in a new tab)
  8. American Dervish by Ayad Akhtarsource (opens in a new tab)
  9. And When She Was Good by Laura Lippmansource (opens in a new tab)
  10. Arcadia by Lauren Groffsource (opens in a new tab)
  11. Beautiful Ruins by Jess Waltersource (opens in a new tab)
  12. Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk by Ben Fountainsource (opens in a new tab)
  13. Blasphemy by Sherman Alexiesource (opens in a new tab)
  14. Bloodland by Alan Glynnsource (opens in a new tab)
  15. Bring Up the Bodies by Hilary Mantelsource (opens in a new tab)
  16. Building Stories by Chris Waresource (opens in a new tab)
  17. Caliban's War by James S.A. Coreysource (opens in a new tab)
  18. Canada by Richard Fordsource (opens in a new tab)
  19. Children in Reindeer Woods by Kristín Ómarsdóttir, translated by Lytton Smithsource (opens in a new tab)
  20. City of Women by David R. Gillhamsource (opens in a new tab)
  21. City of the Lost by Stephen Blackmooresource (opens in a new tab)
  22. Cliff Walk by Bruce DeSilvasource (opens in a new tab)
  23. Dead Anyway by Chris Knopfsource (opens in a new tab)
  24. Dear Life by Alice Munrosource (opens in a new tab)
  25. Defending Jacob by William Landaysource (opens in a new tab)
  26. Edge of Dark Water by Joe R. Lansdalesource (opens in a new tab)
  27. Expedition to the Mountains of the Moon by Mark Hoddersource (opens in a new tab)
  28. Fallen Angels by Connie Dialsource (opens in a new tab)
  29. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynnsource (opens in a new tab)
  30. Hand Me Down by Melanie Thornesource (opens in a new tab)
  31. Happiness Is a Chemical in the Brain by Lucia Perillosource (opens in a new tab)
  32. Hell or High Water by Joy Castrosource (opens in a new tab)
  33. Hope: A Tragedy by Shalom Auslandersource (opens in a new tab)
  34. Hostage by Elie Wiesel, translated by Catherine Temersonsource (opens in a new tab)
  35. I Am an Executioner by Rajesh Parameswaransource (opens in a new tab)
  36. I've Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsellasource (opens in a new tab)
  37. Illuminations by Mary Sharrattsource (opens in a new tab)
  38. In the Shadow of the Banyan by Vaddey Ratnersource (opens in a new tab)
  39. Istanbul Passage by Joseph Kanonsource (opens in a new tab)
  40. Kingdom Come by J.G. Ballardsource (opens in a new tab)
  41. Kings of Midnight by Wallace Strobysource (opens in a new tab)
  42. Lazarus Is Dead by Richard Beardsource (opens in a new tab)
  43. Lenin's Kisses by Yan Lianke, translated by Carlos Rojassource (opens in a new tab)
  44. My First Suicide by Jerzy Pilch, translated by David Fricksource (opens in a new tab)
  45. Office Girl by Joe Menosource (opens in a new tab)
  46. Phantom by Jo Nesbøsource (opens in a new tab)
  47. Poison Flower by Thomas Perrysource (opens in a new tab)
  48. Rainshadow Road by Lisa Kleypassource (opens in a new tab)
  49. Range of Ghosts by Elizabeth Bearsource (opens in a new tab)
  50. Rizzo's Daughter by Lou Manfredosource (opens in a new tab)
  51. Say You're Sorry by Michael Robothamsource (opens in a new tab)
  52. Simple by Kathleen Georgesource (opens in a new tab)
  53. Somebody to Love by Kristan Higginssource (opens in a new tab)
  54. Something Red by Douglas Nicholassource (opens in a new tab)
  55. Tarnished Knight by Jack Campbellsource (opens in a new tab)
  56. Telegraph Avenue by Michael Chabonsource (opens in a new tab)
  57. Tell the Wolves I'm Home by Carol Rifka Bruntsource (opens in a new tab)
  58. The 100-year-old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonassonsource (opens in a new tab)
  59. The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walkersource (opens in a new tab)
  60. The Apocalypse Codex by Charles Strosssource (opens in a new tab)
  61. The Bedlam Detective by Stephen Gallaghersource (opens in a new tab)
  62. The Book of Jonas by Stephen Dausource (opens in a new tab)
  63. The Book of Mischief by Steve Sternsource (opens in a new tab)
  64. The Broken Ones by Stephen M. Irwinsource (opens in a new tab)
  65. The Buzzard Table by Margaret Maronsource (opens in a new tab)
  66. The Cassandra Project by Jack McDevitt and Mike Resnicksource (opens in a new tab)
  67. The Coldest Night by Robert Olmsteadsource (opens in a new tab)
  68. The Coldest War by Ian Tregillissource (opens in a new tab)
  69. The Cove by Ron Rashsource (opens in a new tab)
  70. The Dream of the Celt by Mario Vargas Llosa, translated by Edith Grossmansource (opens in a new tab)
  71. The Fallen Angel by Daniel Silvasource (opens in a new tab)
  72. The Garden of Evening Mists by Tan Twan Engsource (opens in a new tab)
  73. The Girl Next Door by Brad Parkssource (opens in a new tab)
  74. The Great Escape by Susan Elizabeth Phillipssource (opens in a new tab)
  75. The Hermetic Millennia by John C. Wrightsource (opens in a new tab)
  76. The Hydrogen Sonata by Iain M. Bankssource (opens in a new tab)
  77. The Infinite Tides by Christian Kiefersource (opens in a new tab)
  78. The Investigation by Philippe Claudel, translated by John Cullensource (opens in a new tab)
  79. The Killing Moon by N.K. Jemisinsource (opens in a new tab)
  80. The Kingmaker's Daughter by Philippa Gregorysource (opens in a new tab)
  81. The News From Spain by Joan Wickershamsource (opens in a new tab)
  82. The Orchardist by Amanda Coplinsource (opens in a new tab)
  83. The Professionals by Owen Laukkanensource (opens in a new tab)
  84. The Prophet by Michael Korytasource (opens in a new tab)
  85. The Sandcastle Girls by Chris Bohjaliansource (opens in a new tab)
  86. The Scar by Sergey Dyachenko and Marina Dyachenkosource (opens in a new tab)
  87. The Solitary House by Lynn Shepherdsource (opens in a new tab)
  88. The Stockholm Octavo by Karen Engelmannsource (opens in a new tab)
  89. The Survivor by Gregg Hurwitzsource (opens in a new tab)
  90. The Thing Itself by Peter Guttridgesource (opens in a new tab)
  91. The Undertow by Jo Bakersource (opens in a new tab)
  92. The Year of the Gadfly by Jennifer Millersource (opens in a new tab)
  93. The Yellow Birds by Kevin Powerssource (opens in a new tab)
  94. This Is How You Lose Her by Junot Díazsource (opens in a new tab)
  95. Three Strong Women by Mary NDiaye, translated by John Fletchersource (opens in a new tab)
  96. We're Flying by Peter Stamm, translated by Michael Hofmannsource (opens in a new tab)
  97. What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank by Nathan Englandersource (opens in a new tab)
  98. Wish You Were Here by Graham Swiftsource (opens in a new tab)
  99. Young Philby by Robert Littellsource (opens in a new tab)
  100. Zoo Time by Howard Jacobsonsource (opens in a new tab)

Nonfiction

  1. 38 Nooses by Scott W. Bergsource (opens in a new tab)
  2. A Free Man by Aman Sethisource (opens in a new tab)
  3. Aftermath by Rachel Cusksource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Are You My Mother? by Alison Bechdelsource (opens in a new tab)
  5. As Texas Goes... by Gail Collinssource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Bailout by Neil Barofskysource (opens in a new tab)
  7. Beautiful Thing by Sonia Faleirosource (opens in a new tab)
  8. Behind the Beautiful Forevers by Katherine Boosource (opens in a new tab)
  9. City by P.D. Smithsource (opens in a new tab)
  10. City of Promises by Deborah Dash Mooresource (opens in a new tab)
  11. Consider the Fork by Bee Wilsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  12. Cronkite by Douglas Brinkleysource (opens in a new tab)
  13. Darkest America by Yuval Taylor and Jake Austensource (opens in a new tab)
  14. Darwin's Ghosts by Rebecca Stottsource (opens in a new tab)
  15. Days of Destruction, Days of Revolt by Chris Hedgessource (opens in a new tab)
  16. Dearie by Bob Spitzsource (opens in a new tab)
  17. Desert America by Rubén Martínezsource (opens in a new tab)
  18. Drift by Rachel Maddowsource (opens in a new tab)
  19. Ernie K-Doe by Ben Sandmelsource (opens in a new tab)
  20. Every Love Story Is a Ghost Story by D.T. Maxsource (opens in a new tab)
  21. Far From the Tree by Andrew Solomonsource (opens in a new tab)
  22. Fire in the Ashes by Jonathan Kozolsource (opens in a new tab)
  23. Freedom's Cap by Guy Gugliottasource (opens in a new tab)
  24. Full Body Burden by Kristen Iversensource (opens in a new tab)
  25. God's Hotel by Victoria Sweetsource (opens in a new tab)
  26. Haiti by Laurent Duboissource (opens in a new tab)
  27. Hello Goodbye Hello by Craig Brownsource (opens in a new tab)
  28. Hello, Gorgeous by William J. Mannsource (opens in a new tab)
  29. House of Stone by Anthony Shadidsource (opens in a new tab)
  30. How Music Works by David Byrnesource (opens in a new tab)
  31. How to Be a Woman by Caitlin Moransource (opens in a new tab)
  32. I'm Your Man by Sylvie Simmonssource (opens in a new tab)
  33. Iron Curtain by Anne Applebaumsource (opens in a new tab)
  34. Joseph Anton by Salman Rushdiesource (opens in a new tab)
  35. Kurt Vonnegut by Kurt Vonnegutsource (opens in a new tab)
  36. Leonardo and the Last Supper by Ross Kingsource (opens in a new tab)
  37. Life After Death by Damien Echolssource (opens in a new tab)
  38. Lincoln's Code by John Fabian Wittsource (opens in a new tab)
  39. Living, Thinking, Looking by Siri Hustvedtsource (opens in a new tab)
  40. Magic Hours by Tom Bissellsource (opens in a new tab)
  41. Mao by Alexander V. Pantsov and Steven I. Levinesource (opens in a new tab)
  42. Marbles by Ellen Forneysource (opens in a new tab)
  43. Marvel Comics by Sean Howesource (opens in a new tab)
  44. Masters of the Planet by Ian Tattersallsource (opens in a new tab)
  45. Mortality by Christopher Hitchenssource (opens in a new tab)
  46. Nature Wars by Jim Sterbasource (opens in a new tab)
  47. Nightcap at Dawn by J.B. Walkersource (opens in a new tab)
  48. On Celestial Music by Rick Moodysource (opens in a new tab)
  49. On Politics by Alan Ryansource (opens in a new tab)
  50. On a Farther Shore by William Soudersource (opens in a new tab)
  51. On the Eve by Bernard Wassersteinsource (opens in a new tab)
  52. Portrait of a Novel by Michael Gorrasource (opens in a new tab)
  53. Power, Inc. by David Rothkopfsource (opens in a new tab)
  54. Predator Nation by Charles Fergusonsource (opens in a new tab)
  55. Private Empire by Steve Collsource (opens in a new tab)
  56. Quiet by Susan Cainsource (opens in a new tab)
  57. Red Plenty by Francis Spuffordsource (opens in a new tab)
  58. Rise to Greatness by David Von Drehlesource (opens in a new tab)
  59. Savage Continent by Keith Lowesource (opens in a new tab)
  60. Season of the Witch by David Talbotsource (opens in a new tab)
  61. Spillover by David Quammensource (opens in a new tab)
  62. Stella Adler on America's Master Playwrights by Stella Adlersource (opens in a new tab)
  63. Subversives by Seth Rosenfeldsource (opens in a new tab)
  64. Surviving Survival by Laurence Gonzalessource (opens in a new tab)
  65. Sword of the Spirit, Shield of Faith by Andrew Prestonsource (opens in a new tab)
  66. The Age of Insight by Eric R. Kandelsource (opens in a new tab)
  67. The Big Screen by David Thomsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  68. The Forest Unseen by David George Haskellsource (opens in a new tab)
  69. The Holy or the Broken by Alan Lightsource (opens in a new tab)
  70. The Hunt for KSM by Terry McDermott and Josh Meyersource (opens in a new tab)
  71. The Last Lion by William Manchester and Paul Reidsource (opens in a new tab)
  72. The Last Viking by Stephen R. Bownsource (opens in a new tab)
  73. The Mansion of Happiness by Jill Leporesource (opens in a new tab)
  74. The New Hate by Arthur Goldwagsource (opens in a new tab)
  75. The Old Ways by Robert Macfarlanesource (opens in a new tab)
  76. The Partnership by Philip Taubmansource (opens in a new tab)
  77. The Passage of Power by Robert A. Carosource (opens in a new tab)
  78. The Patagonian Hare by Claude Lanzmann, translated by Frank Wynnesource (opens in a new tab)
  79. The Patriarch by David Nasawsource (opens in a new tab)
  80. The Presidents Club by Nancy Gibbs and Michael Duffysource (opens in a new tab)
  81. The Social Conquest of Earth by Edward O. Wilsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  82. The Story of Earth by Robert M. Hazensource (opens in a new tab)
  83. The Tender Hour of Twilight by Richard Seaversource (opens in a new tab)
  84. The Twilight War by David Cristsource (opens in a new tab)
  85. The Violinist's Thumb by Sam Keansource (opens in a new tab)
  86. The Voice Is All by Joyce Johnsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  87. The Voyeurs by Gabrielle Bellsource (opens in a new tab)
  88. This Living Hand by Edmund Morrissource (opens in a new tab)
  89. Thomas Jefferson by Jon Meachamsource (opens in a new tab)
  90. Turing's Cathedral by George Dysonsource (opens in a new tab)
  91. Twelve Patients by Eric Manheimersource (opens in a new tab)
  92. Twilight of the Elites by Christopher L. Hayessource (opens in a new tab)
  93. Visit Sunny Chernobyl by Andrew Blackwellsource (opens in a new tab)
  94. Wait by Frank Partnoysource (opens in a new tab)
  95. Waiting for the Barbarians by Daniel Mendelsohnsource (opens in a new tab)
  96. What Money Can't Buy by Michael J. Sandelsource (opens in a new tab)
  97. When America First Met China by Eric Jay Dolinsource (opens in a new tab)
  98. When God Talks Back by T.M. Luhrmannsource (opens in a new tab)
  99. Wild by Cheryl Strayedsource (opens in a new tab)
  100. Winter Journal by Paul Austersource (opens in a new tab)

Teen

  1. A Breath of Eyre by Eve Marie Montsource (opens in a new tab)
  2. A Certain October by Angela Johnsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  3. A Confusion of Princes by Garth Nixsource (opens in a new tab)
  4. A Million Suns by Beth Revissource (opens in a new tab)
  5. A Troublesome Boy by Paul Vaseysource (opens in a new tab)
  6. A World Away by Nancy Grossmansource (opens in a new tab)
  7. Above by Leah Bobetsource (opens in a new tab)
  8. After Eli by Rebecca Ruppsource (opens in a new tab)
  9. After the Snow by S.D. Crockettsource (opens in a new tab)
  10. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenzsource (opens in a new tab)
  11. Ask the Passengers by A.S. Kingsource (opens in a new tab)
  12. Be My Enemy by Ian McDonaldsource (opens in a new tab)
  13. Beneath a Meth Moon by Jacqueline Woodsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  14. Between You & Me by Marisa Calinsource (opens in a new tab)
  15. Beyond Courage by Doreen Rappaportsource (opens in a new tab)
  16. Bitterblue by Kristin Cashoresource (opens in a new tab)
  17. Black Heart by Holly Blacksource (opens in a new tab)
  18. Boy21 by Matthew Quicksource (opens in a new tab)
  19. Burn Mark by Laura Powellsource (opens in a new tab)
  20. Call the Shots by Don Calamesource (opens in a new tab)
  21. Catch & Release by Blythe Woolstonsource (opens in a new tab)
  22. Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Weinsource (opens in a new tab)
  23. Devine Intervention by Martha Brockenbroughsource (opens in a new tab)
  24. Dodger by Terry Pratchettsource (opens in a new tab)
  25. Don't Turn Around by Michelle Gagnonsource (opens in a new tab)
  26. Double by Jenny Valentinesource (opens in a new tab)
  27. Drama by Raina Telgemeiersource (opens in a new tab)
  28. Dust Girl by Sarah Zettelsource (opens in a new tab)
  29. Enchanted by Alethea Kontissource (opens in a new tab)
  30. Every Day by David Levithansource (opens in a new tab)
  31. Fire in the Streets by Kekla Magoonsource (opens in a new tab)
  32. Fourmile by Watt Keysource (opens in a new tab)
  33. Friends With Boys by Faith Erin Hickssource (opens in a new tab)
  34. Froi of the Exiles by Melina Marchettasource (opens in a new tab)
  35. Girl Meets Boy by Kelly Millner Hallssource (opens in a new tab)
  36. Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blakesource (opens in a new tab)
  37. Grave Mercy by Robin LaFeverssource (opens in a new tab)
  38. Have a Nice Day by Julie Halpernsource (opens in a new tab)
  39. In Darkness by Nick Lakesource (opens in a new tab)
  40. Invincible Microbe by Jim Murphy and Alison Blanksource (opens in a new tab)
  41. Keeping the Castle by Patrice Kindlsource (opens in a new tab)
  42. Lia's Guide to Winning the Lottery by Keren Davidsource (opens in a new tab)
  43. Love and Other Perishable Items by Laura Buzosource (opens in a new tab)
  44. Marathon by Boaz Yakinsource (opens in a new tab)
  45. Master of Deceit by Marc Aronsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  46. Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrewssource (opens in a new tab)
  47. Mister Death's Blue-Eyed Girls by Mary Downing Hahnsource (opens in a new tab)
  48. Moonbird by Phillip Hoosesource (opens in a new tab)
  49. My Book of Life by Angel by Martine Leavittsource (opens in a new tab)
  50. My Name Is Parvana by Deborah Ellissource (opens in a new tab)
  51. No Crystal Stair by Vaunda Micheaux Nelsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  52. Pandemonium by Lauren Oliversource (opens in a new tab)
  53. Passenger by Andrew Smithsource (opens in a new tab)
  54. Passion Blue by Victoria Strausssource (opens in a new tab)
  55. Pinned by Sharon G. Flakesource (opens in a new tab)
  56. Radiant Days by Elizabeth Handsource (opens in a new tab)
  57. Reached by Ally Condiesource (opens in a new tab)
  58. See You at Harry's by Jo Knowlessource (opens in a new tab)
  59. Seraphina by Rachel Hartmansource (opens in a new tab)
  60. Shadowfell by Juliet Marilliersource (opens in a new tab)
  61. Sons of the 613 by Michael Rubenssource (opens in a new tab)
  62. Stormdancer by Jay Kristoffsource (opens in a new tab)
  63. Street Dreams by Tama Wisesource (opens in a new tab)
  64. Such Wicked Intent by Kenneth Oppelsource (opens in a new tab)
  65. Team Human by Justine Larbalestier and Sarah Rees Brennansource (opens in a new tab)
  66. The Assassin's Curse by Cassandra Rose Clarkesource (opens in a new tab)
  67. The Book of Blood and Shadow by Robin Wassermansource (opens in a new tab)
  68. The Brides of Rollrock Island by Margo Lanagansource (opens in a new tab)
  69. The Broken Lands by Kate Milfordsource (opens in a new tab)
  70. The Brontë Sisters by Catherine Reefsource (opens in a new tab)
  71. The Chaos by Nalo Hopkinsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  72. The Children and the Wolves by Adam Rappsource (opens in a new tab)
  73. The Crimson Crown by Cinda Williams Chimasource (opens in a new tab)
  74. The Demon Catchers of Milan by Kat Beyersource (opens in a new tab)
  75. The Difference Between You and Me by Madeleine Georgesource (opens in a new tab)
  76. The Disenchantments by Nina LaCoursource (opens in a new tab)
  77. The Diviners by Libba Braysource (opens in a new tab)
  78. The Drowned Cities by Paolo Bacigalupisource (opens in a new tab)
  79. The Fault in Our Stars by John Greensource (opens in a new tab)
  80. The Fitzosbornes at War by Michelle Coopersource (opens in a new tab)
  81. The Girl Is Trouble by Kathryn Miller Hainessource (opens in a new tab)
  82. The Girl Who Fell Beneath Fairyland and Led the Revels There by Catherynne M. Valentesource (opens in a new tab)
  83. The Girl With Borrowed Wings by Rinsai Rossettisource (opens in a new tab)
  84. The Girl in the Clockwork Collar by Kady Crosssource (opens in a new tab)
  85. The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom by Christopher Healysource (opens in a new tab)
  86. The List by Siobhan Viviansource (opens in a new tab)
  87. The Miseducation of Cameron Post by emily m. danforthsource (opens in a new tab)
  88. The Obsidian Blade by Pete Hautmansource (opens in a new tab)
  89. The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvatersource (opens in a new tab)
  90. The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smithsource (opens in a new tab)
  91. The Warrior's Heart by Eric Greitenssource (opens in a new tab)
  92. The Wicked and the Just by J. Anderson Coatssource (opens in a new tab)
  93. This Is Not Forgiveness by Celia Reessource (opens in a new tab)
  94. Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maassource (opens in a new tab)
  95. Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Andersonsource (opens in a new tab)
  96. Titanic by Deborah Hopkinsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  97. Two or Three Things I Forgot to Tell You by Joyce Carol Oatessource (opens in a new tab)
  98. Vessel by Sarah Beth Durstsource (opens in a new tab)
  99. Wonder Show by Hannah Barnabysource (opens in a new tab)
  100. Wrapped Up in You by Dan Jolleysource (opens in a new tab)

About the Kirkus Best Books of the Year

Full lists per year: Fiction, Nonfiction, Teen, Middle Grade, and Picture Books for 2013-2025 (Kirkus's own alphabetical list pages). 2010-2012 come from Kirkus's complete-list pages; children's books are one Children's list in those years. 2010 Fiction and Nonfiction merge the Top 25 with that year's 'Best ... of 2010' genre lists, because Kirkus posted no single complete adult list. 2006, 2008, and 2009 come from the Best Books special-issue PDFs on the Wayback Machine: those issues are not split into fiction and nonfiction (category Adult), hold 25-47 picks, and the 'Under the Radar' and 'Second Look' recap sections are left out. 2007: the Young Adult list (40 picks) comes from Kirkus's Best Young-Adult Books of 2007 PDF on the Wayback Machine. Kirkus's 2007 Best Children's and Best of 2007 (adult) PDFs survive only as truncated or missing captures, so the Children's list (32 picks) is transcribed from a November 2007 Becky's Book Reviews post that copied the Kirkus children's special, and 2007 Fiction and Nonfiction are partial: only the 15 titles in Barnes & Noble's 'Kirkus Reviews Best Books of 2007' collection (archived 2020), so they carry no expected count. No children's list was found for 2008 or 2009. Kirkus prints titles in capitals; titles here are converted to title case.

Organization: Kirkus Reviews. Official site (opens in a new tab)

The most recommended books of 2012