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Kirkus Reviews

Kirkus Best Books of the Year 2016

Kirkus Reviews' Kirkus Best Books of the Year 2016 names 375 books across 5 categories. 108 of them also won or were shortlisted for an award.

Fiction

  1. 24/7 by J.A. Rocksource (opens in a new tab)
  2. A Certain Age by Beatriz Williamssource (opens in a new tab)
  3. A Change of Heart by Sonali Devsource (opens in a new tab)
  4. A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towlessource (opens in a new tab)
  5. A Great Reckoning by Louise Pennysource (opens in a new tab)
  6. A Night Without Stars by Peter F. Hamiltonsource (opens in a new tab)
  7. A Promise of Fire by Amanda Bouchetsource (opens in a new tab)
  8. A Scot in the Dark by Sarah MacLeansource (opens in a new tab)
  9. A Study in Scarlet Women by Sherry Thomassource (opens in a new tab)
  10. All the Birds in the Sky by Charlie Jane Anderssource (opens in a new tab)
  11. Another Brooklyn by Jacqueline Woodsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  12. Barkskins by Annie Proulxsource (opens in a new tab)
  13. Behold the Dreamers by Imbolo Mbuesource (opens in a new tab)
  14. Blind Sight by Carol O'Connellsource (opens in a new tab)
  15. Carousel Court by Joe McGinniss Jr.source (opens in a new tab)
  16. Collecting the Dead by Spencer Kopesource (opens in a new tab)
  17. Commonwealth by Ann Patchettsource (opens in a new tab)
  18. Death's End by Cixin Liu, translated by Ken Liusource (opens in a new tab)
  19. Eleven Hours by Pamela Erenssource (opens in a new tab)
  20. Everybody's Fool by Richard Russosource (opens in a new tab)
  21. Exposure by Helen Dunmoresource (opens in a new tab)
  22. Fall From Grace by Tim Weaversource (opens in a new tab)
  23. Fields Where They Lay by Timothy Hallinansource (opens in a new tab)
  24. First Star I See Tonight by Susan Elizabeth Phillipssource (opens in a new tab)
  25. Fool Me Once by Harlan Cobensource (opens in a new tab)
  26. Forbidden by Beverly Jenkinssource (opens in a new tab)
  27. Forty Rooms by Olga Grushinsource (opens in a new tab)
  28. Grace by Natashia Deónsource (opens in a new tab)
  29. Here Comes the Sun by Nicole Dennis-Bennsource (opens in a new tab)
  30. Hero in the Highlands by Suzanne Enochsource (opens in a new tab)
  31. High Dive by Jonathan Leesource (opens in a new tab)
  32. Homegoing by Yaa Gyasisource (opens in a new tab)
  33. Hot Milk by Deborah Levysource (opens in a new tab)
  34. Hystopia by David Meanssource (opens in a new tab)
  35. I Let You Go by Clare Mackintoshsource (opens in a new tab)
  36. Idlewild by Jude Sierrasource (opens in a new tab)
  37. Imagine Me Gone by Adam Haslettsource (opens in a new tab)
  38. Infomocracy by Malka Oldersource (opens in a new tab)
  39. Innocents and Others by Dana Spiottasource (opens in a new tab)
  40. Jerusalem by Alan Mooresource (opens in a new tab)
  41. Kingfisher by Patricia A. McKillipsource (opens in a new tab)
  42. Larose by Louise Erdrichsource (opens in a new tab)
  43. Late Stories by Stephen Dixonsource (opens in a new tab)
  44. Livia Lone by Barry Eislersource (opens in a new tab)
  45. Loner by Teddy Waynesource (opens in a new tab)
  46. Marrying Winterborne by Lisa Kleypassource (opens in a new tab)
  47. Mercury by Margot Liveseysource (opens in a new tab)
  48. Missing, Presumed by Susie Steinersource (opens in a new tab)
  49. Modern Lovers by Emma Straubsource (opens in a new tab)
  50. Mr. Splitfoot by Samantha Huntsource (opens in a new tab)
  51. My Name Is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Stroutsource (opens in a new tab)
  52. My Struggle by Karl Ove Knausgaard, translated by Don Bartlettsource (opens in a new tab)
  53. News of the World by Paulette Jilessource (opens in a new tab)
  54. Norte by Edmundo Paz Soldán, translated by Valerie Milessource (opens in a new tab)
  55. Not So Much, Said the Cat by Michael Swanwicksource (opens in a new tab)
  56. Only the Hunted Run by Neely Tuckersource (opens in a new tab)
  57. Private Citizens by Tony Tulathimuttesource (opens in a new tab)
  58. Razor Girl by Carl Hiaasensource (opens in a new tab)
  59. Reputations by Juan Gabriel Vásquez, translated by Anne McLeansource (opens in a new tab)
  60. Rise the Dark by Michael Korytasource (opens in a new tab)
  61. Scary Old Sex by Arlene Heymansource (opens in a new tab)
  62. Serious Sweet by A.L. Kennedysource (opens in a new tab)
  63. Still the Same Man by Jon Bilbaosource (opens in a new tab)
  64. Super Extra Grande by Yoss, translated by David Fryesource (opens in a new tab)
  65. Supernova by C.A. Higginssource (opens in a new tab)
  66. Sweet Lamb of Heaven by Lydia Milletsource (opens in a new tab)
  67. Swing Time by Zadie Smithsource (opens in a new tab)
  68. Tender by Belinda McKeonsource (opens in a new tab)
  69. The Adventurist by J. Bradford Hippssource (opens in a new tab)
  70. The Bed Moved by Rebecca Schiffsource (opens in a new tab)
  71. The Best Place on Earth by Ayelet Tsabarisource (opens in a new tab)
  72. The Black Widow by Daniel Silvasource (opens in a new tab)
  73. The Golden Age by Joan Londonsource (opens in a new tab)
  74. The Gustav Sonata by Rose Tremainsource (opens in a new tab)
  75. The House at the Edge of Night by Catherine Bannersource (opens in a new tab)
  76. The Inseparables by Stuart Nadlersource (opens in a new tab)
  77. The Last Mortal Bond by Brian Staveleysource (opens in a new tab)
  78. The Last Painting of Sara De Vos by Dominic Smithsource (opens in a new tab)
  79. The Loved Ones by Sonya Chungsource (opens in a new tab)
  80. The Mothers by Brit Bennettsource (opens in a new tab)
  81. The Nix by Nathan Hillsource (opens in a new tab)
  82. The Obelisk Gate by N.K. Jemisinsource (opens in a new tab)
  83. The Portable Veblen by Elizabeth McKenziesource (opens in a new tab)
  84. The Queen of the Night by Alexander Cheesource (opens in a new tab)
  85. The Second Life of Nick Mason by Steve Hamiltonsource (opens in a new tab)
  86. The Seed Collectors by Scarlett Thomassource (opens in a new tab)
  87. The Sport of Kings by C.E. Morgansource (opens in a new tab)
  88. The Throwback Special by Chris Bacheldersource (opens in a new tab)
  89. The Underground Railroad by Colson Whiteheadsource (opens in a new tab)
  90. The Watcher in the Wall by Owen Laukkanensource (opens in a new tab)
  91. The Widower's Wife by Cate Holahansource (opens in a new tab)
  92. The Wonder by Emma Donoghuesource (opens in a new tab)
  93. These Are the Names by Tommy Wieringa, translated by Sam Garrettsource (opens in a new tab)
  94. Today Will Be Different by Maria Semplesource (opens in a new tab)
  95. Tuesday Nights in 1980 by Molly Prentisssource (opens in a new tab)
  96. Walking the Dog by Elizabeth Swadossource (opens in a new tab)
  97. Wayward Heroes by Halldór Laxness, translated by Philip Roughtonsource (opens in a new tab)
  98. We Show What We Have Learned by Clare Beamssource (opens in a new tab)
  99. Wild at Whiskey Creek by Julie Anne Longsource (opens in a new tab)
  100. You Will Know Me by Megan Abbottsource (opens in a new tab)

Middle Grade

  1. A Boy Named Queen by Sara Cassidysource (opens in a new tab)
  2. As Brave as You by Jason Reynoldssource (opens in a new tab)
  3. Book Uncle and Me by Uma Krishnaswamisource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Booked by Kwame Alexandersource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Bridges by Didier Cornille, translated by Yolanda Stern Broadsource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Catching a Storyfish by Janice N. Harringtonsource (opens in a new tab)
  7. Dancing in the Rain by Lynn Josephsource (opens in a new tab)
  8. Dive! by Deborah Hopkinsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  9. Forest of Wonders by Linda Sue Parksource (opens in a new tab)
  10. Frazzled by Booki Vivatsource (opens in a new tab)
  11. Freedom Over Me by Ashley Bryansource (opens in a new tab)
  12. Furthermore by Tahereh Mafisource (opens in a new tab)
  13. Fuzzy by Tom Angleberger and Paul Dellingersource (opens in a new tab)
  14. Garvey's Choice by Nikki Grimessource (opens in a new tab)
  15. Ghost by Jason Reynoldssource (opens in a new tab)
  16. Hundred Percent by Karen Romano Youngsource (opens in a new tab)
  17. It Ain't So Awful, Falafel by Firoozeh Dumassource (opens in a new tab)
  18. Jazz Day by Roxane Orgillsource (opens in a new tab)
  19. Josh Baxter Levels Up by Gavin Brownsource (opens in a new tab)
  20. Life According to Dani by Rose Lagercrantz, translated by Julia Marshallsource (opens in a new tab)
  21. Mayday by Karen Harringtonsource (opens in a new tab)
  22. Oxford Roald Dahl Dictionary by Roald Dahlsource (opens in a new tab)
  23. Pax by Sara Pennypackersource (opens in a new tab)
  24. Projekt 1065 by Alan Gratzsource (opens in a new tab)
  25. Raymie Nightingale by Kate DiCamillosource (opens in a new tab)
  26. Samurai Rising by Pamela S. Turnersource (opens in a new tab)
  27. Save Me a Seat by Sarah Weeks and Gita Varadarajansource (opens in a new tab)
  28. Some Kind of Courage by Dan Gemeinhartsource (opens in a new tab)
  29. Some Writer! by Melissa Sweetsource (opens in a new tab)
  30. Spirit Week Showdown by Crystal Allensource (opens in a new tab)
  31. The Apple Tart of Hope by Sarah Moore Fitzgeraldsource (opens in a new tab)
  32. The Best Man by Richard Pecksource (opens in a new tab)
  33. The Bolds by Julian Clarysource (opens in a new tab)
  34. The Creepy Case Files of Margo Maloo by Drew Weingsource (opens in a new tab)
  35. The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhillsource (opens in a new tab)
  36. The Girl in the Well Is Me by Karen Riverssource (opens in a new tab)
  37. The Great White Shark Scientist by Sy Montgomerysource (opens in a new tab)
  38. The Inquisitor's Tale by Adam Gidwitzsource (opens in a new tab)
  39. The Midnight War of Mateo Martinez by Robin Yardisource (opens in a new tab)
  40. The Secret Horses of Briar Hill by Megan Shepherdsource (opens in a new tab)
  41. The Secret of Dreadwillow Carse by Brian Farreysource (opens in a new tab)
  42. The Secret of Goldenrod by Jane O'Reillysource (opens in a new tab)
  43. The Seventh Wish by Kate Messnersource (opens in a new tab)
  44. The Wild Robot by Peter Brownsource (opens in a new tab)
  45. The Wolf's Boy by Susan Williams Beckhornsource (opens in a new tab)
  46. Two Naomis by Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich and Audrey Vernicksource (opens in a new tab)
  47. Vietnam by Russell Freedmansource (opens in a new tab)
  48. We Will Not Be Silent by Russell Freedmansource (opens in a new tab)
  49. When Mischief Came to Town by Katrina Nannestadsource (opens in a new tab)
  50. Wolf Hollow by Lauren Wolksource (opens in a new tab)
  51. You Can Fly by Carole Boston Weatherfordsource (opens in a new tab)

Nonfiction

  1. A Body, Undone by Christina Crosbysource (opens in a new tab)
  2. A Cancer in the Family by Theodora Rosssource (opens in a new tab)
  3. A Woman Looking at Men Looking at Women by Siri Hustvedtsource (opens in a new tab)
  4. A Wretched and Precarious Situation by David Welkysource (opens in a new tab)
  5. ADHD Nation by Alan Schwarzsource (opens in a new tab)
  6. All Tomorrow's Parties by Rob Spillmansource (opens in a new tab)
  7. Almighty by Dan Zaksource (opens in a new tab)
  8. America's War for the Greater Middle East by Andrew J. Bacevichsource (opens in a new tab)
  9. American Girls by Nancy Jo Salessource (opens in a new tab)
  10. American Revolutions by Alan Taylorsource (opens in a new tab)
  11. American Rhapsody by Claudia Roth Pierpontsource (opens in a new tab)
  12. Another Day in the Death of America by Gary Youngesource (opens in a new tab)
  13. At the Existentialist Café by Sarah Bakewellsource (opens in a new tab)
  14. Bandit by Molly Brodaksource (opens in a new tab)
  15. Being a Beast by Charles Fostersource (opens in a new tab)
  16. Black Hole Blues and Other Songs From Outer Space by Janna Levinsource (opens in a new tab)
  17. Blood in the Water by Heather Ann Thompsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  18. Born to Run by Bruce Springsteensource (opens in a new tab)
  19. Bullies by Alex Abramovichsource (opens in a new tab)
  20. Chain of Title by David Dayensource (opens in a new tab)
  21. Charlotte Brontë by Claire Harmansource (opens in a new tab)
  22. City of Dreams by Tyler Anbindersource (opens in a new tab)
  23. City of Thorns by Ben Rawlencesource (opens in a new tab)
  24. Consequence by Eric Fairsource (opens in a new tab)
  25. Dark Territory by Fred Kaplansource (opens in a new tab)
  26. Eleanor Roosevelt, Volume 3 by Blanche Wiesen Cooksource (opens in a new tab)
  27. Eleanor and Hick by Susan Quinnsource (opens in a new tab)
  28. Evicted by Matthew Desmondsource (opens in a new tab)
  29. Far and Away by Andrew Solomonsource (opens in a new tab)
  30. Flying Couch by Amy Kurzweilsource (opens in a new tab)
  31. George Lucas by Brian Jay Jonessource (opens in a new tab)
  32. Hero of the Empire by Candice Millardsource (opens in a new tab)
  33. Hillbilly Elegy by JD Vancesource (opens in a new tab)
  34. How Everything Became War and the Military Became Everything by Rosa Brookssource (opens in a new tab)
  35. I Contain Multitudes by Ed Yongsource (opens in a new tab)
  36. Imbeciles by Adam Cohensource (opens in a new tab)
  37. In Other Words by Jhumpa Lahiri, translated by Ann Goldsteinsource (opens in a new tab)
  38. In the Darkroom by Susan Faludisource (opens in a new tab)
  39. Isis by Fawaz A. Gergessource (opens in a new tab)
  40. Jean Cocteau by Claude Arnaud, translated by Lauren Elkin and Charlotte Mandellsource (opens in a new tab)
  41. John Aubrey, My Own Life by Ruth Scurrsource (opens in a new tab)
  42. Kill 'Em and Leave by James McBridesource (opens in a new tab)
  43. Known and Strange Things by Teju Colesource (opens in a new tab)
  44. Krazy by Michael Tisserandsource (opens in a new tab)
  45. Lab Girl by Hope Jahrensource (opens in a new tab)
  46. Ladies Night at the Dreamland by Sonja Livingstonsource (opens in a new tab)
  47. Louisa by Louisa Thomassource (opens in a new tab)
  48. Mad Enchantment by Ross Kingsource (opens in a new tab)
  49. Magic and Loss by Virginia Heffernansource (opens in a new tab)
  50. Midnight in Broad Daylight by Pamela Rotner Sakamotosource (opens in a new tab)
  51. Nobody by Marc Lamont Hillsource (opens in a new tab)
  52. Nothing Ever Dies by Viet Thanh Nguyensource (opens in a new tab)
  53. Orson Welles, Volume 3 by Simon Callowsource (opens in a new tab)
  54. Patient H.M. by Luke Dittrichsource (opens in a new tab)
  55. Playing Through the Whistle by S.L. Pricesource (opens in a new tab)
  56. Poor Your Soul by Mira Ptacinsource (opens in a new tab)
  57. Rancher, Farmer, Fisherman by Miriam Hornsource (opens in a new tab)
  58. Raoul Wallenberg by Ingrid Carlberg, translated by Ebba Segerbergsource (opens in a new tab)
  59. Riverine by Angela Palmsource (opens in a new tab)
  60. Rogue Justice by Karen J. Greenbergsource (opens in a new tab)
  61. Secondhand Time by Svetlana Alexievich, translated by Bela Shayevichsource (opens in a new tab)
  62. Seven Brief Lessons on Physics by Carlo Rovelli, translated by Simon Carnell and Erica Segresource (opens in a new tab)
  63. Shame and Wonder by David Searcysource (opens in a new tab)
  64. Shirley Jackson by Ruth Franklinsource (opens in a new tab)
  65. Stamped From the Beginning by Ibram X. Kendisource (opens in a new tab)
  66. Strangers in Their Own Land by Arlie Russell Hochschildsource (opens in a new tab)
  67. Television by David Thomsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  68. Thank You for Being Late by Thomas L. Friedmansource (opens in a new tab)
  69. The Art of Waiting by Belle Boggssource (opens in a new tab)
  70. The Bad-Ass Librarians of Timbuktu by Joshua Hammersource (opens in a new tab)
  71. The Big Picture by Sean Carrollsource (opens in a new tab)
  72. The Bitter Taste of Victory by Lara Feigelsource (opens in a new tab)
  73. The Black Presidency by Michael Eric Dysonsource (opens in a new tab)
  74. The Boys in the Bunkhouse by Dan Barrysource (opens in a new tab)
  75. The Firebrand and the First Lady by Patricia Bell-Scottsource (opens in a new tab)
  76. The First Congress by Fergus M. Bordewichsource (opens in a new tab)
  77. The Games by David Goldblattsource (opens in a new tab)
  78. The Gene by Siddhartha Mukherjeesource (opens in a new tab)
  79. The General vs. the President by H.W. Brandssource (opens in a new tab)
  80. The Gunning of America by Pamela Haagsource (opens in a new tab)
  81. The Hero's Body by William Giraldisource (opens in a new tab)
  82. The Iceberg by Marion Couttssource (opens in a new tab)
  83. The Making of Donald Trump by David Cay Johnstonsource (opens in a new tab)
  84. The Morning They Came for Us by Janine di Giovannisource (opens in a new tab)
  85. The Other Slavery by Andrés Reséndezsource (opens in a new tab)
  86. The Perfect Pass by S.C. Gwynnesource (opens in a new tab)
  87. The Politicians and the Egalitarians by Sean Wilentzsource (opens in a new tab)
  88. The Profiteers by Sally Dentonsource (opens in a new tab)
  89. The Rise and Fall of American Growth by Robert J. Gordonsource (opens in a new tab)
  90. The Secret War by Max Hastingssource (opens in a new tab)
  91. The Sun and the Moon and the Rolling Stones by Rich Cohensource (opens in a new tab)
  92. The Violet Hour by Katie Roiphesource (opens in a new tab)
  93. The Winter Fortress by Neal Bascombsource (opens in a new tab)
  94. Truevine by Beth Macysource (opens in a new tab)
  95. Valiant Ambition by Nathaniel Philbricksource (opens in a new tab)
  96. Waging War by David J. Barronsource (opens in a new tab)
  97. Weapons of Math Destruction by Cathy O'Neilsource (opens in a new tab)
  98. When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithisource (opens in a new tab)
  99. White Trash by Nancy Isenbergsource (opens in a new tab)
  100. Who Shot Sports by Gail Bucklandsource (opens in a new tab)

Picture Books

  1. A Family Is a Family Is a Family by Sara O'Learysource (opens in a new tab)
  2. A Poem for Peter by Andrea Davis Pinkneysource (opens in a new tab)
  3. A Squiggly Story by Andrew Larsensource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Apples and Robins by Lucie Felixsource (opens in a new tab)
  5. At Night by Helga Banschsource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Before Morning by Joyce Sidmansource (opens in a new tab)
  7. Best Frints in the Whole Universe by Antoinette Portissource (opens in a new tab)
  8. Best in Snow by April Pulley Sayresource (opens in a new tab)
  9. Billions of Bricks by Kurt Cyrussource (opens in a new tab)
  10. Birdsong by James Sturmsource (opens in a new tab)
  11. City Shapes by Diana Murraysource (opens in a new tab)
  12. Clive and His Babies by Jessica Spanyolsource (opens in a new tab)
  13. Cloth Lullaby by Amy Noveskysource (opens in a new tab)
  14. Cricket Song by Anne Huntersource (opens in a new tab)
  15. Daytime Visions by Isolsource (opens in a new tab)
  16. Dragon Was Terrible by Kelly DiPucchiosource (opens in a new tab)
  17. Du Iz Tak? by Carson Ellissource (opens in a new tab)
  18. Everyone Is Yawning by Anita Bijsterboschsource (opens in a new tab)
  19. Freedom in Congo Square by Carole Boston Weatherfordsource (opens in a new tab)
  20. Hank's Big Day by Evan Kuhlmansource (opens in a new tab)
  21. Have You Seen Elephant? by David Barrowsource (opens in a new tab)
  22. I Hear a Pickle by Rachel Isadorasource (opens in a new tab)
  23. In Plain Sight by Richard Jacksonsource (opens in a new tab)
  24. Into the Snow by Yuki Kanekosource (opens in a new tab)
  25. King Baby by Kate Beatonsource (opens in a new tab)
  26. Knock!knock! by Gita Wolfsource (opens in a new tab)
  27. Life Without Nico by Andrea Maturanasource (opens in a new tab)
  28. Little Chickies / Los Pollitos by Susie Jaramillosource (opens in a new tab)
  29. Little One by Jo Weaversource (opens in a new tab)
  30. Little Red and the Very Hungry Lion by Alex T. Smithsource (opens in a new tab)
  31. Look Up! by Jin-Ho Jung, translated by Mi Hyun Kimsource (opens in a new tab)
  32. Lucy by Randy Cecilsource (opens in a new tab)
  33. Maya by Mahak Jainsource (opens in a new tab)
  34. Maybe Something Beautiful by F. Isabel Campoy and Theresa Howellsource (opens in a new tab)
  35. Mom, There's a Bear at the Door by Sabine Lipansource (opens in a new tab)
  36. More-Igami by Dori Klebersource (opens in a new tab)
  37. Narwhal by Ben Clantonsource (opens in a new tab)
  38. Nobody Likes a Goblin by Ben Hatkesource (opens in a new tab)
  39. Paul & Antoinette by Kerascoët, translated by Claudia Zoe Bedricksource (opens in a new tab)
  40. Plants Can't Sit Still by Rebecca E. Hirschsource (opens in a new tab)
  41. Prairie Dog Song by Susan L. Roth and Cindy Trumboresource (opens in a new tab)
  42. Preaching to the Chickens by Jabari Asimsource (opens in a new tab)
  43. Pug by Ethan Longsource (opens in a new tab)
  44. Pug Man's 3 Wishes by Sebastian Meschenmosersource (opens in a new tab)
  45. Radiant Child by Javaka Steptoesource (opens in a new tab)
  46. School's First Day of School by Adam Rexsource (opens in a new tab)
  47. Shy by Deborah Freedmansource (opens in a new tab)
  48. Skunk on a String by Thao Lamsource (opens in a new tab)
  49. Somos Como Las Nubes / We Are Like the Clouds by Jorge Argueta, translated by Elisa Amadosource (opens in a new tab)
  50. Steamboat School by Deborah Hopkinsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  51. Stepping Stones by Margriet Ruurs, translated by Falah Raheemsource (opens in a new tab)
  52. Stripes the Tiger by Jean Leroy and Bérengère Delaportesource (opens in a new tab)
  53. Swap! by Steve Lightsource (opens in a new tab)
  54. Swatch by Julia Denossource (opens in a new tab)
  55. Teeny Tiny Toady by Jill Esbaumsource (opens in a new tab)
  56. The Airport Book by Lisa Brownsource (opens in a new tab)
  57. The Artist and Me by Shane Peacocksource (opens in a new tab)
  58. The Bear and the Piano by David Litchfieldsource (opens in a new tab)
  59. The Branch by Mireille Messiersource (opens in a new tab)
  60. The Cat From Hunger Mountain by Ed Youngsource (opens in a new tab)
  61. The Chameleon That Saved Noah's Ark by Yael Molchadsky, translated by Annette Appelsource (opens in a new tab)
  62. The Dead Bird by Margaret Wise Brownsource (opens in a new tab)
  63. The Happiest Book Ever by Bob Sheasource (opens in a new tab)
  64. The Journey by Francesca Sannasource (opens in a new tab)
  65. The Night Gardener by Terry Fan and Eric Fansource (opens in a new tab)
  66. The Princess and the Warrior by Duncan Tonatiuhsource (opens in a new tab)
  67. The Sound of Silence by Katrina Goldsaitosource (opens in a new tab)
  68. The Worst Breakfast by China Miéville and Zak Smithsource (opens in a new tab)
  69. Thunder Boy Jr. by Sherman Alexiesource (opens in a new tab)
  70. Turn on the Night by Geraldo Valériosource (opens in a new tab)
  71. Wet Cement by Bob Raczkasource (opens in a new tab)
  72. Whoosh! by Chris Bartonsource (opens in a new tab)
  73. Worm Loves Worm by J.J. Austriansource (opens in a new tab)
  74. ¡Olinguito, De La a a La Z! / Olinguito, From a to Z! by Lulu Delacresource (opens in a new tab)

Teen

  1. All We Have Left by Wendy Millssource (opens in a new tab)
  2. American Girls by Alison Ummingersource (opens in a new tab)
  3. Beast by Brie Spanglersource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Bessie Stringfield by Joel Christian Gillsource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Bleeding Earth by Kaitlin Wardsource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Bloodline by Joe Jiménezsource (opens in a new tab)
  7. Bubonic Panic by Gail Jarrowsource (opens in a new tab)
  8. Burn Baby Burn by Meg Medinasource (opens in a new tab)
  9. Character, Driven by David Lubarsource (opens in a new tab)
  10. Gemini by Sonya Mukherjeesource (opens in a new tab)
  11. Georgia Peaches and Other Forbidden Fruit by Jaye Robin Brownsource (opens in a new tab)
  12. Girl Mans Up by M-E Girardsource (opens in a new tab)
  13. If I Was Your Girl by Meredith Russosource (opens in a new tab)
  14. Keep Me in Mind by Jaime Reedsource (opens in a new tab)
  15. Kingdom of Ash and Briars by Hannah Westsource (opens in a new tab)
  16. Last Seen Leaving by Caleb Roehrigsource (opens in a new tab)
  17. Lucy and Linh by Alice Pungsource (opens in a new tab)
  18. March by John Lewis and Andrew Aydinsource (opens in a new tab)
  19. Merrow by Ananda Braxton-Smithsource (opens in a new tab)
  20. My Sister Rosa by Justine Larbalestiersource (opens in a new tab)
  21. On the Edge of Gone by Corinne Duyvissource (opens in a new tab)
  22. Perfect Liars by Kimberly Reidsource (opens in a new tab)
  23. Property of the State by Bill Cameronsource (opens in a new tab)
  24. Rani Patel in Full Effect by Sonia Patelsource (opens in a new tab)
  25. Replica by Lauren Oliversource (opens in a new tab)
  26. Riverkeep by Martin Stewartsource (opens in a new tab)
  27. Rodent by Lisa J. Lawrencesource (opens in a new tab)
  28. Scythe by Neal Shustermansource (opens in a new tab)
  29. Shame the Stars by Guadalupe García McCallsource (opens in a new tab)
  30. Sp4rx by Wren McDonaldsource (opens in a new tab)
  31. Steeplejack by A.J. Hartleysource (opens in a new tab)
  32. The Blood-Bound Oath by Alexis E. Fajardosource (opens in a new tab)
  33. The Great American Whatever by Tim Federlesource (opens in a new tab)
  34. The Last Execution by Jesper Wung-Sung, translated by Lindy Falk van Rooyensource (opens in a new tab)
  35. The Lie Tree by Frances Hardingesource (opens in a new tab)
  36. The Memory Book by Lara Averysource (opens in a new tab)
  37. The Memory Jar by Elissa Janine Hoolesource (opens in a new tab)
  38. The Memory of Light by Francisco X. Storksource (opens in a new tab)
  39. The Nameless City by Faith Erin Hickssource (opens in a new tab)
  40. The Reader by Traci Cheesource (opens in a new tab)
  41. The Serpent King by Jeff Zentnersource (opens in a new tab)
  42. The Singing Bones by Shaun Tansource (opens in a new tab)
  43. The Steep and Thorny Way by Cat Winterssource (opens in a new tab)
  44. The Sun Is Also a Star by Nicola Yoonsource (opens in a new tab)
  45. This Is Not the End by Jesse Jordansource (opens in a new tab)
  46. Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blakesource (opens in a new tab)
  47. True Letters From a Fictional Life by Kenneth Logansource (opens in a new tab)
  48. Unbecoming by Jenny Downhamsource (opens in a new tab)
  49. Vassa in the Night by Sarah Portersource (opens in a new tab)
  50. When the Moon Was Ours by Anna-Marie McLemoresource (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 2016