Best Books of the Year
Menu

Library Journal

Library Journal Best Books 2019

Library Journal Best Books 2019 names 160 books across 17 categories. 66 of them also won or were shortlisted for an award.

Arts & Humanities

  1. Go Ahead in the Rain: Notes to a Tribe Called Quest by Hanif Abdurraqibsource (opens in a new tab)
  2. I Like To Watch: Arguing My Way Through the Television Revolution by Emily Nussbaumsource (opens in a new tab)
  3. Music: A Subversive History by Ted Gioiasource (opens in a new tab)
  4. The Hollywood Jim Crow: The Racial Politics of the Movie Industry by Maryann Erighasource (opens in a new tab)
  5. The Lady from the Black Lagoon: Hollywood Monsters and the Lost Legacy of Milicent Patrick by Mallory O’Mearasource (opens in a new tab)
  6. The Queens of Animation: The Untold Story of the Women Who Transformed the World of Disney and Made Cinematic History by Nathalia Holtsource (opens in a new tab)
  7. What My Mother and I Don’t Talk About: Fifteen Writers Break the Silence by Michele Filgatesource (opens in a new tab)

Biography & Memoir

  1. Haben: The Deafblind Woman Who Conquered Harvard Law by Haben Girmasource (opens in a new tab)
  2. Here We Are: American Dreams, American Nightmares by Aarti Namdev Shahanisource (opens in a new tab)
  3. How We Fight for Our Lives: A Memoir by Saeed Jonessource (opens in a new tab)
  4. In the Dream House: A Memoir by Carmen Maria Machadosource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Know My Name: A Memoir by Chanel Millersource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Life Undercover: Coming of Age in the CIA by Amaryllis Foxsource (opens in a new tab)
  7. Once More We Saw Stars: A Memoir by Jayson Greenesource (opens in a new tab)
  8. Ordinary Girls: A Memoir by Jaquira Díazsource (opens in a new tab)
  9. Our Man: Richard Holbrooke and the End of the American Century by George Packersource (opens in a new tab)
  10. Wild Game: My Mother, Her Lover, and Me by Adrienne Brodeursource (opens in a new tab)

Cooking

  1. Aloha Kitchen: Recipes from Hawai’i by Alana Kysarsource (opens in a new tab)
  2. Dinner for Everyone: 100 Iconic Dishes Made 3 Ways—Easy, Vegan, or Perfect for Company by Mark Bittmansource (opens in a new tab)
  3. Love and Lemons Every Day: More than 100 Bright, Plant-Forward Recipes for Every Meal by Jeanine Donofriosource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Notes from a Young Black Chef: A Memoir by Kwame Onwuachi and Joshua David Steinsource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Ruffage: A Practical Guide to Vegetables by Abra Berenssource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Sababa: Fresh, Sunny Flavors from My Israeli Kitchen by Adeena Sussmansource (opens in a new tab)
  7. Shuk: From Market to Table, the Heart of Israeli Home Cooking by Einat Admony and Janna Gursource (opens in a new tab)
  8. Vietnamese Food Any Day: Simple Recipes for True, Fresh Flavors by Andrea Nguyensource (opens in a new tab)
  9. Where Cooking Begins: Uncomplicated Recipes to Make You a Great Cook by Carla Lalli Musicsource (opens in a new tab)
  10. Zaitoun: Recipes from the Palestinian Kitchen by Yasmin Khansource (opens in a new tab)

Crime Fiction

  1. A Deadly Divide by Ausma Zehenat Khansource (opens in a new tab)
  2. Elevator Pitch by Linwood Barclaysource (opens in a new tab)
  3. Girls Like Us by Cristina Algersource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Nothing More Dangerous by Allen Eskenssource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Sarah Jane by James Sallissource (opens in a new tab)
  6. The Chestnut Man by Søren Sveistrup, translated by Caroline Waightsource (opens in a new tab)
  7. The Long Call by Ann Cleevessource (opens in a new tab)
  8. The Lost Man by Jane Harpersource (opens in a new tab)
  9. The Wolf Wants In by Laura McHughsource (opens in a new tab)
  10. Your House Will Pay by Steph Chasource (opens in a new tab)

Graphic Novels

  1. Clyde Fans by Sethsource (opens in a new tab)
  2. Good Talk by Mira Jacobsource (opens in a new tab)
  3. Grass by Keum Suk Gendry-Kim, translated by Janet Hongsource (opens in a new tab)
  4. I Know What I Am: The Life and Times of Artemisia Gentileschi by Gina Sicilianosource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Mister Miracle by Tom Kingsource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Once upon a Time in France by Fabian Nury, translated by Ivanka Hahnenbergersource (opens in a new tab)
  7. Reincarnation Stories by Kim Deitchsource (opens in a new tab)
  8. Rusty Brown by Chris Waresource (opens in a new tab)
  9. Sara by Garth Ennis and Steve Eptingsource (opens in a new tab)
  10. The Life of Frederick Douglass: A Graphic Narrative of a Slave’s Journey from Bondage to Freedom by David Walker and Damon Smythsource (opens in a new tab)

Horror

  1. A Lush and Seething Hell: Two Tales of Cosmic Horror by John Horner Jacobssource (opens in a new tab)
  2. Coyote Songs by Gabino Iglesiassource (opens in a new tab)
  3. Echoes: The Saga Anthology of Ghost Stories by Ellen Datlowsource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Growing Things and Other Stories by Paul Tremblaysource (opens in a new tab)
  5. The Dark Game by Jonathan Janzsource (opens in a new tab)
  6. The Invited by Jennifer McMahonsource (opens in a new tab)
  7. The Twisted Ones by T. Kingfishersource (opens in a new tab)
  8. Tinfoil Butterfly by Rachel Eve Moultonsource (opens in a new tab)
  9. Violet by Scott Thomassource (opens in a new tab)
  10. Wanderers by Chuck Wendigsource (opens in a new tab)

Literary Fiction

  1. Boy Swallows Universe by Trent Daltonsource (opens in a new tab)
  2. Frankissstein: A Love Story by Jeanette Wintersonsource (opens in a new tab)
  3. Inland by Téa Obrehtsource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Night Boat to Tangier by Kevin Barrysource (opens in a new tab)
  5. On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuongsource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Red at the Bone by Jacqueline Woodsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  7. The Nickel Boys by Colson Whiteheadsource (opens in a new tab)
  8. The Shadow King by Maaza Mengistesource (opens in a new tab)
  9. The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coatessource (opens in a new tab)

Poetry

  1. Deaf Republic by Ilya Kaminskysource (opens in a new tab)
  2. In the Months of My Son’s Recovery by Kate Danielssource (opens in a new tab)
  3. NDN Coping Mechanisms: Notes from the Field by Billy-Ray Belcourtsource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Oculus by Sally Wen Maosource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Ridiculous Light: Poems by Valencia Robinsource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Take Me With You, Wherever You’re Going by Jessica Jacobssource (opens in a new tab)
  7. The Octopus Museum: Poems by Brenda Shaughnessysource (opens in a new tab)
  8. The Tradition by Jericho Brownsource (opens in a new tab)
  9. Valuing by Christopher Kondrichsource (opens in a new tab)
  10. Woods and Clouds Interchangeable by Michael Earl Craigsource (opens in a new tab)

Pop Fiction

  1. All This Could Be Yours by Jami Attenbergsource (opens in a new tab)
  2. Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyessource (opens in a new tab)
  3. Grace After Henry by Eithne Shortallsource (opens in a new tab)
  4. In West Mills by De’Shawn Charles Winslowsource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Miracle Creek by Angie Kimsource (opens in a new tab)
  6. The Dearly Beloved by Cara Wallsource (opens in a new tab)
  7. The Oysterville Sewing Circle by Susan Wiggssource (opens in a new tab)
  8. The Secrets We Kept by Lara Prescottsource (opens in a new tab)
  9. Today We Go Home by Kelli Estessource (opens in a new tab)
  10. Women Talking by Miriam Toewssource (opens in a new tab)

Religion & Spirituality

  1. Bless This Mess: A Modern Guide to Faith and Parenting in a Chaotic World by Molly Baskette and Ellen O’Donnellsource (opens in a new tab)
  2. Holy Envy: Finding God in the Faith of Others by Barbara Brown Taylorsource (opens in a new tab)
  3. I See You: How Love Opens Our Eyes to Invisible People by Terence Lestersource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Job: A New Translation by Edward L. Greensteinsource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Leaving the Witness: Exiting a Religion and Finding a Life by Amber Scorahsource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Reading Romans Backwards: A Gospel of Peace in the Midst of Empire by Scot McKnightsource (opens in a new tab)
  7. The Color of Compromise: The Truth about the American Church’s Complicity in Racism by Jemar Tisbysource (opens in a new tab)
  8. The Newish Jewish Encyclopedia: From Abraham to Zabar’s and Everything in Between by Stephanie Butnicksource (opens in a new tab)
  9. When Kids Ask Hard Questions: Faith-Filled Responses for Tough Topics by Bromleigh McCleneghan and Karen Ware Jacksonsource (opens in a new tab)
  10. When Poets Pray by Marilyn McEntyresource (opens in a new tab)

Romance

  1. A Spy’s Guide to Seduction by Kate Mooresource (opens in a new tab)
  2. Ayesha at Last by Uzma Jalaluddinsource (opens in a new tab)
  3. Bringing Down the Duke by Evie Dunmoresource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Lady Derring Takes a Lover by Julie Anne Longsource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Once a Spy by Mary Jo Putneysource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Red, White, and Royal Blue by Casey McQuistonsource (opens in a new tab)
  7. The Bride Test by Helen Hoangsource (opens in a new tab)
  8. The Lady’s Guide to Celestial Mechanics by Olivia Waitesource (opens in a new tab)
  9. The Right Swipe by Alisha Raisource (opens in a new tab)
  10. When a Duchess Says I Do by Grace Burrowessource (opens in a new tab)

SF/Fantasy

  1. A Memory Called Empire by Arkaday Martinesource (opens in a new tab)
  2. Chilling Effect by Valerie Valdessource (opens in a new tab)
  3. Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muirsource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Jade War by Fonda Leesource (opens in a new tab)
  5. The Heart of the Circle by Keren Landsmansource (opens in a new tab)
  6. The Lesson by Cadwell Turnbullsource (opens in a new tab)
  7. The Library of the Unwritten by A.J. Hackwithsource (opens in a new tab)
  8. The Light Brigade by Kameron Hurleysource (opens in a new tab)
  9. The Ruin of Kings by Jenn Lyonssource (opens in a new tab)
  10. To Be Taught, If Fortunate by Becky Chamberssource (opens in a new tab)

Science & Technology

  1. Choked: Life and Breath in the Age of Air Pollution by Beth Gardinersource (opens in a new tab)
  2. Down from the Mountain: The Life and Death of a Grizzly Bear by Bryce Andrewssource (opens in a new tab)
  3. Floating Coast: An Environmental History of the Bering Strait by Bathsheba Demuthsource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Mama’s Last Hug: Animal Emotions and What They Tell Us about Ourselves by Frans de Waalsource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Slime: How Algae Created Us, Plague Us, and Just Might Save Us by Ruth Kassingersource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Superior: The Return of Race Science by Angela Sainisource (opens in a new tab)
  7. The Dreamt Land: Chasing Water and Dust Across California by Mark Araxsource (opens in a new tab)
  8. The Ice at the End of the World: An Epic Journey into Greenland’s Buried Past and Our Perilous Future by Jon Gertnersource (opens in a new tab)
  9. Underland: A Deep Time Journey by Robert MacFarlanesource (opens in a new tab)
  10. Volume Control: Hearing in a Deafening World by David Owensource (opens in a new tab)

Short Stories

  1. Driving in Cars with Homeless Men: Stories by Kate Wiselsource (opens in a new tab)
  2. Fly Already: Stories by Etgar Keret, translated by Sandra Silversonsource (opens in a new tab)
  3. Home Remedies: Stories by Xuan Juliana Wangsource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Lot: Stories by Bryan Washingtonsource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Orange World and Other Stories by Karen Russellsource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Rag: Stories by Maryse Meijersource (opens in a new tab)
  7. Sabrina & Corina: Stories by Kali Fajardo-Anstinesource (opens in a new tab)
  8. The World Doesn’t Require You: Stories by Rion Amilcar Scottsource (opens in a new tab)

Social Sciences

  1. A Good Provider Is One Who Leaves: One Family and Migration in the 21st Century by Jason DeParlesource (opens in a new tab)
  2. Beneath the Tamarind Tree: A Story of Courage, Family, and the Lost Schoolgirls of Boko Haram by Isha Sesaysource (opens in a new tab)
  3. Catch and Kill: Lies, Spies, and a Conspiracy to Protect Predators by Ronan Farrowsource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Charged: The New Movement to Transform American Prosecution and End Mass Incarceration by Emily Bazelonsource (opens in a new tab)
  5. How To Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendisource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Kochland: The Secret History of Koch Industries and Corporate Power in America by Christopher Leonardsource (opens in a new tab)
  7. No Visible Bruises: What We Don’t Know About Domestic Violence Can Kill Us by Rachel Louise Snydersource (opens in a new tab)
  8. Parkland: Birth of a Movement by Dave Cullensource (opens in a new tab)
  9. Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland by Patrick Radden Keefesource (opens in a new tab)
  10. The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee: Native America from 1890 to the Present by David Treuersource (opens in a new tab)

Wellness

  1. Girl, Stop Apologizing: A Shame-Free Plan for Embracing and Achieving Your Goals by Rachel Hollissource (opens in a new tab)
  2. Help Yourself Now: A Practical Guide to Finding the Information and Assistance You Need by Jan Yagersource (opens in a new tab)
  3. I Think You’re Wrong (But I’m Listening): A Guide to Grace-Filled Political Conversations by Sarah Stewart Holland and Beth Silverssource (opens in a new tab)
  4. The Manager Mom Epidemic: How Moms Got Stuck Doing Everything and What They Can Do About It by Thomas W. Phelansource (opens in a new tab)
  5. What Matters Most: The Get Your Sh*T Together Guide to Wills, Money, Insurance, and Life’s “What Ifs.” HarperWave by Chanel Reynoldssource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Working Daughter: How To Care for Your Aging Parents While Making a Living by Liz O’Donnellsource (opens in a new tab)

World Literature

  1. A Fist or a Heart by Kristín Eiríksdóttir, translated by Larissa Kyzersource (opens in a new tab)
  2. Berta Isla by Javier Marías, translated by Margaret Jull Costasource (opens in a new tab)
  3. China Dream by Ma Jian, translated by Flora Drewsource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Crossing by Pajtim Statovci, translated by David Hackstonsource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Death Is Hard Work by Khaled Khalifa, translated by Leri Pricessource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Flowers of Mold & Other Stories by Ha Seong-nan, translated by Janet Hongsource (opens in a new tab)
  7. Sleepless Night by Margriet de Moor, translated by David Dohertysource (opens in a new tab)
  8. Space Invaders by Nona Fernández, translated by Natasha Wimmersource (opens in a new tab)
  9. The Memory Police by Yoko Ogawa, translated by Stephen Snydersource (opens in a new tab)
  10. When the Plums Are Ripe by Patrice Nganang, translated by Amy B. Reidsource (opens in a new tab)

About the Library Journal Best Books

Starts in 2010, the year LJ named its first Top Ten (its own announcement calls it the inaugural list); LJ's 2006-2009 Best Books lists are not online and no archived copy was found. Top Ten for 2010-2017; LJ dropped the Top Ten in 2018 and publishes only section lists after that. Category is LJ's section name, with spelling variants merged (Crime = Crime Fiction, Cookbooks = Cooking, Memoir = Biography & Memoir, Sci-Tech = Science & Technology). 2010 has the Top Ten only: the genre lists were not recovered. 2011-2015 come from reviews.libraryjournal.com and 2016-2017 from the lj.libraryjournal.com microsites, both read through the Wayback Machine because the originals are gone; some genre lists for those years were not archived (for example 2013 mystery, SF, and thrillers). SELF-e indie ebook picks (2016-2017), Best Media, and Best Reference are left out. 2025 has the Stellar Selections list (~790 titles); the 100 Editors' Picks are published only as prose and are left out. ISBNs are the ones LJ prints in each citation.

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

The most recommended books of 2019