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NPR Books We Love 2021

NPR Books We Love 2021 names 370 books. 138 of them also won or were shortlisted for an award.

  1. A Calling for Charlie Barnes: A Novel by Joshua Ferrissource (opens in a new tab)
  2. A Fatal Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum: Murder in Ancient Rome by Emma Southonsource (opens in a new tab)
  3. A Ghost in the Throat by Doireann Ní Ghríofasource (opens in a new tab)
  4. A Little Devil in America: Notes in Praise of Black Performance by Hanif Abdurraqibsource (opens in a new tab)
  5. A Lot Like Adiós by Alexis Dariasource (opens in a new tab)
  6. A Marvellous Light by Freya Marskesource (opens in a new tab)
  7. A Most Remarkable Creature: The Hidden Life and Epic Journey of the World's Smartest Birds of Prey by Jonathan Meiburgsource (opens in a new tab)
  8. A Passage North: A Novel by Anuk Arudpragasamsource (opens in a new tab)
  9. A Psalm for the Wild-Built: A Monk and Robot Book by Becky Chamberssource (opens in a new tab)
  10. A Singing Army: Zilphia Horton and the Highlander Folk School by Kim Ruehlsource (opens in a new tab)
  11. A Slow Fire Burning by Paula Hawkinssource (opens in a new tab)
  12. A Spindle Splintered by Alix E. Harrowsource (opens in a new tab)
  13. A Swim in a Pond in the Rain: In Which Four Russians Give a Master Class on Writing, Reading, and Life by George Saunderssource (opens in a new tab)
  14. A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynessource (opens in a new tab)
  15. A Thousand Times You Lose Your Treasure by Hoa Nguyensource (opens in a new tab)
  16. A Town Called Solace by Mary Lawsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  17. Abundance: A Novel by Jakob Guanzonsource (opens in a new tab)
  18. Accidentally Engaged by Farah Heronsource (opens in a new tab)
  19. Act Your Age, Eve Brown: A Novel by Talia Hibbertsource (opens in a new tab)
  20. Afterparties: Stories by Anthony Veasna Sosource (opens in a new tab)
  21. Aftershocks: A Memoir by Nadia Owususource (opens in a new tab)
  22. Against Silence: Poems by Frank Bidartsource (opens in a new tab)
  23. Against White Feminism: Notes on Disruption by Rafia Zakariasource (opens in a new tab)
  24. All That She Carried: The Journey of Ashley's Sack, a Black Family Keepsake by Tiya Milessource (opens in a new tab)
  25. All the Feels: A Novel by Olivia Dadesource (opens in a new tab)
  26. Alone in Space: A Collection by Tillie Waldensource (opens in a new tab)
  27. Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alstonsource (opens in a new tab)
  28. America, My Love, America, My Heart by Daria Peoples-Rileysource (opens in a new tab)
  29. American Baby: A Mother, a Child, and the Shadow History of Adoption by Gabrielle Glasersource (opens in a new tab)
  30. American Delirium: A Novel by Betina González, translated by Heather Clearysource (opens in a new tab)
  31. Amoralman: A True Story and Other Lies by Derek DelGaudiosource (opens in a new tab)
  32. Appleseed: A Novel by Matt Bellsource (opens in a new tab)
  33. Baking with Dorie: Sweet, Salty & Simple by Dorie Greenspansource (opens in a new tab)
  34. Barefoot Dreams of Petra Luna by Alda P. Dobbssource (opens in a new tab)
  35. Beautiful Country: A Memoir by Qian Julie Wangsource (opens in a new tab)
  36. Beautiful World, Where Are You: A Novel by Sally Rooneysource (opens in a new tab)
  37. Better, Not Bitter: Living on Purpose in the Pursuit of Racial Justice by Yusef Salaamsource (opens in a new tab)
  38. Bewilderment: A Novel by Richard Powerssource (opens in a new tab)
  39. Black Food: Stories, Art, and Recipes from Across the African Diaspora by Bryant Terrysource (opens in a new tab)
  40. Boogie Boogie, Y'all by C.G. Esperanzasource (opens in a new tab)
  41. Book of the Other: Small in Comparison by Truong Transource (opens in a new tab)
  42. Borders by Thomas King and Natasha Donovansource (opens in a new tab)
  43. Bright Star by Yuyi Moralessource (opens in a new tab)
  44. Broken Horses: A Memoir by Brandi Carlilesource (opens in a new tab)
  45. Build Your House Around My Body: A Novel by Violet Kupersmithsource (opens in a new tab)
  46. Castaway Mountain: Love and Loss Among the Wastepickers of Mumbai by Saumya Roysource (opens in a new tab)
  47. Celestia by Manuele Fior, translated by Jamie Richardssource (opens in a new tab)
  48. Certain and Impossible Events by Candace Jane Oppersource (opens in a new tab)
  49. Chaos on CatNet by Naomi Kritzersource (opens in a new tab)
  50. Chasing Me to My Grave: An Artist's Memoir of the Jim Crow South by Winfred Rembert and Erin I. Kellysource (opens in a new tab)
  51. Chetna's 30 Minute Indian: Quick and Easy Everyday Meals by Chetna Makansource (opens in a new tab)
  52. Children Under Fire: An American Crisis by John Woodrow Coxsource (opens in a new tab)
  53. Children of the Fox: A Thieves of Shadow Novel by Kevin Sandssource (opens in a new tab)
  54. China Room: A Novel by Sunjeev Sahotasource (opens in a new tab)
  55. Cloud Cuckoo Land: A Novel by Anthony Doerrsource (opens in a new tab)
  56. Colorization: One Hundred Years of Black Films in a White World by Wil Haygoodsource (opens in a new tab)
  57. Concrete Rose by Angie Thomassource (opens in a new tab)
  58. Cook Real Hawai'i by Sheldon Simeon and Garrett Snydersource (opens in a new tab)
  59. Cook This Book: Techniques That Teach & Recipes to Repeat by Molly Bazsource (opens in a new tab)
  60. Craft in the Real World: Rethinking Fiction Writing and Workshopping by Matthew Salessessource (opens in a new tab)
  61. Creatures of Passage by Morowa Yejidésource (opens in a new tab)
  62. Crossroads: A Novel by Jonathan Franzensource (opens in a new tab)
  63. Crying in H Mart: A Memoir by Michelle Zaunersource (opens in a new tab)
  64. Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montellsource (opens in a new tab)
  65. Curb by Divya Victorsource (opens in a new tab)
  66. Cyclopedia Exotica by Aminder Dhaliwalsource (opens in a new tab)
  67. Darryl: A Novel by Jackie Esssource (opens in a new tab)
  68. Dear Miss Metropolitan: A Novel by Carolyn Ferrellsource (opens in a new tab)
  69. Demystifying Disability: What to Know, What to Say, and How to be an Ally by Emily Ladausource (opens in a new tab)
  70. Destroy All Monsters: A Reckless Book by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillipssource (opens in a new tab)
  71. Detransition Baby: A Novel by Torrey Peterssource (opens in a new tab)
  72. Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutantosource (opens in a new tab)
  73. Dream Girl: A Novel by Laura Lippmansource (opens in a new tab)
  74. Driving While Brown: Sheriff Joe Arpaio Versus the Latino Resistance by Terry Greene Sterling and Jude Joffe-Blocksource (opens in a new tab)
  75. E.X.O.: The Legend of Wale Williams, Volume One by Roye Okupe, Sunkanmi Akinboye and Raphael Kazeemsource (opens in a new tab)
  76. Eat, Habibi, Eat!: Fresh Recipes for Modern Egyptian Cooking by Shahir Massoudsource (opens in a new tab)
  77. Edge Case: A Novel by YZ Chinsource (opens in a new tab)
  78. Elegy for Mary Turner: An Illustrated Account of a Lynching by Rachel Marie-Crane Williamssource (opens in a new tab)
  79. Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty by Patrick Radden Keefesource (opens in a new tab)
  80. Eyes that Kiss in the Corners by Joanna Ho and Dung Hosource (opens in a new tab)
  81. Facing the Mountain: A True Story of Japanese American Heroes in World War II by Daniel James Brownsource (opens in a new tab)
  82. Fat Chance, Charlie Vega by Crystal Maldonadosource (opens in a new tab)
  83. Fight Night: A Novel by Miriam Toewssource (opens in a new tab)
  84. Filthy Animals by Brandon Taylorsource (opens in a new tab)
  85. Finding Junie Kim by Ellen Ohsource (opens in a new tab)
  86. Firebreak by Nicole Kornher-Stacesource (opens in a new tab)
  87. Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulleysource (opens in a new tab)
  88. First Comes Like: A Novel by Alisha Raisource (opens in a new tab)
  89. Five Tuesdays in Winter: Stories by Lily Kingsource (opens in a new tab)
  90. Flight of the Diamond Smugglers: A Tale of Pigeons, Obsession, and Greed Along Coastal South Africa by Matthew Gavin Franksource (opens in a new tab)
  91. Floaters: Poems by Martín Espadasource (opens in a new tab)
  92. Flying Blind: The 737 Max Tragedy and the Fall of Boeing by Peter Robisonsource (opens in a new tab)
  93. Folklorn by Angela Mi Young Hursource (opens in a new tab)
  94. Four Lost Cities: A Secret History of the Urban Age by Annalee Newitzsource (opens in a new tab)
  95. From a Whisper to a Rallying Cry: The Killing of Vincent Chin and the Trial That Galvanized the Asian American Movement by Paula Yoosource (opens in a new tab)
  96. Fulfillment: Winning and Losing in One-Click America by Alec MacGillissource (opens in a new tab)
  97. Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law by Mary Roachsource (opens in a new tab)
  98. Garlic and the Vampire by Bree Paulsensource (opens in a new tab)
  99. Gay Bar: Why We Went Out by Jeremy Atherton Linsource (opens in a new tab)
  100. Gentrifier: A Memoir by Anne Elizabeth Mooresource (opens in a new tab)
  101. Ghosts: A Novel by Dolly Aldertonsource (opens in a new tab)
  102. Girlhood by Melissa Febossource (opens in a new tab)
  103. Gold Diggers: A Novel by Sanjena Sathiansource (opens in a new tab)
  104. Goldenrod: Poems by Maggie Smithsource (opens in a new tab)
  105. Gordo: Stories by Jaime Cortezsource (opens in a new tab)
  106. Great Circle: A Novel by Maggie Shipsteadsource (opens in a new tab)
  107. Halfway Home: Race, Punishment, and the Afterlife of Mass Incarceration by Reuben Jonathan Millersource (opens in a new tab)
  108. Happy Hour: A Novel by Marlowe Granadossource (opens in a new tab)
  109. Hard Like Water by Yan Lianke, translated by Carlos Rojassource (opens in a new tab)
  110. Harlem Shuffle: A Novel by Colson Whiteheadsource (opens in a new tab)
  111. Hell of a Book: A Novel by Jason Mottsource (opens in a new tab)
  112. Hoarders by Kate Durbinsource (opens in a new tab)
  113. Honey Girl by Morgan Rogerssource (opens in a new tab)
  114. House of Sticks: A Memoir by Ly Transource (opens in a new tab)
  115. How the One-Armed Sister Sweeps Her House: A Novel by Cherie Jonessource (opens in a new tab)
  116. Hummingbird Salamander: A Novel by Jeff VanderMeersource (opens in a new tab)
  117. Hunting by Stars by Cherie Dimalinesource (opens in a new tab)
  118. Hurts So Good: The Science and Culture of Pain on Purpose by Leigh Cowartsource (opens in a new tab)
  119. I Alone Can Fix It: Donald J. Trump's Catastrophic Final Year by Carol Leonnig and Philip Ruckersource (opens in a new tab)
  120. I Love You but I've Chosen Darkness: A Novel by Claire Vaye Watkinssource (opens in a new tab)
  121. I Never Promised You a Rose Garden by Mannie Murphysource (opens in a new tab)
  122. I'm Waiting for You and Other Stories by Kim Bo-young, translated by Sophie Bowman and Sung Ryusource (opens in a new tab)
  123. In the Country of Others: A Novel by Leila Slimanisource (opens in a new tab)
  124. In: A Graphic Novel by Will McPhailsource (opens in a new tab)
  125. Infinitum: An Afrofuturist Tale by Tim Fieldersource (opens in a new tab)
  126. Invisible Child: Poverty, Survival & Hope in an American City by Andrea Elliottsource (opens in a new tab)
  127. Island Queen: A Novel by Vanessa Rileysource (opens in a new tab)
  128. Jade Legacy by Fonda Leesource (opens in a new tab)
  129. Jew-ish: A Cookbook: Reinvented Recipes from a Modern Mensch by Jake Cohensource (opens in a new tab)
  130. Juan Hormiga by Gustavo Roldán, translated by Robert Crollsource (opens in a new tab)
  131. July: Poems by Kathleen Ossipsource (opens in a new tab)
  132. Just as I Am: A Memoir by Cicely Tysonsource (opens in a new tab)
  133. Kaleidoscope by Brian Selznicksource (opens in a new tab)
  134. Kennedy's Avenger: Assassination, Conspiracy, and the Forgotten Trial of Jack Ruby by Dan Abrams and David Fishersource (opens in a new tab)
  135. Klara and the Sun: A Novel by Kazuo Ishigurosource (opens in a new tab)
  136. Lala's Words: A Story of Planting by Gracey Zhangsource (opens in a new tab)
  137. Land of Big Numbers: Stories by Te-Ping Chensource (opens in a new tab)
  138. Landslide: The Final Days of the Trump Presidency by Michael Wolffsource (opens in a new tab)
  139. Last Best Hope: America in Crisis and Renewal by George Packersource (opens in a new tab)
  140. Last Call: A True Story of Love, Lust, and Murder in Queer New York by Elon Greensource (opens in a new tab)
  141. Last Chance Texaco: Chronicles of an American Troubadour by Rickie Lee Jonessource (opens in a new tab)
  142. Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Losource (opens in a new tab)
  143. Leaving Isn't the Hardest Thing: Essays by Lauren Houghsource (opens in a new tab)
  144. Let Me Tell You What I Mean by Joan Didionsource (opens in a new tab)
  145. Let Them Lead: Unexpected Lessons in Leadership from America's Worst High School Hockey Team by John U. Baconsource (opens in a new tab)
  146. Let the Record Show: A Political History of ACT UP New York, 1987-1993 by Sarah Schulmansource (opens in a new tab)
  147. Light Perpetual: A Novel by Francis Spuffordsource (opens in a new tab)
  148. Like Other Girls by Britta Lundinsource (opens in a new tab)
  149. Lore Olympus: Volume 1 by Rachel Smythesource (opens in a new tab)
  150. Love and Other Poems by Alex Dimitrovsource (opens in a new tab)
  151. Love in Color: Mythical Tales from Around the World, Retold by Bolu Babalolasource (opens in a new tab)
  152. Magic Candies by Heena Baek, translated by Sophie Bowmansource (opens in a new tab)
  153. Martita, I Remember You / Martita, Te Recuerdo: A Story in English and Spanish by Sandra Cisnerossource (opens in a new tab)
  154. Mary Jane: A Novel by Jessica Anya Blausource (opens in a new tab)
  155. Matrix: A Novel by Lauren Groffsource (opens in a new tab)
  156. Me (Moth) by Amber McBridesource (opens in a new tab)
  157. Mike Nichols: A Life by Mark Harrissource (opens in a new tab)
  158. Monkey Boy: A Novel by Francisco Goldmansource (opens in a new tab)
  159. Monster in the Middle: A Novel by Tiphanie Yaniquesource (opens in a new tab)
  160. Monsters by Barry Windsor-Smithsource (opens in a new tab)
  161. Mother Grains: Recipes for the Grain Revolution by Roxana Jullapatsource (opens in a new tab)
  162. Mr. Watson's Chickens by Jarrett Dapier and Andrea Tsurumisource (opens in a new tab)
  163. My Begging Chart by Keiler Robertssource (opens in a new tab)
  164. My Brilliant Life: A Novel by Ae-ran Kim, translated by Chi-Young Kimsource (opens in a new tab)
  165. My Broken Language: A Memoir by Quiara Alegría Hudessource (opens in a new tab)
  166. My Heart Is a Chainsaw by Stephen Graham Jonessource (opens in a new tab)
  167. My Monticello: Fiction by Jocelyn Nicole Johnsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  168. My Sweet Girl: A Novel by Amanda Jayatissasource (opens in a new tab)
  169. Names for Light: A Family History by Thirii Myo Kyaw Myintsource (opens in a new tab)
  170. Nicky & Vera: A Quiet Hero of the Holocaust and the Children He Rescued by Peter Sissource (opens in a new tab)
  171. Night Bus by Zuo Ma, translated by Orion Martinsource (opens in a new tab)
  172. Night Came With Many Stars: A Novel by Simon Van Booysource (opens in a new tab)
  173. Night Rooms: Essays by Gina Nuttsource (opens in a new tab)
  174. Nina: A Story of Nina Simone by Traci N. Todd and Christian Robinsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  175. Nives: A Novel by Sacha Naspinisource (opens in a new tab)
  176. No Gods, No Monsters: A Novel by Cadwell Turnbullsource (opens in a new tab)
  177. No One Is Talking About This: A Novel by Patricia Lockwoodsource (opens in a new tab)
  178. Nonbinary: A Memoir by Genesis P-Orridgesource (opens in a new tab)
  179. Noor by Nnedi Okoraforsource (opens in a new tab)
  180. Not Here to Be Liked by Michelle Quachsource (opens in a new tab)
  181. Notes From the Burning Age by Claire Northsource (opens in a new tab)
  182. Oh William!: A Novel by Elizabeth Stroutsource (opens in a new tab)
  183. On Fragile Waves: A Novel by E. Lily Yusource (opens in a new tab)
  184. On Freedom: Four Songs of Care and Constraint by Maggie Nelsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  185. On Girlhood: 15 Stories from the Well-Read Black Girl Library by Glory Edimsource (opens in a new tab)
  186. On Juneteenth by Annette Gordon-Reedsource (opens in a new tab)
  187. One Last Stop: A Novel by Casey McQuistonsource (opens in a new tab)
  188. Our Woman in Moscow by Beatriz Williamssource (opens in a new tab)
  189. Outlawed: A Novel by Anna Northsource (opens in a new tab)
  190. Palmares by Gayl Jonessource (opens in a new tab)
  191. Pastoral Song: A Farmer's Journey by James Rebankssource (opens in a new tab)
  192. People From My Neighborhood by Hiromi Kawakami, translated by Ted Goossensource (opens in a new tab)
  193. People Love Dead Jews: Reports from a Haunted Present by Dara Hornsource (opens in a new tab)
  194. People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henrysource (opens in a new tab)
  195. Pilgrim Bell: Poems by Kaveh Akbarsource (opens in a new tab)
  196. Playlist for the Apocalypse: Poems by Rita Dovesource (opens in a new tab)
  197. Poet Warrior: A Memoir by Joy Harjosource (opens in a new tab)
  198. Pop Song: Adventures in Art and Intimacy by Larissa Phamsource (opens in a new tab)
  199. Pregnant Girl: A Story of Teen Motherhood, College, and Creating a Better Future for Young Families by Nicole Lynn Lewissource (opens in a new tab)
  200. Putting It Together: How Stephen Sondheim and I Created Sunday in the Park with George by James Lapinesource (opens in a new tab)
  201. Quiet in Her Bones by Nalini Singhsource (opens in a new tab)
  202. Radha & Jai’s Recipe for Romance by Nisha Sharmasource (opens in a new tab)
  203. Ramadan Ramsey: A Novel by Louis Edwardssource (opens in a new tab)
  204. Razorblade Tears: A Novel by S.A.Cosbysource (opens in a new tab)
  205. Real Estate: A Living Autobiography by Deborah Levysource (opens in a new tab)
  206. Red Island House: A Novel by Andrea Leesource (opens in a new tab)
  207. Redemptor by Jordan Ifuekosource (opens in a new tab)
  208. Refugee High: Coming of Age in America by Elly Fishmansource (opens in a new tab)
  209. Remember: The Science of Memory and the Art of Forgetting by Lisa Genovasource (opens in a new tab)
  210. Revolution in Our Time: The Black Panther Party’s Promise to the People by Kekla Magoonsource (opens in a new tab)
  211. Rez Dogs by Joseph Bruchacsource (opens in a new tab)
  212. Robert E. Lee and Me: A Southerner's Reckoning with the Myth of the Lost Cause by Ty Seidulesource (opens in a new tab)
  213. Rosaline Palmer Takes the Cake by Alexis Hallsource (opens in a new tab)
  214. Save It for Later: Promises, Parenthood, and the Urgency of Protest by Nate Powellsource (opens in a new tab)
  215. Sea Loves Me: Selected Stories by Mia Couto, translated by David Brookshaw and Eric M.B. Beckersource (opens in a new tab)
  216. Seeing Ghosts: A Memoir by Kat Chowsource (opens in a new tab)
  217. Seek You: A Journey Through American Loneliness by Kristen Radtkesource (opens in a new tab)
  218. Sellout: The Major-Label Feeding Frenzy That Swept Punk, Emo, and Hardcore (1994-2007) by Dan Ozzisource (opens in a new tab)
  219. Seven Days in June: A Novel by Tia Williamssource (opens in a new tab)
  220. Shaking the Gates of Hell: A Search for Family and Truth in the Wake of the Civil Rights Revolution by John Archibaldsource (opens in a new tab)
  221. Shooting Midnight Cowboy: Art, Sex, Loneliness, Liberation, and the Making of a Dark Classic by Glenn Frankelsource (opens in a new tab)
  222. Silent Winds, Dry Seas: A Novel by Vinod Busjeetsource (opens in a new tab)
  223. Singing Like Germans: Black Musicians in the Land of Bach, Beethoven, and Brahms by Kira Thurmansource (opens in a new tab)
  224. Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Limsource (opens in a new tab)
  225. Skin of the Sea by Natasha Bowensource (opens in a new tab)
  226. Skinship: Stories by Yoon Choisource (opens in a new tab)
  227. Small Things Like These by Claire Keegansource (opens in a new tab)
  228. Somebody's Daughter: A Memoir by Ashley Fordsource (opens in a new tab)
  229. Someone Builds the Dream by Lisa Wheeler and Loren Longsource (opens in a new tab)
  230. Sometimes I Trip on How Happy We Could Be: Essays by Nichole Perkinssource (opens in a new tab)
  231. Sorrowland: A Novel by Rivers Solomonsource (opens in a new tab)
  232. Speak, Okinawa: A Memoir by Elizabeth Miki Brinasource (opens in a new tab)
  233. Stone Fruit by Lee Laisource (opens in a new tab)
  234. Sumac: Recipes and Stories From Syria by Anas Atassisource (opens in a new tab)
  235. Summer Sons by Lee Mandelosource (opens in a new tab)
  236. Summerwater by Sarah Mosssource (opens in a new tab)
  237. Sunny Song Will Never Be Famous by Suzanne Parksource (opens in a new tab)
  238. Sword Stone Table: Old Legends, New Voices by Swapna Krishna and Jenn Northingtonsource (opens in a new tab)
  239. Tacky: Love Letters to the Worst Culture We Have to Offer by Rax Kingsource (opens in a new tab)
  240. Take Back the Block by Chrystal D. Gilessource (opens in a new tab)
  241. Taste Makers: Seven Immigrant Women Who Revolutionized Food in America by Mayukh Sensource (opens in a new tab)
  242. Taste: My Life Through Food by Stanley Tuccisource (opens in a new tab)
  243. Tastes Like War: A Memoir by Grace M. Chosource (opens in a new tab)
  244. That Old Country Music: Stories by Kevin Barrysource (opens in a new tab)
  245. The 1619 Project: Born on the Water by Nikole Hannah-Jones, Renée Watson and Nikkolas Smithsource (opens in a new tab)
  246. The Anthropocene Reviewed: Essays on a Human-Centered Planet by John Greensource (opens in a new tab)
  247. The Big Bath House by Kyo Maclear and Gracey Zhangsource (opens in a new tab)
  248. The Book of Difficult Fruit: Arguments for the Tart, Tender, and Unruly (with recipes) by Kate Lebosource (opens in a new tab)
  249. The Boy and the Sea by Camille Andros and Amy Batessource (opens in a new tab)
  250. The Caesars Palace Coup: How a Billionaire Brawl Over the Famous Casino Exposed the Power and Greed of Wall Street by Sujeet Indap and Max Frumessource (opens in a new tab)
  251. The Chosen and the Beautiful by Nghi Vosource (opens in a new tab)
  252. The City of Good Death: A Novel by Priyanka Champanerisource (opens in a new tab)
  253. The Committed: A Novel by Viet Thanh Nguyensource (opens in a new tab)
  254. The Confidence Men: How Two Prisoners of War Engineered the Most Remarkable Escape in History by Margalit Foxsource (opens in a new tab)
  255. The Cookie Bible by Rose Levy Beranbaumsource (opens in a new tab)
  256. The Copenhagen Trilogy: Childhood – Youth – Dependency by Tove Ditlevsensource (opens in a new tab)
  257. The Crime Without a Name: Ethnocide and the Erasure of Culture in America by Barrett Holmes Pitnersource (opens in a new tab)
  258. The Cruelty Is the Point: The Past, Present, and Future of Trump's America by Adam Serwersource (opens in a new tab)
  259. The Cult of We: WeWork, Adam Neumann, and the Great Startup Delusion by Eliot Brown and Maureen Farrellsource (opens in a new tab)
  260. The Dating Playbook by Farrah Rochonsource (opens in a new tab)
  261. The Dawn of Everything: A New History of Humanity by David Graeber and David Wengrowsource (opens in a new tab)
  262. The Death of Jane Lawrence: A Novel by Caitlin Starlingsource (opens in a new tab)
  263. The Debt Trap: How Student Loans Became a National Catastrophe by Josh Mitchellsource (opens in a new tab)
  264. The Ex Talk: A Novel by Rachel Lynn Solomonsource (opens in a new tab)
  265. The Family Roe: An American Story by Joshua Pragersource (opens in a new tab)
  266. The Final Girl Support Group: A Novel by Grady Hendrixsource (opens in a new tab)
  267. The Final Revival of Opal and Nev by Dawnie Waltonsource (opens in a new tab)
  268. The Five Wounds: A Novel by Kristin Valdez Quadesource (opens in a new tab)
  269. The Free World: Art and Thought in the Cold War by Louis Menandsource (opens in a new tab)
  270. The Genius Under the Table: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain by Eugene Yelchinsource (opens in a new tab)
  271. The Gilded Ones by Namina Fornasource (opens in a new tab)
  272. The Glass Constellation: New and Collected Poems by Arthur Szesource (opens in a new tab)
  273. The Good Girls: An Ordinary Killing by Sonia Faleirosource (opens in a new tab)
  274. The Great Dissenter: The Story of John Marshall Harlan, America's Judicial Hero by Peter S. Canellossource (opens in a new tab)
  275. The Grizzly in the Driveway: The Return of Bears to a Crowded American West by Robert Chaneysource (opens in a new tab)
  276. The Guncle: A Novel by Steven Rowleysource (opens in a new tab)
  277. The Haunting of Alma Fielding: A True Ghost Story by Kate Summerscalesource (opens in a new tab)
  278. The Heart Principle: A Novel by Helen Hoangsource (opens in a new tab)
  279. The Isolation Artist: Scandal, Deception, and the Last Days of Robert Indiana by Bob Keyessource (opens in a new tab)
  280. The Kissing Bug: A True Story of a Family, an Insect, and a Nation's Neglect of a Deadly Disease by Daisy Hernándezsource (opens in a new tab)
  281. The Legend of Auntie Po by Shing Yin Khorsource (opens in a new tab)
  282. The Liar's Dictionary: A Novel by Eley Williamssource (opens in a new tab)
  283. The Life of the Mind: A Novel by Christine Smallwoodsource (opens in a new tab)
  284. The Light of Days: The Untold Story of Women Resistance Fighters in Hitler's Ghettos by Judy Batalionsource (opens in a new tab)
  285. The Lincoln Highway: A Novel by Amor Towlessource (opens in a new tab)
  286. The Little Wooden Robot and the Log Princess by Tom Gauldsource (opens in a new tab)
  287. The Loneliest Americans by Jay Caspian Kangsource (opens in a new tab)
  288. The Lost Village: A Novel by Camilla Sten, translated by Alexandra Flemingsource (opens in a new tab)
  289. The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois: A Novel by Honorée Fannone Jefferssource (opens in a new tab)
  290. The Magician: A Novel by Colm Tóibínsource (opens in a new tab)
  291. The Mirror and the Palette: Rebellion, Revolution and Resilience: Five Hundred Years of Women's Self Portraits by Jennifer Higgiesource (opens in a new tab)
  292. The Morning Star: A Novel by Karl Ove Knausgaardsource (opens in a new tab)
  293. The Most Fun Thing: Dispatches from a Skateboard Life by Kyle Beachysource (opens in a new tab)
  294. The Natural Mother of the Child: A Memoir of Nonbinary Parenthood by Krys Malcom Belcsource (opens in a new tab)
  295. The One Thing You'd Save by Linda Sue Park and Robert Sae-Hengsource (opens in a new tab)
  296. The Other Black Girl: A Novel by Zakiya Dalila Harrissource (opens in a new tab)
  297. The Paper Palace: A Novel by Miranda Cowley Hellersource (opens in a new tab)
  298. The Personal Librarian: A Novel by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murraysource (opens in a new tab)
  299. The Postscript Murders by Elly Griffithssource (opens in a new tab)
  300. The Price You Pay for College: An Entirely New Road Map for the Biggest Financial Decision Your Family Will Ever Make by Rob Liebersource (opens in a new tab)
  301. The Prisoner: A Memoir by Hwang Sok-yong, translated by Sora Kim-Russell and Anton Hursource (opens in a new tab)
  302. The Prophets: A Novel by Robert Jonessource (opens in a new tab)
  303. The Raconteur's Commonplace Book: A Greenglass House Story by Kate Milford and Nicole Wongsource (opens in a new tab)
  304. The Red Boat Fish Sauce Cook Book: Beloved Recipes from the Family Behind the Purest Fish Sauce by Cuong Pham, Tien Nguyen and Diep Transource (opens in a new tab)
  305. The Rock Eaters: Stories by Brenda Peynadosource (opens in a new tab)
  306. The Secret History of Home Economics: How Trailblazing Women Harnessed the Power of Home and Changed the Way We Live by Danielle Dreilingersource (opens in a new tab)
  307. The Secret of Life: Rosalind Franklin, James Watson, Francis Crick, and the Discovery of DNA’s Double Helix by Howard Markelsource (opens in a new tab)
  308. The Secret to Superhuman Strength by Alison Bechdelsource (opens in a new tab)
  309. The Sentence: A Novel by Louise Erdrichsource (opens in a new tab)
  310. The Startup Wife: A Novel by Tahmima Anamsource (opens in a new tab)
  311. The State Must Provide: Why America's Colleges Have Always Been Unequal – And How to Set Them Right by Adam Harrissource (opens in a new tab)
  312. The Sunflower Cast a Spell to Save Us from the Void by Jackie Wangsource (opens in a new tab)
  313. The Sweetness of Water: A Novel by Nathan Harrissource (opens in a new tab)
  314. The Third Pole: Mystery, Obsession, and Death on Mount Everest by Mark Synnottsource (opens in a new tab)
  315. The Three Mothers: How the Mothers of Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, and James Baldwin Shaped a Nation by Anna Malaika Tubbssource (opens in a new tab)
  316. The Trees: A Novel by Percival Everettsource (opens in a new tab)
  317. The Turnout: A Novel by Megan Abbottsource (opens in a new tab)
  318. The Twilight Zone: A Novel by Nona Fernández, translated by Natasha Wimmersource (opens in a new tab)
  319. The Twisted Soul Cookbook: Modern Soul Food with Global Flavors by Deborah VanTrecesource (opens in a new tab)
  320. The Uncollected Stories of Allan Gurganus by Allan Gurganussource (opens in a new tab)
  321. The Vixen: A Novel by Francine Prosesource (opens in a new tab)
  322. The Waiting by Keum Suk Gendry-Kim, translated by Janet Hongsource (opens in a new tab)
  323. The Whiteness of Wealth: How the Tax System Impoverishes Black Americans – And How We Can Fix It by Dorothy A. Brownsource (opens in a new tab)
  324. The Wolf and the Woodsman: A Novel by Ava Reidsource (opens in a new tab)
  325. The Woman in the Purple Skirt: A Novel by Natsuko Imamura, translated by Lucy Northsource (opens in a new tab)
  326. These Precious Days: Essays by Ann Patchettsource (opens in a new tab)
  327. These Toxic Things: A Thriller by Rachel Howzell Hallsource (opens in a new tab)
  328. This Thing Between Us: A Novel by Gus Morenosource (opens in a new tab)
  329. This is Your Mind on Plants by Michael Pollansource (opens in a new tab)
  330. Today a Woman Went Mad in the Supermarket: Stories by Hilma Wolitzersource (opens in a new tab)
  331. Too Bright to See by Kyle Lukoffsource (opens in a new tab)
  332. Too Small Tola by Atinuke and Onyinye Iwusource (opens in a new tab)
  333. Trust: A Novel by Domenico Starnone, translated by Jhumpa Lahirisource (opens in a new tab)
  334. Twice Alive by Forrest Gandersource (opens in a new tab)
  335. Under a White Sky: The Nature of the Future by Elizabeth Kolbertsource (opens in a new tab)
  336. Unsolved Case Files: Escape at 10,000 Feet: D.B. Cooper and the Missing Money by Tom Sullivansource (opens in a new tab)
  337. Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre by Carole Boston Weatherford and Floyd Coopersource (opens in a new tab)
  338. Until Justice Be Done: America's First Civil Rights Movement, from the Revolution to Reconstruction by Kate Masursource (opens in a new tab)
  339. Until Proven Safe: The History and Future of Quarantine by Geoff Manaugh and Nicola Twilleysource (opens in a new tab)
  340. Velvet Was the Night by Silvia Moreno-Garciasource (opens in a new tab)
  341. Victories Greater Than Death by Charlie Jane Anderssource (opens in a new tab)
  342. Wake: The Hidden History of Women-Led Slave Revolts by Rebecca Hall and Hugo Martinezsource (opens in a new tab)
  343. Walking on Cowrie Shells: Stories by Nana Nkwetisource (opens in a new tab)
  344. Want Me: A Sex Writer's Journey Into the Heart of Desire by Tracy Clark-Florysource (opens in a new tab)
  345. Watercress by Andrea Wang and Jason Chinsource (opens in a new tab)
  346. We Are Bridges: A Memoir by Cassandra Lanesource (opens in a new tab)
  347. We Are Watching Eliza Bright: A Novel by A.E. Osworthsource (opens in a new tab)
  348. We Do This 'Til We Free Us: Abolitionist Organizing and Transforming Justice by Mariame Kabasource (opens in a new tab)
  349. We Had a Little Real Estate Problem: The Unheralded Story of Native Americans & Comedy by Kliph Nesteroffsource (opens in a new tab)
  350. We Run the Tides: A Novel by Vendela Vidasource (opens in a new tab)
  351. We Were Never Here: A Novel by Andrea Bartzsource (opens in a new tab)
  352. What Storm, What Thunder by Myriam J.A. Chancysource (opens in a new tab)
  353. What Strange Paradise: A Novel by Omar El Akkadsource (opens in a new tab)
  354. When Evil Lived in Laurel: The "White Knights" and the Murder of Vernon Dahmer by Curtis Wilkiesource (opens in a new tab)
  355. When I Grow Up: The Lost Autobiographies of Six Yiddish Teenagers by Ken Krimsteinsource (opens in a new tab)
  356. While We Were Dating by Jasmine Guillorysource (opens in a new tab)
  357. White Freedom: The Racial History of an Idea by Tyler Stovallsource (opens in a new tab)
  358. White Magic: Essays by Elissa Washutasource (opens in a new tab)
  359. Who is Maud Dixon? A Novel by Alexandra Andrewssource (opens in a new tab)
  360. Why We Fly by Kimberly Jones and Gilly Segalsource (opens in a new tab)
  361. Widespread Panic: A Novel by James Ellroysource (opens in a new tab)
  362. Wild Rain: Women Who Dare by Beverly Jenkinssource (opens in a new tab)
  363. Win Me Something: A Novel by Kyle Lucia Wusource (opens in a new tab)
  364. Winter Recipes From the Collective: Poems by Louise Glücksource (opens in a new tab)
  365. Wishes by Muon Thi Van and Victo Ngaisource (opens in a new tab)
  366. Women and Other Monsters: Building a New Mythology by Jess Zimmermansource (opens in a new tab)
  367. Yearbook by Seth Rogensource (opens in a new tab)
  368. Yellow Wife: A Novel by Sadeqa Johnsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  369. Yolk by Mary H.K. Choisource (opens in a new tab)
  370. Zorrie: A Novel by Laird Huntsource (opens in a new tab)

About the NPR Books We Love

NPR's Books We Love (the Book Concierge), 2013-2025: every book NPR staff and critics picked each year, stored as one category, Books We Love. The Concierge's tags (fiction, nonfiction, staff picks, and so on) are not split out. Rows come from the Concierge's own year data (apps.npr.org/best-books/<year>.json); counts match the books shown for each year. Translators named in NPR's credit are stored as translator; illustrators, editors, photographers and co-writers stay in author. 2006-2012 are left out: before the Concierge, NPR's year-end coverage was 15-20 separate critic and staff columns a year (e.g. mysteries, heroines, music books), with themes that change every year and some backlist picks, so there is no consistent list to count. No list is ranked.

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

The most recommended books of 2021