Best Books of the Year
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New York Public Library Best Books 2019

New York Public Library Best Books 2019 names 259 books across 3 categories. 95 of them also won or were shortlisted for an award.

Best Books for Adults

  1. A Cosmology of Monsters by Shaun Hamillsource (opens in a new tab)
  2. A Girl Returned by Donatella Di Pietrantoniosource (opens in a new tab)
  3. A Prince On Paper by Alyssa Colesource (opens in a new tab)
  4. A Single Thread by Tracy Chevaliersource (opens in a new tab)
  5. A Woman of No Importance: The Untold Story of the American Spy Who Helped Win World War II by Sonia Purnellsource (opens in a new tab)
  6. American Spy by Lauren Wilkinsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  7. An Orchestra of Minorities by Chigozie Obiomasource (opens in a new tab)
  8. Ancestral Night by Elizabeth Bearsource (opens in a new tab)
  9. Ayesha at Last by Uzma Jalaluddinsource (opens in a new tab)
  10. BTTM FDRS by Ezra Claytan Daniels and Ben Passmoresource (opens in a new tab)
  11. Bad Gateway by Simon Hanselmannsource (opens in a new tab)
  12. Black Condition, F.T. Narcissus by Jayy Doddsource (opens in a new tab)
  13. Black Leopard, Red Wolf by Marlon Jamessource (opens in a new tab)
  14. Bottle of Lies: The Inside Story of the Generic Drug Boom by Katherine Ebansource (opens in a new tab)
  15. Bringing Down the Duke by Evie Dunmoresource (opens in a new tab)
  16. Broken Stars: Contemporary Science Fiction in Translation by Ken Liusource (opens in a new tab)
  17. Bunny by Mona Awadsource (opens in a new tab)
  18. Cannonball by Kelsey Wrotensource (opens in a new tab)
  19. Charged: The New Movement to Transform American Prosecution and End Mass Incarceration by Emily Bazelonsource (opens in a new tab)
  20. Deaf Republic by Ilya Kaminskysource (opens in a new tab)
  21. Disappearing Earth by Julia Phillipssource (opens in a new tab)
  22. Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead by Olga Tokarczuksource (opens in a new tab)
  23. Exhalation by Ted Chiangsource (opens in a new tab)
  24. Fleishman is in Trouble by Taffy Brodesser-Aknersource (opens in a new tab)
  25. Fly Already by Etgar Keretsource (opens in a new tab)
  26. Ghost Wall by Sarah Mosssource (opens in a new tab)
  27. Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muirsource (opens in a new tab)
  28. Girl by Edna O'Briensource (opens in a new tab)
  29. Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garciasource (opens in a new tab)
  30. Good Talk: A Memoir in Conversations by Mira Jacobsource (opens in a new tab)
  31. Grand Union by Zadie Smithsource (opens in a new tab)
  32. Hot Comb by Ebony Flowerssource (opens in a new tab)
  33. How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendisource (opens in a new tab)
  34. How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy by Jenny Odellsource (opens in a new tab)
  35. In Her Feminine Sign by Dunyā Mīkhāʼīlsource (opens in a new tab)
  36. In Waves by A.J. Dungosource (opens in a new tab)
  37. Inland by Téa Obrehtsource (opens in a new tab)
  38. Lady In the Lake by Laura Lippmansource (opens in a new tab)
  39. Lanny by Max Portersource (opens in a new tab)
  40. Late Migrations: A Natural History of Love and Loss by Margaret Renklsource (opens in a new tab)
  41. Library of Small Catastrophes by Alison C. Rollinssource (opens in a new tab)
  42. Lima :: Limon by Natalie Scenters-Zapicosource (opens in a new tab)
  43. Lost Children Archive by Valeria Luisellisource (opens in a new tab)
  44. Lovely War by Julie Berrysource (opens in a new tab)
  45. Mister Miracle by Tom King and Mitch Geradssource (opens in a new tab)
  46. Mouthful of Birds by Samanta Schweblinsource (opens in a new tab)
  47. My Lovely Wife by Samantha Downingsource (opens in a new tab)
  48. Night Boat to Tangier by Kevin Barrysource (opens in a new tab)
  49. Ninth House by Leigh Bardugosource (opens in a new tab)
  50. Normal People by Sally Rooneysource (opens in a new tab)
  51. Off Season by James Sturmsource (opens in a new tab)
  52. Olive, Again by Elizabeth Stroutsource (opens in a new tab)
  53. On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuongsource (opens in a new tab)
  54. Orange World by Karen Russellsource (opens in a new tab)
  55. Our Man: Richard Holbrooke and the End of the American Century by George Packersource (opens in a new tab)
  56. Parkland: Birth of a Movement by Dave Cullensource (opens in a new tab)
  57. Penny Nichols by M.K. Reed, Greg Means and Matt Wieglesource (opens in a new tab)
  58. Raised in Captivity by Chuck Klostermansource (opens in a new tab)
  59. Red at the Bone by Jacqueline Woodsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  60. Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuistonsource (opens in a new tab)
  61. Rusty Brown by Chris Waresource (opens in a new tab)
  62. Sabrina & Corina by Kali Fajardo-Anstinesource (opens in a new tab)
  63. Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland by Patrick Radden Keefesource (opens in a new tab)
  64. She Said: Breaking the Sexual Harassment Story That Helped Ignite a Movement by Megan Twohey and Jodi Kantorsource (opens in a new tab)
  65. Soft Science by Franny Choisource (opens in a new tab)
  66. Some Girls Survive on their Sorcery Alone by Thiahera Nursesource (opens in a new tab)
  67. The Bird King by G. Willow Wilsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  68. The Crazy Bunch by Willie Perdomosource (opens in a new tab)
  69. The Current by Tim Johnsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  70. The Doll Factory by Elizabeth Macnealsource (opens in a new tab)
  71. The Future of Another Timeline by Annalee Newitzsource (opens in a new tab)
  72. The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee: Native America from 1890 to the Present by David Treuersource (opens in a new tab)
  73. The Institute by Stephen Kingsource (opens in a new tab)
  74. The Man Who Saw Everything by Deborah Levysource (opens in a new tab)
  75. The Memory Police by Yoko Ogawa, translated by Stephen Snydersource (opens in a new tab)
  76. The Nanny by Gilly Macmillansource (opens in a new tab)
  77. The Need by Helen Phillipssource (opens in a new tab)
  78. The Nickel Boys by Colson Whiteheadsource (opens in a new tab)
  79. The Other Americans by Laila Lalamisource (opens in a new tab)
  80. The Perfect Wife by JP Delaneysource (opens in a new tab)
  81. The Right Swipe by Alisha Raisource (opens in a new tab)
  82. The Secrets We Kept by Lara Prescottsource (opens in a new tab)
  83. The Seven or Eight Deaths of Stella Fortuna by Juliet Grimessource (opens in a new tab)
  84. The Testaments by Margaret Atwoodsource (opens in a new tab)
  85. The Topeka School by Ben Lernersource (opens in a new tab)
  86. The Turn of the Key by Ruth Waresource (opens in a new tab)
  87. The Uninhabitable Earth: Life After Warming by David Wallace-Wellssource (opens in a new tab)
  88. The Volunteer by Salvatore Scibonasource (opens in a new tab)
  89. The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coatessource (opens in a new tab)
  90. The World Doesn't Require You by Rion Amilcar Scottsource (opens in a new tab)
  91. The Year of Blue Water by Yanyisource (opens in a new tab)
  92. The Yellow House by Sarah M. Broomsource (opens in a new tab)
  93. Thick: And Other Essays by Tressie McMillan Cottomsource (opens in a new tab)
  94. Three Women by Lisa Taddeosource (opens in a new tab)
  95. Transcription by Kate Atkinsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  96. Trick Mirror: Reflections on Self Delusion by Jia Tolentinosource (opens in a new tab)
  97. Trust Exercise by Susan Choisource (opens in a new tab)
  98. Tsunami vs. the Fukushima 50 by Lee Ann Roripaughsource (opens in a new tab)
  99. Underland: A Deep Time Journey by Robert Macfarlanesource (opens in a new tab)

Best Books for Kids

  1. A New Home by Tania de Regilsource (opens in a new tab)
  2. All In A Drop: How Antony van Leeuwenhoek Discovered an Invisible World by Lori Alexandersource (opens in a new tab)
  3. All the Impossible Things by Lindsay Lackeysource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Another by Christian Robinsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Balto and the Race Against Time by Helen Mosssource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Beast Rider by Tony Johnstonsource (opens in a new tab)
  7. Beneath the Bed and Other Scary Stories by Max Braillersource (opens in a new tab)
  8. Bone Hollow by Kim Ventrellasource (opens in a new tab)
  9. Brave Ballerina: The Story of Janet Collins by Michelle Meadowssource (opens in a new tab)
  10. Camp Tiger by Susan Choisource (opens in a new tab)
  11. Can You Crack The Code?: A Fascinating History Of Ciphers and Cryptography by Ella Schwartzsource (opens in a new tab)
  12. Captain Rosalie by Timothée de Fombellesource (opens in a new tab)
  13. Carl and the Meaning of Life by Deborah Freedmansource (opens in a new tab)
  14. Carter Reads the Newspaper by Deborah Hopkinsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  15. Clackety Track: Poems About Trains by Skila Brownsource (opens in a new tab)
  16. Cog by Greg Van Eekhoutsource (opens in a new tab)
  17. Crab Cake: Turning the Tide Together by Andrea Tsurumisource (opens in a new tab)
  18. Dancing Hands: How Teresa Carreno Played the Piano for President Lincoln by Margarita Englesource (opens in a new tab)
  19. Dancing Through Fields of Color: The Story of Helen Frankenthaler by Elizabeth Brownsource (opens in a new tab)
  20. Finding Orion by John David Andersonsource (opens in a new tab)
  21. Genesis Begins Again by Alicia Williamssource (opens in a new tab)
  22. Gittel's Journey: An Ellis Island Story by Leslea Newmansource (opens in a new tab)
  23. Guitar Genius: How Les Paul Engineered the Solid-Body Electric Guitar and Rocked the World by Kim Tomsicsource (opens in a new tab)
  24. Hedy Lamarr's Double Life: Hollywood Legend and Brilliant Inventor by Laurie Wallmarksource (opens in a new tab)
  25. Hey, Water! by Antoinette Portissource (opens in a new tab)
  26. Ho'Onani: Hula Warrior by Heather Galesource (opens in a new tab)
  27. How to Two by David Somansource (opens in a new tab)
  28. It Began With a Page: How Gyo Fujikawa Drew the Way by Kyo Maclearsource (opens in a new tab)
  29. It Feels Good to Be Yourself: A Book About Gender Identity by Theresa Thornsource (opens in a new tab)
  30. Killer Style: How Fashion Has Injured, Maimed, and Murdered Through History by Alison Matthews Davidsource (opens in a new tab)
  31. King Mouse by Cary Fagansource (opens in a new tab)
  32. La luna mango by Diane De Andasource (opens in a new tab)
  33. Lalani of the Distant Sea by Erin Entrada Kellysource (opens in a new tab)
  34. Lety Out Loud by Angela Cervantessource (opens in a new tab)
  35. Look Both Ways: A Tale Told in Ten Blocks by Jason Reynoldssource (opens in a new tab)
  36. Lubna and Pebble by Wendy Meddoursource (opens in a new tab)
  37. Luisa siempre va con prisa by Timothy Knapmansource (opens in a new tab)
  38. Mario y el Agujero en el cielo: Cómo un químico salvó nuestro planeta by Elizabeth Ruschsource (opens in a new tab)
  39. Mary Wears What She Wants by Keith Negleysource (opens in a new tab)
  40. Max and the Midknights by Lincoln Piercesource (opens in a new tab)
  41. Maximillian Fly by Angie Sagesource (opens in a new tab)
  42. Meena Meets Her Match by Karla Manternachsource (opens in a new tab)
  43. Mi Papi tiene una moto by Isabel Quinterosource (opens in a new tab)
  44. Moth: An Evolution Story by Isabel Thomassource (opens in a new tab)
  45. Mr. Penguin and the Lost Treasure by Alex T. Smithsource (opens in a new tab)
  46. My City by Joanne Liusource (opens in a new tab)
  47. My Papi Has a Motorcycle by Isabel Quinterosource (opens in a new tab)
  48. Never Caught: The Story of Ona Judge by Erica A. Dunbar and Kathleen Van Clevesource (opens in a new tab)
  49. New Kid by Jerry Craftsource (opens in a new tab)
  50. Nico Bravo and the Hound of Hades by Mike Cavallarosource (opens in a new tab)
  51. No More Poems! A Book in Verse That Just Gets Worse by Rhett Millersource (opens in a new tab)
  52. One Fox: A Counting Book Thriller by Kate Readsource (opens in a new tab)
  53. Other Words for Home by Jasmine Wargasource (opens in a new tab)
  54. Owling: Enter the World of the Mysterious Birds of the Night by Mark Wilsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  55. Pay Attention, Carter Jones by Gary D. Schmidtsource (opens in a new tab)
  56. Pedro's Pan: A Gold Rush Story by Matthew Lasleysource (opens in a new tab)
  57. Pie in the Sky by Remy Laisource (opens in a new tab)
  58. Planet Earth is Blue by Nicole Panteleakossource (opens in a new tab)
  59. Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpre by Anika Aldamuysource (opens in a new tab)
  60. Pokko and the Drum by Matthew Forsythesource (opens in a new tab)
  61. Predator and Prey: Conversation in Verse by Susannah Buhrman-Deeversource (opens in a new tab)
  62. Red Panda and Moon Bear by Jarod Rosellósource (opens in a new tab)
  63. Saturday by Oge Morasource (opens in a new tab)
  64. Seeds Move! by Robin Pagesource (opens in a new tab)
  65. Sembrando Historias: Pura Belpre; blibliotecaria y narradora de cuentos by Anika Aldamuy Denisesource (opens in a new tab)
  66. Señorita Mariposa by Ben Gundersheimer (Mr. G)source (opens in a new tab)
  67. Skulls! by Blair Thornburghsource (opens in a new tab)
  68. Smile: How Young Charlie Chaplin Taught the World to Laugh (and Cry) by Gary Goliosource (opens in a new tab)
  69. Snowman - Cold = Puddle: Spring Equations by Laura Purdie Salassource (opens in a new tab)
  70. Some Places More than Others by Renee Watsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  71. Song for a Whale by Lynne Kellysource (opens in a new tab)
  72. Stand on the Sky by Erin Bowsource (opens in a new tab)
  73. Stargazing by Jen Wangsource (opens in a new tab)
  74. Swarm of Bees by Lemony Snicketsource (opens in a new tab)
  75. Sweety by Andrea Zuillsource (opens in a new tab)
  76. The Afterwards by A.F. Harroldsource (opens in a new tab)
  77. The Bridge Home by Padma Ventkatramansource (opens in a new tab)
  78. The Collected Works of Gretchen Oyster by Cary Fagansource (opens in a new tab)
  79. The Day the Universe Exploded My Head: Poems to Take You Into Space and Back Again by Allan Wolfsource (opens in a new tab)
  80. The Farmer by Ximo Abadiasource (opens in a new tab)
  81. The Important Thing About Margaret Wise Brown by Mac Barnettsource (opens in a new tab)
  82. The Line Tender by Kate Allensource (opens in a new tab)
  83. The Mighty Heart of Sunny St. James by Ashley Herring Blakesource (opens in a new tab)
  84. The Monster Squad by Joe McGeesource (opens in a new tab)
  85. The Moon Within by Aida Salazarsource (opens in a new tab)
  86. The Neighbors by Einat Tsarfatisource (opens in a new tab)
  87. The Next Great Paulie Fink by Ali Benjaminsource (opens in a new tab)
  88. The Not-So-Great Outdoors by Madeline Kloeppersource (opens in a new tab)
  89. The Okay Witch by Emma Steinkellnersource (opens in a new tab)
  90. The Proper Way to Meet a Hedgehog and Other How-To Poems by Paul B. Janeczkosource (opens in a new tab)
  91. The Roots of Rap: 16 Bars on the 4 Pillars of Hip Hop by Carole Boston Weatherfordsource (opens in a new tab)
  92. The Stonewall Riots: Coming Out In the Streets by Gayle Pitmansource (opens in a new tab)
  93. The Undefeated by Kwame Alexandersource (opens in a new tab)
  94. The Vegetable Museum by Michelle Muldersource (opens in a new tab)
  95. The Young Adventurer's Guide to (Almost) Everything by Ben and Penny Hewittsource (opens in a new tab)
  96. This Promise of Change: One Girl’s Story in the Fight for School Equality by Jo Ann Allen Boyce and Debbie Levysource (opens in a new tab)
  97. This Was Our Pact by Ryan Andrewssource (opens in a new tab)
  98. Titanosaur: Discovering the World's Largest Dinosaur by Jose Luis Carballido and Diego Polsource (opens in a new tab)
  99. Todos Iguales: Un corrido de Lemon Grove by Chrisy Halesource (opens in a new tab)
  100. Truman by Jean Reidysource (opens in a new tab)
  101. Two Brothers, Four Hands: The Artists Alberto and Diego Giacometti by Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordansource (opens in a new tab)
  102. Un nuevo hogar by Tania de Regilsource (opens in a new tab)
  103. United Tastes of America: An Atlas of Food Facts & Recipes From Every State by Gabrielle Lanholtzsource (opens in a new tab)
  104. Vamos: Let's Go to Market! by Raul the Thirdsource (opens in a new tab)
  105. When I Found Grandma by Saumiya Balasubramaniamsource (opens in a new tab)
  106. White Bird: A Wonder Story by R.J Palaciosource (opens in a new tab)
  107. Wilma’s Way Home: The Life of Wilma Mankiller by Doreen Rappaportsource (opens in a new tab)
  108. Your Turn, Adrian by Helena Obergsource (opens in a new tab)
  109. ¡Los zombis no comen verduras! by Jorge Lacera and Megan Lacerasource (opens in a new tab)
  110. ¿De dónde eres? by Yamile Saied Méndezsource (opens in a new tab)

Best Books for Teens

  1. A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerersource (opens in a new tab)
  2. An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States for Young People by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortizsource (opens in a new tab)
  3. As Many Nows As I Can Get by Shana Youngdahlsource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Birthday by Meredith Russosource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Blank Canvas: My So-Called Artist’s Journey, Vol. 1 by Akiko Higashimurasource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Butterfly Yellow by Thanhha Laisource (opens in a new tab)
  7. Cosmoknights, Vol. 1 by Hannah Templersource (opens in a new tab)
  8. Dreamland: The True Tale of America's Opiate Epidemic by Sam Quinonessource (opens in a new tab)
  9. For the Kid I Saw in My Dreams, Vol. 1 by Kei Sanbesource (opens in a new tab)
  10. Four Dead Queens by Astrid Scholtesource (opens in a new tab)
  11. Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabesource (opens in a new tab)
  12. Harley Quinn: Breaking Glass by Mariko Tamakisource (opens in a new tab)
  13. Hope and Other Punchlines by Julie Buxbaumsource (opens in a new tab)
  14. I Want to Eat Your Pancreas by Yoru Suminosource (opens in a new tab)
  15. I Was Their American Dream by Malaka Gharibsource (opens in a new tab)
  16. Ink Knows No Borders: Poems of the Immigrant and Refugee Experience by Patrice Vecchionesource (opens in a new tab)
  17. Ironheart, Vol. 1: Those with Courage by Eve Ewingsource (opens in a new tab)
  18. Kiss Number 8 by Colleen AF Venablesource (opens in a new tab)
  19. Komi Can't Communicate, Vol. 1 by Tomohito Odasource (opens in a new tab)
  20. Last Bus to Everland by Sophie Cameronsource (opens in a new tab)
  21. Like a Love Story by Abdi Nazemiansource (opens in a new tab)
  22. On the Come Up by Angie Thomassource (opens in a new tab)
  23. Our Dreams at Dusk: Shimanami Tasogare, Vol. 1 by Yuhki Kamatanisource (opens in a new tab)
  24. Patron Saints of Nothing by Randy Ribaysource (opens in a new tab)
  25. Pet by Akwaeke Emezisource (opens in a new tab)
  26. Powers of a Girl: 65 Marvel Women Who Punched the Sky & Changed the Universe by Lorraine Cinksource (opens in a new tab)
  27. Quincredible, Vol. 1: Quest to Be the Best! by Rodney Barnessource (opens in a new tab)
  28. Rayne and Delilah's Midnite Matinee by Jeff Zentnersource (opens in a new tab)
  29. Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Vol. 1 by Kelly Thompsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  30. Shout by Laurie Halse Andersonsource (opens in a new tab)
  31. Slay by Brittney Morrissource (opens in a new tab)
  32. Soaring Earth: A Companion Memoir to Enchanted Air by Margarita Englesource (opens in a new tab)
  33. Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogersonsource (opens in a new tab)
  34. The Babysitters Coven by Kate Williamssource (opens in a new tab)
  35. The Downstairs Girl by Stacey Leesource (opens in a new tab)
  36. The Field Guide to the North American Teenager by Ben Philippesource (opens in a new tab)
  37. The Fountains of Silence by Ruta Sepetyssource (opens in a new tab)
  38. The Good Luck Girls by Charlotte Nicole Davissource (opens in a new tab)
  39. The Language of Fire: Joan of Arc Reimagined by Stephanie Hemphillsource (opens in a new tab)
  40. The Music of What Happens by Bill Konigsbergsource (opens in a new tab)
  41. The Other F Word: A Celebration of the Fat and Fierce by Angie Manfredisource (opens in a new tab)
  42. The Waning Age by S.E. Grovesource (opens in a new tab)
  43. They Called Us Enemy by George Takei and Justin Eisingersource (opens in a new tab)
  44. This Time Will Be Different by Misa Sugiurasource (opens in a new tab)
  45. War Girls by Tochi Onyebuchisource (opens in a new tab)
  46. We Are Here to Stay: Voices of Undocumented Young Adults by Susan Kuklinsource (opens in a new tab)
  47. Wilder Girls by Rory Powersource (opens in a new tab)
  48. Witch Hat Atelier, Vol. 1 by Kamome Shirahamasource (opens in a new tab)
  49. Witchy by Ariel Slamet Riessource (opens in a new tab)
  50. With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedosource (opens in a new tab)

About the New York Public Library Best Books

The New York Public Library's annual Best Books lists, chosen by NYPL librarians: Best Books for Kids and Best Books for Teens from 2014 (the earliest year NYPL's best-books app carried), Best Books for Adults from 2019 (NYPL's 2018 adults page is empty). 2018-2025 are read from NYPL's current best-books pages, one per audience and year. 2014-2017 come from NYPL's earlier best-books app, read through Wayback Machine snapshots of its kids and teens pages (each sourceUrl is the snapshot). Earlier NYPL lists (100 Titles for Reading and Sharing, Stuff for the Teen Age) were not in that app and are left out. Year is the list year NYPL uses (books published that year). Category is the audience list. Every entry is a Selection. Author is the byline NYPL prints, with illustrator and translator credits split off. Where NYPL truncates a long byline with an ellipsis, the cut-off name is dropped. Five cards print no byline; their authors are taken from the book itself (Didn't Nobody Give a Shit What Happened to Carlotta, Great Carrier Reef, Papá's Magical Water-Jug Clock, A Work in Progress, Man Made Monsters). Expected counts are the 'N Books Found' totals NYPL prints on each page.

Organization: The New York Public Library. Official site (opens in a new tab)

The most recommended books of 2019