Best Books of the Year
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New York Public Library Best Books 2020

New York Public Library Best Books 2020 names 260 books across 3 categories. 104 of them also won or were shortlisted for an award.

Best Books for Adults

  1. A Burning: A Novel by Megha Majumdarsource (opens in a new tab)
  2. A Children's Bible: A Novel by Lydia Milletsource (opens in a new tab)
  3. A Nail the Evening Hangs On by Monica Soksource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Apeirogon: A Novel by Colum McCannsource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Bestiary: A Novel by K-Ming Changsource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Big Black: Stand at Attica by Frank "Big Black" Smithsource (opens in a new tab)
  7. Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorsesource (opens in a new tab)
  8. Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hallsource (opens in a new tab)
  9. Breasts and Eggs: A Novel by Mieko Kawakami, translated by Sam Bett & David Boydsource (opens in a new tab)
  10. Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkersonsource (opens in a new tab)
  11. Crooked Hallelujah by Kelli Jo Fordsource (opens in a new tab)
  12. Deacon King Kong: A Novel by James McBridesource (opens in a new tab)
  13. Dear Child by Romy Hausmann, translated by Jamie Bullochsource (opens in a new tab)
  14. Death in Her Hands: A Novel by Ottessa Moshfeghsource (opens in a new tab)
  15. Desert Notebooks: A Road Map for the End of Time by Ben Ehrenreichsource (opens in a new tab)
  16. Don't Look for Me: A Novel by Wendy Walkersource (opens in a new tab)
  17. Eat a Peach: A Memoir by David Changsource (opens in a new tab)
  18. F*ckface: And Other Stories by Leah Hamptonsource (opens in a new tab)
  19. Finna: Poems by Nate Marshallsource (opens in a new tab)
  20. Grimoire by Cherene Sherrardsource (opens in a new tab)
  21. Gut Botany by Petra Kupperssource (opens in a new tab)
  22. Hamnet: A Novel of the Plague by Maggie O'Farrellsource (opens in a new tab)
  23. Hench by Natalie Zina Walschotssource (opens in a new tab)
  24. Hidden Valley Road: Inside the Mind of an American Family by Robert Kolkersource (opens in a new tab)
  25. Homeland Elegies: A Novel by Ayad Akhtarsource (opens in a new tab)
  26. Homie: Poems by Danez Smithsource (opens in a new tab)
  27. Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women That a Movement Forgot by Mikki Kendallsource (opens in a new tab)
  28. How Much of These Hills Is Gold: A Novel by C Pam Zhangsource (opens in a new tab)
  29. Hurricane Season: A Novel by Fernanda Melchor, translated by Sophie Hughessource (opens in a new tab)
  30. I Hold a Wolf by the Ears: Stories by Laura van den Bergsource (opens in a new tab)
  31. If I Had Two Wings: Stories by Randall Kenansource (opens in a new tab)
  32. Indelicacy: A Novel by Amina Cainsource (opens in a new tab)
  33. Inheritors by Asako Serizawasource (opens in a new tab)
  34. Interior Chinatown: A Novel by Charles Yusource (opens in a new tab)
  35. Intimations: Six Essays by Zadie Smithsource (opens in a new tab)
  36. Jack by Marilynne Robinsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  37. Just Us: An American Conversation by Claudia Rankinesource (opens in a new tab)
  38. Kent State: Four Dead in Ohio by Derf Backderfsource (opens in a new tab)
  39. Kontemporary Amerikan Poetry by John Murillosource (opens in a new tab)
  40. Leave the World Behind: A Novel by Rumaan Alamsource (opens in a new tab)
  41. Likes by Sarah Shun-lien Bynumsource (opens in a new tab)
  42. Little Eyes: A Novel by Samanta Schweblin, translated by Megan McDowellsource (opens in a new tab)
  43. Long Bright River: A Novel by Liz Mooresource (opens in a new tab)
  44. Luster by Raven Leilanisource (opens in a new tab)
  45. Magdalena: River of Dreams—A Story of Colombia by Wade Davissource (opens in a new tab)
  46. Memorial Drive: A Daughter's Memoir by Natasha Tretheweysource (opens in a new tab)
  47. Memorial: A Novel by Bryan Washingtonsource (opens in a new tab)
  48. Minor Feelings: An Asian American Reckoning by Cathy Park Hongsource (opens in a new tab)
  49. Missionaries: A Novel by Phil Klaysource (opens in a new tab)
  50. My Autobiography of Carson McCullers: A Memoir by Jenn Shaplandsource (opens in a new tab)
  51. My Baby First Birthday: Poems by Jenny Zhangsource (opens in a new tab)
  52. New Waves: A Novel by Kevin Nguyensource (opens in a new tab)
  53. Piranesi by Susanna Clarkesource (opens in a new tab)
  54. Postcolonial Love Poem by Natalie Diazsource (opens in a new tab)
  55. Real Life: A Novel by Brandon Taylorsource (opens in a new tab)
  56. Shadowplay: A Novel by Joseph O'Connorsource (opens in a new tab)
  57. Shuggie Bain: A Novel by Douglas Stuartsource (opens in a new tab)
  58. Something to Talk About: A Novel by Meryl Wilsnersource (opens in a new tab)
  59. Sports Is Hell by Ben Passmoresource (opens in a new tab)
  60. Temporary: A Novel by Hilary Leichtersource (opens in a new tab)
  61. The Abstainer: A Novel by Ian McGuiresource (opens in a new tab)
  62. The Aosawa Murders by Riku Onda, translated by Alison Wattssource (opens in a new tab)
  63. The Awkward Black Man: Stories by Walter Mosleysource (opens in a new tab)
  64. The Bear by Andrew Krivaksource (opens in a new tab)
  65. The Boatman's Daughter by Andy Davidsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  66. The City We Became: A Novel by N. K. Jemisinsource (opens in a new tab)
  67. The Cold Millions: A Novel by Jess Waltersource (opens in a new tab)
  68. The Empress of Salt and Fortune by Nghi Vosource (opens in a new tab)
  69. The Galleons: Poems by Rick Barotsource (opens in a new tab)
  70. The Girl in the Mirror by Rose Carlylesource (opens in a new tab)
  71. The Glass Hotel: A Novel by Emily St. John Mandelsource (opens in a new tab)
  72. The Great Offshore Grounds: A Novel by Vanessa Veselkasource (opens in a new tab)
  73. The Hidden Girl and Other Stories by Ken Liusource (opens in a new tab)
  74. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwabsource (opens in a new tab)
  75. The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Cartoonist by Adrian Tominesource (opens in a new tab)
  76. The Low, Low Woods by Carmen Maria Machadosource (opens in a new tab)
  77. The Lying Life of Adults by Elena Ferrante, translated by Ann Goldsteinsource (opens in a new tab)
  78. The Midnight Library by Matt Haigsource (opens in a new tab)
  79. The Nancy Reagan Collection by Maxe Crandallsource (opens in a new tab)
  80. The Next Great Migration by Sonia Shahsource (opens in a new tab)
  81. The Only Good Indians: A Novel by Stephen Graham Jonessource (opens in a new tab)
  82. The Sacrifice of Darkness by Roxane Gay and Tracy Lynne Oliversource (opens in a new tab)
  83. The Secret Lives of Church Ladies by Deesha Philyawsource (opens in a new tab)
  84. The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires: A Novel by Grady Hendrixsource (opens in a new tab)
  85. The Splendid and the Vile by Erik Larsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  86. The Thursday Murder Club: A Novel by Richard Osmansource (opens in a new tab)
  87. The Undocumented Americans by Karla Cornejo Villavicenciosource (opens in a new tab)
  88. The Vanishing Half: A Novel by Brit Bennettsource (opens in a new tab)
  89. The Year of the Witching: A Novel by Alexis Hendersonsource (opens in a new tab)
  90. These Ghosts Are Family: A Novel by Maisy Cardsource (opens in a new tab)
  91. To Sleep in a Sea of Stars by Christopher Paolinisource (opens in a new tab)
  92. Tomboyland: Essays by Melissa Falivenosource (opens in a new tab)
  93. Upright Women Wanted by Sarah Gaileysource (opens in a new tab)
  94. Verge: Stories by Lidia Yuknavitchsource (opens in a new tab)
  95. Vesper Flights: New and Collected Essays by Helen Macdonaldsource (opens in a new tab)
  96. Weather: A Novel by Jenny Offillsource (opens in a new tab)
  97. World of Wonders by Aimee Nezhukumatathilsource (opens in a new tab)
  98. Writers & Lovers: A Novel by Lily Kingsource (opens in a new tab)
  99. Year of the Rabbit by Tian Veasna, translated by Helge Daschersource (opens in a new tab)
  100. You Will Never Be Forgotten: Stories by Mary Southsource (opens in a new tab)

Best Books for Kids

  1. 'Ohana Means Family by Ilima Loomissource (opens in a new tab)
  2. A Bear Named Bjorn by Delphine Perret, translated by Antony Shugaarsource (opens in a new tab)
  3. A Girl Like Me by Angela Johnsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  4. A Hatful of Dragons by Vikram Madansource (opens in a new tab)
  5. A High Five for Glenn Burke by Phil Bildnersource (opens in a new tab)
  6. A Polar Bear in the Snow by Mac Barnettsource (opens in a new tab)
  7. A Sporting Chance by Lori Alexandersource (opens in a new tab)
  8. A Thousand Questions by Saadia Faruqisource (opens in a new tab)
  9. A Wish in the Dark by Christina Soontornvatsource (opens in a new tab)
  10. Above the Rim: How Elgin Baylor Changed Basketball by Jen Bryantsource (opens in a new tab)
  11. All Because You Matter by Tami Charlessource (opens in a new tab)
  12. All Thirteen by Christina Soontornvatsource (opens in a new tab)
  13. Amigas by Lauren Acesource (opens in a new tab)
  14. Any Day with You by Mae Respiciosource (opens in a new tab)
  15. Astronauts: Women on the Final Frontier by Jim Ottavianisource (opens in a new tab)
  16. At the Pond by Geraldo Valeriosource (opens in a new tab)
  17. Bear by Ben Queensource (opens in a new tab)
  18. Before the Ever After by Jacqueline Woodsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  19. Beyond Me by Annie Donwerth-Chikamatsusource (opens in a new tab)
  20. Big Papa and the Time Machine by Daniel Bernstromsource (opens in a new tab)
  21. Black Heroes of the Wild West by James Otis Smithsource (opens in a new tab)
  22. Black Is a Rainbow Color by Angela Joysource (opens in a new tab)
  23. Brick by Brick by Heidi Woodward Sheffieldsource (opens in a new tab)
  24. Bringing Back the Wolves: How a Predator Restored An Ecosystem by Jude Isabellasource (opens in a new tab)
  25. Bug Boys by Laura Knetzgersource (opens in a new tab)
  26. Catherine’s War by Julie Billetsource (opens in a new tab)
  27. City Spies by James Pontisource (opens in a new tab)
  28. Crabapple Trouble by Kaeti VanDornsource (opens in a new tab)
  29. Dark Was the Night: Blind Willie Johnson’s Journey to the Stars by Gary Goliosource (opens in a new tab)
  30. Drawing on Walls: A Story of Keith Haring by Matthew Burgesssource (opens in a new tab)
  31. Efrén Divided by Ernesto Cisnerossource (opens in a new tab)
  32. Embassy of the Dead by Will Mabbittsource (opens in a new tab)
  33. Eva Evergreen: Semi-Magical Witch by Julie Abesource (opens in a new tab)
  34. Evelyn Del Rey Is Moving Away by Meg Medinasource (opens in a new tab)
  35. Everything Sad Is Untrue by Daniel Nayerisource (opens in a new tab)
  36. Exquisite: The Poetry and Life of Gwendolyn Brooks by Suzanne Sladesource (opens in a new tab)
  37. Fauja Singh Keeps Going by Simran Jeet Singhsource (opens in a new tab)
  38. Feathered Serpent and the Five Suns by Duncan Tonatiuhsource (opens in a new tab)
  39. Fighting Words by Kimberly Brubaker Bradleysource (opens in a new tab)
  40. Finish the Fight! by Veronica Chamberssource (opens in a new tab)
  41. Fox and Little Tanuki by Mi Tagawa, translated by Katie Kimurasource (opens in a new tab)
  42. Girl on a Motorcycle by Amy Noveskysource (opens in a new tab)
  43. Go with the Flow by Lily Williams and Karen Schneemannsource (opens in a new tab)
  44. Green Lantern: Legacy by Minh Lêsource (opens in a new tab)
  45. Guardians of Liberty: Freedom of the Press and the Nature of News by Linda Barrett Osbornesource (opens in a new tab)
  46. Hike by Pete Oswaldsource (opens in a new tab)
  47. Honeybee: The Busy Life of Apis Mellifera by Candace Flemingsource (opens in a new tab)
  48. I Am Every Good Thing by Derrick Barnessource (opens in a new tab)
  49. Julieta and the Diamond Enigma by Luisana Duartesource (opens in a new tab)
  50. King of the Birds by Elise Gravelsource (opens in a new tab)
  51. La bañera by Lisa Biggisource (opens in a new tab)
  52. La belleza del final by Alfredo Colellasource (opens in a new tab)
  53. Land of the Cranes by Aida Salazarsource (opens in a new tab)
  54. Lift by Minh Lêsource (opens in a new tab)
  55. Lightfall: The Girl and the Galdurian by Tim Probertsource (opens in a new tab)
  56. Like the Moon Loves the Sky by Hena Khansource (opens in a new tab)
  57. Los carpinchos by Alfredo Soderguitsource (opens in a new tab)
  58. Los tomates de Mila by Sanne Dufftsource (opens in a new tab)
  59. Magnificent Homespun Brown: A Celebration by Samara Cole Doyonsource (opens in a new tab)
  60. Manos a la tierra: crea tu propio jardín by Kirsten Bradleysource (opens in a new tab)
  61. Mary Underwater by Shannon Doleskisource (opens in a new tab)
  62. Mañanaland by Pam Muñoz Ryansource (opens in a new tab)
  63. Mi abuelo by Émilie Chazerandsource (opens in a new tab)
  64. Mi lazarilla, mi capitán by Gonzalo Mouresource (opens in a new tab)
  65. My Best Friend by Julie Foglianosource (opens in a new tab)
  66. Música en el jardín by Mariana Ruiz Johnsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  67. Nacho’s Nachos: The Story Behind the World’s Favorite Snack by Sandra Nickelsource (opens in a new tab)
  68. Nana Akua Goes to School by Tricia Elam Walkersource (opens in a new tab)
  69. Nonsense! The Curious Story of Edward Gorey by Lori Mortensensource (opens in a new tab)
  70. Oil by Jonah Wintersource (opens in a new tab)
  71. On the Horizon by Lois Lowrysource (opens in a new tab)
  72. Out the Door by Christy Halesource (opens in a new tab)
  73. Outside In by Deborah Underwoodsource (opens in a new tab)
  74. Overground Railroad by Lesa Cline-Ransomesource (opens in a new tab)
  75. Packs: Strength in Numbers by Hannah Salyersource (opens in a new tab)
  76. Planet Omar: Accidental Trouble Magnet by Zanib Miansource (opens in a new tab)
  77. Poems Aloud by Joseph Coelhosource (opens in a new tab)
  78. Prairie Lotus by Linda Sue Parksource (opens in a new tab)
  79. Sharuko by Monica Brownsource (opens in a new tab)
  80. Shirley Chisholm Is a Verb! by Veronica Chamberssource (opens in a new tab)
  81. Shirley and Jamila Save Their Summer by Gillian Goerzsource (opens in a new tab)
  82. Show Me a Sign by Ann Clare LeZottesource (opens in a new tab)
  83. Skunk and Badger by Amy Timberlakesource (opens in a new tab)
  84. Snapdragon by Kat Leyhsource (opens in a new tab)
  85. The Blackbird Girls by Anne Blankmansource (opens in a new tab)
  86. The Blue House by Phoebe Wahlsource (opens in a new tab)
  87. The Brave by James Birdsource (opens in a new tab)
  88. The Deep & Dark Blue by Niki Smithsource (opens in a new tab)
  89. The Girl and the Ghost by Hanna Alkafsource (opens in a new tab)
  90. The Inside Battle by Melanie Sumrowsource (opens in a new tab)
  91. The Most Beautiful Thing by Kao Kalia Yangsource (opens in a new tab)
  92. The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read by Rita Lorraine Hubbardsource (opens in a new tab)
  93. The Paper Boat: A Refugee Story by Thao Lamsource (opens in a new tab)
  94. The Postman from Space by Guillaume Perreault, translated by Francoise Buisource (opens in a new tab)
  95. The Radium Girls by Kate Mooresource (opens in a new tab)
  96. The Talk: Conversations About Race, Love & Truth by Wade Hudson and Cheryl W. Hudson (eds)source (opens in a new tab)
  97. The Total Eclipse of Nestor Lopez by Adrianna Cuevassource (opens in a new tab)
  98. Ways to Make Sunshine by Renée Watsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  99. We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstromsource (opens in a new tab)
  100. We Dream of Space by Erin Entrada Kellysource (opens in a new tab)
  101. What Sound Is Morning? by Grant Snidersource (opens in a new tab)
  102. When Stars Are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamedsource (opens in a new tab)
  103. When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Kellersource (opens in a new tab)
  104. Wink by Rob Harrellsource (opens in a new tab)
  105. Witches of Brooklyn by Sophie Escabassesource (opens in a new tab)
  106. Woke: A Young Poet’s Call to Justice by Mahogany L. Brownesource (opens in a new tab)
  107. You Matter by Christian Robinsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  108. Your Name Is a Song by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelowsource (opens in a new tab)
  109. Yuzu the Pet Vet by Mingo Itosource (opens in a new tab)
  110. ¿Cómo lo ves? by Vera Galindosource (opens in a new tab)

Best Books for Teens

  1. A Cuban Girl's Guide to Tea and Tomorrow by Laura Taylor Nameysource (opens in a new tab)
  2. A Quick & Easy Guide to Consent by Isabella Rotmansource (opens in a new tab)
  3. A Quick & Easy Guide to Sex & Disability by A. Andrewssource (opens in a new tab)
  4. All Boys Aren't Blue: A Memoir-Manifesto by George M. Johnsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Almost American Girl: An Illustrated Memoir by Robin Hasource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Apple (Skin to the Core): A Memoir in Words and Pictures by Eric Gansworthsource (opens in a new tab)
  7. BL Metamorphosis: Volume 1 by Kaori Tsurutanisource (opens in a new tab)
  8. Banned Book Club by Kim Hyun Sook and Ryan Estradasource (opens in a new tab)
  9. Be Not Far from Me by Mindy McGinnissource (opens in a new tab)
  10. Beyond the Clouds, Volume 1: The Girl Who Fell from the Sky by Nickesource (opens in a new tab)
  11. Black Girl Unlimited: The Remarkable Story of a Teenage Wizard by Echo Brownsource (opens in a new tab)
  12. Blue Period: Volume 1 by Tsubasa Yamaguchisource (opens in a new tab)
  13. Burn by Patrick Nesssource (opens in a new tab)
  14. Charming as a Verb by Ben Philippesource (opens in a new tab)
  15. Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedosource (opens in a new tab)
  16. Displacement by Kiku Hughessource (opens in a new tab)
  17. Dragon Hoops by Gene Luen Yangsource (opens in a new tab)
  18. Fable by Adrienne Youngsource (opens in a new tab)
  19. Felix Ever After by Kacen Callendersource (opens in a new tab)
  20. Fights: One Boy's Triumph Over Violence by Joel Christian Gillsource (opens in a new tab)
  21. Flamer by Mike Curatosource (opens in a new tab)
  22. Forget This Ever Happened by Cassandra Rose Clarkesource (opens in a new tab)
  23. Furia by Yamile Saied Méndezsource (opens in a new tab)
  24. Heartstopper: Volume 1 by Alice Osemansource (opens in a new tab)
  25. Jane Against the World by Karen Blumenthalsource (opens in a new tab)
  26. Legendborn by Tracy Deonnsource (opens in a new tab)
  27. Miss Meteor by Tehlor Kay Mejia and Anna-Marie McLemoresource (opens in a new tab)
  28. Most Likely by Sarah Watsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  29. Not So Pure and Simple by Lamar Gilessource (opens in a new tab)
  30. Poisoned Water by Candy J. Cooper with Marc Aronsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  31. Punching the Air by Ibi Zoboi and Yusef Salaamsource (opens in a new tab)
  32. Raybearer by Jordan Ifuekosource (opens in a new tab)
  33. Red Hood by Elana K. Arnoldsource (opens in a new tab)
  34. Sazan & Comet Girl by Yuriko Akasesource (opens in a new tab)
  35. Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendisource (opens in a new tab)
  36. Superman Smashes the Klan by Gene Luen Yangsource (opens in a new tab)
  37. The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnessource (opens in a new tab)
  38. The Magic Fish by Trung Le Nguyensource (opens in a new tab)
  39. The Pocket Change Collective Series by Various Authorssource (opens in a new tab)
  40. The Sacrifice of Darkness by Roxane Gay and Tracy Lynne Oliversource (opens in a new tab)
  41. The Voting Booth by Brandy Colbertsource (opens in a new tab)
  42. This Train Is Being Held by Ismée Williamssource (opens in a new tab)
  43. Today Tonight Tomorrow by Rachel Lynn Solomonsource (opens in a new tab)
  44. Vampires Never Get Old: Tales with Fresh Bite by Zoraida Córdova and Natalie C. Parkersource (opens in a new tab)
  45. Watch Over Me by Nina LaCoursource (opens in a new tab)
  46. We Are Not Free by Traci Cheesource (opens in a new tab)
  47. We Are Not from Here by Jenny Torres Sanchezsource (opens in a new tab)
  48. Yes No Maybe So by Becky Albertalli and Aisha Saeedsource (opens in a new tab)
  49. You Call This Democracy? by Elizabeth Ruschsource (opens in a new tab)
  50. You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnsonsource (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 2020