Best Books of the Year
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New York Public Library Best Books 2021

New York Public Library Best Books 2021 names 295 books across 3 categories. 84 of them also won or were shortlisted for an award.

Best Books for Adults

  1. 56 Days: A Thriller by Catherine Ryan Howardsource (opens in a new tab)
  2. A Lot Like Adiós by Alexis Dariasource (opens in a new tab)
  3. A Master of Djinn by P. Djèlí Clarksource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Act Your Age, Eve Brown: A Novel by Talia Hibbertsource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Afterparties: Stories by Anthony Veasna Sosource (opens in a new tab)
  6. All Her Little Secrets: A Novel by Wanda M. Morrissource (opens in a new tab)
  7. Asadora!, Vol. 1 by Naoki Urasawasource (opens in a new tab)
  8. Ballad for Sophie by Filipe Melosource (opens in a new tab)
  9. Barbalien: Red Planet by Jeff Lemire and Tate Brombalsource (opens in a new tab)
  10. Bolla: A Novel by Pajtim Statovci, translated by David Hackstonsource (opens in a new tab)
  11. Bullet Train: A Novel by Kōtarō Isaka, translated by Sam Malissasource (opens in a new tab)
  12. Clark and Division: A Novel by Naomi Hiraharasource (opens in a new tab)
  13. Crude: A Memoir by Pablo Fajardo and Sophie Tardy-Joubertsource (opens in a new tab)
  14. Crying in H Mart: A Memoir by Michelle Zaunersource (opens in a new tab)
  15. Cyclopedia Exotica by Aminder Dhaliwalsource (opens in a new tab)
  16. Detransition, Baby: A Novel by Torrey Peterssource (opens in a new tab)
  17. Doppelgangbanger: Poems by Cortney Lamar Charlestonsource (opens in a new tab)
  18. Duke, Actually: A Novel by Jenny Holidaysource (opens in a new tab)
  19. Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty by Patrick Radden Keefesource (opens in a new tab)
  20. Extremely Lightweight Guns: Poems by Nikki Moustakisource (opens in a new tab)
  21. Finlay Donovan Is Killing It: A Mystery by Elle Cosimanosource (opens in a new tab)
  22. Flowers for the Sea by Zin E. Rocklynsource (opens in a new tab)
  23. For Justice: The Serge & Beate Klarsfeld Story by Pascal Bressonsource (opens in a new tab)
  24. Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law by Mary Roachsource (opens in a new tab)
  25. Hao: Stories by Ye Chunsource (opens in a new tab)
  26. Hell of a Book: A Novel by Jason Mottsource (opens in a new tab)
  27. Hostage by Clare Mackintoshsource (opens in a new tab)
  28. How the Word Is Passed by Clint Smithsource (opens in a new tab)
  29. Hummingbird Salamander by Jeff Vandermeersource (opens in a new tab)
  30. I Will Die in a Foreign Land: A Novel by Kalani Pickhartsource (opens in a new tab)
  31. If God Is a Virus: Poems by Seema Yasminsource (opens in a new tab)
  32. In the Shadow of the Empress by Nancy Goldstonesource (opens in a new tab)
  33. Infinite Country: A Novel by Patricia Engelsource (opens in a new tab)
  34. Light from Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aokisource (opens in a new tab)
  35. Mama Phife Represents: A Verse Memoir by Cheryl Boyce-Taylorsource (opens in a new tab)
  36. Matrix: A Novel by Lauren Groffsource (opens in a new tab)
  37. Mirrorland: A Novel by Carole Johnstonesource (opens in a new tab)
  38. Mona by Pola Oloixarac, translated by Adam Morrissource (opens in a new tab)
  39. My Broken Language: A Memoir by Quiara Alegría Hudessource (opens in a new tab)
  40. My Monticello: Fiction by Jocelyn Nicole Johnsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  41. Neon Gods by Katee Robertsource (opens in a new tab)
  42. Never Have I Ever: Stories by Isabel Yapsource (opens in a new tab)
  43. Never Saw Me Coming: A Novel by Vera Kuriansource (opens in a new tab)
  44. No Gods, No Monsters: A Novel by Cadwell Turnbullsource (opens in a new tab)
  45. Northern Spy: A Novel by Flynn Berrysource (opens in a new tab)
  46. Oh You Robot Saints! by Rebecca Morgan Franksource (opens in a new tab)
  47. Out of Character by Annabeth Albertsource (opens in a new tab)
  48. Payback’s a Witch: A Novel by Lana Harpersource (opens in a new tab)
  49. People We Meet on Vacation: A Novel by Emily Henrysource (opens in a new tab)
  50. Popular Longing by Natalie Shaperosource (opens in a new tab)
  51. Project Hail Mary: A Novel by Andy Weirsource (opens in a new tab)
  52. Razorblade Tears: A Novel by S.A. Cosbysource (opens in a new tab)
  53. Red X: A Novel by David Demchuksource (opens in a new tab)
  54. Remote Control by Nnedi Okoraforsource (opens in a new tab)
  55. Revelator: A Novel by Daryl Gregorysource (opens in a new tab)
  56. Rock Paper Scissors: A Novel by Alice Feeneysource (opens in a new tab)
  57. Roommate by Sarina Bowensource (opens in a new tab)
  58. Ruby Red Herring: An Avery Ayers Antique Mystery by Tracy Gardnersource (opens in a new tab)
  59. Seek You: A Journey Through American Loneliness by Kristen Radtkesource (opens in a new tab)
  60. Seven Days in June: A Novel by Tia Williamssource (opens in a new tab)
  61. Shadow Life by Hiromi Gotosource (opens in a new tab)
  62. She Who Became the Sun: A Novel by Shelley Parker-Chansource (opens in a new tab)
  63. Sorrowland: A Novel by Rivers Solomonsource (opens in a new tab)
  64. The Black Panther Party: A Graphic Novel History by David F. Walkersource (opens in a new tab)
  65. The Book of Accidents: A Novel by Chuck Wendigsource (opens in a new tab)
  66. The Breaks: An Essay by Julietta Singhsource (opens in a new tab)
  67. The Burning Girls: A Novel by C.J. Tudorsource (opens in a new tab)
  68. The Chosen and the Beautiful by Nghi Vosource (opens in a new tab)
  69. The Code Breaker by Walter Isaacsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  70. The Dangers of Smoking in Bed: Stories by Mariana Enriquez, translated by Megan McDowellsource (opens in a new tab)
  71. The Death of Jane Lawrence: A Novel by Caitlin Starlingsource (opens in a new tab)
  72. The Department of Truth, Volume One: The End of the World by James Tynion IVsource (opens in a new tab)
  73. The Duchess Hunt by Lorraine Heathsource (opens in a new tab)
  74. The Echo Wife by Sarah Gaileysource (opens in a new tab)
  75. The Gentle Art of Fortune Hunting by K.J. Charlessource (opens in a new tab)
  76. The Intimacy Experiment by Rosie Danansource (opens in a new tab)
  77. The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Surisource (opens in a new tab)
  78. The Jigsaw Man: A Novel by Nadine Mathesonsource (opens in a new tab)
  79. The Last Watch by J.S. Dewessource (opens in a new tab)
  80. The Lighthouse Witches: A Novel by C.J. Cookesource (opens in a new tab)
  81. The Perseverance: Poems by Raymond Antrobussource (opens in a new tab)
  82. The Reading List: A Novel by Sara Nisha Adamssource (opens in a new tab)
  83. The Rock Eaters: Stories by Brenda Peynadosource (opens in a new tab)
  84. The Route of Ice & Salt by José Luis Zárate, translated by David Bowlessource (opens in a new tab)
  85. The Tangleroot Palace: Stories by Marjorie Liusource (opens in a new tab)
  86. The Unbroken by C.L. Clarksource (opens in a new tab)
  87. The Wildest Ride by Marcella Bellsource (opens in a new tab)
  88. The invitation by Vi Keelandsource (opens in a new tab)
  89. Thirsty Mermaids by Kat Leyhsource (opens in a new tab)
  90. This Thing Between Us: A Novel by Gus Morenosource (opens in a new tab)
  91. Transversal: Poems by Urayoán Noelsource (opens in a new tab)
  92. Unfortunate Elements of My Anatomy by Hailey Pipersource (opens in a new tab)
  93. Velvet Was the Night by Silvia Moreno-Garciasource (opens in a new tab)
  94. Waiting for a Scot Like You: The Union of the Rakes by Eva Leighsource (opens in a new tab)
  95. Walking on Cowrie Shells: Stories by Nana Nkwetisource (opens in a new tab)
  96. What Noise Against the Cane by Desiree C. Baileysource (opens in a new tab)
  97. What Storm, What Thunder: A Novel by Myriam J.A. Chancysource (opens in a new tab)
  98. When Things Get Dark: Stories Inspired by Shirley Jackson by Ellen Datlowsource (opens in a new tab)
  99. White Magic: Essays by Elissa Washutasource (opens in a new tab)
  100. frank: sonnets by Diane Seusssource (opens in a new tab)

Best Books for Kids

  1. A Place to Hang the Moon by Kate Albussource (opens in a new tab)
  2. African Icons: Ten People Who Shaped History by Tracey Baptistesource (opens in a new tab)
  3. Allergic by Megan Wagner Lloydsource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alstonsource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Amor de pelo by Matthew A. Cherrysource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Ancestor Approved: Intertribal Stories for Kids by Cynthia Leitich Smithsource (opens in a new tab)
  7. Anita and the Dragons by Hannah Carmonasource (opens in a new tab)
  8. Another Kind by Cait May and Trevor Breamsource (opens in a new tab)
  9. Areli es una Dreamer by Areli Moralessource (opens in a new tab)
  10. Artie and the Wolf Moon by Olivia Stephenssource (opens in a new tab)
  11. Barakah Beats by Maleeha Siddiquisource (opens in a new tab)
  12. Barefoot Dreams of Petra Luna by Alda P. Dobbssource (opens in a new tab)
  13. Bartali's Bicycle by Megan Hoytsource (opens in a new tab)
  14. Bebé béisbol by Diane Adamssource (opens in a new tab)
  15. Ben Yokoyama and the Cookie of Doom by Matthew Swansonsource (opens in a new tab)
  16. Black Boy Joy: 17 Stories Celebrating Black Boyhood by Kwame Mbaliasource (opens in a new tab)
  17. Black Hole Chasers by Anna Crowley Reddingsource (opens in a new tab)
  18. Burying the Moon by Andrée Poulinsource (opens in a new tab)
  19. Bárbara tiene una rabieta by Nadia Shireensource (opens in a new tab)
  20. Canta conmigo: La historia de Selena Quintanilla by Diana Lópezsource (opens in a new tab)
  21. Cece Rios and the Desert of Souls by Kaela Riverasource (opens in a new tab)
  22. Chasing Bats and Tracking Rats by Cylita Guysource (opens in a new tab)
  23. Construcciones Animales by Emilia Dziubaksource (opens in a new tab)
  24. Cuando brillan las estrellas: Una historia inolvidable by Victoria Jamieson y Omar Mohamedsource (opens in a new tab)
  25. Cuentos sagrados de América by María García Esperónsource (opens in a new tab)
  26. Dad Bakes by Katie Yamasakisource (opens in a new tab)
  27. De aquí como el coquí by Nomar Perezsource (opens in a new tab)
  28. Dear Treefrog by Joyce Sidmansource (opens in a new tab)
  29. Del otro lado by Mey Clericisource (opens in a new tab)
  30. El ascenso del rey enano (Leyendas de la serpiente emplumada) by David Bowlessource (opens in a new tab)
  31. El jersey de mamá by Jayde Perkinsource (opens in a new tab)
  32. El nieto del Cóndor de los Andes a Barcelona by Jesús Ballazsource (opens in a new tab)
  33. En el cielo by Giovanna Zobolisource (opens in a new tab)
  34. En realidad, es Yefferson by Katherine Trejo y Scott Martin-Rowesource (opens in a new tab)
  35. Escape at 10,000 Feet: D.B. Cooper and the Missing Money by Tom Sullivansource (opens in a new tab)
  36. Escucha mi voz / Hear My Voice by Warren Binfordsource (opens in a new tab)
  37. From the Tops of the Trees by Kao Kalia Yangsource (opens in a new tab)
  38. Garlic and the Vampire by Bree Paulsensource (opens in a new tab)
  39. Hablo como el río by Jordan Scottsource (opens in a new tab)
  40. Hear My Voice / Escucha mi voz by Warren Binfordsource (opens in a new tab)
  41. Humanimal by Christopher Lloydsource (opens in a new tab)
  42. I Am Smoke by Henry Herzsource (opens in a new tab)
  43. I Dream of Popo by Livia Blackburnesource (opens in a new tab)
  44. Infinity by Pablo Bernasconisource (opens in a new tab)
  45. J.D. and the Great Barber Battle by J. Dillardsource (opens in a new tab)
  46. King of Ragtime: The Story of Scott Joplin by Stephen Costanzasource (opens in a new tab)
  47. La mejor jugada de Madani by Fran Pintaderasource (opens in a new tab)
  48. La muñeca de Lucas by Alicia Acosta and Luis Amaviscasource (opens in a new tab)
  49. La selva de Zonia by Juana Martinez-Nealsource (opens in a new tab)
  50. Las estrellas by Jacques Goldstynsource (opens in a new tab)
  51. Legacy: Women Poets of the Harlem Renaissance by Nikki Grimessource (opens in a new tab)
  52. Living Ghosts and Mischievous Monsters by Dan SaSuWeh Jonessource (opens in a new tab)
  53. Living with Viola by Rosena Fungsource (opens in a new tab)
  54. Lucero by Yuyi Moralessource (opens in a new tab)
  55. Magic Candies by Heena Baek, translated by Sophie Bowmansource (opens in a new tab)
  56. Maya and the Robot by Eve L. Ewingsource (opens in a new tab)
  57. Maybe Maybe Marisol Rainey by Erin Entrada Kellysource (opens in a new tab)
  58. Mi cuerpo by Mey Clericisource (opens in a new tab)
  59. Mi papá es un tlacuilo by Sandra Siemenssource (opens in a new tab)
  60. Mii maanda ezhi-gkendmaanh / This Is How I Know by Brittany Lubysource (opens in a new tab)
  61. Milo Imagines the World by Matt de la Peñasource (opens in a new tab)
  62. Milo imagina el mundo by Matt De la Peñasource (opens in a new tab)
  63. Mis dos pueblos fronterizos by David Bowlessource (opens in a new tab)
  64. Mole in a Black and White Hole by Tereza Sedivasource (opens in a new tab)
  65. Mucho mucho by Trish Cookesource (opens in a new tab)
  66. My Day with the Panye by Tami Charlessource (opens in a new tab)
  67. My First Day by Phùng Nguyên Quang and Huỳnh Kim Liênsource (opens in a new tab)
  68. My Two Border Towns by David Bowlessource (opens in a new tab)
  69. Nano: The Spectacular Science of the Very (Very) Small by Jess Wadesource (opens in a new tab)
  70. Nathan's Song by Leda Schubertsource (opens in a new tab)
  71. Nina: A Story of Nina Simone by Traci N. Toddsource (opens in a new tab)
  72. Niña morena sueña by Jacqueline Woodsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  73. Niños: Poems for the Lost Children of Chile by María José Ferrada, translated by Lawrence Schimelsource (opens in a new tab)
  74. No One Returns from the Enchanted Forest by Robin Robinsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  75. Nuncaseolvida (Neverforgotten) by Alejandra Algortasource (opens in a new tab)
  76. On the Trapline by David A. Robertsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  77. One Million Oysters on Top of the Mountain by Alex Nogués, translated by Lawrence Schimelsource (opens in a new tab)
  78. Onsen ¿Qué hacen los monos? by Pato Menasource (opens in a new tab)
  79. Opening the Road: Victor Hugo Green and His Green Book by Keila V. Dawsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  80. Ophie's Ghosts by Justina Irelandsource (opens in a new tab)
  81. Over the Shop by JonArno Lawsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  82. Palabras pintadas by Emmanuel Lecayesource (opens in a new tab)
  83. Pawcasso by Remy Laisource (opens in a new tab)
  84. Pencilvania by Stephanie Watsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  85. Power Up by Sam Nissonsource (opens in a new tab)
  86. Red, White, and Whole by Rajani LaRoccasource (opens in a new tab)
  87. Root Magic by Eden Roycesource (opens in a new tab)
  88. Simon B. Rhymin' by Dwayne Reedsource (opens in a new tab)
  89. Soy by Caroline Dall'Avasource (opens in a new tab)
  90. Stamped (for Kids): Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendisource (opens in a new tab)
  91. Starfish by Lisa Fippssource (opens in a new tab)
  92. Stuntboy, in the Meantime by Jason Reynoldssource (opens in a new tab)
  93. Summertime Sleepers: Animals that Estivate by Melissa Stewartsource (opens in a new tab)
  94. Sunakay by Meritxell Martisource (opens in a new tab)
  95. Tag Team by Raúl the Thirdsource (opens in a new tab)
  96. Tancho by Luciano Lozanosource (opens in a new tab)
  97. Ten Animals in Antarctica: A Counting Book by Moira Courtsource (opens in a new tab)
  98. Thanks a Lot, Universe by Chad Lucassource (opens in a new tab)
  99. The 1619 Project: Born on the Water by Nikole Hannah-Jones and Renée Watsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  100. The Big Bath House by Kyo Maclearsource (opens in a new tab)
  101. The Boy Whose Head Was Filled with Stars: A Life of Edwin Hubble by Isabelle Marinovsource (opens in a new tab)
  102. The Bug Club by Elise Gravelsource (opens in a new tab)
  103. The Capybaras by Alfredo Soderguit, translated by Elisa Amadosource (opens in a new tab)
  104. The Dirt Book: Poems About Animals that Live Beneath Our Feet by David L. Harrisonsource (opens in a new tab)
  105. The Dreamweavers by G.Z. Schmidtsource (opens in a new tab)
  106. The Fearless Flights of Hazel Ying Lee by Julie Leungsource (opens in a new tab)
  107. The Girl From the Sea by Molly Knox Ostertagsource (opens in a new tab)
  108. The Golden Hour by Niki Smithsource (opens in a new tab)
  109. The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuerasource (opens in a new tab)
  110. The Longest Storm by Dan Yaccarinosource (opens in a new tab)
  111. The Magical Imperfect by Chris Baronsource (opens in a new tab)
  112. The Many Meanings of Meilan by Andrea Wangsource (opens in a new tab)
  113. The Midnight Fair by Gideon Sterersource (opens in a new tab)
  114. The Monsters of Rookhaven by Pádraig Kennysource (opens in a new tab)
  115. The Mysterious Disappearance of Aidan S. (as Told to His Brother) by David Levithansource (opens in a new tab)
  116. The Night Is Deep and Wide by Gillian Szesource (opens in a new tab)
  117. The Night Walk by Marie Dorléans, translated by Polly Lawsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  118. The Old Boat by Jarrett Pumphrey and Jerome Pumphreysource (opens in a new tab)
  119. The People Remember by Ibi Zoboisource (opens in a new tab)
  120. The People's Painter: How Ben Shahn Fought for Justice with Art by Cynthia Levinsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  121. The Wisdom of Trees by Lita Judgesource (opens in a new tab)
  122. Time Is a Flower by Julie Morstadsource (opens in a new tab)
  123. Tiny Tales: Shell Quest by Steph Waldosource (opens in a new tab)
  124. Todo lo que pasa (Donde no pasa nada) by Eleonora Garrigasource (opens in a new tab)
  125. Too Bright to See by Kyle Lukoffsource (opens in a new tab)
  126. Too Small Tola by Atinukesource (opens in a new tab)
  127. Two Grooms on a Cake: The Story of America's First Gay Wedding by Rob Sanderssource (opens in a new tab)
  128. Un paseo por el bosque by Mariona Tolosa Sisterésource (opens in a new tab)
  129. Un pájaro en casa by Blanca Gómezsource (opens in a new tab)
  130. Un trineo para Gabo by Emma Otheguysource (opens in a new tab)
  131. Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre by Carole Boston Weatherfordsource (opens in a new tab)
  132. Ventanas by Julia Denossource (opens in a new tab)
  133. Watercress by Andrea Wangsource (opens in a new tab)
  134. We All Play by Julie Flettsource (opens in a new tab)
  135. Welcome to Your Period! by Yumi Stynes and Dr. Melissa Kangsource (opens in a new tab)
  136. When Lola Visits by Michelle Sterlingsource (opens in a new tab)
  137. When My Cousins Come to Town by Angela Shantésource (opens in a new tab)
  138. While I Was Away by Waka T. Brownsource (opens in a new tab)
  139. Wishes by Mượn Thị Vănsource (opens in a new tab)
  140. Wonder Walkers by Micha Archersource (opens in a new tab)
  141. ¡Buu! Un misterio marino by Kate Readsource (opens in a new tab)
  142. ¡Mambo mucho mambo! El baile que atravesó la barrera del color by Dean Robbinssource (opens in a new tab)
  143. ¿Dónde van cuando llueve? by Gerda Mullersource (opens in a new tab)
  144. ¿Dónde vivo yo? by Margarita del Mazosource (opens in a new tab)
  145. Érase una vez y mucho más será by Johanna Schaiblesource (opens in a new tab)

Best Books for Teens

  1. A Snake Falls to Earth by Darcie Little Badgersource (opens in a new tab)
  2. Bad Witch Burning by Jessica Lewissource (opens in a new tab)
  3. Beasts of Prey by Ayana Graysource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Black Birds in the Sky by Brandy Colbertsource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Boys Run the Riot, Vol 1 by Keito Gakusource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Can't Stop Won't Stop: A Hip-Hop History (Young Adult Edition) by Jeff Chang and Dave "Davey D" Cooksource (opens in a new tab)
  7. Cheer Up! Love and Pompoms by Crystal Frasiersource (opens in a new tab)
  8. Chlorine Sky: A Novel by Mahogany L. Brownesource (opens in a new tab)
  9. Clockwork Curandera, Volume 1: The Witch Owl Parliament by David Bowles and Raúl the Thirdsource (opens in a new tab)
  10. Dagger Hill by Devon Taylorsource (opens in a new tab)
  11. Darling by K. Ancrumsource (opens in a new tab)
  12. Determined to Stay: Palestinian Youth Fight for Their Village by Jody Sokolowersource (opens in a new tab)
  13. Disability Visibility: 17 First-Person Stories for Today by Alice Wongsource (opens in a new tab)
  14. Dustborn by Erin Bowmansource (opens in a new tab)
  15. Excuse Me While I Ugly Cry by Joya Goffneysource (opens in a new tab)
  16. Face for Picasso: Coming of Age with Crouzon Syndrome by Ariel Henleysource (opens in a new tab)
  17. Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulleysource (opens in a new tab)
  18. From a Whisper to a Rallying Cry by Paula Yoosource (opens in a new tab)
  19. Himawari House by Harmony Beckersource (opens in a new tab)
  20. House of Hollow by Krystal Sutherlandsource (opens in a new tab)
  21. How Moon Fuentez Fell in Love with the Universe by Raquel Vasquez Gillilandsource (opens in a new tab)
  22. Hurricane Summer by Asha Bromfieldsource (opens in a new tab)
  23. If I Tell You the Truth by Jasmin Kaursource (opens in a new tab)
  24. Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhaosource (opens in a new tab)
  25. Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Losource (opens in a new tab)
  26. Let's Talk About It by Erika Moen and Matthew Nolansource (opens in a new tab)
  27. Love Is a Revolution by Renée Watsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  28. Mao, Vol. 1 by Rumiko Takahashisource (opens in a new tab)
  29. My Love Mix-Up! Vol. 1 by Wataru Hinekuresource (opens in a new tab)
  30. Nubia: Real One by L.L. McKinneysource (opens in a new tab)
  31. Perfectly Parvin by Olivia Abtahisource (opens in a new tab)
  32. Punching Bag by Rex Oglesource (opens in a new tab)
  33. Queer as All Get Out: 10 People Who've Inspired Me by Shelby Criswellsource (opens in a new tab)
  34. Revolution in Our Time by Kekla Magoonsource (opens in a new tab)
  35. Singled Out: The True Story of Glenn Burke by Andrew Maranisssource (opens in a new tab)
  36. Somewhere Between Bitter and Sweet by Laekan Zea Kempsource (opens in a new tab)
  37. Spin Me Right Round by David Valdessource (opens in a new tab)
  38. Sway with Me by Syed M. Masoodsource (opens in a new tab)
  39. The City Beautiful by Aden Polydorossource (opens in a new tab)
  40. The Cost of Knowing by Brittney Morrissource (opens in a new tab)
  41. The Crossroads at Midnight by Abby Howardsource (opens in a new tab)
  42. The Dire Days of Willowweep Manor by Shaenon K. Garritysource (opens in a new tab)
  43. The Girls I've Been by Tess Sharpesource (opens in a new tab)
  44. The Hazards of Love, Book 1: Bright World by Stan Stanleysource (opens in a new tab)
  45. The Mary Shelley Club by Goldy Moldavskysource (opens in a new tab)
  46. The Valley and the Flood by Rebecca Mahoneysource (opens in a new tab)
  47. This Is Not the Jess Show by Anna Careysource (opens in a new tab)
  48. This Poison Heart by Kalynn Bayronsource (opens in a new tab)
  49. Witch King, The by H.E. Edgmonsource (opens in a new tab)
  50. Yasmeen by Saif A. Ahmedsource (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 2021