Best Books of the Year
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New York Public Library Best Books 2022

New York Public Library Best Books 2022 names 260 books across 3 categories. 65 of them also won or were shortlisted for an award.

Best Books for Adults

  1. A Black and Endless Sky by Matthew Lyonssource (opens in a new tab)
  2. A Caribbean Heiress in Paris: A Novel by Adriana Herrerasource (opens in a new tab)
  3. A Lady for a Duke by Alexis Hallsource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Against Heaven: Poems by Kemi Alabisource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Alice in Borderland, Vol. 1 by Haro Aso, translated by Jonah Mayahara-Millersource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Animal Castle, Vol. 1 by Xavier Dorisonsource (opens in a new tab)
  7. Another Appalachia by Neema Avashiasource (opens in a new tab)
  8. Black Boy Smile: A Memoir in Moments by D. Watkinssource (opens in a new tab)
  9. Constellation Route by Matthew Olzmannsource (opens in a new tab)
  10. Content Warning: Everything by Akwaeke Emezisource (opens in a new tab)
  11. Dead Silence by S.A. Barnessource (opens in a new tab)
  12. Delilah Green Doesn't Care by Ashley Herring Blakesource (opens in a new tab)
  13. Diary of a Misfit: A Memoir and a Mystery by Casey Parkssource (opens in a new tab)
  14. Diary of a Void: A Novel by Emi Yagi, translated by David Boyd & Lucy Northsource (opens in a new tab)
  15. Did Ye Hear Mammy Died?: A Memoir by Séamas O'Reillysource (opens in a new tab)
  16. Didn't Nobody Give a Shit What Happened to Carlotta by James Hannahamsource (opens in a new tab)
  17. Easy Beauty: A Memoir by Chloé Cooper Jonessource (opens in a new tab)
  18. Electric Idol by Katee Robertsource (opens in a new tab)
  19. Every Summer After: A Novel by Carley Fortunesource (opens in a new tab)
  20. Foster by Claire Keegansource (opens in a new tab)
  21. Goliath by Tochi Onyebuchisource (opens in a new tab)
  22. Heartbreaker: A Hell's Belles Novel by Sarah MacLeansource (opens in a new tab)
  23. How We Go High in the Dark: A Novel by Sequoia Nagamatsusource (opens in a new tab)
  24. How to Survive the Apocalypse: Poems by Jacqueline Allen Trimblesource (opens in a new tab)
  25. I'll Be You: A Novel by Janelle Brownsource (opens in a new tab)
  26. Just Like Home by Sarah Gaileysource (opens in a new tab)
  27. Kick the Latch by Kathryn Scanlansource (opens in a new tab)
  28. Killers of a Certain Age: A Novel by Deanna Raybournsource (opens in a new tab)
  29. Like a Sister: A Novel by Kellye Garrettsource (opens in a new tab)
  30. Magic, Lies, and Deadly Pies: A Pies Before Guys Mystery by Misha Poppsource (opens in a new tab)
  31. Men in My Situation: A Novel by Per Petterson, translated by Ingvild Burkeysource (opens in a new tab)
  32. Miss Chloe by A.J. Verdellesource (opens in a new tab)
  33. Mothman Apologia by Robert Wood Lynnsource (opens in a new tab)
  34. My Volcano: A Novel by John Elizabeth Stintzisource (opens in a new tab)
  35. Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfishersource (opens in a new tab)
  36. Never Name the Dead: A Novel by D.M. Rowellsource (opens in a new tab)
  37. No One Left to Come Looking for You: A Novel by Sam Lipsytesource (opens in a new tab)
  38. O by Zeina Hashem Becksource (opens in a new tab)
  39. Ordinary Monsters: A Novel by J. M. Mirosource (opens in a new tab)
  40. Path of Totality by Niina Pollarisource (opens in a new tab)
  41. Pinball: A Graphic History of the Silver Ball by Jon Chadsource (opens in a new tab)
  42. Saint Sebastian's Abyss: A Novel by Mark Habersource (opens in a new tab)
  43. Shutter: A Novel by Ramona Emersonsource (opens in a new tab)
  44. Siren Queen by Nghi Vosource (opens in a new tab)
  45. Solito: A Memoir by Javier Zamorasource (opens in a new tab)
  46. Stay Awake: A Novel by Megan Goldinsource (opens in a new tab)
  47. Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow by Tom Kingsource (opens in a new tab)
  48. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin by Kevin Eastman, Peter Laird and Tom Waltzsource (opens in a new tab)
  49. The Appeal: A Novel by Janice Hallettsource (opens in a new tab)
  50. The Best Men by Sarina Bowen and Lauren Blakelysource (opens in a new tab)
  51. The Change: A Novel by Kirsten Millersource (opens in a new tab)
  52. The Empress and the English Doctor by Lucy Wardsource (opens in a new tab)
  53. The Escape Artist by Jonathan Freedlandsource (opens in a new tab)
  54. The Fishermen and the Dragon by Kirk Wallace Johnsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  55. The Genesis of Misery by Neon Yangsource (opens in a new tab)
  56. The Hacienda by Isabel Cañassource (opens in a new tab)
  57. The High Desert: Black. Punk. Nowhere—A Memoir by James Spoonersource (opens in a new tab)
  58. The Hookup Plan by Farrah Rochonsource (opens in a new tab)
  59. The Hurting Kind: Poems by Ada Limónsource (opens in a new tab)
  60. The Kiss Curse by Erin Sterlingsource (opens in a new tab)
  61. The Man Who Could Move Clouds: A Memoir by Ingrid Rojas Contrerassource (opens in a new tab)
  62. The Many Deaths of Laila Starr by Ram Vsource (opens in a new tab)
  63. The Other Dr. Gilmer by Benjamin Gilmersource (opens in a new tab)
  64. The Six Sidekicks of Trigger Keaton. Vol. 1 by Kyle Starkssource (opens in a new tab)
  65. The Song of the Cell by Siddhartha Mukherjeesource (opens in a new tab)
  66. The Stand-Up Groomsman: A Novel by Jackie Lausource (opens in a new tab)
  67. The Trees Witness Everything by Victoria Changsource (opens in a new tab)
  68. The White Mosque: A Memoir by Sofia Samatarsource (opens in a new tab)
  69. Vladimir: A Novel by Julia May Jonassource (opens in a new tab)
  70. Wash Day Diaries by Jamila Rowsersource (opens in a new tab)
  71. What Is Home, Mum? by Sabba Khansource (opens in a new tab)
  72. What Is Otherwise Infinite: Poems by Bianca Stonesource (opens in a new tab)
  73. When I Sing, Mountains Dance: A Novel by Irene Solà, translated by Mara Faye Lethemsource (opens in a new tab)
  74. When They Tell You to Be Good: A Memoir by Prince Shakursource (opens in a new tab)
  75. You're Invited: A Novel by Amanda Jayatissasource (opens in a new tab)

Best Books for Kids

  1. 9 kilómetros by Claudio Aguilerasource (opens in a new tab)
  2. A Blue Kind of Day by Rachel Tomlinsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  3. A Duet for Home by Karina Yan Glasersource (opens in a new tab)
  4. A Seed Grows by Antoinette Portissource (opens in a new tab)
  5. A veces, yo soy todo lo que necesito by Juliana Perdomosource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Abdul's Story by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelowsource (opens in a new tab)
  7. Ablaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas by Jeanne Walker Harveysource (opens in a new tab)
  8. Alias Anna: A True Story of Outwitting the Nazis by Susan Hood with Greg Dawsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  9. Antarctica: The Melting Continent by Karen Romano Youngsource (opens in a new tab)
  10. April & Mae and the Tea Party by Megan Dowd Lambertsource (opens in a new tab)
  11. Aviva vs. the Dybbuk by Mari Lowesource (opens in a new tab)
  12. Bathe the Cat by Alice B. McGintysource (opens in a new tab)
  13. Beauty Woke by NoNieqa Ramossource (opens in a new tab)
  14. Berry Song by Michaela Goadesource (opens in a new tab)
  15. Black: The Many Wonders of My World by Nancy Johnson Jamessource (opens in a new tab)
  16. Blast Off!: How Mary Sherman Morgan Fueled America into Space by Suzanne Sladesource (opens in a new tab)
  17. Blue by Nana Ekua Brew-Hammondsource (opens in a new tab)
  18. Breda's Island by Jessie Ann Foleysource (opens in a new tab)
  19. Caves by Nell Cross Beckermansource (opens in a new tab)
  20. Chirimiri by Fernando Pérez Hernandosource (opens in a new tab)
  21. Choosing Brave by Angela Joysource (opens in a new tab)
  22. Copycat: Nature-Inspired Design Around the World by Christy Halesource (opens in a new tab)
  23. Counting in Dog Years and Other Sassy Math Poems by Betsy Francosource (opens in a new tab)
  24. Cómo Aidan llegó a ser un hermano by Kyle Lukoffsource (opens in a new tab)
  25. Cómo llegar a la luna by Nicolás Schuffsource (opens in a new tab)
  26. Daddy Speaks Love by Leah Hendersonsource (opens in a new tab)
  27. Days Like This by Oriane Smithsource (opens in a new tab)
  28. Does a Bulldozer Have a Butt? by Derick Wildersource (opens in a new tab)
  29. Dragon Bones: The Fantastic Fossil Discoveries of Mary Anning by Sarah Glenn Marshsource (opens in a new tab)
  30. El cuarto turquesa/The Turquoise Room by Monica Brownsource (opens in a new tab)
  31. El fantasma de las bragas rotas by José Carlos Andréssource (opens in a new tab)
  32. El mercado by Roxana Méndezsource (opens in a new tab)
  33. El nido de Tit by Gerda Mullersource (opens in a new tab)
  34. Escondida by Adolfo Córdovasource (opens in a new tab)
  35. Esperanza by Gianni Rodarisource (opens in a new tab)
  36. Every Dog in the Neighborhood by Philip C. Steadsource (opens in a new tab)
  37. Free at Last: A Juneteenth Poem by Sojourner Kincaid Rollesource (opens in a new tab)
  38. Freewater by Amina Luqman-Dawsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  39. Frizzy by Claribel A. Ortegasource (opens in a new tab)
  40. Gibberish by Young Vosource (opens in a new tab)
  41. Gigi and Ojiji by Melissa Iwaisource (opens in a new tab)
  42. Going Places: Victor Hugo Green and His Glorious Book by Tonya Boldensource (opens in a new tab)
  43. Good Eating: The Short Life of Krill by Matt Lilleysource (opens in a new tab)
  44. Hasta que alguien me escuche by Estela Juarez con Lissette Normansource (opens in a new tab)
  45. Hola, mi luna by Mar Benegassource (opens in a new tab)
  46. Hora de dormir, mamá by Dylan Hewittsource (opens in a new tab)
  47. Hot Dog by Doug Salatisource (opens in a new tab)
  48. Housecat Trouble by Mason Dickersonsource (opens in a new tab)
  49. How to Build a Human: In Seven Evolutionary Steps by Pamela S. Turnersource (opens in a new tab)
  50. How to Teach Grown-Ups About Pluto by Dean Regassource (opens in a new tab)
  51. I Hate Borsch! by Yevgenia Naybergsource (opens in a new tab)
  52. In the Beautiful Country by Jane Kuosource (opens in a new tab)
  53. In the Key of Us by Mariama J. Lockingtonsource (opens in a new tab)
  54. Isla to Island by Alexis Castellanossource (opens in a new tab)
  55. Kunoichi Bunny by Sara Cassidysource (opens in a new tab)
  56. La casita de Esperanza by Terry Catasús Jenningssource (opens in a new tab)
  57. La falda morada de Leo by Irma Borgessource (opens in a new tab)
  58. La noche en el bolsillo by Pedro Mañassource (opens in a new tab)
  59. Las gallinas de Sonia by Phoebe Wahlsource (opens in a new tab)
  60. Last Week by Bill Richardsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  61. Leila, la brujita perfecta by Flavia Z. Dragosource (opens in a new tab)
  62. Little Monarchs by Jonathan Casesource (opens in a new tab)
  63. Maizy Chen's Last Chance by Lisa Yeesource (opens in a new tab)
  64. Mama and Mommy and Me in the Middle by Nina LaCoursource (opens in a new tab)
  65. Mamo by Sas Milledgesource (opens in a new tab)
  66. Manual para espías by Daniel Nesquenssource (opens in a new tab)
  67. Maya's Song by Renée Watsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  68. Mi mamá by Sandra Siemenssource (opens in a new tab)
  69. Mi naturaleza by Angela Salernosource (opens in a new tab)
  70. Mimi and the Cutie Catastrophe by Shauna J. Grantsource (opens in a new tab)
  71. Moonwalking by Zetta Elliott and Lyn Miller-Lachmannsource (opens in a new tab)
  72. Morning Sun in Wuhan by Ying Chang Compestinesource (opens in a new tab)
  73. My Hands Tell a Story by Kelly Starling Lyonssource (opens in a new tab)
  74. My Paati's Saris by Jyoti Rajan Gopalsource (opens in a new tab)
  75. Nigel and the Moon by Antwan Eadysource (opens in a new tab)
  76. Nothing Special by Desiree Coopersource (opens in a new tab)
  77. Oso y el murmullo del viento by Marianne Dubucsource (opens in a new tab)
  78. Our Story Starts in Africa by Patrice Lawrencesource (opens in a new tab)
  79. Out of This World: Star-Studded Haiku by Sally M. Walkersource (opens in a new tab)
  80. PPPRRRRRIIIT: Un libro para crear y experimentar con los sonidos by Cristina Cubellssource (opens in a new tab)
  81. Pets Rule!: My Kingdom of Darkness by Susan Tansource (opens in a new tab)
  82. Pizza!: A Slice of History by Greg Pizzolisource (opens in a new tab)
  83. Racing Ace: Drive It! Fix It! by Larry Dane Brimnersource (opens in a new tab)
  84. Rueda que rueda by Dipachosource (opens in a new tab)
  85. Seeking Freedom by Selene Castrovillasource (opens in a new tab)
  86. Seen and Unseen by Elizabeth Partridgesource (opens in a new tab)
  87. Shapes, Lines, and Light: My Grandfather's American Journey by Katie Yamasakisource (opens in a new tab)
  88. Shot Clock by Caron Butler and Justin A. Reynoldssource (opens in a new tab)
  89. Sir Ladybug by Corey R. Taborsource (opens in a new tab)
  90. Skater Cielo by Rachel Katstallersource (opens in a new tab)
  91. Somos animales humanos by Rosie Hainesource (opens in a new tab)
  92. Song in the City by Daniel Bernstromsource (opens in a new tab)
  93. Star Child by Ibi Zoboisource (opens in a new tab)
  94. Still Dreaming/Seguimos soñando by Claudia Guadalupe Martínezsource (opens in a new tab)
  95. Sweet Justice: Georgia Gilmore and the Montgomery Bus Boycott by Mara Rockliffsource (opens in a new tab)
  96. Swim Team by Johnnie Christmassource (opens in a new tab)
  97. Sábado / Saturday by Jorge Garzasource (opens in a new tab)
  98. Te busco by Yael Frankelsource (opens in a new tab)
  99. Ten Blocks to the Big Wok: A Chinatown Counting Book by Ying-Hwa Husource (opens in a new tab)
  100. Tengo hambre by Menena Cottinsource (opens in a new tab)
  101. Tengo mucho sueño by Laura Rexachsource (opens in a new tab)
  102. The Civil War of Amos Abernathy by Michael Lealisource (opens in a new tab)
  103. The Clackity by Lora Senfsource (opens in a new tab)
  104. The Depth of the Lake and the Height of the Sky by Kim Jihyunsource (opens in a new tab)
  105. The Door of No Return by Kwame Alexandersource (opens in a new tab)
  106. The First Cat in Space Ate Pizza by Mac Barnettsource (opens in a new tab)
  107. The Flamingo by Guojingsource (opens in a new tab)
  108. The Last Mapmaker by Christina Soontornvatsource (opens in a new tab)
  109. The Little House of Hope by Terry Catasús Jenningssource (opens in a new tab)
  110. The Nguyen Kids: The Secret of the Jade Bangle by Linda Trinhsource (opens in a new tab)
  111. The Ogress and the Orphans by Kelly Barnhillsource (opens in a new tab)
  112. The Real Riley Mayes by Rachel Elliottsource (opens in a new tab)
  113. The Second Chance of Benjamin Waterfalls by James Birdsource (opens in a new tab)
  114. The Stars Did Wander Darkling by Colin Meloysource (opens in a new tab)
  115. The Tiltersmith by Amy Herricksource (opens in a new tab)
  116. The Tower of Life by Chana Stiefelsource (opens in a new tab)
  117. The Tryout by Christina Soontornvatsource (opens in a new tab)
  118. The Visitors by Greg Howardsource (opens in a new tab)
  119. The Wolf Suit by Sid Sharpsource (opens in a new tab)
  120. Troublemaker by John Cho with Sarah Suksource (opens in a new tab)
  121. Troublemakers in Trousers by Sarah Albeesource (opens in a new tab)
  122. True You: A Gender Journey by Gwen Agna and Shelley Rotnersource (opens in a new tab)
  123. Tumble by Celia C. Pérezsource (opens in a new tab)
  124. Twin Cities by Jose Pimientasource (opens in a new tab)
  125. Un remolino by Ruth Hillar y Sebastián Cúneosource (opens in a new tab)
  126. Una noche sin dormir by Micaela Chirifsource (opens in a new tab)
  127. Unfadeable by Maurice Broaddussource (opens in a new tab)
  128. Unlawful Orders by Barbara Binnssource (opens in a new tab)
  129. Viva's Voice by Raquel Donososource (opens in a new tab)
  130. Wednesday and Woof #1: Catastrophe by Sherri Winstonsource (opens in a new tab)
  131. When Winter Robeson Came by Brenda Woodssource (opens in a new tab)
  132. Yo no fui by Ana Palmerosource (opens in a new tab)
  133. Yoshi and the Ocean: A Sea Turtle's Incredible Journey Home by Lindsay Mooresource (opens in a new tab)
  134. Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor by Xiran Jay Zhaosource (opens in a new tab)
  135. ¡A viajar, semillas! by Lorena Ruizsource (opens in a new tab)

Best Books for Teens

  1. A Girl's Guide to Love and Magic by Debbie Rigaudsource (opens in a new tab)
  2. All My Rage: A Novel by Sabaa Tahirsource (opens in a new tab)
  3. And We Rise: The Civil Rights Movement in Poems by Erica Martinsource (opens in a new tab)
  4. As Long As the Lemon Trees Grow by Zoulfa Katouhsource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Breathe and Count Back from Ten by Natalia Sylvestersource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Burn Down, Rise Up by Vincent Tiradosource (opens in a new tab)
  7. Confessions of an Alleged Good Girl by Joya Goffneysource (opens in a new tab)
  8. Crumbs by Danie Stirlingsource (opens in a new tab)
  9. Does My Body Offend You?: A Novel by Mayra Cuevas and Marie Marquardtsource (opens in a new tab)
  10. Every Variable of Us by Charles A. Bushsource (opens in a new tab)
  11. Glowing Bunnies!?: Why We're Making Hybrids, Chimeras, and Clones by Jeff Campbellsource (opens in a new tab)
  12. Hell Followed with Us by Andrew Joseph Whitesource (opens in a new tab)
  13. I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetyssource (opens in a new tab)
  14. I Rise by Marie Arnoldsource (opens in a new tab)
  15. Love Radio by Ebony LaDellesource (opens in a new tab)
  16. M Is for Monster by Talia Duttonsource (opens in a new tab)
  17. Man Made Monsters by Andrea L. Rogerssource (opens in a new tab)
  18. Messy Roots: A Graphic Memoir of a Wuhanese American by Laura Gaosource (opens in a new tab)
  19. Mirror Girls by Kelly McWilliamssource (opens in a new tab)
  20. Murder Among Friends by Candace Flemingsource (opens in a new tab)
  21. Our Crooked Hearts: A Novel by Melissa Albertsource (opens in a new tab)
  22. Queen of the Tiles by Hanna Alkafsource (opens in a new tab)
  23. Queer Ducks (and Other Animals) by Eliot Schrefersource (opens in a new tab)
  24. Respect the Mic by Hanif Abdurraqib and Franny Choisource (opens in a new tab)
  25. Run On Your New Legs, Vol. 1 by Wataru Midorisource (opens in a new tab)
  26. Rust in the Root by Justina Irelandsource (opens in a new tab)
  27. So This Is Ever After by F.T. Lukenssource (opens in a new tab)
  28. Squire by Sara Alfageeh and Nadia Shammassource (opens in a new tab)
  29. Summer's Edge by Dana Melesource (opens in a new tab)
  30. Survive the Dome by Kosoko Jacksonsource (opens in a new tab)
  31. TJ Powar Has Something to Prove by Jesmeen Kaur Deosource (opens in a new tab)
  32. The Getaway by Lamar Gilessource (opens in a new tab)
  33. The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Ohsource (opens in a new tab)
  34. The History of the Computer by Rachel Ignotofskysource (opens in a new tab)
  35. The Honeys: A Novel by Ryan La Salasource (opens in a new tab)
  36. The Last Session Vol. 1: Roll for Initiative by Jasmine Wallssource (opens in a new tab)
  37. The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School by Sonora Reyessource (opens in a new tab)
  38. The Life and Crimes of Hoodie Rosen by Isaac Blumsource (opens in a new tab)
  39. The Lost Dreamer by Lizz Huertasource (opens in a new tab)
  40. The Luminaries by Susan Dennardsource (opens in a new tab)
  41. The Silence that Binds Us by Joanna Hosource (opens in a new tab)
  42. The Sunbearer Trials by Aiden Thomassource (opens in a new tab)
  43. The Weight of Blood by Tiffany D. Jacksonsource (opens in a new tab)
  44. Unequal: A Story of America by Michael Eric Dyson and Marc Favreausource (opens in a new tab)
  45. Unretouchable by Sofia Szamosisource (opens in a new tab)
  46. Victory. Stand!: Raising My Fist for Justice by Tommie Smith and Derrick Barnessource (opens in a new tab)
  47. Wandance, Vol. 1 by Coffeesource (opens in a new tab)
  48. What the Fact?: Finding the Truth in All the Noise by Dr. Seema Yasminsource (opens in a new tab)
  49. When the Angels Left the Old Country by Sacha Lambsource (opens in a new tab)
  50. Zatanna: The Jewel of Gravesend by Alys Ardensource (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 2022