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Kirkus Reviews

Kirkus Best Books of the Year 2010

Kirkus Reviews' Kirkus Best Books of the Year 2010 names 287 books across 4 categories. 67 of them also won or were shortlisted for an award.

Children's

  1. 13 Words by Lemony Snicketsource (opens in a new tab)
  2. A Good Horse by Jane Smileysource (opens in a new tab)
  3. A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Philip C. Steadsource (opens in a new tab)
  4. A Whole Nother Story by Cuthbert Soupsource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Alchemy and Meggy Swann by Karen Cushmansource (opens in a new tab)
  6. And Then There Were Gnomes by Colleen AF Venablesource (opens in a new tab)
  7. Arroz Con Leche / Rice Pudding by Jorge Arguetasource (opens in a new tab)
  8. Art & Max by David Wiesnersource (opens in a new tab)
  9. Beaver Is Lost by Elisha Coopersource (opens in a new tab)
  10. Big Red Lollipop by Rukhsana Khansource (opens in a new tab)
  11. Bink & Gollie by Kate DiCamillo and Alison McGheesource (opens in a new tab)
  12. Binky to the Rescue by Ashley Spiressource (opens in a new tab)
  13. Birmingham Sunday by Larry Dane Brimnersource (opens in a new tab)
  14. Built to Last by David Macaulaysource (opens in a new tab)
  15. Bunny Days by Tao Nyeusource (opens in a new tab)
  16. Chasing Orion by Kathryn Laskysource (opens in a new tab)
  17. City Dog, Country Frog by Mo Willemssource (opens in a new tab)
  18. Clever Jack Takes the Cake by Candace Flemingsource (opens in a new tab)
  19. Country Road ABC by Arthur Geisertsource (opens in a new tab)
  20. Crunch by Leslie Connorsource (opens in a new tab)
  21. Curse of the Were-Wiener by Ursula Vernonsource (opens in a new tab)
  22. Dear Primo by Duncan Tonatiuhsource (opens in a new tab)
  23. Departure Time by Truus Matti, translated by Nancy Forest-Fliersource (opens in a new tab)
  24. Doodlebug by Karen Romano Youngsource (opens in a new tab)
  25. Dragonbreath by Ursula Vernonsource (opens in a new tab)
  26. Finding Family by Tonya Boldensource (opens in a new tab)
  27. Ghostopolis by Doug TenNapelsource (opens in a new tab)
  28. Hamster and Cheese by Colleen AF Venablesource (opens in a new tab)
  29. Heart of a Samurai by Margi Preussource (opens in a new tab)
  30. Hip Hop Dog by Chris Raschkasource (opens in a new tab)
  31. How Mirka Got Her Sword by Barry Deutschsource (opens in a new tab)
  32. I Am a Backhoe by Anna Grossnickle Hinessource (opens in a new tab)
  33. In the Wild by David Elliottsource (opens in a new tab)
  34. Justin Case by Rachel Vailsource (opens in a new tab)
  35. Kakapo Rescue by Sy Montgomerysource (opens in a new tab)
  36. Keeper by Kathi Appeltsource (opens in a new tab)
  37. Lafayette and the American Revolution by Russell Freedmansource (opens in a new tab)
  38. Ling & Ting by Grace Linsource (opens in a new tab)
  39. Lmno Peas by Keith Bakersource (opens in a new tab)
  40. Mad at Mommy by Komako Sakaisource (opens in a new tab)
  41. Mimi’s Dada Catifesto by Shelley Jacksonsource (opens in a new tab)
  42. Mirror by Jeannie Bakersource (opens in a new tab)
  43. Mirror Mirror by Marilyn Singersource (opens in a new tab)
  44. Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpoolsource (opens in a new tab)
  45. Mr. Elephanter by Lark Piensource (opens in a new tab)
  46. My Garden by Kevin Henkessource (opens in a new tab)
  47. Once by Morris Gleitzmansource (opens in a new tab)
  48. One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garciasource (opens in a new tab)
  49. Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Drapersource (opens in a new tab)
  50. Pecan Pie Baby by Jaqueline Woodsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  51. Remembering Crystal by Sebastian Lothsource (opens in a new tab)
  52. Rex Zero, the Great Pretender by Tim Wynne-Jonessource (opens in a new tab)
  53. Roslyn Rutabaga and the Biggest Hole on Earth! by Marie-Louise Gaysource (opens in a new tab)
  54. Say Hello! by Rachel Isadorasource (opens in a new tab)
  55. Shark vs. Train by Chris Bartonsource (opens in a new tab)
  56. Spaceheadz by Jon Scieszka and Francesco Seditasource (opens in a new tab)
  57. Spork by Kyo Maclearsource (opens in a new tab)
  58. Stable by Ted Lewinsource (opens in a new tab)
  59. Summer Birds by Margarita Englesource (opens in a new tab)
  60. The Boys by Jeff Newmansource (opens in a new tab)
  61. The Crowfield Curse by Pat Walshsource (opens in a new tab)
  62. The Dreamer by Pam Muñoz Ryansource (opens in a new tab)
  63. The Extraordinary Mark Twain by Barbara Kerleysource (opens in a new tab)
  64. The Fantastic Secret of Owen Jester by Barbara O’Connorsource (opens in a new tab)
  65. The Memory Bank by Carolyn Comansource (opens in a new tab)
  66. The Mysterious Howling by Maryrose Woodsource (opens in a new tab)
  67. The Other Half of My Heart by Sundee T. Fraziersource (opens in a new tab)
  68. The Rabbit Problem by Emily Gravettsource (opens in a new tab)
  69. The Shadow Hunt by Katherine Langrishsource (opens in a new tab)
  70. The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Anglebergersource (opens in a new tab)
  71. The Unsinkable Walker Bean by Aaron Reniersource (opens in a new tab)
  72. The Water Seeker by Kimberly Willis Holtsource (opens in a new tab)
  73. The Year of Goodbyes by Debbie Levysource (opens in a new tab)
  74. Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer L. Holmsource (opens in a new tab)
  75. Ubiquitous by Joyce Sidmansource (opens in a new tab)
  76. Violet in Bloom by Lauren Myraclesource (opens in a new tab)
  77. Walden Then and Now by Michael McCurdysource (opens in a new tab)
  78. What Happened on Fox Street by Trisha Springstubbsource (opens in a new tab)
  79. What If? by Laura Vaccaro Seegersource (opens in a new tab)
  80. Who Stole Mona Lisa? by Ruthie Knappsource (opens in a new tab)
  81. Zora and Me by Victoria Bond and T.R. Simonsource (opens in a new tab)

Fiction

  1. A Curable Romantic by Joseph Skibellsource (opens in a new tab)
  2. A Kind of Intimacy by Jenn Ashworthsource (opens in a new tab)
  3. A Thousand Peaceful Cities by Jerzy Pilch, translated by David Fricksource (opens in a new tab)
  4. A Visit From the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egansource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smithsource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Babylon Nights by Daniel Deppsource (opens in a new tab)
  7. Bearers of the Black Staff by Terry Brookssource (opens in a new tab)
  8. Beautiful María of My Soul by Oscar Hijuelossource (opens in a new tab)
  9. Beautiful People by Wendy Holdensource (opens in a new tab)
  10. Before You Suffocate Your Own Fool Self by Danielle Evanssource (opens in a new tab)
  11. Blacklands by Belinda Bauersource (opens in a new tab)
  12. Bloodroot by Amy Greenesource (opens in a new tab)
  13. Bound by Antonya Nelsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  14. Bury Your Dead by Louise Pennysource (opens in a new tab)
  15. Crystal Death by Charles Kippssource (opens in a new tab)
  16. Dog Blood by David Moodysource (opens in a new tab)
  17. Dragon Keeper by Robin Hobbsource (opens in a new tab)
  18. Edge by Jeffery Deaversource (opens in a new tab)
  19. Exley by Brock Clarkesource (opens in a new tab)
  20. Fame by Daniel Kehlmann, translated by Carol Brown Janewaysource (opens in a new tab)
  21. Fated by S.G. Brownesource (opens in a new tab)
  22. Five Odd Hours by Jane Lindskoldsource (opens in a new tab)
  23. Fun With Problems by Robert Stonesource (opens in a new tab)
  24. Gone ’Til November by Wallace Strobysource (opens in a new tab)
  25. Great House by Nicole Krausssource (opens in a new tab)
  26. Handling the Undead by John Ajvide Lindqvistsource (opens in a new tab)
  27. How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe by Charles Yusource (opens in a new tab)
  28. Manazuru by Hiromi Kawakami, translated by Michael Emmerichsource (opens in a new tab)
  29. Mattaponi Queen by Belle Boggssource (opens in a new tab)
  30. My Own Worst Enemy by Brandon Hebertsource (opens in a new tab)
  31. Nights of Villjamur by Mark Charan Newtonsource (opens in a new tab)
  32. Nowhere to Run by C.J. Boxsource (opens in a new tab)
  33. Old Border Road by Susan Froderbergsource (opens in a new tab)
  34. Paul Is Undead by Alan Goldshersource (opens in a new tab)
  35. Point Omega by Don DeLillosource (opens in a new tab)
  36. Prospero in Hell by L. Jagi Lamplightersource (opens in a new tab)
  37. Salvation City by Sigrid Nunezsource (opens in a new tab)
  38. Shades of Milk and Honey by Mary Robinette Kowalsource (opens in a new tab)
  39. Shadows in the Cave by Caleb Foxsource (opens in a new tab)
  40. Side Jobs by Jim Butchersource (opens in a new tab)
  41. Skippy Dies by Paul Murraysource (opens in a new tab)
  42. Snakewoman of Little Egypt by Robert Hellengasource (opens in a new tab)
  43. Still Missing by Chevy Stevenssource (opens in a new tab)
  44. Sunset Park by Paul Austersource (opens in a new tab)
  45. Super Sad True Love Story by Gary Shteyngartsource (opens in a new tab)
  46. Take One Candle, Light a Room by Susan Straightsource (opens in a new tab)
  47. The Ask by Sam Lipsytesource (opens in a new tab)
  48. The Bird of the River by Kage Bakersource (opens in a new tab)
  49. The Blindness of the Heart by Julia Franck, translated by Anthea Bellsource (opens in a new tab)
  50. The Brick Layer by Noah Boydsource (opens in a new tab)
  51. The Charming Quirks of Others by Alexander McCall Smithsource (opens in a new tab)
  52. The Crossing Places by Elly Griffithssource (opens in a new tab)
  53. The Double Human by James O’Nealsource (opens in a new tab)
  54. The Dream of Perpetual Motion by Dexter Palmersource (opens in a new tab)
  55. The Fall by Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogansource (opens in a new tab)
  56. The Finkler Question by Howard Jacobsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  57. The Four Fingers of Death by Rick Moodysource (opens in a new tab)
  58. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest by Stieg Larsson, translated by Reg Keelandsource (opens in a new tab)
  59. The Girl With Glass Feet by Ali Shawsource (opens in a new tab)
  60. The Glass Rainbow by James Lee Burkesource (opens in a new tab)
  61. The Hanging Tree by Bryan Gruleysource (opens in a new tab)
  62. The House on Salt Hay Road by Carin Clevidencesource (opens in a new tab)
  63. The Janus Stone by Elly Griffithssource (opens in a new tab)
  64. The Last Page by Anthony Husosource (opens in a new tab)
  65. The Legacy by Kirsten Trantersource (opens in a new tab)
  66. The Lonely Polygamist by Brady Udallsource (opens in a new tab)
  67. The Lotus Eaters by Tatjana Solisource (opens in a new tab)
  68. The Lovers by Vendela Vidasource (opens in a new tab)
  69. The Palace of Impossible Dreams by Jennifer Fallonsource (opens in a new tab)
  70. The Passage by Justin Croninsource (opens in a new tab)
  71. The Poacher’s Son by Paul Doironsource (opens in a new tab)
  72. The Privileges by Jonathan Deesource (opens in a new tab)
  73. The Seven Year Bitch by Jennifer Bellesource (opens in a new tab)
  74. The Sleepwalkers by Paul Grossmansource (opens in a new tab)
  75. The Storm by Margriet de Moor, translated by Carol Brown Janewaysource (opens in a new tab)
  76. The Surrendered by Chang-rae Leesource (opens in a new tab)
  77. The Swimming Pool by Holly LeCrawsource (opens in a new tab)
  78. The Taken by Inger Ash Wolfesource (opens in a new tab)
  79. The Thousand Autumns of Jacob De Zoet by David Mitchellsource (opens in a new tab)
  80. To the End of the Land by David Grossman, translated by Jessica Cohensource (opens in a new tab)
  81. Tongues of Serpents by Naomi Noviksource (opens in a new tab)
  82. Twentynine Palms by Daniel Pynesource (opens in a new tab)
  83. What Is Left the Daughter by Howard Normansource (opens in a new tab)
  84. What Is This Thing Called Love? by Gene Wildersource (opens in a new tab)
  85. Will Power by A.J. Hartleysource (opens in a new tab)
  86. Worth Dying For by Lee Childsource (opens in a new tab)

Nonfiction

  1. 52 Loaves by William Alexandersource (opens in a new tab)
  2. 97 Orchard by Jane Ziegelmansource (opens in a new tab)
  3. A Journey by Tony Blairsource (opens in a new tab)
  4. American Terroir by Rowan Jacobsensource (opens in a new tab)
  5. American Wasteland by Jonathan Bloomsource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Amexica by Ed Vulliamysource (opens in a new tab)
  7. Arsenal of Democracy by Julian E. Zelizersource (opens in a new tab)
  8. At Home by Bill Brysonsource (opens in a new tab)
  9. Begin Again by Kenneth Silvermansource (opens in a new tab)
  10. Bonhoeffer by Eric Metaxassource (opens in a new tab)
  11. Castles Made of Sand by André Gerolymatossource (opens in a new tab)
  12. Charlie Chan by Yunte Huangsource (opens in a new tab)
  13. Chasing the Sun by Richard Cohensource (opens in a new tab)
  14. Claiming Ground by Laura Bellsource (opens in a new tab)
  15. Cleopatra by Stacy Schiffsource (opens in a new tab)
  16. Climate Wars by Gwynne Dyersource (opens in a new tab)
  17. Colonel Roosevelt by Edmund Morrissource (opens in a new tab)
  18. Composed by Rosanne Cashsource (opens in a new tab)
  19. Cultures of War by John W. Dowersource (opens in a new tab)
  20. Diet for a Hot Planet by Anna Lappésource (opens in a new tab)
  21. Eaarth by Bill McKibbensource (opens in a new tab)
  22. Eating With the Enemy by Robert Egan and Kurt Pitzersource (opens in a new tab)
  23. Empire of Dreams by Scott Eymansource (opens in a new tab)
  24. Empires of Food by Evan D.G. Fraser and Andrew Rimassource (opens in a new tab)
  25. Fab by Howard Sounessource (opens in a new tab)
  26. First Family by Joseph J. Ellissource (opens in a new tab)
  27. Forget Sorrow by Belle Yangsource (opens in a new tab)
  28. Four Fish by Paul Greenbergsource (opens in a new tab)
  29. Happy by Alex Lemonsource (opens in a new tab)
  30. Hellhound on His Trail by Hampton Sidessource (opens in a new tab)
  31. Herding Donkeys by Ari Bermansource (opens in a new tab)
  32. Hitch-22 by Christopher Hitchenssource (opens in a new tab)
  33. How Did You Get This Number by Sloane Crosleysource (opens in a new tab)
  34. Joe Louis by Randy Robertssource (opens in a new tab)
  35. Just Kids by Patti Smithsource (opens in a new tab)
  36. Kay Thompson by Sam Irvinsource (opens in a new tab)
  37. Knives at Dawn by Andrew Friedmansource (opens in a new tab)
  38. Last Call by Daniel Okrentsource (opens in a new tab)
  39. Madison and Jefferson by Andrew Burstein and Nancy Isenbergsource (opens in a new tab)
  40. Making Our Democracy Work by Stephen Breyersource (opens in a new tab)
  41. Mentor by Tom Grimessource (opens in a new tab)
  42. Murder City by Charles Bowdensource (opens in a new tab)
  43. My Empire of Dirt by Manny Howardsource (opens in a new tab)
  44. My Nuclear Family by Christopher Brownfieldsource (opens in a new tab)
  45. Necessary Secrets by Gabriel Schoenfeldsource (opens in a new tab)
  46. Palmento by Robert V. Camutosource (opens in a new tab)
  47. Play Their Hearts Out by George Dohrmannsource (opens in a new tab)
  48. Poisoning the Press by Mark Feldsteinsource (opens in a new tab)
  49. Rat Girl by Kristin Hershsource (opens in a new tab)
  50. Reality Hunger by David Shieldssource (opens in a new tab)
  51. Reasons to Kill by Richard E. Rubensteinsource (opens in a new tab)
  52. Ripe by Arthur Allensource (opens in a new tab)
  53. Showtime by Larry Stempelsource (opens in a new tab)
  54. Soul Mining by Daniel Lanoissource (opens in a new tab)
  55. Street Shadows by Jerald Walkersource (opens in a new tab)
  56. The Bridge by David Remnicksource (opens in a new tab)
  57. The Climate War by Eric Pooleysource (opens in a new tab)
  58. The Fiddler in the Subway by Gene Weingartensource (opens in a new tab)
  59. The Fine Wisdom and Perfect Teachings of the Kings of Rock and Roll by Mark Edmundsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  60. The Grace of Silence by Michele Norrissource (opens in a new tab)
  61. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Sklootsource (opens in a new tab)
  62. The Last Boy by Jane Leavysource (opens in a new tab)
  63. The Last Stand by Nathaniel Philbricksource (opens in a new tab)
  64. The Plundered Planet by Paul Colliersource (opens in a new tab)
  65. The Polluters by Benjamin Ross and Steven Amtersource (opens in a new tab)
  66. The Publisher by Alan Brinkleysource (opens in a new tab)
  67. The Ticking Is the Bomb by Nick Flynnsource (opens in a new tab)
  68. The Vertical Farm by Dickson Despommiersource (opens in a new tab)
  69. The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkersonsource (opens in a new tab)
  70. The Weather of the Future by Heidi Cullensource (opens in a new tab)
  71. The Whites of Their Eyes by Jill Leporesource (opens in a new tab)
  72. There Is Power in a Union by Philip Draysource (opens in a new tab)
  73. Three Chords for Beauty’s Sake by Tom Nolansource (opens in a new tab)
  74. Travels in Siberia by Ian Fraziersource (opens in a new tab)
  75. Two Cents Plain by Martin Lemelmansource (opens in a new tab)
  76. Young Mr. Obama by Edward McClellandsource (opens in a new tab)

Teen

  1. A Conspiracy of Kings by Megan Whalen Turnersource (opens in a new tab)
  2. Around the World in 100 Days by Gary Blackwoodsource (opens in a new tab)
  3. As Easy as Falling Off the Face of the Earth by Lynne Rae Perkinssource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Blank Confession by Pete Hautmansource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Crossing the Tracks by Barbara Stubersource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Curse of the Wendigo by Rick Yanceysource (opens in a new tab)
  7. Dark Water by Laura McNealsource (opens in a new tab)
  8. Factotum by D.M. Cornishsource (opens in a new tab)
  9. Fever Crumb by Philip Reevesource (opens in a new tab)
  10. Folly by Marthe Jocelynsource (opens in a new tab)
  11. Forge by Laurie Halse Andersonsource (opens in a new tab)
  12. Guardian of the Dead by Karen Healeysource (opens in a new tab)
  13. Hush by Eishes Chayilsource (opens in a new tab)
  14. I Shall Wear Midnight by Terry Pratchettsource (opens in a new tab)
  15. Illyria by Elizabeth Handsource (opens in a new tab)
  16. Incarceron by Catherine Fishersource (opens in a new tab)
  17. Mercury by Hope Larsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  18. Mistwood by Leah Cypesssource (opens in a new tab)
  19. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collinssource (opens in a new tab)
  20. Mr. Mendoza’s Paintbrush by Luis Alberto Urreasource (opens in a new tab)
  21. Not That Kind of Girl by Siobhan Viviansource (opens in a new tab)
  22. Pegasus by Robin McKinleysource (opens in a new tab)
  23. Please Ignore Vera Dietz by A.S. Kingsource (opens in a new tab)
  24. Reckless by Cornelia Funke, translated by Oliver G. Latschsource (opens in a new tab)
  25. Revolution by Jennifer Donnellysource (opens in a new tab)
  26. Revolver by Marcus Sedgwicksource (opens in a new tab)
  27. Sapphique by Catherine Fishersource (opens in a new tab)
  28. Smile by Raina Telgemeiersource (opens in a new tab)
  29. Sugar Changed the World by Marc Aronson and Marina Budhossource (opens in a new tab)
  30. Sweet, Hereafter by Angela Johnsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  31. The 10 P.M. Question by Kate De Goldisource (opens in a new tab)
  32. The Dark Days of Hamburger Halpin by Josh Berksource (opens in a new tab)
  33. The Genius Wars by Catherine Jinkssource (opens in a new tab)
  34. The Good, the Bad, and the Barbie by Tanya Lee Stonesource (opens in a new tab)
  35. The Legend of the King by Gerald Morrissource (opens in a new tab)
  36. The Odyssey by Gareth Hindssource (opens in a new tab)
  37. The Things a Brother Knows by Dana Reinhardtsource (opens in a new tab)
  38. The War to End All Wars by Russell Freedmansource (opens in a new tab)
  39. The White Horse Trick by Kate Thompsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  40. They Called Themselves the KKK by Susan Campbell Bartolettisource (opens in a new tab)
  41. Trickster by Matt Dembickisource (opens in a new tab)
  42. White Cat by Holly Blacksource (opens in a new tab)
  43. Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithansource (opens in a new tab)
  44. Yummy by G. Nerisource (opens in a new tab)

About the Kirkus Best Books of the Year

Full lists per year: Fiction, Nonfiction, Teen, Middle Grade, and Picture Books for 2013-2025 (Kirkus's own alphabetical list pages). 2010-2012 come from Kirkus's complete-list pages; children's books are one Children's list in those years. 2010 Fiction and Nonfiction merge the Top 25 with that year's 'Best ... of 2010' genre lists, because Kirkus posted no single complete adult list. 2006, 2008, and 2009 come from the Best Books special-issue PDFs on the Wayback Machine: those issues are not split into fiction and nonfiction (category Adult), hold 25-47 picks, and the 'Under the Radar' and 'Second Look' recap sections are left out. 2007: the Young Adult list (40 picks) comes from Kirkus's Best Young-Adult Books of 2007 PDF on the Wayback Machine. Kirkus's 2007 Best Children's and Best of 2007 (adult) PDFs survive only as truncated or missing captures, so the Children's list (32 picks) is transcribed from a November 2007 Becky's Book Reviews post that copied the Kirkus children's special, and 2007 Fiction and Nonfiction are partial: only the 15 titles in Barnes & Noble's 'Kirkus Reviews Best Books of 2007' collection (archived 2020), so they carry no expected count. No children's list was found for 2008 or 2009. Kirkus prints titles in capitals; titles here are converted to title case.

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

The most recommended books of 2010