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Kirkus Reviews

Kirkus Best Books of the Year 2018

Kirkus Reviews' Kirkus Best Books of the Year 2018 names 425 books across 5 categories. 131 of them also won or were shortlisted for an award.

Fiction

  1. A Lucky Man by Jamel Brinkleysource (opens in a new tab)
  2. A Princess in Theory by Alyssa Colesource (opens in a new tab)
  3. A Scandalous Deal by Joanna Shupesource (opens in a new tab)
  4. A State of Freedom by Neel Mukherjeesource (opens in a new tab)
  5. America Is Not the Heart by Elaine Castillosource (opens in a new tab)
  6. An American Marriage by Tayari Jonessource (opens in a new tab)
  7. Asymmetry by Lisa Hallidaysource (opens in a new tab)
  8. Baby, You're Gonna Be Mine by Kevin Wilsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  9. Blackfish City by Sam J. Millersource (opens in a new tab)
  10. Boomer1 by Daniel Tordaysource (opens in a new tab)
  11. Brother by David Chariandysource (opens in a new tab)
  12. Call Me Zebra by Azareen Van der Vliet Oloomisource (opens in a new tab)
  13. Circe by Madeline Millersource (opens in a new tab)
  14. Closer Than You Know by Brad Parkssource (opens in a new tab)
  15. Confessions of the Fox by Jordy Rosenbergsource (opens in a new tab)
  16. Dark State by Charles Strosssource (opens in a new tab)
  17. Dear Evelyn by Kathy Pagesource (opens in a new tab)
  18. Eighteen Below by Stefan Ahnhem, translated by Rachel Willson-Broylessource (opens in a new tab)
  19. Evening in Paradise by Lucia Berlinsource (opens in a new tab)
  20. Everything Under by Daisy Johnsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  21. Florida by Lauren Groffsource (opens in a new tab)
  22. Fox by Dubravka Ugrešić, translated by Ellen Elias-Bursać and David Williamssource (opens in a new tab)
  23. Friday Black by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyahsource (opens in a new tab)
  24. Halsey Street by Naima Costersource (opens in a new tab)
  25. Happiness by Aminatta Fornasource (opens in a new tab)
  26. Heads of the Colored People by Nafissa Thompson-Spiressource (opens in a new tab)
  27. Heart on Fire by Amanda Bouchetsource (opens in a new tab)
  28. Home After Dark by David Smallsource (opens in a new tab)
  29. How Are You Going to Save Yourself by JM Holmessource (opens in a new tab)
  30. How It Happened by Michael Korytasource (opens in a new tab)
  31. How Long 'Til Black Future Month? by N.K. Jemisinsource (opens in a new tab)
  32. How to Be Safe by Tom McAllistersource (opens in a new tab)
  33. Killing Commendatore by Haruki Murakami, translated by Philip Gabriel and Ted Goossensource (opens in a new tab)
  34. Kingdom of the Blind by Louise Pennysource (opens in a new tab)
  35. Lake Success by Gary Shteyngartsource (opens in a new tab)
  36. Last Stories by William Trevorsource (opens in a new tab)
  37. Little by Edward Careysource (opens in a new tab)
  38. Miss Blaine's Prefect and the Golden Samovar by Olga Wojtassource (opens in a new tab)
  39. Moon Brow by Shahriar Mandanipour, translated by Sara Khalilisource (opens in a new tab)
  40. Mourning by Eduardo Halfon, translated by Lisa Dillman and Daniel Hahnsource (opens in a new tab)
  41. My Struggle by Karl Ove Knausgaard, translated by Don Bartlett and Martin Aitkensource (opens in a new tab)
  42. My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfeghsource (opens in a new tab)
  43. Newcomer by Keigo Higashino, translated by Giles Murraysource (opens in a new tab)
  44. Night Fall by Simon R. Greensource (opens in a new tab)
  45. No Earls Allowed by Shana Galensource (opens in a new tab)
  46. Peculiar Ground by Lucy Hughes-Hallettsource (opens in a new tab)
  47. Pretend I'm Dead by Jen Beaginsource (opens in a new tab)
  48. Rip Crew by Sebastian Rotellasource (opens in a new tab)
  49. Safe Houses by Dan Fespermansource (opens in a new tab)
  50. Severance by Ling Masource (opens in a new tab)
  51. State Tectonics by Malka Oldersource (opens in a new tab)
  52. Sunburn by Laura Lippmansource (opens in a new tab)
  53. Tell the Machine Goodnight by Katie Williamssource (opens in a new tab)
  54. That Kind of Mother by Rumaan Alamsource (opens in a new tab)
  55. The Air You Breathe by Frances de Pontes Peeblessource (opens in a new tab)
  56. The Book of Hidden Things by Francesco Dimitrisource (opens in a new tab)
  57. The Bride Takes a Groom by Lisa Bernesource (opens in a new tab)
  58. The Caregiver by Samuel Parksource (opens in a new tab)
  59. The Day the Sun Died by Yan Lianke, translated by Carlos Rojassource (opens in a new tab)
  60. The Deeper the Water the Uglier the Fish by Katya Apekinasource (opens in a new tab)
  61. The Female Persuasion by Meg Wolitzersource (opens in a new tab)
  62. The Feral Detective by Jonathan Lethemsource (opens in a new tab)
  63. The First Time at Firelight Falls by Julie Anne Longsource (opens in a new tab)
  64. The Friend by Sigrid Nunezsource (opens in a new tab)
  65. The Girl Who Never Read Noam Chomsky by Jana Casalesource (opens in a new tab)
  66. The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkaisource (opens in a new tab)
  67. The Grey Bastards by Jonathan Frenchsource (opens in a new tab)
  68. The High Season by Judy Blundellsource (opens in a new tab)
  69. The House of Broken Angels by Luis Alberto Urreasource (opens in a new tab)
  70. The Lake on Fire by Rosellen Brownsource (opens in a new tab)
  71. The Largesse of the Sea Maiden by Denis Johnsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  72. The Last Cruise by Kate Christensensource (opens in a new tab)
  73. The Lost Queen by Signe Pikesource (opens in a new tab)
  74. The Mere Wife by Maria Dahvana Headleysource (opens in a new tab)
  75. The Mystery of Three Quarters by Sophie Hannahsource (opens in a new tab)
  76. The Night Market by Jonathan Mooresource (opens in a new tab)
  77. The Ones Who Got Away by Roni Lorensource (opens in a new tab)
  78. The Other Woman by Daniel Silvasource (opens in a new tab)
  79. The Overstory by Richard Powerssource (opens in a new tab)
  80. The Perfect Mother by Aimee Molloysource (opens in a new tab)
  81. The Pisces by Melissa Brodersource (opens in a new tab)
  82. The Proposal by Jasmine Guillorysource (opens in a new tab)
  83. The Right Intention by Andrés Barba, translated by Lisa Dillmansource (opens in a new tab)
  84. The Sparsholt Affair by Alan Hollinghurstsource (opens in a new tab)
  85. The Stranger Game by Peter Gadolsource (opens in a new tab)
  86. The Unmade World by Steve Yarbroughsource (opens in a new tab)
  87. The Wildlands by Abby Genisource (opens in a new tab)
  88. There There by Tommy Orangesource (opens in a new tab)
  89. Those Who Knew by Idra Noveysource (opens in a new tab)
  90. Toddler Hunting by Taeko Kono, translated by Lucy Northsource (opens in a new tab)
  91. Transcription by Kate Atkinsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  92. Trick by Domenico Starnone, translated by Jhumpa Lahirisource (opens in a new tab)
  93. Vita Nostra by Sergiy Dyachenko and Marina Dyachenko, translated by Julia Meitov Herseysource (opens in a new tab)
  94. Wait, Blink by Gunnhild Øyehaug, translated by Kari Dicksonsource (opens in a new tab)
  95. Washington Black by Esi Edugyansource (opens in a new tab)
  96. Where the Dead Sit Talking by Brandon Hobsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  97. White Dancing Elephants by Chaya Bhuvaneswarsource (opens in a new tab)
  98. Wild Milk by Sabrina Orah Marksource (opens in a new tab)
  99. Winter by Ali Smithsource (opens in a new tab)
  100. Your Duck Is My Duck by Deborah Eisenbergsource (opens in a new tab)

Middle Grade

  1. A Dash of Trouble by Anna Merianosource (opens in a new tab)
  2. Akissi by Marguerite Abouet, translated by Judith Taboy and Marie Bédrunesource (opens in a new tab)
  3. All Summer Long by Hope Larsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Amal Unbound by Aisha Saeedsource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Ana Maria Reyes Does Not Live in a Castle by Hilda Eunice Burgossource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshisource (opens in a new tab)
  7. Baby Monkey, Private Eye by Brian Selznick and David Serlinsource (opens in a new tab)
  8. Backyard Bears by Amy Cherrixsource (opens in a new tab)
  9. Betty Before X by Ilyasah Shabazz and Renée Watsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  10. Calling All Minds by Temple Grandinsource (opens in a new tab)
  11. Camp Panda by Catherine Thimmeshsource (opens in a new tab)
  12. Can I Touch Your Hair? by Irene Latham and Charles Waterssource (opens in a new tab)
  13. Capsized! by Patricia Suttonsource (opens in a new tab)
  14. Dragons in a Bag by Zetta Elliottsource (opens in a new tab)
  15. Eat This! by Andrea Curtissource (opens in a new tab)
  16. Everlasting Nora by Marie Miranda Cruzsource (opens in a new tab)
  17. Eye Spy by Guillaume Duprat, translated by Patrick Skipworthsource (opens in a new tab)
  18. Facing Frederick by Tonya Boldensource (opens in a new tab)
  19. Fake Blood by Whitney Gardnersource (opens in a new tab)
  20. Finding Langston by Lesa Cline-Ransomesource (opens in a new tab)
  21. First Generation by Sandra Neil Wallace and Rich Wallacesource (opens in a new tab)
  22. Front Desk by Kelly Yangsource (opens in a new tab)
  23. Gone to Drift by Diana McCaulaysource (opens in a new tab)
  24. Harbor Me by Jacqueline Woodsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  25. Hurricane Child by Kacen Callendersource (opens in a new tab)
  26. Illegal by Eoin Colfer and Andrew Donkinsource (opens in a new tab)
  27. Inside the Villains by Clotilde Perrin, translated by Daniel Hahnsource (opens in a new tab)
  28. It's Up to You, Abe Lincoln by Leila Hirschfeld and Tom Hirschfeldsource (opens in a new tab)
  29. Ivy Aberdeen's Letter to the World by Ashley Herring Blakesource (opens in a new tab)
  30. Knights vs. Dinosaurs by Matt Phelansource (opens in a new tab)
  31. Look at the Weather by Britta Teckentrup, translated by Shelley Tanakasource (opens in a new tab)
  32. Love Like Sky by Leslie C. Youngbloodsource (opens in a new tab)
  33. Martin Rising by Andrea Davis Pinkneysource (opens in a new tab)
  34. Meet Yasmin! by Saadia Faruqisource (opens in a new tab)
  35. Merci Suárez Changes Gears by Meg Medinasource (opens in a new tab)
  36. North to Benjamin by Alan Cumynsource (opens in a new tab)
  37. Otherwood by Pete Hautmansource (opens in a new tab)
  38. Out of Left Field by Ellen Klagessource (opens in a new tab)
  39. Sanity & Tallulah by Molly Brookssource (opens in a new tab)
  40. Small Spaces by Katherine Ardensource (opens in a new tab)
  41. Snowy Owl Invasion! by Sandra Marklesource (opens in a new tab)
  42. So Done by Paula Chasesource (opens in a new tab)
  43. Stanley Will Probably Be Fine by Sally J. Plasource (opens in a new tab)
  44. Struttin' With Some Barbecue by Patricia Hruby Powellsource (opens in a new tab)
  45. The Adventures of a Girl Called Bicycle by Christina Usssource (opens in a new tab)
  46. The Assassination of Brangwain Spurge by M.T. Anderson and Eugene Yelchinsource (opens in a new tab)
  47. The Beloved World of Sonia Sotomayor by Sonia Sotomayorsource (opens in a new tab)
  48. The Book of Boy by Catherine Gilbert Murdocksource (opens in a new tab)
  49. The Cardboard Kingdom by Chad Sellsource (opens in a new tab)
  50. The Dragon Slayer by Jaime Hernandezsource (opens in a new tab)
  51. The Faithful Spy by John Hendrixsource (opens in a new tab)
  52. The Ghost Road by Charis Cottersource (opens in a new tab)
  53. The Girl Who Drew Butterflies by Joyce Sidmansource (opens in a new tab)
  54. The Great Googlini by Sara Cassidysource (opens in a new tab)
  55. The House That Lou Built by Mae Respiciosource (opens in a new tab)
  56. The House With Chicken Legs by Sophie Andersonsource (opens in a new tab)
  57. The Hyena Scientist by Sy Montgomerysource (opens in a new tab)
  58. The Island at the End of Everything by Kiran Millwood Hargravesource (opens in a new tab)
  59. The Journey of Little Charlie by Christopher Paul Curtissource (opens in a new tab)
  60. The Language of Spells by Garret Weyrsource (opens in a new tab)
  61. The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl by Stacy McAnultysource (opens in a new tab)
  62. The Night Diary by Veera Hiranandanisource (opens in a new tab)
  63. The Parker Inheritance by Varian Johnsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  64. The Science of Breakable Things by Tae Kellersource (opens in a new tab)
  65. The Season of Styx Malone by Kekla Magoonsource (opens in a new tab)
  66. The Skies Above My Eyes by Charlotte Guillainsource (opens in a new tab)
  67. The Sky at Our Feet by Nadia Hashimisource (opens in a new tab)
  68. The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle by Leslie Connorsource (opens in a new tab)
  69. The Turnaway Girls by Hayley Chewinssource (opens in a new tab)
  70. Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Black Boy by Tony Medinasource (opens in a new tab)
  71. Tortot, the Cold Fish Who Lost His World and Found His Heart by Benny Lindelauf, translated by Laura Watkinsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  72. We Rise, We Resist, We Raise Our Voices by Wade Hudson and Cheryl Willis Hudsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  73. You Don't Know Everything, Jilly P! by Alex Ginosource (opens in a new tab)
  74. You Go First by Erin Entrada Kellysource (opens in a new tab)
  75. Zenobia by Morten Dürrsource (opens in a new tab)

Nonfiction

  1. 21 Lessons for the 21st Century by Yuval Noah Hararisource (opens in a new tab)
  2. A History of America in Ten Strikes by Erik Loomissource (opens in a new tab)
  3. A Savage Order by Rachel Kleinfeldsource (opens in a new tab)
  4. A Wilder Time by William E. Glassleysource (opens in a new tab)
  5. A World to Win by Sven-Eric Liedmansource (opens in a new tab)
  6. All That Heaven Allows by Mark Griffinsource (opens in a new tab)
  7. American Overdose by Chris McGrealsource (opens in a new tab)
  8. American Prison by Shane Bauersource (opens in a new tab)
  9. Belonging by Nora Krugsource (opens in a new tab)
  10. Beneath a Ruthless Sun by Gilbert Kingsource (opens in a new tab)
  11. Bing Crosby by Gary Giddinssource (opens in a new tab)
  12. Broken Lives by Konrad H. Jarauschsource (opens in a new tab)
  13. Call Me American by Abdi Nor Iftinsource (opens in a new tab)
  14. Call Them by Their True Names by Rebecca Solnitsource (opens in a new tab)
  15. Calypso by David Sedarissource (opens in a new tab)
  16. Captive Audience by Lucas Mannsource (opens in a new tab)
  17. Chalk by Joshua Rivkinsource (opens in a new tab)
  18. Chesapeake Requiem by Earl Swiftsource (opens in a new tab)
  19. Churchill by Andrew Robertssource (opens in a new tab)
  20. City of Devils by Paul Frenchsource (opens in a new tab)
  21. City of a Million Dreams by Jason Berrysource (opens in a new tab)
  22. Close Encounters With Humankind by Sang-Hee Leesource (opens in a new tab)
  23. Crashed by Adam Toozesource (opens in a new tab)
  24. Daemon Voices by Philip Pullmansource (opens in a new tab)
  25. Darwin Comes to Town by Menno Schilthuizensource (opens in a new tab)
  26. De Gaulle by Julian Jacksonsource (opens in a new tab)
  27. Dead Girls by Alice Bolinsource (opens in a new tab)
  28. Denmark Vesey's Garden by Ethan Kytle and Blain Robertssource (opens in a new tab)
  29. Dopesick by Beth Macysource (opens in a new tab)
  30. Energy by Richard Rhodessource (opens in a new tab)
  31. Fear by Bob Woodwardsource (opens in a new tab)
  32. Feel Free by Zadie Smithsource (opens in a new tab)
  33. For Single Mothers Working as Train Conductors by Laura Esther Wolfsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  34. Forms of Enchantment by Marina Warnersource (opens in a new tab)
  35. Frederick Douglass by David W. Blightsource (opens in a new tab)
  36. Fryderyk Chopin by Alan Walkersource (opens in a new tab)
  37. Gandhi by Ramachandra Guhasource (opens in a new tab)
  38. God Save Texas by Lawrence Wrightsource (opens in a new tab)
  39. Good and Mad by Rebecca Traistersource (opens in a new tab)
  40. Heartland by Sarah Smarshsource (opens in a new tab)
  41. Heavy by Kiese Laymonsource (opens in a new tab)
  42. Hesse by Gunnar Decker, translated by Peter Lewissource (opens in a new tab)
  43. How to Change Your Mind by Michael Pollansource (opens in a new tab)
  44. I'll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamarasource (opens in a new tab)
  45. In Byron's Wake by Miranda Seymoursource (opens in a new tab)
  46. Indianapolis by Lynn Vincent and Sara Vladicsource (opens in a new tab)
  47. Jim Brown by Dave Zirinsource (opens in a new tab)
  48. Know Thyself by Ingrid Rossellinisource (opens in a new tab)
  49. Lands of Lost Borders by Kate Harrissource (opens in a new tab)
  50. Leadership by Doris Kearns Goodwinsource (opens in a new tab)
  51. Letters From Max by Sarah Ruhl and Max Ritvosource (opens in a new tab)
  52. Mr. Lear by Jenny Uglowsource (opens in a new tab)
  53. Ninth Street Women by Mary Gabrielsource (opens in a new tab)
  54. Passing for Human by Liana Fincksource (opens in a new tab)
  55. Patriot Number One by Lauren Hilgerssource (opens in a new tab)
  56. Patriot or Traitor by Anna Beersource (opens in a new tab)
  57. Planet Funny by Ken Jenningssource (opens in a new tab)
  58. Proust's Duchess by Caroline Webersource (opens in a new tab)
  59. Provocations by Camille Pagliasource (opens in a new tab)
  60. Rampage by James M. Scottsource (opens in a new tab)
  61. Reporter by Seymour Hershsource (opens in a new tab)
  62. Rise and Kill First by Ronen Bergman, translated by Ronnie Hopesource (opens in a new tab)
  63. Ruth Bader Ginsburg by Jane Sherron De Hartsource (opens in a new tab)
  64. Schumann by Judith Chernaiksource (opens in a new tab)
  65. She Has Her Mother's Laugh by Carl Zimmersource (opens in a new tab)
  66. She Wants It by Jill Solowaysource (opens in a new tab)
  67. Stealing the Show by Joy Presssource (opens in a new tab)
  68. Thanks a Lot Mr. Kibblewhite by Roger Daltreysource (opens in a new tab)
  69. The Annotated Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant by Ulysses S. Grantsource (opens in a new tab)
  70. The Best Cook in the World by Rick Braggsource (opens in a new tab)
  71. The Big Fella by Jane Leavysource (opens in a new tab)
  72. The Cadaver King and the Country Dentist by Radley Balko and Tucker Carringtonsource (opens in a new tab)
  73. The Consciousness Instinct by Michael S. Gazzanigasource (opens in a new tab)
  74. The Debatable Land by Graham Robbsource (opens in a new tab)
  75. The Escape Artists by Neal Bascombsource (opens in a new tab)
  76. The Fifth Risk by Michael Lewissource (opens in a new tab)
  77. The Game by George Howe Coltsource (opens in a new tab)
  78. The Girl Who Smiled Beads by Clemantine Wamariya and Elizabeth Weilsource (opens in a new tab)
  79. The Letters of Sylvia Plath Volume 2 by Sylvia Plathsource (opens in a new tab)
  80. The Life of Mark Twain by Gary Scharnhorstsource (opens in a new tab)
  81. The Life of Saul Bellow by Zachary Leadersource (opens in a new tab)
  82. The Marginalized Majority by Onnesha Roychoudhurisource (opens in a new tab)
  83. The Monarchy of Fear by Martha C. Nussbaumsource (opens in a new tab)
  84. The Perfectionists by Simon Winchestersource (opens in a new tab)
  85. The Poisoned City by Anna Clarksource (opens in a new tab)
  86. The Recovering by Leslie Jamisonsource (opens in a new tab)
  87. The Red Caddy by Charles Bowdensource (opens in a new tab)
  88. The Road to Unfreedom by Timothy Snydersource (opens in a new tab)
  89. The Tangled Tree by David Quammensource (opens in a new tab)
  90. The War Before the War by Andrew Delbancosource (opens in a new tab)
  91. The Wonderful Mr Willughby by Tim Birkheadsource (opens in a new tab)
  92. The World-Ending Fire by Wendell Berrysource (opens in a new tab)
  93. There Will Be No Miracles Here by Casey Geraldsource (opens in a new tab)
  94. These Truths by Jill Leporesource (opens in a new tab)
  95. Through Two Doors at Once by Anil Ananthaswamysource (opens in a new tab)
  96. Tinderbox by Robert W. Fieselersource (opens in a new tab)
  97. Unbound by Arlene Steinsource (opens in a new tab)
  98. Untrue by Wednesday Martinsource (opens in a new tab)
  99. Vietnam by Max Hastingssource (opens in a new tab)
  100. War on Peace by Ronan Farrowsource (opens in a new tab)

Picture Books

  1. 3x4 by Ivan Brunettisource (opens in a new tab)
  2. A Big Mooncake for Little Star by Grace Linsource (opens in a new tab)
  3. A Boy and a House by Maja Kastelicsource (opens in a new tab)
  4. A Pile of Leaves by Tamara Shopsin and Jason Fulfordsource (opens in a new tab)
  5. A Storytelling of Ravens by Kyle Lukoffsource (opens in a new tab)
  6. All-Of-A-Kind Family Hanukkah by Emily Jenkinssource (opens in a new tab)
  7. And There Was Evening, and There Was Morning by Harriet Cohen Helfand and Ellen Kahan Zagersource (opens in a new tab)
  8. Animal Shapes by Christopher Silas Nealsource (opens in a new tab)
  9. Auntie Luce’s Talking Paintings by Francie Latoursource (opens in a new tab)
  10. Ayobami and the Names of the Animals by Pilar López Ávila, translated by Jon Brokenbrowsource (opens in a new tab)
  11. Black Bird Yellow Sun by Steve Lightsource (opens in a new tab)
  12. Carmela Full of Wishes by Matt de la Peñasource (opens in a new tab)
  13. Do Not Lick This Book by Idan Ben-Baraksource (opens in a new tab)
  14. Down by the River by Andrew Weinersource (opens in a new tab)
  15. Drawn From Nature by Helen Ahpornsirisource (opens in a new tab)
  16. Drawn Together by Minh Lêsource (opens in a new tab)
  17. Dreamers by Yuyi Moralessource (opens in a new tab)
  18. Dude! by Aaron Reynoldssource (opens in a new tab)
  19. Every Month Is a New Year by Marilyn Singersource (opens in a new tab)
  20. Find Colors by Tamara Shopsin and Jason Fulfordsource (opens in a new tab)
  21. Flying Deep by Michelle Cusolitosource (opens in a new tab)
  22. Fur, Feather, Fin by Diane Langsource (opens in a new tab)
  23. Go Baby! Go Dog! by Anne Vittur Kennedysource (opens in a new tab)
  24. Grace for Gus by Harry Bliss and Frank Youngsource (opens in a new tab)
  25. Hello Lighthouse by Sophie Blackallsource (opens in a new tab)
  26. Holi Colors by Rina Singhsource (opens in a new tab)
  27. I Can Be Anything! Don't Tell Me I Can't by Diane Dillonsource (opens in a new tab)
  28. I Got a Chicken for My Birthday by Laura Gehlsource (opens in a new tab)
  29. Jerome by Heart by Thomas Scotto, translated by Claudia Zoe Bedrick and Karin Snelsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  30. Julián Is a Mermaid by Jessica Lovesource (opens in a new tab)
  31. Kitten and the Night Watchman by John Sullivansource (opens in a new tab)
  32. Koko and Bo by Lisen Adbåge, translated by Annie Primesource (opens in a new tab)
  33. Let the Children March by Monica Clark-Robinsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  34. Little Boat by Taro Gomisource (opens in a new tab)
  35. Look by Fiona Woodcocksource (opens in a new tab)
  36. Mae Among the Stars by Roda Ahmedsource (opens in a new tab)
  37. Marwan's Journey by Patricia de Ariassource (opens in a new tab)
  38. Memphis, Martin, and the Mountaintop by Alice Faye Duncansource (opens in a new tab)
  39. Mina vs. the Monsoon by Rukhsanna Guidrozsource (opens in a new tab)
  40. Mixed by Arree Chungsource (opens in a new tab)
  41. Mommy's Khimar by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelowsource (opens in a new tab)
  42. No Boring Stories! by Julie Falatkosource (opens in a new tab)
  43. Ocean Meets Sky by Terry Fan and Eric Fansource (opens in a new tab)
  44. On the Other Side of the Garden by Jairo Buitrago, translated by Elisa Amadosource (opens in a new tab)
  45. Opposites by Jacques Duquennoysource (opens in a new tab)
  46. Pass Go and Collect $200 by Tanya Lee Stonesource (opens in a new tab)
  47. Peek-A-Who? by Elsa Mroziewiczsource (opens in a new tab)
  48. Petra by Marianna Coppo, translated by Debbie Bibosource (opens in a new tab)
  49. Pie Is for Sharing by Stephanie Parsley Ledyardsource (opens in a new tab)
  50. Prince & Knight by Daniel Haacksource (opens in a new tab)
  51. Rain by Anders Holmersource (opens in a new tab)
  52. The Boo-Boos That Changed the World by Barry Wittensteinsource (opens in a new tab)
  53. The Dam by David Almondsource (opens in a new tab)
  54. The Field by Baptiste Paulsource (opens in a new tab)
  55. The Fish and the Cat by Marianne Dubucsource (opens in a new tab)
  56. The Fox on the Swing by Evelina Daciutesource (opens in a new tab)
  57. The Old Man by Sarah V., translated by Daniel Hahnsource (opens in a new tab)
  58. The Patchwork Bike by Maxine Beneba Clarkesource (opens in a new tab)
  59. The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeldsource (opens in a new tab)
  60. The Storyteller of Damascus by Rafik Schami, translated by Hiltrud Schulz and Michel Moushabecksource (opens in a new tab)
  61. The Stuff of Stars by Marion Dane Bauersource (opens in a new tab)
  62. The Truly Brave Princesses by Dolores Brownsource (opens in a new tab)
  63. The Very Last Castle by Travis Jonkersource (opens in a new tab)
  64. Tiger vs. Nightmare by Emily Tetrisource (opens in a new tab)
  65. Wallpaper by Thao Lamsource (opens in a new tab)
  66. We Are Grateful by Traci Sorellsource (opens in a new tab)
  67. We Don't Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higginssource (opens in a new tab)
  68. Whale in a Fishbowl by Troy Howellsource (opens in a new tab)
  69. What Do You Do With a Voice Like That? by Chris Bartonsource (opens in a new tab)
  70. When Angels Sing by Michael Mahinsource (opens in a new tab)
  71. When the Cousins Came by Katie Yamasakisource (opens in a new tab)
  72. Who Will Bell the Cat? by Patricia C. McKissacksource (opens in a new tab)
  73. Will Ladybug Hug? by Hilary Leungsource (opens in a new tab)
  74. Woodrow at Sea by Wallace Edwardssource (opens in a new tab)
  75. You're Snug With Me by Chitra Soundarsource (opens in a new tab)

Teen

  1. A Land of Permanent Goodbyes by Atia Abawisource (opens in a new tab)
  2. After the Fire by Will Hillsource (opens in a new tab)
  3. After the Shot Drops by Randy Ribaysource (opens in a new tab)
  4. An Assassin's Guide to Love & Treason by Virginia Boeckersource (opens in a new tab)
  5. And the Ocean Was Our Sky by Patrick Nesssource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Anger Is a Gift by Mark Oshirosource (opens in a new tab)
  7. Attucks! by Phillip Hoosesource (opens in a new tab)
  8. Black Wings Beating by Alex Londonsource (opens in a new tab)
  9. Blacklisted! by Larry Dane Brimnersource (opens in a new tab)
  10. Blanca & Roja by Anna-Marie McLemoresource (opens in a new tab)
  11. Boots on the Ground by Elizabeth Partridgesource (opens in a new tab)
  12. Brazen by Pénélope Bagieu, translated by Montana Kanesource (opens in a new tab)
  13. Buried Beneath the Baobab Tree by Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani and Viviana Mazzasource (opens in a new tab)
  14. Chasing King's Killer by James L. Swansonsource (opens in a new tab)
  15. Check, Please! by Ngozi Ukazusource (opens in a new tab)
  16. Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemisource (opens in a new tab)
  17. Darius the Great Is Not Okay by Adib Khorramsource (opens in a new tab)
  18. Dream Country by Shannon Gibneysource (opens in a new tab)
  19. Driving by Starlight by Anat Deracinesource (opens in a new tab)
  20. Feathered Serpent, Dark Heart of Sky by David Bowlessource (opens in a new tab)
  21. Final Draft by Riley Redgatesource (opens in a new tab)
  22. Fire Song by Adam Garnet Jonessource (opens in a new tab)
  23. For Every One by Jason Reynoldssource (opens in a new tab)
  24. Hey, Kiddo by Jarrett J. Krosoczkasource (opens in a new tab)
  25. Home and Away by Candice Montgomerysource (opens in a new tab)
  26. I Am Still Alive by Kate Alice Marshallsource (opens in a new tab)
  27. I'm Afraid of Men by Vivek Shrayasource (opens in a new tab)
  28. I, Claudia by Mary McCoysource (opens in a new tab)
  29. If Only by Jennifer Gilmoresource (opens in a new tab)
  30. Iron River by Daniel Acostasource (opens in a new tab)
  31. Just Mercy by Bryan Stevensonsource (opens in a new tab)
  32. Last Pick by Jason Walz and Jon Proctorsource (opens in a new tab)
  33. Latchkey by Nicole Kornher-Stacesource (opens in a new tab)
  34. Leah on the Offbeat by Becky Albertallisource (opens in a new tab)
  35. My Brother's Husband by Gengoroh Tagame, translated by Anne Ishiisource (opens in a new tab)
  36. My Name Is Victoria by Lucy Worsleysource (opens in a new tab)
  37. Notes From My Captivity by Kathy Parkssource (opens in a new tab)
  38. Obsidio by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoffsource (opens in a new tab)
  39. Out of the Blue by Sophie Cameronsource (opens in a new tab)
  40. Period Power by Nadya Okamotosource (opens in a new tab)
  41. Picture Us in the Light by Kelly Loy Gilbertsource (opens in a new tab)
  42. Sadie by Courtney Summerssource (opens in a new tab)
  43. Secrets of the Casa Rosada by Alex Tembladorsource (opens in a new tab)
  44. Skyward by Brandon Sandersonsource (opens in a new tab)
  45. Starry Eyes by Jenn Bennettsource (opens in a new tab)
  46. Stronger, Faster, and More Beautiful by Arwen Elys Daytonsource (opens in a new tab)
  47. Summer Bird Blue by Akemi Dawn Bowmansource (opens in a new tab)
  48. Tales From the Inner City by Shaun Tansource (opens in a new tab)
  49. Tess of the Road by Rachel Hartmansource (opens in a new tab)
  50. The Belles by Dhonielle Claytonsource (opens in a new tab)
  51. The Bird and the Blade by Megan Bannensource (opens in a new tab)
  52. The Book of Pearl by Timothée de Fombelle, translated by Sarah Ardizzone and Sam Gordonsource (opens in a new tab)
  53. The Brilliant Death by A.R. Capettasource (opens in a new tab)
  54. The Fall of Innocence by Jenny Torres Sanchezsource (opens in a new tab)
  55. The Good Demon by Jimmy Cajoleassource (opens in a new tab)
  56. The Grand Escape by Neal Bascombsource (opens in a new tab)
  57. The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albertsource (opens in a new tab)
  58. The House of One Thousand Eyes by Michelle Barkersource (opens in a new tab)
  59. The Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy by Mackenzi Leesource (opens in a new tab)
  60. The Place Between Breaths by An Nasource (opens in a new tab)
  61. The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedosource (opens in a new tab)
  62. The Storyteller by Traci Cheesource (opens in a new tab)
  63. The Summer of Jordi Perez (And the Best Burger in Los Angeles) by Amy Spaldingsource (opens in a new tab)
  64. The Unwanted by Don Brownsource (opens in a new tab)
  65. This Book Betrays My Brother by Kagiso Lesego Molopesource (opens in a new tab)
  66. This Is Kind of an Epic Love Story by Kacen Callendersource (opens in a new tab)
  67. Troublemakers by Catherine Bartersource (opens in a new tab)
  68. Unbroken by Marieke Nijkampsource (opens in a new tab)
  69. Voices in the Air by Naomi Shihab Nyesource (opens in a new tab)
  70. Votes for Women! by Winifred Conklingsource (opens in a new tab)
  71. We Are Not Yet Equal by Carol Anderson and Tonya Boldensource (opens in a new tab)
  72. What the Night Sings by Vesper Stampersource (opens in a new tab)
  73. When My Heart Joins the Thousand by A.J. Steigersource (opens in a new tab)
  74. Wildcard by Marie Lusource (opens in a new tab)
  75. Your One & Only by Adrianne Finlaysource (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 2018