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New York Public Library Best Books 2023

New York Public Library Best Books 2023 names 238 books across 3 categories. 69 of them also won or were shortlisted for an award.

Best Books for Adults

  1. A Fever in the Heartland by Timothy Egansource (opens in a new tab)
  2. A Guest in the House by Emily Carrollsource (opens in a new tab)
  3. Above Ground by Clint Smithsource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Against the Currant by Olivia Matthewssource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Age of Vice by Deepti Kapoorsource (opens in a new tab)
  6. All the Beauty in the World by Patrick Bringleysource (opens in a new tab)
  7. An Island Princess Starts a Scandal by Adriana Herrerasource (opens in a new tab)
  8. Bad Kids by Zijin Chen, translated by Michelle Deetersource (opens in a new tab)
  9. Biting the Hand: Growing Up Asian in Black and White America by Julia Leesource (opens in a new tab)
  10. Black Observatory: Poems by Christopher Brean Murraysource (opens in a new tab)
  11. Blackouts by Justin Torressource (opens in a new tab)
  12. Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyahsource (opens in a new tab)
  13. Do a Powerbomb by Daniel Warren Johnsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  14. Eight Billion Genies Deluxe Edition, Vol. 1 by Charles Soulesource (opens in a new tab)
  15. Eve by Cat Bohannonsource (opens in a new tab)
  16. Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevensonsource (opens in a new tab)
  17. Everything Is Fine, Vol. 1 by Mike Birchallsource (opens in a new tab)
  18. Knockout by Sarah MacLeansource (opens in a new tab)
  19. Land of Milk and Honey by C Pam Zhangsource (opens in a new tab)
  20. Last on His Feet: Jack Johnson and the Battle of the Century by Adrian Matejkasource (opens in a new tab)
  21. Listen, Beautiful Márcia by Marcello Quintanilha, translated by Andrea Rosenbergsource (opens in a new tab)
  22. Marry Me by Midnight by Felicia Grossmansource (opens in a new tab)
  23. Mrs. Nash's Ashes by Sarah Adlersource (opens in a new tab)
  24. My Murder: A Novel by Katie Williamssource (opens in a new tab)
  25. Nestlings by Nat Cassidysource (opens in a new tab)
  26. No Sweet Without Brine by Cynthia Manicksource (opens in a new tab)
  27. Our Share of Night: A Novel by Mariana Enriquezsource (opens in a new tab)
  28. Promises of Gold by José Olivarezsource (opens in a new tab)
  29. Prophet by Sin Blaché and Helen Macdonaldsource (opens in a new tab)
  30. Quiet: Poems by Victoria Adukwei Bulleysource (opens in a new tab)
  31. Red Queen by Juan Gómez-Juradosource (opens in a new tab)
  32. Safe and Sound: A Renter-Friendly Guide to Home Repair by Mercury Stardustsource (opens in a new tab)
  33. Short Film Starring My Beloved's Red Bronco by K. Iversource (opens in a new tab)
  34. Shubeik Lubeik by Deena Mohamedsource (opens in a new tab)
  35. Side Notes from the Archivist: Poems by Anastacia-Reneésource (opens in a new tab)
  36. Start Here: Instructions for Becoming a Better Cook by Sohla El-Wayllysource (opens in a new tab)
  37. Starter Villain by John Scalzisource (opens in a new tab)
  38. Thank You for Sharing by Rachel Runya Katzsource (opens in a new tab)
  39. The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi by Shannon Chakrabortysource (opens in a new tab)
  40. The Bee Sting by Paul Murraysource (opens in a new tab)
  41. The Deep Sky: A Novel by Yume Kitaseisource (opens in a new tab)
  42. The Glutton by A.K. Blakemoresource (opens in a new tab)
  43. The Great Displacement by Jake Bittlesource (opens in a new tab)
  44. The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBridesource (opens in a new tab)
  45. The Hive and the Honey: Stories by Paul Yoonsource (opens in a new tab)
  46. The Kingdom of Surfaces by Sally Wen Maosource (opens in a new tab)
  47. The Last One by Will Deansource (opens in a new tab)
  48. The MANIAC by Benjamín Labatutsource (opens in a new tab)
  49. The Man in the McIntosh Suit by Rina Ayuyangsource (opens in a new tab)
  50. The Mis-Arrangement of Sana Saeed by Noreen Mugheessource (opens in a new tab)
  51. The New Guy by Sarina Bowensource (opens in a new tab)
  52. The Nigerwife: A Novel by Vanessa Walterssource (opens in a new tab)
  53. The Quiet Tenant by Clémence Michallonsource (opens in a new tab)
  54. The Reformatory: A Novel by Tananarive Duesource (opens in a new tab)
  55. The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Postonsource (opens in a new tab)
  56. The Talk by Darrin Bellsource (opens in a new tab)
  57. The Trap by Catherine Ryan Howardsource (opens in a new tab)
  58. Thin Skin: Essays by Jenn Shaplandsource (opens in a new tab)
  59. This Is Salvaged: Stories by Vauhini Varasource (opens in a new tab)
  60. To Be Named Something Else by Shaina Phenixsource (opens in a new tab)
  61. Translation State by Ann Leckiesource (opens in a new tab)
  62. Unshuttered: Poems by Patricia Smithsource (opens in a new tab)
  63. Vengeance Is Mine by Marie NDiaye, translated by Jordan Stumpsource (opens in a new tab)
  64. Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutantosource (opens in a new tab)
  65. We Could Be So Good by Cat Sebastiansource (opens in a new tab)
  66. When Crack Was King: A People's History of a Misunderstood Era by Donovan X. Ramseysource (opens in a new tab)
  67. White Cat, Black Dog: Stories by Kelly Linksource (opens in a new tab)
  68. Wild Girls by Tiya Milessource (opens in a new tab)
  69. With Love, from Cold World by Alicia Thompsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  70. Wonder Woman Historia: The Amazons by Kelly Sue Deconnicksource (opens in a new tab)

Best Books for Kids

  1. 9 Kilometers by Claudio Aguilera, translated by Lawrence Schimelsource (opens in a new tab)
  2. A Work in Progress by Jarrett Lernersource (opens in a new tab)
  3. An American Story by Kwame Alexandersource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Ancestory: The Mystery and Majesty of Ancient Cave Art by Hannah Salyersource (opens in a new tab)
  5. Aniana del Mar Jumps In by Jasminne Mendezsource (opens in a new tab)
  6. At the Drop of a Cat by Élise Fontenaille, translated by Karin Snelson and Emilie Robert Wongsource (opens in a new tab)
  7. Benita y las criaturas nocturnas by Mariana Llanossource (opens in a new tab)
  8. Big by Vashti Harrisonsource (opens in a new tab)
  9. Big Tune by Alliah L. Agostinisource (opens in a new tab)
  10. Breaking to the Beat! by Linda J. Acevedosource (opens in a new tab)
  11. Bunny and Tree by Balint Zsakosource (opens in a new tab)
  12. Bábo by Astrid Kamalyansource (opens in a new tab)
  13. Calling the Moon: 16 Period Stories from BIPOC Authors by Aida Salazarsource (opens in a new tab)
  14. Cape by Kevin Johnsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  15. Chef Edna by Melvina Noelsource (opens in a new tab)
  16. Chinese Menu by Grace Linsource (opens in a new tab)
  17. Con calma, aquí y ahora by Laura Brandsource (opens in a new tab)
  18. Con la cabeza en alto by Patricia Gualinga y Laura Resausource (opens in a new tab)
  19. Contenders by Traci Sorellsource (opens in a new tab)
  20. Cross My Heart and Never Lie by Nora Dåsnessource (opens in a new tab)
  21. Curlfriends: New in Town by Sharee Millersource (opens in a new tab)
  22. Dear Mothman by Robin Gowsource (opens in a new tab)
  23. Deephaven by Ethan M. Aldridgesource (opens in a new tab)
  24. Do You Remember? by Sydney Smithsource (opens in a new tab)
  25. Donde el corazón te lleva: La historia de Dindim y Joao by Irma Gold, translated by Ana Pánikersource (opens in a new tab)
  26. Doodles from the Boogie Down by Stephanie Rodriguezsource (opens in a new tab)
  27. Eerie Tales from the School of Screams by Graham Annablesource (opens in a new tab)
  28. El amor más grande by Megan Jacobsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  29. El libro de las habilidades olvidadas by Elaine Batiste and Natalie Crowleysource (opens in a new tab)
  30. El rebaño by Margarita del Mazosource (opens in a new tab)
  31. El sapo by Elise Gravelsource (opens in a new tab)
  32. Frankie and Friends by Christine Plattsource (opens in a new tab)
  33. From Here to There by Vivian Frenchsource (opens in a new tab)
  34. Ghost Girl by Brooke Cartersource (opens in a new tab)
  35. Glitter Everywhere! by Chris Bartonsource (opens in a new tab)
  36. Great Carrier Reef by Jessica Stremersource (opens in a new tab)
  37. Greenwild by Pari Thomsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  38. Hands by Torrey Maldonadosource (opens in a new tab)
  39. Holding Her Own by Shannon Wrightsource (opens in a new tab)
  40. Hoops by Matt Tavaressource (opens in a new tab)
  41. How the Sea Came to Be by Jennifer Bernesource (opens in a new tab)
  42. How to Bird by Rasha Hamidsource (opens in a new tab)
  43. I'm From by Gary R. Graysource (opens in a new tab)
  44. José and El Perro by Susan Rose and Silvia Lópezsource (opens in a new tab)
  45. Juego de libertad: Mestre Bimba y el arte de la Capoeira by Duncan Tonatiuhsource (opens in a new tab)
  46. Jumper by Jessica Lanansource (opens in a new tab)
  47. Just Like Grandma by Kim Rogerssource (opens in a new tab)
  48. Kicks in the Sky by C.G. Esperanzasource (opens in a new tab)
  49. Lasagna Means I Love You by Kate O'Shaughnessysource (opens in a new tab)
  50. Link + Hud: Heroes by a Hair by Jarrett Pumphrey and Jerome Pumphreysource (opens in a new tab)
  51. Magia by Mirelle Ortegasource (opens in a new tab)
  52. Mama Shamsi at the Bazaar by Mojdeh Hassani and Samira Iravanisource (opens in a new tab)
  53. Mascot by Charles Waters and Traci Sorellsource (opens in a new tab)
  54. Mehndi Boy by Zain Bandalisource (opens in a new tab)
  55. Mexikid by Pedro Martínsource (opens in a new tab)
  56. Mil mariposas blancas by Jessica Betancourt-Perezsource (opens in a new tab)
  57. Mr. S by Monica Arnaldosource (opens in a new tab)
  58. My Baba's Garden by Jordan Scottsource (opens in a new tab)
  59. My Indigo World by Rosa Changsource (opens in a new tab)
  60. Nena, y Roberta ¿dónde está? by Marie Biskaisource (opens in a new tab)
  61. Nothing Else but Miracles by Kate Albussource (opens in a new tab)
  62. Nuestro techo es azul by Sara E. Echeniquesource (opens in a new tab)
  63. Papá's Magical Water-Jug Clock by Jesús Trejosource (opens in a new tab)
  64. Parachute Kids by Betty C. Tangsource (opens in a new tab)
  65. Rainbow Shopping by Qing Zhuangsource (opens in a new tab)
  66. Remember by Joy Harjosource (opens in a new tab)
  67. Remember Us by Jacqueline Woodsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  68. Rock, Rosetta, Rock! Roll, Rosetta, Roll! by Tonya Boldensource (opens in a new tab)
  69. Roll, Roll, Little Pea by Cécile Bergamesource (opens in a new tab)
  70. Ruby Lost and Found by Christina Lisource (opens in a new tab)
  71. Salma Makes a Home by Danny Ramadansource (opens in a new tab)
  72. Saving Sunshine by Saadia Faruqi and Shazleen Khansource (opens in a new tab)
  73. Search for a Giant Squid by Amy Seto Forrestersource (opens in a new tab)
  74. Shipwrecked! by Martin W. Sandlersource (opens in a new tab)
  75. Sisters of the Lost Marsh by Lucy Strangesource (opens in a new tab)
  76. Stars of the Night by Caren Stelsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  77. Thank a Farmer by Maria Gianferrarisource (opens in a new tab)
  78. That Flag by Tameka Fryer Brownsource (opens in a new tab)
  79. The Boy Who Tried to Shrink His Name by Sandhya Parappukkaransource (opens in a new tab)
  80. The Eyes and the Impossible by Dave Eggerssource (opens in a new tab)
  81. The Fire, the Water, and Maudie McGinn by Sally J. Plasource (opens in a new tab)
  82. The House That Whispers by Lin Thompsonsource (opens in a new tab)
  83. The Lion Queen by Rina Singhsource (opens in a new tab)
  84. The Lost Year by Katherine Marshsource (opens in a new tab)
  85. The Many Masks of Andy Zhou by Jack Chengsource (opens in a new tab)
  86. The Mona Lisa Vanishes by Nicholas Daysource (opens in a new tab)
  87. The Monkey Trial by Anita Sanchezsource (opens in a new tab)
  88. The Party Diaires by Mitali Banerjee Ruthssource (opens in a new tab)
  89. The Skull by Jon Klassensource (opens in a new tab)
  90. The Sky Is Not the Limit by Jérémie Decalfsource (opens in a new tab)
  91. The Swifts: A Dictionary of Scoundrels by Beth Lincolnsource (opens in a new tab)
  92. The Train Home by Dan-ah Kimsource (opens in a new tab)
  93. The Umbrella Maker's Son by Katrina Lenosource (opens in a new tab)
  94. The Unlovable Alina Butt by Ambreen Butt-Hussainsource (opens in a new tab)
  95. The Walk by Winsome Binghamsource (opens in a new tab)
  96. The Year My Life Went Down the Toilet by Jake Maia Arlowsource (opens in a new tab)
  97. There Was a Party for Langston by Jason Reynoldssource (opens in a new tab)
  98. These Olive Trees by Aya Ghanamehsource (opens in a new tab)
  99. They Hold the Line by Dan Paleysource (opens in a new tab)
  100. Things in the Basement by Ben Hatkesource (opens in a new tab)
  101. To the Other Side by Erika Mezasource (opens in a new tab)
  102. Total Garbage by Rebecca Donnellysource (opens in a new tab)
  103. Two Tribes by Emily Bowen Cohensource (opens in a new tab)
  104. Una habitación muy ruidosa by Alicia Acostasource (opens in a new tab)
  105. Unseen Jungle by Eleanor Spicer Ricesource (opens in a new tab)
  106. Valiente como un león by Erika Mezasource (opens in a new tab)
  107. Wepa by J de la Vegasource (opens in a new tab)
  108. Whale Fall by Melissa Stewartsource (opens in a new tab)
  109. What Happened to Rachel Riley? by Claire Swinarskisource (opens in a new tab)
  110. When You Can Swim by Jack Wongsource (opens in a new tab)
  111. Where the Lockwood Grows by Olivia A. Colesource (opens in a new tab)
  112. Will on the Inside by Andrew Eliopulossource (opens in a new tab)
  113. Window Fishing by DK Dysonsource (opens in a new tab)
  114. Worm and Caterpillar Are Friends by Kaz Windnesssource (opens in a new tab)
  115. You Are Here: Connecting Flights by Ellen Ohsource (opens in a new tab)
  116. You So Black by Theresa tha S.O.N.G.B.I.R.D.source (opens in a new tab)
  117. ¡El Cucuy también tiene miedo! by Donna Barba Higuerasource (opens in a new tab)
  118. ¿Me ayudas a dibujar un pato? by Jose Carlos Andréssource (opens in a new tab)

Best Books for Teens

  1. A Bright Heart by Kate Chenlisource (opens in a new tab)
  2. A Crooked Mark by Linda Kaosource (opens in a new tab)
  3. Akane-banashi, Vol. 1 by Yuki Suenagasource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Alondra by Gina Femiasource (opens in a new tab)
  5. America Redux: Visual Stories from Our Dynamic History by Ariel Aberg-Rigersource (opens in a new tab)
  6. Bianca Torre Is Afraid of Everything by Justine Pucella Winanssource (opens in a new tab)
  7. Brooms by Jasmine Wallssource (opens in a new tab)
  8. Buzzing by Samuel Sattinsource (opens in a new tab)
  9. Chloe and the Kaishao Boys by Mae Coyiutosource (opens in a new tab)
  10. Dear Medusa by Olivia A. Colesource (opens in a new tab)
  11. For Lamb by Lesa Cline-Ransomesource (opens in a new tab)
  12. Forgive Me Not by Jennifer Bakersource (opens in a new tab)
  13. From Here by Luma Muflehsource (opens in a new tab)
  14. Give Me a Sign by Anna Sortinosource (opens in a new tab)
  15. Godly Heathens by H.E. Edgmonsource (opens in a new tab)
  16. Going Bicoastal by Dahlia Adlersource (opens in a new tab)
  17. Gorgeous Gruesome Faces by Linda Chengsource (opens in a new tab)
  18. Hidden Systems by Dan Nottsource (opens in a new tab)
  19. I'd Rather Burn than Bloom by Shannon C.F. Rogerssource (opens in a new tab)
  20. In Limbo by Deb JJ Leesource (opens in a new tab)
  21. In My Feelings by Vidal Annansource (opens in a new tab)
  22. Lion's Legacy by L.C. Rosensource (opens in a new tab)
  23. Love's in Sight!, Vol. 1 by Uoyamasource (opens in a new tab)
  24. Made of Stars by Jenna Vorissource (opens in a new tab)
  25. Magic Has No Borders by Sona Charaipotra and Samira Ahmedsource (opens in a new tab)
  26. Money Out Loud: All the Financial Stuff No One Taught Us by Berna Anatsource (opens in a new tab)
  27. Monstrous: A Transracial Adoption Story by Sarah Myersource (opens in a new tab)
  28. Nigeria Jones by Ibi Zoboisource (opens in a new tab)
  29. Only This Beautiful Moment by Abdi Nazemiansource (opens in a new tab)
  30. Project Nought by Chelsey Furedisource (opens in a new tab)
  31. Promise Boys by Nick Brookssource (opens in a new tab)
  32. Rez Ball by Byron Gravessource (opens in a new tab)
  33. Saints of the Household by Ari Tisonsource (opens in a new tab)
  34. Secret of the Moon Conch by David Bowles and Guadalupe García McCallsource (opens in a new tab)
  35. Something More by Jackie Khaliliehsource (opens in a new tab)
  36. Stars in Their Eyes: A Graphic Novel by Jessica Walton and Aśkasource (opens in a new tab)
  37. Superman: The Harvests of Youth by Sina Gracesource (opens in a new tab)
  38. The Fall of Whit Rivera by Crystal Maldonadosource (opens in a new tab)
  39. The Making of Yolanda La Bruja by Lorraine Avilasource (opens in a new tab)
  40. The Moon on a Rainy Night, Vol. 1 by Kuzushirosource (opens in a new tab)
  41. The Next New Syrian Girl by Ream Shukairysource (opens in a new tab)
  42. The Princess and the Grilled Cheese Sandwich by Deya Munizsource (opens in a new tab)
  43. The Queens of New York: A Novel by E.L. Shensource (opens in a new tab)
  44. The Summer Hikaru Died, Vol. 1 by Mokumokurensource (opens in a new tab)
  45. The Twenty-One by Elizabeth Ruschsource (opens in a new tab)
  46. Their Vicious Games by Joelle Wellingtonsource (opens in a new tab)
  47. Those Who Saw The Sun by Jaha Nailah Averysource (opens in a new tab)
  48. What Stalks Among Us by Sarah Hollowellsource (opens in a new tab)
  49. Where You See Yourself by Claire Forrestsource (opens in a new tab)
  50. Young Queer America: Real Stories and Faces of LGBTQ+ Youth by Maxwell Pothsource (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 2023