100 “must read” books published roughly within the past decade (with a few seminal works slightly outside this window that continue to resonate) that have sparked conversation, redefined genres, and captured the spirit of our times. This list spans a variety of genres—from literary fiction and speculative narratives to memoirs and incisive nonfiction. While every reader’s list may differ, these titles have consistently appeared on contemporary “best of the decade” lists and are certainly worth your time:
Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (2013) A powerful exploration of race, identity, and the immigrant experience.
The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead (2016) A reimagined journey of escape from slavery that blends history and speculative fiction.
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr (2014) A lyrical World War II epic celebrating resilience and the human spirit.
The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt (2013) An expansive coming-of-age tale of art, loss, and the beauty found in the broken.
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara (2015) A heartrending narrative exploring friendship, trauma, and survival over decades.
Normal People by Sally Rooney (2018) A contemporary portrait of intimacy and personal growth amid social divides.
Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng (2017) A gripping suburban drama that unravels secrets, identity, and class.
Circe by Madeline Miller (2018) A modern retelling of ancient myths, centering on the enigmatic sorceress.
The Testaments by Margaret Atwood (2019) The long-awaited sequel to The Handmaid’s Tale, illuminating dystopia from fresh perspectives.
Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo (2019) A polyphonic narrative celebrating diverse lives and British multiculturalism.
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern (2011) A magical, immersive tale of mystique and romance set against a traveling circus.
The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates (2019) A blend of historical fiction and magical realism that rethinks the legacy of slavery.
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens (2018) A beautifully atmospheric mystery and coming-of-age story set in the marshes of North Carolina.
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman (2017) A quirky, heartfelt look at isolation and the journey toward connection.
The Overstory by Richard Powers (2018) A sprawling, interwoven narrative about nature, trees, and our place within the ecosystem.
Pachinko by Min Jin Lee (2017) A multigenerational saga of a Korean family living through hardship and hope in Japan.
An American Marriage by Tayari Jones (2018) A moving exploration of love, race, and the disruption of modern lives.
Educated by Tara Westover (2018) A memoir of transformation forged in defiance of a tumultuous upbringing.
Becoming by Michelle Obama (2018) An intimate memoir sharing personal insights, challenges, and triumphs from the former First Lady.
Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari (2014) A thought-provoking synthesis of history and ideas that redefines our understanding of civilization.
H Is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald (2014) A meditation on grief and recovery as the author trains a goshawk amid personal loss.
The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin (2018) A novel that ponders fate and free will through a family’s brush with a prophetic secret.
Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel (2014) A post-apocalyptic narrative that finds beauty and meaning amid the collapse of society.
Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate (2017) A suspenseful, heartbreaking story inspired by true events about lost families and hidden histories.
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas (2017) A vital and urgent novel about race, injustice, and the power of one voice.
The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead (2019) A searing chronicle of institutional cruelty and the lasting impacts of America’s past.
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles (2016) A charming story of resilience and grace told through the eyes of a man confined to a hotel.
The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen (2015) A dazzling spy novel set amidst the turmoil of the Vietnam War that defies expectations.
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn (2012) A twist-heavy psychological thriller that reshaped modern storytelling.
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green (2012) A tender yet heartrending young-adult novel about love in the face of terminal illness.
Room by Emma Donoghue (2010) A unique narrative seen through the eyes of a child whose world is confined to one room.
The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes (2011) A concise meditation on memory, regret, and the secrets we keep.
The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton (2013) An intricately plotted historical mystery set in 19th‑century New Zealand.
Red Rising by Pierce Brown (2014) A gritty science fiction saga that ignited a fervent fandom with its revolutionary spirit.
Recursion by Blake Crouch (2019) A mind-bending narrative exploring memory, time, and the nature of reality.
Dark Matter by Blake Crouch (2016) A high-concept thriller that challenges everything we know about choice and destiny.
The Mirror & the Light by Hilary Mantel (2020) The epic conclusion of Thomas Cromwell’s story, rich with historical detail and insight.
Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (2020) A modern gothic horror that reimagines classic tropes amid a haunting Mexican setting.
Sabrina & Corina by Kali Fajardo-Anstine (2021) A compelling short story collection that captures the distinct and evolving voices of Latinas in the American West.
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett (2020) A multigenerational exploration of identity, race, and the divergent paths of twin sisters.
Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam (2020) A suspenseful narrative about trust, class, and societal unraveling in unprecedented times.
Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell (2020) A moving reimagining of Shakespeare’s family story that is both intimate and expansive.
Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro (2021) An enigmatic tale offered from the perspective of an artificial friend, grappling with what it means to be human.
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir (2021) A riveting space adventure that blends scientific ingenuity with the fight for survival.
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab (2020) A lyrical story of immortality, identity, and the lasting impact of a life forgotten by history.
The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune (2020) A heartwarming fantasy that celebrates found family and challenges our preconceptions of normalcy.
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig (2020) A unique exploration of regret and the myriad lives one might live through the prism of choice.
Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb (2019) An engaging, humorous look into the transformative power of therapy and self-discovery.
The Splendid and the Vile by Erik Larson (2020) A masterful historical portrait detailing Churchill’s leadership during one of Britain’s darkest hours.
Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson (2020) A profound investigation into America’s hidden hierarchy and the enduring legacy of caste systems.
Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates (2015) A moving letter that dissects race in America from personal and historical perspectives.
How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi (2019) A transformative exploration of racism with actionable insights for change.
Untamed by Glennon Doyle (2020) A memoir that inspires readers to break free of societal constraints and embrace their true selves.
The Body: A Guide for Occupants by Bill Bryson (2019) A witty, accessible journey into the marvels—and oddities—of the human body.
Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland by Patrick Radden Keefe (2019) A riveting account of political strife and human tragedy during the Troubles.
Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup by John Carreyrou (2018) An investigative tour de force revealing the perils of unchecked ambition and corporate deceit.
The Ride of a Lifetime by Robert Iger (2019) Leadership lessons and reflections from the former CEO of Disney, full of insight and inspiration.
No Filter: The Inside Story of Instagram by Sarah Frier (2020) An engaging narrative that dissects the rise and cultural impact of social media.
My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh (2018) A darkly comic exploration of modern ennui and the search for self amidst chaos.
Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney (2017) A sharply observant debut that dissects modern relationships, art, and identity.
Luster by Raven Leilani (2020) A fresh, incisive debut capturing the challenges and absurdities of contemporary life.
Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid (2019) A smart, provocative novel probing race, privilege, and the complexities of modern interaction.
The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin (2020) A bold urban fantasy that imagines New York City as a living, breathing entity.
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke (2020) An enigmatic and atmospheric novel that challenges perceptions of reality and memory.
The Final Revival of Opal & Nev by Dawnie Walton (2021) A dynamic narrative blending history and cultural commentary with a modern twist.
Interior Chinatown by Charles Yu (2020) A satirical, inventive look at Asian-American identity and the stereotypes woven into society.
Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston (2019) A charming, witty romantic comedy exploring the collision of celebrity, politics, and love.
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller (2011) A lyrical retelling of the Iliad that casts new light on ancient myth through intimate storytelling.
Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward (2017) A poetic and raw account of a family's struggle with history and loss in the American South.
On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong (2019) A beautifully written, epistolary novel that meditates on identity, class, and intergenerational trauma.
The Incendiaries by R.O. Kwon (2018) An intense, thought-provoking exploration of faith, love, and the fires of radicalization.
Minor Feelings: An Asian American Reckoning by Cathy Park Hong (2020) A collection of essays that incisively examines the complexities of the Asian American experience.
How Much of These Hills Is Gold by C Pam Zhang (2020) A poetic reimagining of the American West told through the lens of immigrant narratives.
The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz (2021) A suspenseful literary thriller that probes the nature of creativity—and the risks of imitation.
Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World by Cal Newport (2019) A timely guide to reclaiming your attention and finding balance in the digital age.
Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World by David Epstein (2019) A thought-provoking exploration of how broad experiences can foster creativity and success.
Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men by Caroline Criado Perez (2019) An eye-opening investigation into gender bias and its profound everyday impacts.
Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art by James Nestor (2020) A fascinating look at how something as simple as breathing can revolutionize your health.
The Road to Unfreedom: Russia, Europe, America by Timothy Snyder (2018) A timely analysis exposing the roots and repercussions of modern authoritarianism.
Empire of Pain by Patrick Radden Keefe (2021) A meticulously researched account of the opioid crisis and the forces behind it.
How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy by Jenny Odell (2019) A meditative call to reclaim your time and focus in a hyper-connected world.
Winners Take All: The Elite Charade of Changing the World by Anand Giridharadas (2018) A provocative critique of modern philanthropy and the politics of social change.
A Promised Land by Barack Obama (2020) An intimate memoir offering insight into the early years of leadership and national transformation.
Beautiful Country by Qian Julie Wang (2021) A raw, evocative memoir detailing immigration, identity, and the quest for belonging.
The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin (2015) An award-winning speculative epic that reshapes how we perceive apocalyptic and environmental narratives.
The Dutch House by Ann Patchett (2019) A richly drawn family saga centered on memory, loss, and the lasting pull of home.
Deacon King Kong by James McBride (2020) A vibrant story of community, redemption, and the quirks of modern America.
They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera (2017) A heartrending young-adult novel exploring the beauty and fragility of life.
One Day by David Nicholls (2010) A bittersweet narrative that revisits life, love, and friendship over the course of twenty years.
The Circle by Dave Eggers (2013) A cautionary tale that scrutinizes the power and peril of the modern tech landscape.
Exit West by Mohsin Hamid (2017) A lyrical love story set against the backdrop of global refugee crises and change.
The Sellout by Paul Beatty (2015) A razor-sharp satire on race and society that challenges conventional narratives.
The Flamethrowers by Rachel Kushner (2013) An audacious novel intertwining art, politics, and the revolutionary spirit of the age.
All My Puny Sorrows by Miriam Toews (2014) A poignant exploration of familial bonds, mental health, and the search for meaning.
Bad Feminist by Roxane Gay (2014) A collection of essays offering incisive cultural critique, personal reflection, and humor.
Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner (2021) A moving memoir about grief, food, and finding identity through family heritage.
How Beautiful We Were by Imbolo Mbue (2021) A novel that tackles themes of power, exploitation, and environmental injustice with lyrical prose.
Intimacies by Katie Kitamura (2021) A psychologically astute exploration of desire, identity, and the intricacies of interpersonal connection.
Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel (2022) A genre-spanning, meditative journey across time and space, blending science fiction with human intimacy.
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin (2022) A heartfelt exploration of friendship, creativity, and the enduring impact of storytelling in video game culture.
This list is informed by insights from popular decade‐end roundups—such as Penguin Random House’s staff picks and Goodreads’ top decade lists—while also reflecting the diversity of voices and styles writing our current literary landscape [1][2][3]. Whether you’re in the mood for a sweeping historical epic, a transformative memoir, or a timely social critique, these 100 titles offer a prism through which to view our complex, ever-evolving world.
0 Comments