Award year

2021 Booklist Editors Choice Winners

Browse the 2021 Booklist Editors Choice winners and nominees by category. Each category starts with the winner, followed by nominees and other recognized titles.

Booklist Editors Choice Awarded by ALA: The American Library Association 6 categories shown

Adult

Winner and nominees for the 2021 Booklist Editors Choice Adult category.

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Top of the List

And Now I Spill the Family Secrets: An Illustrated Memoir

Kimball, Margaret

Standalone · Graphic Novel

Apr-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice top of the list

Beasts of a Little Land

Kim, Juhea

Standalone · Historical

Dec-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

The Book of Form and Emptiness

Ozeki, Ruth L.

Standalone · Literary

Sep-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

Cloud Cuckoo Land

Doerr, Anthony

Standalone · Literary

Oct-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

The Five Wounds

Quade, Kirstin Valdez

Standalone · General Fiction

Apr-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

Girl A

Dean, Abigail

Standalone · Mystery

Jan-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

Harlem Shuffle

Whitehead, Colson

Ray Carney Series · Book 1 · Literary

Sep-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

Legends of the North Cascades

Evison, Jonathan

Standalone · Literary

Jun-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois

Jeffers, Honoree Fanonne

Standalone · Women's Fiction

Aug-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

Martita, I Remember You

Cisneros, Sandra

Standalone · Literary

Sep-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

Matrix

Groff, Lauren

Standalone · Women's Fiction

Sep-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

My Monticello: Fiction

Johnson, Jocelyn Nicole

Standalone · Literary

Oct-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

The Night Always Comes

Vlautin, Willy

Standalone · Literary

Apr-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

Radiant Fugitives

Ahmed, Nawaaz

Standalone · Literary

Aug-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

Top of the List

The Sentence

Erdrich, Louise

Standalone · Literary

Nov-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice top of the list

Sisters in Arms

Alderson, Kaia

Standalone · General Fiction

Aug-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

That Old Country Music

Barry, Kevin

Standalone · General Fiction

Jan-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

That Summer

Weiner, Jennifer

Standalone · Women's Fiction

May-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

Vera

Edgarian, Carol

Standalone · Literary

Mar-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

When Two Feathers Fell from the Sky

Verble, Margaret

Standalone · Literary

Oct-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

Who is Maud Dixon?

Andrews, Alexandra

Standalone · Thriller

Mar-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

Adult Books for Young Adults

Winner and nominees for the 2021 Booklist Editors Choice Adult Books for Young Adults category.

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Gold Diggers

Sathian, Sanjena

Standalone · Literary

Apr-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

How to Kidnap the Rich

Raina, Rahul

Standalone · General Fiction

Jun-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

Infinite Country

Engel, Patricia

Standalone · Literary

Mar-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

Libertie

Greenidge, Kaitlyn

Standalone · Women's Fiction

Apr-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

Margaret and the Mystery of the Missing Body

Milks, Megan

Standalone · General Fiction

Sep-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

My Heart Is a Chainsaw

Jones, Stephen Graham

Jade Daniels / Indian Lake Series · Book 1 · Horror

Jan-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

A Psalm for the Wild-Built

Chambers, Becky

Monk & Robot Series · Book 1 · Science Fiction

Jul-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

The Turnout

Abbott, Megan

Standalone · Thriller

Aug-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

Adult: Audio

Winner and nominees for the 2021 Booklist Editors Choice Adult: Audio category.

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The Anthropocene Reviewed

Green, John

Standalone · General Fiction

Jun-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

Born on the Water

Hannah-Jones, Nikole

Standalone · General Fiction

Nov-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

Cloud Cuckoo Land

Doerr, Anthony

Standalone · Literary

Oct-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

The Ex Talk

Solomon, Rachel Lynn

Standalone · Contemporary Romance

Jan-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

Finnegans Wake

Joyce, James

Standalone · Literary

1959 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

Harlem Shuffle

Whitehead, Colson

Ray Carney Series · Book 1 · Literary

Sep-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

The Heart Principle

Hoang, Helen

The Kiss Quotient Series · Book 3 · Contemporary Romance

May-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

Infinite Country

Engel, Patricia

Standalone · Literary

Mar-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

Island Queen

Riley, Vanessa

Standalone · Women's Fiction

Jul-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

Klara and the Sun

Ishiguro, Kazuo

Standalone · Literary

Mar-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

A Lady's Formula for Love

Everett, Elizabeth

The Secret Scientists of London Series · Book 1 · Historical Romance

Feb-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

The Lincoln Highway

Towles, Amor

Standalone · Literary

Oct-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

The Maidens

Michaelides, Alex

Standalone · Thriller

Jun-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

Top of the List

A Master of Djinn

Clark, P. Djeli

Dead Djinn Universe Series · Book 1 · Fantasy

May-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice top of the list

My Heart Is a Chainsaw

Jones, Stephen Graham

Jade Daniels / Indian Lake Series · Book 1 · Horror

Jan-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

Night Came with Many Stars

Van Booy, Simon

Standalone · Magical Realism

Jun-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

No One Goes Alone

Larson, Erik

Standalone · General Fiction

Oct-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

Tarantino, Quentin

Standalone · General Fiction

Jul-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

The Removed

Hobson, Brandon

Standalone · Literary

Feb-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

Sisters in Arms

Alderson, Kaia

Standalone · General Fiction

Aug-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

A Swim in a Pond in the Rain

Saunders, George

Standalone · General Fiction

Jan-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

Adult: Genre Fiction

Winner and nominees for the 2021 Booklist Editors Choice Adult: Genre Fiction category.

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Billy Summers

King, Stephen

Standalone · Thriller

Aug-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

Blind Tiger

Brown, Sandra

Standalone · Thriller

Aug-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

City on Fire

Winslow, Don

Standalone · Thriller

May-2022 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

Dead of Winter

Jones, Stephen Mack

An August Snow Novel Series · Book 3 · Police Procedural

May-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

Dream Girl

Lippman, Laura

Standalone · Thriller

Jun-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

Five Decembers

Kestrel, James

Standalone · Mystery

Nov-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

Incense and Sensibility

Dev, Sonali

Jane Austen's Sense & Sensibility Series · Contemporary Romance

Jan-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

Incense and Sensibility

Dev, Sonali

The Rajes Series · Book 3 · Contemporary Romance

Jan-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

The Jasmine Throne

Suri, Tasha

The Burning Kingdoms Series · Book 1 · Fantasy

Jun-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

Light From Uncommon Stars

Aoki, Ryka

Standalone · Science Fiction

Oct-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

A Lowcountry Bride

Williams, Preslaysa

Lowcountry Series · Book 1 · Contemporary Romance

Jun-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

My Heart Is a Chainsaw

Jones, Stephen Graham

Jade Daniels / Indian Lake Series · Book 1 · Horror

Jan-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

On Fragile Waves

Yu, E. Lily

Standalone · Literary

Feb-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

The Queen of the Cicadas

Castro, V.

Standalone · Horror

Jun-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

Razorblade Tears

Cosby, S.A.

Standalone · Thriller

Jul-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

A Thorn in the Saddle

Weatherspoon, Rebekah

Cowboys of California Series · Book 3 · Women's Fiction

Nov-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

The Thousand Crimes of Ming Tsu

Lin, Tom

Standalone · Historical

Jun-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

Youth

Winner and nominees for the 2021 Booklist Editors Choice Youth category.

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Amber and Clay

Schlitz, Laura Amy

Standalone · Historical

Mar-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

Between Perfect and Real

Stoeve, Ray

Standalone · General Fiction

May-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

A Boy Named Isamu

Yang, James

Standalone · General Fiction

Jun-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

Boy, Everywhere

Dassu, A.M.

Standalone · General Fiction

Mar-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

Cece Rios and the Desert of Souls

Rivera, Kaela

Cece Rios Series · Book 1 · General Fiction

Apr-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

Cool for the Summer

Adler, Dahlia

Standalone · Contemporary Romance

May-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

The Darkness Outside Us

Schrefer, Eliot

Standalone · Science Fiction

Jun-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

The Deepest Breath

Grehan, Meg

Standalone · Romance

May-2019 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

The Electric Kingdom

Arnold, David

Standalone · Action Adventure

Feb-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

Everybody in the Red Brick Building

Wynter, Anne

Standalone · General Fiction

Oct-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

Firekeeper's Daughter

Boulley, Angeline

Standalone · Mystery

Mar-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

Fred Gets Dressed

Brown, Peter

Standalone · General Fiction

May-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

Harry Versus the First 100 Days of School

Jenkins, Emily

Standalone · General Fiction

Jul-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

Top of the List

Himawari House

Becker, Harmony

Standalone · General Fiction

Nov-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice top of the list

I Dream of Popo

Blackburne, Livia

Standalone · General Fiction

Jan-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

Instructions for Dancing

Yoon, Nicola

Standalone · Contemporary Romance

Jun-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

Kaleidoscope

Selznick, Brian

Standalone · General Fiction

Sep-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

Kneel

Buford, Candace

Standalone · General Fiction

Sep-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

Last Night at the Telegraph Club

Lo, Malinda

Standalone · General Fiction

Jan-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

Top of the List

The Lion of Mars

Holm, Jennifer L.

Standalone · Fantasy

Jan-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice top of the list

The List of Unspeakable Fears

Kramer, J. Kasper

Standalone · General Fiction

Sep-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

Little Thieves

Owen, Margaret

Little Thieves Series · Book 1 · Fantasy

Oct-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

Top of the List

Little Witch Hazel

Wahl, Phoebe

Standalone · General Fiction

Sep-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice top of the list

The Little Wooden Robot and the Log Princess

Gauld, Tom

Standalone · General Fiction

Aug-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

Love Is a Revolution

Watson, Renee

Standalone · Contemporary Romance

Feb-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

Me (Moth)

McBride, Amber

Standalone · General Fiction

Aug-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

Memory Jars

Brosgol, Vera

Standalone · General Fiction

Jun-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

The Midnight Fair

Sterer, Gideon

Standalone · General Fiction

Feb-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

The Night Walk

Dorleans, Marie

Standalone · General Fiction

Apr-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

Oksi

Ahokoivu, Mari

Standalone · Action Adventure

Oct-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

One Great Lie

Caletti, Deb

Standalone · General Fiction

Jun-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

Out into the Big Wide Lake

Harbridge, Paul

Standalone · General Fiction

May-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

Pawcasso

Lai, Remy

Standalone · General Fiction

Jun-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

Playing the Cards You're Dealt

Johnson, Varian

Standalone · General Fiction

Oct-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

The Republic of Birds

Miller, Jessica

Standalone · Fantasy

Apr-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

Salt Magic

Larson, Hope

Standalone · Fantasy

Oct-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

Second Sleep

Stanley, Diane

Standalone · Fantasy

Nov-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

The Secret of the Magic Pearl

Sabatinelli, Elisa

Standalone · General Fiction

Oct-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

Sheepish (Wolf Under Cover)

Yoon, Helen

Standalone · General Fiction

Jan-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

A Sitting in St. James

Williams-Garcia, Rita

Standalone · General Fiction

May-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

This Poison Heart

Bayron, Kalynn

This Poison Heart Series · Book 1 · Fantasy

Jul-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

Voyage of the Sparrowhawk

Farrant, Natasha

Standalone · General Fiction

Sep-2020 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

When We Were Infinite

Gilbert, Kelly Loy

Standalone · Contemporary Romance

Mar-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

The Year I Flew Away

Arnold, Marie

Standalone · General Fiction

Feb-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

Youth: Audio

Winner and nominees for the 2021 Booklist Editors Choice Youth: Audio category.

View category archive

Allergic

Lloyd, Megan Wagner

Standalone · General Fiction

Mar-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World

Saenz, Benjamin Alire

Aristotle and Dante Series · Book 2 · General Fiction

Oct-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

An Emotion of Great Delight

Mafi, Tahereh

Standalone · Christian

Jun-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

Top of the List

Firekeeper's Daughter

Boulley, Angeline

Standalone · Mystery

Mar-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice top of the list

Ikenga

Okorafor, Nnedi

Standalone · Fantasy

Aug-2020 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

Iron Widow

Zhao, Xiran Jay

Standalone · Science Fiction

Sep-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

Kaleidoscope

Selznick, Brian

Standalone · General Fiction

Sep-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

The Outlaws Scarlett and Browne

Stroud, Jonathan

The Outlaws Scarlett and Browne Series · Book 1 · General Fiction

Oct-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

Stuntboy, in the Meantime

Reynolds, Jason

Standalone · General Fiction

Dec-2021 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

We Are Water Protectors

Lindstrom, Carole

Standalone · General Fiction

Mar-2020 2021 Booklist Editors Choice *

Browse Award Categories

Youth Archive Adult Archive Adult: Genre Fiction Archive Adult: Audio Archive Youth: Younger Readers Archive Youth: Older Readers Archive Adult Books for Young Adults Archive Youth: Middle Readers Archive Youth: Audio Archive Youth: Graphic Novel Archive Adult: Graphic Novel Archive

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