Year-End Lists

A hand-curated, browsable index of notable year-end lists. Follow the link for each list to see essential commentary from its author, at the source.

2016

BBC Culture: Jane Ciabattari: The 10 Best Books of 2016

21 December 2016

Innocents and Others - Dana Spiotta

Jane Ciabattari: The 10 Best Books of 2016 as published by BBC Culture

[see also 201520142013]

Entertainment Weekly: The 20 Best Books of 2016

20 December 2016

The Nix - Nathan Hill

Entertainment Weekly: The 20 Best Books of 2016

[see also 2022202120202010s2019201820172015]

New York Times: 10 Best Books of 2016

19 December 2016

The New York Times Book Review: 10 Best Books of 2016

[see also The 10 Best Books of 2023100 Notable Books of 2023The 10 Best Books of 2022100 Notable Books of 2022The 10 Best Books of 2021100 Notable Books of 2021The 10 Best Books of 2020100 Notable Books of 2020100 Notable Books of 2019The 10 Best Books of 201910 Best Books of 2018100 Notable Books of 2018100 Notable Books of 201710 Best Books of 201710 Best Books of 2015The 10 Best Books of 2014The 10 Best Books of 2013100 Notable Books of 201210 Best Books of 2012100 Notable Books of 2011Ten Best Books of 2011]

Fiction

Nonfiction

Powell's Books: Best Fiction of 2016

16 December 2016

The Nix - Nathan Hill

Powell's Books: Best Fiction of 2016

[see also Best Nonfiction of 2023Best Fiction of 2023Best Nonfiction of 2022Best Fiction of 2022The 14 Best Nonfiction Books of 2021The 18 Best Novels of 2021Best Fiction of 2020Best Nonfiction of 2020Best Fiction of 2019Best Nonfiction of 2019Best Fiction of 2018Best Nonfiction of 2018Best Nonfiction of 2017Best Fiction of 2017Best Nonfiction of 2016Best Nonfiction Books of 2015Best Fiction Books of 2015Best Fiction of 2014Best Nonfiction of 2014]

Powell's Books: Best Nonfiction of 2016

15 December 2016

Evicted - Matthew Desmond

Powell's Books: Best Nonfiction of 2016

[see also Best Nonfiction of 2023Best Fiction of 2023Best Nonfiction of 2022Best Fiction of 2022The 14 Best Nonfiction Books of 2021The 18 Best Novels of 2021Best Fiction of 2020Best Nonfiction of 2020Best Fiction of 2019Best Nonfiction of 2019Best Fiction of 2018Best Nonfiction of 2018Best Nonfiction of 2017Best Fiction of 2017Best Fiction of 2016Best Nonfiction Books of 2015Best Fiction Books of 2015Best Fiction of 2014Best Nonfiction of 2014]

Harper’s Bazaar: The 13 Best Books of 2016

12 December 2016

Here I Am - Jonathan Safran Foer

Harper’s Bazaar: The 13 Best Books of 2016

[see also 20232020201820172015]

The Center for Fiction: 2016 First Novel Prize

07 December 2016

The Castle Cross the Magnet Carter - Kia Corthron

The Center for Fiction: 2016 First Novel Prize

[see also 2015]

Winner

Shortlist

Longlist

Chicago Public Library: Top Ten Books of 2016

01 December 2016

The Underground Railroad - Colson Whitehead

Chicago Public Library: Top Ten Books of 2016

[see also 202320222021202020192018201720152014]

Washington Post: The 10 Best Books of 2016

17 November 2016

Swing Time - Zadie Smith

The Washington Post: The 10 Best Books of 2016

[see also The 10 Best Books of 202350 Notable Works of Nonfiction in 202350 Notable Works of Fiction in 202350 Notable Works of Nonfiction in 202250 Notable Works of Fiction in 2022The 10 Best Books of 202250 Notable Works of Nonfiction in 202150 Notable Works of Fiction in 2021The 10 Best Books of 202110 Best Books of 202050 Notable Works of Nonfiction in 202050 Notable Works of Fiction in 2020Best Books of 201910 Best Books of 2018100 Notable Books of 201810 Best Books of 201710 Best Books of 2015The Ten Best Books of 2014Top 10 Books of 2013The 10 Best Books of 2012]

National Book Award: Fiction 2016

16 November 2016

The Underground Railroad - Colson Whitehead

National Book Award: Fiction 2016

[see also Fiction 2023Nonfiction 2023Fiction 2022Nonfiction 2022Fiction 2021Nonfiction 2021Fiction 2020Nonfiction 2020Fiction 2019Nonfiction 2019Fiction 2018Nonfiction 2018Fiction 2017Nonfiction 2017Nonfiction 2016Fiction 2013Nonfiction 2013]

Winner

Finalists

Longlist