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.

2012

Dennis Cooper: 21 Favorite Books of 2012

11 January 2013

Action, Figure - Frank Hinton

Dennis Cooper: 21 Favorite Books of 2012 (as numbered on Cooper’s site, but note that he precedes the list with “in no order”)

[see also 201920182016]

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Salon: Top 10 Books of 2012

11 January 2013

Behind the Beautiful Forevers - Katherine Boo

Salon: Top 10 Books of 2012 (a poll of nearly 20 critics)

[see also 2022]

Library Journal: Top 10 Books of 2012

21 December 2012

Library Journal: Top 10 Books of 2012 (alphabetically by author)

[see also 20232022202120202019201720162011]

Atlantic: Benjamin Schwarz: Top 15 Books of 2012

20 December 2012

Benjamin Schwarz: Top 15 Books of 2012, as published by The Atlantic

[see also 2011]

The Runners Up

New York Times: 100 Notable Books of 2012

16 December 2012

The New York Times: 100 Notable Books of 2012

[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 201610 Best Books of 2015The 10 Best Books of 2014The 10 Best Books of 201310 Best Books of 2012100 Notable Books of 2011Ten Best Books of 2011]

Fiction

Nonfiction

Daily Beast: Tina Brown: 7 Favorite Books of 2012

12 December 2012

Tina Brown: 7 Favorite Books of 2012, as published by The Daily Beast

Economist: 11 Best Books of 2012

12 December 2012

Bring Up the Bodies - Hilary Mantel

The Economist: 11 Best Books of 2012 (fiction, essays, and poetry)

[see also 202320222021]

Publishers Weekly: 10 Best Books of 2012

07 December 2012

Publishers Weekly: 10 Best Books of 2012

[see also 202320222021202020192018201720162015201420132011]

New York: Kathryn Schulz: Top 10 Books of 2012

03 December 2012

Kathryn Schulz: Top 10 Books of 2012, as published by New York Magazine

New York Times: 10 Best Books of 2012

03 December 2012

The New York Times: 10 Best Books of 2012

[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 201610 Best Books of 2015The 10 Best Books of 2014The 10 Best Books of 2013100 Notable Books of 2012100 Notable Books of 2011Ten Best Books of 2011]

Fiction

Nonfiction