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.

2021

Electric Lit: Favorite Nonfiction Books of 2021

28 December 2021

Crying in H Mart - Michelle Zauner

Electric Lit: Favorite Nonfiction Books of 2021

[see also Best Nonfiction of 2023Best Novels of 2023Favorite Nonfiction Books of 2022Favorite Novels of 2022Favorite Novels of 2021Favorite Nonfiction Books of 2020Favorite Novels of 202015 Best Novels of 201915 Best Nonfiction Books of 2019]

The Top 3 Nonfiction Books of the Year

Other Nonfiction Favorites

Electric Lit: Favorite Novels of 2021

28 December 2021

Detransition, Baby - Torrey Peters

Electric Lit: Favorite Novels of 2021

[see also Best Nonfiction of 2023Best Novels of 2023Favorite Nonfiction Books of 2022Favorite Novels of 2022Favorite Nonfiction Books of 2021Favorite Nonfiction Books of 2020Favorite Novels of 202015 Best Novels of 201915 Best Nonfiction Books of 2019]

The Top 3 Novels of the Year

Other Favorite Novels

Atlantic: The 20 Best Books of 2021

28 December 2021

Detransition, Baby - Torrey Peters

The Atlantic: The 20 Best Books of 2021

[see also 202320222019]

Parade Magazine: 40 Best Books of 2021

28 December 2021

Cloud Cuckoo Land - Anthony Doerr

Parade Magazine: 40 Best Books of 2021

New Statesman: Best Books of 2021

21 December 2021

Orwell's Roses - Rebecca Solnit

New Statesman: Best Books of 2021

[see also 2023]

Non-fiction

Fiction

Los Angeles Times: Bethanne Patrick: The 5 Best Novels of 2021

17 December 2021

The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois - Honorée Fanonne Jeffers

Bethanne Patrick: The 5 Best Novels of 2021, as published by The Los Angeles Times

[see also 20232022]

Los Angeles Times: Mary Ann Gwinn: The 5 Best Nonfiction Books of 2021

17 December 2021

The Agitators - Dorothy Wickenden

Mary Ann Gwinn: The 5 Best Nonfiction Books of 2021, as published by The Los Angeles Times

[see also 2022]

Los Angeles Times: Mark Athitakis: The 5 Best Fiction Books of 2021

17 December 2021

Crossroads - Jonathan Franzen

Mark Athitakis: The 5 Best Fiction Books of 2021, as published by The Los Angeles Times

[see also 20232022]

Barack Obama: Favorite Books of 2021

17 December 2021

Crying in H Mart - Michelle Zauner

Barack Obama: Favorite Books of 2021, as posted to Twitter

[see also 202320222020201920182017]

Books I Recommended Earlier This Year

Thrillist: The Best Books of 2021

16 December 2021

Detransition, Baby - Torrey Peters

Thrillist: The Best Books of 2021

[see also 2020]