New York Times Best Sellers

Since 1931, the country's best-selling books have appeared on an authoritative weekly list in the New York Times, a list that has transformed into a resource for readers and booksellers alike. Read on to discover both past and present best sellers—you just might find your next book club pick!

Publication year 2018

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Values/Ideas: Science & Technology, Relationships: Family, Relationships: Siblings

Tags Romance, Modern Classic Fiction, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction

Ghosted is British novelist Rosie Walsh’s first novel, published in 2018. After a career in television that included extensive travel, Walsh settled in the United Kingdom with her family, and Ghosted is set primarily in Gloucestershire and partially in other parts of England and Los Angeles, California. Released in the UK as The Man Who Didn’t Call and Ghosted in the United States, the novel addresses the phenomenon of “ghosting” in which a potential partner... Read Ghosted Summary


Publication year 2023

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Society: Immigration, Society: Nation, Society: Politics & Government, Society: War

Tags WWII / World War II, History: World, Military / War, Spy / Espionage, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Japanese Literature


Publication year 2001

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Society: War, Relationships: Friendship, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Hope

Tags Military / War, WWII / World War II, History: World, History: U.S., Biography

Ghost Soldiers: The Epic Account of World War II’s Greatest Rescue Mission by American journalist and historian Hampton Sides tells the story of a daring rescue raid on the Japanese-controlled Cabanatuan Allied prisoner-of-war camp in the Philippines at the end of World War II. 121 US Rangers, Alamo Scouts, and hundreds of armed and unarmed Filipino guerillas successfully rescued over 500 remaining POWs on January 30, 1945. The book details the stories of the American POWs... Read Ghost Soldiers Summary


Publication year 2013

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Relationships: Teams, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Self Discovery

Tags Self Help, Business / Economics, Psychology, Leadership/Organization/Management, Psychology

Give and Take: Why Helping Others Drives Our Success, by Adam Grant, explores the concept of reciprocity in the workplace and how it can lead to personal and professional success. First published in 2013, the book bridges the genres of business psychology and self-help, providing readers with actionable strategies to enhance their careers and professional relationships. Grant, an organizational psychologist and professor, draws on his extensive research and real-world examples to demonstrate the power of... Read Give and Take Summary


Publication year 2023

Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Emotions/Behavior: Joy, Identity: Femininity, Identity: Gender, Identity: Mental Health, Identity: Sexuality, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Relationships: Fathers, Relationships: Teams, Self Discovery, Values/Ideas: Equality, Values/Ideas: Win & Lose, Emotions/Behavior: Courage

Tags Biography, Sports, Gender / Feminism, Health / Medicine, Women's Studies (Nonfiction)


Publication year 2020

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Emotions/Behavior: Revenge, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Science & Technology, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies

Tags Mystery / Crime Fiction, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Technology, Psychology, Crime / Legal, Modern Classic Fiction, Romance


Publication year 2022

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Relationships: Family, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth

Tags Parenting, Psychology, Self Help, Relationships, Children's Literature, Psychology


Publication year 2021

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Identity: Gender, Identity: Masculinity, Emotions/Behavior: Hate & Anger, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict

Tags Historical Fiction, Romance, Fantasy, American Revolution, Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, History: World


Publication year 2017

Genre Biography, Nonfiction

Tags Politics / Government, History: U.S., American Civil War, Military / War, History: World, Biography


Publication year 2021

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Identity: Gender, Identity: Sexuality, Values/Ideas: Art

Tags Historical Fiction, LGBTQ, Gender / Feminism, Arts / Culture, Modern Classic Fiction, History: World, Action / Adventure


Publication year 2020

Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction

Themes Life/Time: Coming of Age, Values/Ideas: Fame, Identity: Masculinity

Tags Arts / Culture, Philosophy, Philosophy, Biography, Self Help


Publication year 2021

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Revenge, Relationships: Teams, Society: War

Tags September 11 Attacks, Historical Fiction, Children's Literature, Military / War, Realistic Fiction, History: World, Action / Adventure


Publication year 2020

Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction

Themes Identity: Mental Health, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Relationships: Friendship

Tags Psychology, Self Help


Publication year 2009

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Relationships: Family, Relationships: Mothers, Life/Time: Mortality & Death

Tags Realistic Fiction, Drama / Tragedy, Health / Medicine, Modern Classic Fiction


Publication year 1999

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Identity: Gender

Tags Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Gothic Literature, Trauma / Abuse / Violence

Hannibal is a 1999 novel by American author Thomas Harris. The novel is the third entry in Harris's Hannibal Lecter series, following Red Dragon and The Silence of the Lambs. In this novel, Lecter has escaped custody and fled to Florence, where he is tracked by Clarice Starling and other, more nefarious figures. The novel was adapted into a 2001 film, and elements of the plot were used for the television series of the same... Read Hannibal Summary


Publication year 2023

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Relationships: Family, Emotions/Behavior: Joy, Identity: Disability, Relationships: Siblings, Values/Ideas: Music, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt

Tags Mystery / Crime Fiction, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction


Publication year 2023

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Relationships: Friendship, Self Discovery, Relationships: Mothers, Natural World: Place, Emotions/Behavior: Nostalgia, Emotions/Behavior: Love

Tags Romance, Love / Sexuality, Relationships, Modern Classic Fiction


Publication year 2021

Genre Novel, Fiction

Tags Mystery / Crime Fiction, Historical Fiction, Drama / Tragedy, African American Literature, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, History: World


Publication year 2006

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Identity: Race, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Natural World: Climate, Natural World: Environment, Natural World: Place, Relationships: Friendship, Society: Community, Society: Immigration, Society: War

Tags Historical Fiction, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, WWI / World War I

Kirby Larson’s Hattie Big Sky is a 2006 young adult historical fiction novel that won the Newbery Honor Award. Larson is a young adult author who specializes in writing historical fiction centering on strong female protagonists. Set during World War I, the novel follows Hattie Brooks as she travels to Montana to work on the farm that her uncle leaves to her after he dies. The novel explores themes of community, overcoming adversity, and issues... Read Hattie Big Sky Summary


Publication year 2009

Genre Biography, Nonfiction

Themes Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Society: Community, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Life/Time: Aging, Life/Time: Mortality & Death

Tags Religion / Spirituality, Inspirational, Biography

Have a Little Faith: A True Story is a 2009 nonfiction book by American journalist and author Mitch Albom. The book can be classified as an inspirational memoir, as it centers on the author’s interactions with two faith leaders, one Jewish and one Christian, over an eight-year period. In 2011, Have a Little Faith was adapted into a made-for-television film starring Laurence Fishburne, Martin Landau, and Bradley Whitford. This study guide refers to the 2009... Read Have a Little Faith: A True Story Summary