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!

Outlive

by Peter Attia

Publication year 2023

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Aging, Mental Health, Death, Midlife, Science & Technology

Tags Health, Science & Nature, Self-Improvement, Sports, Psychology, Psychology

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Out of My Heart

by Sharon M. Draper

Publication year 2021

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Fear, Joy, Loneliness, Memory, Disability, Coming of Age, Childhood & Youth, Music, Trust & Doubt, Safety & Danger, Art, Animals, Appearance & Reality

Tags Realistic Fiction, Disability, Coming of Age, Children`s Literature, Modern Classic Fiction

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Packing for Mars

by Mary Roach

Publication year 2010

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Space, Equality, Teamwork, Place, Gender Identity, Science & Technology

Tags Science & Nature, Humor, US History, Technology, World History

Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void is one of several bestselling nonfiction works by science writer and humorist Mary Roach. Published in 2010, the work focuses on the human side of space travel and offers behind-the-scenes accounts of peculiar and taboo topics such as sex, vomit, and toilets in space. Roach writes from a candid, outsider’s point of view and demystifies some of the grandeur of space travel by reporting... Read Packing for Mars Summary

Peace Like a River

by Leif Enger

Publication year 2001

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Family

Tags Historical Fiction, Coming of Age, Modern Classic Fiction

Peace Like a River is author Leif Enger’s debut novel. A work of literary fiction marketed for adult audiences but accessible to younger readers, Peace Like a River shares elements from Christian fiction, historical fiction, and coming-of-age literature. The book was named one of the Year’s Best Books by Time Magazine and the LA Times. It won the Book Sense Book of the Year Award for Adult Fiction in 2002, as well as an Independent... Read Peace Like a River Summary

Permanent Record

by Edward Snowden

Publication year 2019

Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction

Tags Politics & Government, Science & Nature, World History, Biography

Permanent Record is the memoir of Edward Snowden, released in 2019. Snowden is a former intelligence contractor who worked for the CIA and NSA. In 2013, he became a world-famous whistleblower, leaking highly classified documents which detailed how American intelligence agencies were conducting secret mass surveillance of their own citizens. The book begins with a description of Snowden’s childhood. He is raised by parents who work for the government and eventually move to the Beltway... Read Permanent Record Summary

Peyton Place

by Grace Metalious

Publication year 1956

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Gender Identity, Sexual Identity, Social Class, Shame & Pride, Femininity, Mental Health, Childhood & Youth, Coming of Age, Midlife, Appearance & Reality, Daughters & Sons, Family, Mothers, Community, Education, Self Discovery

Tags Classic Fiction, Historical Fiction, Coming of Age, Modern Classic Fiction, Romance

Peyton Place is a novel depicting sensational and melodramatic events in a small New England town in the 1930s and 1940s; it was written by American novelist Grace Metalious and published in 1956. Peyton Place provoked controversy due to its depiction of taboo topics including sexuality, sexual abuse, and abortion. Nonetheless, the novel sold extremely well, and it was also adapted into successful films and television series. Metalious explores themes such as Shame and Ambivalence... Read Peyton Place Summary

Pony

by R. J. Palacio

Publication year 2021

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Coming of Age, Death, The Past, Animals, Appearance & Reality, Family, Colonialism, Religion & Spirituality

Tags Children`s Literature, World History, Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Animals, Action & Adventure

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Powerless

by Lauren Roberts

Publication year 2023

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Social Class, War, Good & Evil, Loyalty & Betrayal, Wins & Losses

Tags Fantasy, Romance, Science Fiction

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Presence

by Amy Cuddy

Publication year 2015

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Self Discovery, Power & Greed, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Fear, Language

Tags Psychology, Self-Improvement, Business & Economics, Leadership, Science & Nature, Psychology, Philosophy, Philosophy

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Pretty Little Liars

by Sara Shepard

Publication year 2006

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Friendship, Loyalty & Betrayal, Community, Safety & Danger, Revenge, Memory, Guilt, The Past, Shame & Pride, Fear, Trust & Doubt, Grief, Coming of Age, Truth & Lies

Tags Mystery & Crime Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction, Romance, Coming of Age, Horror & Suspense

Pretty Little Liars is a young adult fiction novel written by Sara Shepard. It is the first book in the Pretty Little Liars series, which features 16 books, along with seven companion novels. The highly successful series was featured on The New York Times best-seller list and adapted into a television show in 2010. The popular show lasted seven seasons and aired on the Freeform Network. Although Shepard had only written eight books in the... Read Pretty Little Liars Summary

Project Hail Mary

by Andy Weir

Publication year 2021

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Space, Science & Technology, Environment

Tags Mystery & Crime Fiction, Horror & Suspense, Science Fiction, Climate Change, Health, Science & Nature, Technology, American Literature, Fantasy, Action & Adventure

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Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking

by Susan Cain

Publication year 2012

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Conflict, Shame & Pride, Teamwork, Self Discovery, Community, Education, Wins & Losses

Tags Self-Improvement, Business & Economics, Psychology, Psychology, Sociology, Education, Leadership, Parenting

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking is a nonfiction book by Susan Cain, published in 2012. It is considered part of the psychology and self-help genres. The book made several bestseller lists, including those of the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, and National Public Radio. It also was voted the best nonfiction book of 2012 by the Goodreads Choice Awards and has been translated... Read Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking Summary