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!

The Only Plane in the Sky

by Garrett M. Graff

Publication year 2019

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Memory, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Fear, Grief, Race, Death, Family, Teamwork, Globalization, Nation, Politics & Government, Fate, Good & Evil, Order & Chaos, Religion & Spirituality, Safety & Danger

Tags US History, Crime & Law, 9/11, World History, Biography, Politics & Government

... Read The Only Plane in the Sky Summary

The Orchid Thief

by Susan Orlean

Publication year 1998

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Environment, Plants, Beauty, Community

Tags Journalism, Crime & Law, Science & Nature, Mystery & Crime Fiction, World History, Biography

The Orchid Thief is a nonfiction book by Susan Orlean, originally published in 1998. It is a narrative nonfiction account of the crimes and trial of John Laroche, accused of stealing endangered orchid species from the Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve in Florida. The basic story of Laroche and his crimes originally ran as an article in The New Yorker, entitled “Orchid Fever” and published in 1995. The book expands the story and also details Orlean’s... Read The Orchid Thief Summary

The Other Boleyn Girl

by Philippa Gregory

Publication year 2001

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Gender Identity, Future, Daughters & Sons, Family, Nation

Tags Historical Fiction, British Literature, Romance, Life-Inspired Fiction

The Other Boleyn Girl (2001) is a historical women’s fiction novel by British author and journalist Philippa Gregory. Gregory first reached bestseller status with her debut historical novel Wideacre (1987). The Other Boleyn Girl won the Romantic Novel of the Year Award from the Romantic Novelists’ Association and was adapted into a film. The novel is narrated by Mary, the Boleyn daughter whose more famous sister, Anne, has overshadowed her in the historical record. Mary... Read The Other Boleyn Girl Summary

The Other Woman

by Sandie Jones

Publication year 2018

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Mothers, Nature Versus Nurture, Truth & Lies, Trust & Doubt, Forgiveness, Safety & Danger

Tags Horror & Suspense, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Trauma & Abuse, Modern Classic Fiction

... Read The Other Woman Summary

The Paris Wife

by Paula McLain

Publication year 2011

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Marriage, Forgiveness, Love, Self Discovery, Art, Loyalty & Betrayal

Tags Historical Fiction, Life-Inspired Fiction

Paula McLain’s 2011 novel, The Paris Wife, is a work of biographical historical fiction that reimagines the marriage of the writer Ernest Hemingway and his first wife, Hadley Richardson. Narrated largely from Hadley’s perspective, the story chronicles their passionate courtship and their life as American expatriates in Jazz Age Paris as part of the “Lost Generation.” The novel explores themes such as The Competing Demands of Love and Artistic Ambition, Defining the Self in a... Read The Paris Wife Summary

The Passage

by Justin Cronin

Publication year 2010

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Science & Technology, Good & Evil, War

Tags Science Fiction, Horror & Suspense, Fantasy

The Passage is a 2010 novel by Justin Cronin. It is the first novel in a post-apocalyptic horror series that includes The Twelve and City of Mirrors. The Passage is Cronin’s take on the vampire genre. He uses world-building to examine themes of Passages and Transitions, Vampirism as a Metaphor, and The Value of Life. The Passage was well-received and was adapted into a television series for the Fox Network, which aired its final episode... Read The Passage Summary

The Passenger

by Cormac McCarthy

Publication year 2022

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Good & Evil, Family, Grief, Friendship, Religion & Spirituality

Tags Historical Fiction, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Horror & Suspense, Psychological Fiction, American Literature, Modern Classic Fiction

... Read The Passenger Summary