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 Mothers

by Brit Bennett

Publication year 2016

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Family, Shame & Pride, Religion & Spirituality, Mothers, Community, Friendship, Forgiveness, Guilt, Gender Identity, Masculinity, Race, Coming of Age, Self Discovery, Social Class, Truth & Lies

Tags Coming of Age, African American Literature

The Mothers (2016) is the debut literary fiction novel by American author Brit Bennett. Set within a contemporary Black church community in Southern California, the story follows Nadia Turner, a grieving teenager whose decision to terminate a pregnancy creates ripples effects for her, the baby’s father, and her best friend for years to come. The narrative, framed by the collective voice of the church’s elderly women, explores themes including The Corrosive Power of Secrets, Motherhood... Read The Mothers Summary

The Naked And The Dead

by Norman Mailer

Publication year 1948

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes War, Masculinity, Order & Chaos, Power & Greed

Tags Historical Fiction, Military & War, World War II, American Literature, Classic Fiction

The Naked and the Dead (1948) is the first novel published by American author Norman Mailer, drawing on Mailer’s experiences as a soldier fighting for the Allies in the Pacific theater in World War II. The novel follows an American reconnaissance platoon during a campaign to seize the Japanese-held fictional Pacific island of Anopopei. Mailer pairs a large-cast platoon narrative with embedded “Time Machine” life histories and dialogue-heavy interludes to examine how authority, fear, and... Read The Naked And The Dead Summary

The Night She Disappeared

by Lisa Jewell

Publication year 2021

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Grief, Mothers, Justice, Safety & Danger, Truth & Lies

Tags Horror & Suspense, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Finance, LGBTQ+, Love & Sexuality, Parenting, Relationships, Trauma & Abuse, Grief & Death, Social Class, Modern Classic Fiction

... Read The Night She Disappeared Summary

The Night Tiger

by Yangsze Choo

Publication year 2019

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Sexual Identity, Religion & Spirituality, Colonialism

Tags Asian Literature, Historical Fiction, Chinese Literature, Mystery & Crime Fiction, World History, Magical Realism, Romance, Fantasy

The Night Tiger by Yangsze Choo was published in 2020. Like Choo's debut novel, The Ghost Bride (2013), The Night Tiger is a mixture of genres, including mythology and historical fiction, and it is a New York Times bestseller. The Night Tiger chronicles the period between May and July of 1931. The setting is colonial-era Malaysia, or “Malaya.”Plot SummaryChinese house servant Ren, is a 10-year-old orphan who’s mourning the death of his master, Dr. MacFarlane... Read The Night Tiger Summary

The Ocean at the End of the Lane

by Neil Gaiman

Publication year 2013

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Coming of Age, Family, Appearance & Reality, Truth & Lies, Safety & Danger, Good & Evil, Memory

Tags Fantasy, Magical Realism, Horror & Suspense, Religion & Spirituality

In The Ocean at the End of the Lane (2013), a dark fantasy novel by Neil Gaiman, a young boy accidentally brings an evil entity from another reality into his world, and he needs the help of three mysterious women to try to get rid of the threat. A number-one New York Times bestseller, the novel won several honors, including the British Book Awards Book of the Year and the Locus Award for best fantasy... Read The Ocean at the End of the Lane Summary

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