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!

Behave

by Robert M. Sapolsky

Publication year 2017

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Science & Technology, Good & Evil

Tags Science & Nature, Psychology, Anthropology, Anthropology, Psychology, Philosophy, Philosophy, Self-Improvement, Health

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Belladonna

by Adalyn Grace

Publication year 2022

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Femininity, Coming of Age, Death, The Past, Self Discovery

Tags Fantasy, Romance, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Horror & Suspense, Gothic Literature, Religion & Spirituality

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Between a Rock and a Hard Place

by Aron Ralston

Publication year 2004

Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction

Themes Fate, Safety & Danger, Self Discovery, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Hope, Death

Tags Inspirational, Action & Adventure, Travel Literature, Animals, Arts & Culture, Philosophy, Relationships, Religion & Spirituality, Science & Nature, Music, Sports, Biography

Between a Rock and a Hard Place is a 2004 adventure and survival memoir by American mountain climber Aron Ralston. The narrative focuses on Ralston’s near-death experience when his arm became stuck under a boulder in a canyon in Utah, where he remained trapped for five days until he amputated his arm. Dealing with profound existential themes, the book garnered critical acclaim and became a New York Times bestseller. A 2010 film adaptation titled 127... Read Between a Rock and a Hard Place Summary

Big Magic

by Elizabeth Gilbert

Publication year 2015

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Language, Art, Perseverance, Fear, Gratitude

Tags Self-Improvement, Business & Economics, Psychology, Arts & Culture, Inspirational, Psychology

Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear (2015) is a self-help guide by author and journalist Elizabeth Gilbert. This New York Times bestseller outlines six elements of creativity: courage, permission, enchantment, persistence, trust, and divinity. Gilbert uses anecdotes from her life and writing career, as well as the work of others, to explain these concepts, and presents her views and philosophical musings about creativity and inspiration. The work explores themes such as The Importance of Play... Read Big Magic Summary

Big Summer

by Jennifer Weiner

Publication year 2020

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Coming of Age, Revenge, Guilt, Hate & Anger, Memory, Shame & Pride, Forgiveness, Perseverance, Conflict, Hope

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

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Bird By Bird

by Anne Lamott

Publication year 1994

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Literature, Perseverance, Grief, Language

Tags Self-Improvement, Humor, Arts & Culture, Biography

Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott was originally published in 1994. Many of Lamott’s books have been on the New York Times bestsellers list, which qualifies her to offer advice about how to write. She also taught at writing conferences and at UC Davis, received a Guggenheim Fellowship, and was inducted into the California Hall of Fame. Bird by Bird is a combination of memoir, self-help book, and writing... Read Bird By Bird Summary

Black Leopard, Red Wolf

by Marlon James

Publication year 2019

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Truth & Lies

Tags LGBTQ+, Afro-Caribbean Literature, Fantasy

Marlon James’s Black Leopard, Red Wolf (2019) is a dark fantasy novel. It’s the first title in his Dark Star Trilogy, and a fusion of conventional epic storytelling, oral tradition, and creative folklore. A finalist for the National Book Award for Fiction, as well as one of Washington Post’s Top Ten Books of 2019, this novel had its film rights purchased only weeks after publication.Plot SummaryAn interrogation frames the story: Tracker, a mercenary, recounts his... Read Black Leopard, Red Wolf Summary

Bonk

by Mary Roach

Publication year 2008

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Fear, Gratitude, Love, Shame & Pride, Disability, Femininity, Gender Identity, Masculinity, Mental Health, Sexual Identity, Self Discovery, Community, Education, Politics & Government, Justice, Literature, Order & Chaos, Science & Technology, Truth & Lies

Tags Science & Nature, Love & Sexuality, Health, Psychology, Humor

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Book Scavenger

by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman

Publication year 2014

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Childhood & Youth, Friendship

Tags Mystery & Crime Fiction, Action & Adventure, Arts & Culture, Relationships, Children`s Literature, Realistic Fiction

Book Scavenger (2015) is the debut novel by children’s author Jennifer Chambliss Bertman. Upon publication, it immediately became a New York Times bestseller and soon after the book was named an Amazon Book of the Year, Indie Top Ten Pick, and received more than 20 state awards and nominations. Book Scavenger has since been translated into 12 languages. Book Scavenger is the first volume in a Middle Grade Detective series of the same name. Other... Read Book Scavenger Summary