Best Books Of The 21st Century So Far

1.The Kite Runner18380 votes

Khaled Hosseini's powerful debut novel tells the story of Amir, a young boy from Kabul, who forms a complex friendship with Hassan, the son of his father's servant. The story explores themes of betrayal, redemption, and the deep bonds of friendship against the backdrop of a changing Afghanistan.

💡 Became a bestseller and adapted into a film and stage play

2.The Girl on the Train15810 votes

Paula Hawkins' psychological thriller follows Rachel, who becomes embroiled in a missing persons investigation that uncovers dark secrets. The book's intricate plotting and unreliable narrator keep readers on the edge of their seats.

💡 Adapted into a successful film starring Emily Blunt

3.The Vanishing Half14576 votes

Brit Bennett's novel centers on the lives of twin sisters whose paths diverge when one passes as white and the other embraces her Black identity. The story delves into themes of race, identity, and the lasting impact of choices across generations.

💡 Became a finalist for the National Book Award

4.The House of the Spirits14394 votes

Isabel Allende's classic novel weaves a multigenerational tale of the Trueba family, blending elements of magical realism with the political struggles of Chile. The narrative explores themes of love, power, and the legacies of the past.

💡 First published in 1982, it remains one of Allende's most beloved works

5.The Nightingale12285 votes

Kristin Hannah's historical fiction novel follows the lives of two sisters in Nazi-occupied France during World War II. Through their struggles, the story highlights themes of resilience, courage, and the often-unrecognized roles that women played in the war.

💡 Adapted into a feature film starring Dakota Fanning and Elle Fanning

6.An American Marriage12245 votes

Tayari Jones's novel revolves around Celestial and Roy, a newlywed couple whose lives are disrupted when Roy is wrongfully imprisoned. The book delves into the complexities of love, race, and the impact of injustice on relationships.

💡 Nominated for the 2019 Women's Prize for Fiction

7.Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine12127 votes

Gail Honeyman's debut novel follows the socially awkward Eleanor as she navigates life and experiences an unexpected friendship. Through her journey, the book addresses themes of loneliness, mental health, and the redeeming power of connection.

💡 Won the Costa Book Awards in 2017

8.A Visit from the Goon Squad10183 votes

Jennifer Egan's novel weaves together the lives of various characters in the music industry, capturing the passage of time and the connections between them. The narrative structure is innovative, featuring chapters that play with different styles and formats.

💡 Won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 2011

9.The Road9659 votes

A Pulitzer Prize-winning post-apocalyptic novel, Cormac McCarthy's The Road follows a father and son as they journey through a desolate world struggling to survive. The stark prose and emotional depth convey themes of love, despair, and the will to live.

10.The Goldfinch9511 votes

This Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Donna Tartt follows the life of Theo Decker after a terrorist attack at an art museum leaves him orphaned and in possession of a prized painting. Spanning years and exploring themes of loss and the search for beauty, it is a richly layered narrative.

11.Room9480 votes

Emma Donoghue's novel tells the story of a young boy named Jack who has lived his entire life in a locked room with his mother. The story, told from Jack's perspective, explores themes of resilience and the bond between mother and child amidst a harrowing situation.

💡 Nominated for the Man Booker Prize in 2010

12.Little Fires Everywhere9264 votes

Celeste Ng's Little Fires Everywhere explores themes of motherhood, privilege, and race through the lives of two families in suburban Ohio. The intertwining lives of the Richardson family and a single mother and her daughter bring underlying tensions to light.

💡 Adapted into a popular Hulu series starring Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington.

13.The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao9153 votes

This Pulitzer Prize-winning novel tells the story of an overweight Dominican boy and the curse that has plagued his family for generations. Junot Díaz masterfully blends magical realism with historical and cultural insights, creating a vibrant narrative that explores identity and the immigrant experience.

14.Pachinko8960 votes

Min Jin Lee's Pachinko chronicles the struggles of a Korean family across generations, beginning in Korea and eventually moving to Japan, facing discrimination and hardship along the way. The epic tale examines themes of identity, history, and the quest for belonging.

💡 Adapted into a successful Apple TV series.

15.The Underground Railroad8564 votes

Colson Whitehead's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel reimagines the Underground Railroad as an actual railroad system, following a young enslaved woman’s desperate bid for freedom. The story delves into the horrors of slavery while offering a gripping tale of perseverance and hope.

💡 Won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 2017.