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Best of the “Best of” Books 2018

It’s that time… At the end of each year, people gather to celebrate that grand tradition: best-of book lists! But with so many amazing titles on so many lists, how is a reader to decide?

Reading Group Choices has made it easier for the overwhelmed book lover. We’ve combed through the lists and compiled our own — a best of the best books list! Here are the titles we’ve recommended in 2018 that showed up on one (or more) favorite lists from trade journals, indie bookstores, and media sites, including:

New York Times, Publishers Weekly, Parnassus Books, Powell’s, Kirkus Reviews, Minnesota Public Radio, Library Journal, Booklist

Some of the books below have gotten plenty of attention, while some may have been overlooked…

We’ve separated the titles by fiction, nonfiction, and young adult. Find your next best read below! We hope you and your group turn the page on a happy new year.

BEST-OF… FICTION

One of our best books for 2018 is Virgil Wander by Leif EngerOne of our best books for 2018 is Kudos by Rachel CuskOne of our best books for 2018 is The Removes by Tatjana SoliOne of our best books for 2018 is An American Marriage by Tayari JonesOne of our best books for 2018 is Everything Under by Daisy Johnson

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Virgil Wander by Leif Enger
Appears on “best of” lists from Library Journal, Powell’s

An American Marriage by Tayari Jones
Library Journal, Kirkus Reviews, New York Times

Kudos by Rachel Cusk
Publishers Weekly, New York Times

Everything Under by Daisy Johnson
Kirkus, New York Times

The Removes by Tatjana Soli
Parnassus Books


BEST-OF… NONFICTION

One of our best books for 2018 is The Girl Who Smiled Beads by Clemantine Wamariya One of our best books for 2018 is Heartland by Sarah Smarsh

One of our best books for 2018 is How to Write an Autobiographical Novel by Alexander CheeOne of our best books for 2018 is So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma OluoOne of our best books for 2018 is Fly Girls by Keith O'Brien

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Heartland by Sarah Smarsh
Appears on “best of” lists from Kirkus, Publishers Weekly

The Girl Who Smiled Beads by Clemantine Wamariya
Library Journal, Kirkus Reviews

How to Write an Autobiographical Novel by Alexander Chee
Booklist, Publishers Weekly, Parnassus Books

So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo
Library Journal, Powell’s

Fly Girls by Keith O’Brien
New York Times, Minnesota Public Radio


BEST-OF… YOUNG ADULT

One of our best books for 2018 is The Astonishing Color of After by Emily XR PanOne of our best books for 2018 is Buried Beneath the Baobab Tree by Adaobi Tricia NwaubaniOne of our best books for 2018 is The Poet X by Elizabeth AcevedoOne of our best books for 2018 is Louisiana's Way Home by Kate DiCamilloOne of our best books for 2018 is The Assassination of Brangwain Spurge by MT Anderson

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo
Appears on “best of” lists from Kirkus, Publishers Weekly

The Assassination of Brangwain Spurge by M.T. Anderson & Eugene Yelchin
Booklist, Publishers Weekly

Louisiana’s Way Home by Kate DiCamillo
Powell’s, Minnesota Public Radio

The Astonishing Color of After by Emily X.R. Pan
Parnassus Books

Buried Beneath the Baobab Tree by Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani
Booklist