One Book, One New York

By Lynn Ann Lobash, Associate Director, Readers Services and Engagement
April 13, 2018
One Book One NY

The five finalists for One Book, One New York 2018 have been announced! Vote, all through the month of April, for the one you want to read along with your fellow New Yorkers. The winner will be announced May 3rd. All titles are available in both print and ebook format. 

Manhattan Beach

Manhattan Beach by Jennifer Egan
Set in New York in the 30s and 40s, a young woman supports her mother and sister by working in the Brooklyn Navy Yard. 

 

When I Was a Puerto Rican

When I Was Puerto Ricanby Esmeralda Santiago
A memoir about a young girl leaves Puerto Rico for New York's tenaments. 

 

 

Behold the Dreamers

Behold the Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue
Manhattan-based Cameroonian immigrant Jende Jonga gets a job chauffeuring for Lehman Brothers executive Clark Edwards.  

 

If Beale Street Could Talk

If Beale Street Could Talk by James Baldwin
Set in 1970s New York, nineteen year old Tish's boyfriend is jailed for rape and their families unite to prove the charge false.

 

White Tears

White Tears by Hari Kunzru
Two young white  men from disparate, dysfunctional family backgrounds meet in college, bond over an obsessive love of blues music and open a business together in Brooklyn.

Click here to cast your vote!
 

--Have trouble reading standard print? Many of these titles are available in formats for patrons with print disabilities.

Staff picks are chosen by NYPL staff members and are not intended to be comprehensive lists. We'd love to hear your ideas too, so leave a comment and tell us what you’d recommend. And check out our Staff Picks browse tool for more recommendations!