The New York Public Library Unveils Its Best Books of 2018 for Kids, Teens, and Adults

NOVEMBER 19, 2018 – Librarians from across The New York Public Library system nominated, discussed, and selected their best books of 2018 for children, teens, and adults.

The Library released three lists today -- 100 Best Books for Kids, 50 Best Books for Teens, 100 Best Books for Adults  – that feature a total of 250 books curated by genre, format, and age. Categories range from “folk tales” to “graphic novels for teens” to “books for art lovers” and more, ensuring that there’s something for everyone.

The librarians also chose their top 10 books for each age category; titles include the book of children's poetry Jabberwalking by Juan Felipe Herrera, the graphic novel for teens Check, Please! #Hockey by Ngozi Ukazu, and adult non-fiction thriller I'll Be Gone In the Dark: One Woman's Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer by Michelle McNamara.

“Choosing the Library’s list of best books is an incredible process,” said Lynn Lobash, associate director of the Library’s Readers Services team, which regularly offers book recommendations to the public via Twitter, Facebook, and podcast. “Every librarian realizes the impact the right book can have on a reader and we are hard-wired to be open-minded and creative when making book recommendations. Nevertheless, every year some books rise to the top. They are special and unlike anything we have seen before. We believe this year’s Best Books lists offer readers of all ages limitless opportunities to be informed and inspired.”

“We hope these wonderful lists, curated by our expert librarians, inspires children, teens and adults alike to check out new titles and explore the world of reading,” said New York Public Library President Anthony W. Marx. “Whether you’re looking for the perfect book for someone this holiday season, planning to read more in the new year, or just searching for your next great read, we believe this list will be a helpful gift that keeps on giving.”

The full list of titles for each age group is available online at www.nypl.org/bestbooks and sorts the selections into a wide range of categories.

The Library’s top 10 titles from each list (in alphabetical order) are:

Top 10 children’s books of 2018

• Be Prepared by Vera Brosgol

• The Funeral by Matt James

• The Girl Who Drew Butterflies: How Maria Merian's Art Changed Science by Joyce Sidman

• Inkling by Kenneth Oppel, illustrated by Sydney Smith

• Jabberwalking by Juan Felipe Herrera

• Night Job by Karen Hesse, illustrated by G. Brian Karas

• Old Misery by James Sage, illustrated by Russell Ayto

• The Parker Inheritance by Varian Johnson

• Stella Díaz Has Something To Say by Angela Dominguez

• Water Land: Land and Water Forms Around the World by Christy Hale

Top 10 teen books of 2018

• Check, Please! #Hockey by Ngozi Ukazu

• Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi

• Darius the Great Is Not Okay by Adib Khorram

• Dear Rachel Maddow by Adrienne Kisner

• Dry by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman

• Fatal Throne by M.T. Anderson, et. Al.

• Heretics Anonymous by Katie Henry

• The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo

• Pride by Ibi Zoboi

• X-Men: Grand Design by Ed Piskor

Top 10 adult books of 2018

• Barracoon: The Story of the Last "Black Cargo" by Zora Neale Hurston

• Circe by Madeline Miller

• French Exit by Patrick deWitt

• Heart Berries by Terese Marie Mailhot

• If They Come For Us by Fatimah Asghar

• I'll Be Gone In the Dark: One Woman's Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer by Michelle McNamara

• Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik

• A State of Freedom by Neel Mukherjee

• There There by Tommy Orange

• Woman World by Aminder Dhaliwal

All of these books and millions more are available for free with a New York Public Library card—the Library’s special edition “Knowledge is Power” card is still available at branches in the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island in limited quantities.