The 15 Best Books Of The Year, According To Critics
Views: 12 | Updated On: | By Jitu Jangir
Each year, the literary world unveils a treasure trove of remarkable books that captivate readers' hearts and minds. These literary works offer profound insights, transport us to new worlds, and ignite our imaginations. To celebrate the power of literature, we present a carefully curated list of the 15 best books of the year, as acclaimed by critics. From thought-provoking non-fiction to gripping novels and transcendent poetry, these exceptional works have resonated with both readers and discerning literary critics alike.
1. "The Vanishing Half" by Brit Bennett:
This captivating novel explores themes of identity, race, and family through the entwined lives of twin sisters who choose different paths—one embracing her Black heritage, the other passing as white.
2. "Hamnet" by Maggie O'Farrell:
Set in 16th-century England, this emotionally charged historical fiction delves into the life of William Shakespeare's son, exploring themes of love, grief, and the enduring power of art.
3. "The Push" by Ashley Audrain:
A chilling psychological thriller that delves into the complexities of motherhood, questioning the nature vs. nurture debate through a haunting narrative of a troubled mother-daughter relationship.
4. "Klara and the Sun" by Kazuo Ishiguro:
In this mesmerizing work of speculative fiction, Ishiguro explores themes of artificial intelligence, humanity, and love through the eyes of Klara, an Artificial Friend who longs for a deeper understanding of the world.
5. "Empire of Pain" by Patrick Radden Keefe:
A gripping and meticulously researched non-fiction work that delves into the Sackler family's involvement in the opioid crisis, revealing the devastating impact of corporate greed on society.
6. "Transcendent Kingdom" by Yaa Gyasi:
Gyasi weaves a powerful narrative of a Ghanaian-American family grappling with addiction, faith, and the pursuit of scientific understanding, offering a profound exploration of the complexities of human existence.
7. "Deacon King Kong" by James McBride:
This poignant and humorous novel set in 1960s Brooklyn explores themes of community, forgiveness, and redemption through the lives of a diverse cast of characters whose paths intersect around a shooting incident.
8. "The Code Breaker" by Walter Isaacson:
Isaacson's masterful biography of Jennifer Doudna, a pioneering scientist in the field of CRISPR gene editing, provides a fascinating account of her groundbreaking discoveries and their ethical implications.
9. "Mexican Gothic" by Silvia Moreno-Garcia:
A gripping blend of horror and mystery, this atmospheric novel takes readers on a chilling journey through an eerie mansion in 1950s Mexico, unraveling dark family secrets along the way.
10. "A Promised Land" by Barack Obama:
In this eloquent and introspective memoir, the former president reflects on his early life, political career, and the challenges faced during his presidency, offering a compelling account of leadership and change.
11. "Interior Chinatown" by Charles Yu:
A uniquely crafted novel that uses the format of a screenplay to explore themes of identity, stereotypes, and assimilation within the Asian American experience.
12. "The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue" by V.E. Schwab:
This enchanting fantasy novel follows the extraordinary life of Addie LaRue, a woman cursed with eternal life but forgotten by everyone she meets, until she encounters a man who remembers her.
13. "Braiding Sweetgrass" by Robin Wall Kimmerer:
Blending scientific knowledge and indigenous wisdom, Kimmerer explores our interconnectedness with nature and offers a profound reflection on our relationship with the Earth.
14. "Leave the World Behind" by Rumaan Alam:
A suspenseful and thought-provoking novel that explores themes of family, race, and societal collapse when two families are brought together in a remote vacation home during a mysterious global event.
15. "Transcendent Kingdom" by Yaa Gyasi:
In this moving and introspective novel, Gyasi delves into themes of identity, belonging, and the lasting impact of trauma through the story of a Ghanaian-American woman reconciling her faith with her scientific pursuits.
1. "The Vanishing Half" by Brit Bennett:
This captivating novel explores themes of identity, race, and family through the entwined lives of twin sisters who choose different paths—one embracing her Black heritage, the other passing as white.
2. "Hamnet" by Maggie O'Farrell:
Set in 16th-century England, this emotionally charged historical fiction delves into the life of William Shakespeare's son, exploring themes of love, grief, and the enduring power of art.
3. "The Push" by Ashley Audrain:
A chilling psychological thriller that delves into the complexities of motherhood, questioning the nature vs. nurture debate through a haunting narrative of a troubled mother-daughter relationship.
4. "Klara and the Sun" by Kazuo Ishiguro:
In this mesmerizing work of speculative fiction, Ishiguro explores themes of artificial intelligence, humanity, and love through the eyes of Klara, an Artificial Friend who longs for a deeper understanding of the world.
5. "Empire of Pain" by Patrick Radden Keefe:
A gripping and meticulously researched non-fiction work that delves into the Sackler family's involvement in the opioid crisis, revealing the devastating impact of corporate greed on society.
6. "Transcendent Kingdom" by Yaa Gyasi:
Gyasi weaves a powerful narrative of a Ghanaian-American family grappling with addiction, faith, and the pursuit of scientific understanding, offering a profound exploration of the complexities of human existence.
7. "Deacon King Kong" by James McBride:
This poignant and humorous novel set in 1960s Brooklyn explores themes of community, forgiveness, and redemption through the lives of a diverse cast of characters whose paths intersect around a shooting incident.
8. "The Code Breaker" by Walter Isaacson:
Isaacson's masterful biography of Jennifer Doudna, a pioneering scientist in the field of CRISPR gene editing, provides a fascinating account of her groundbreaking discoveries and their ethical implications.
9. "Mexican Gothic" by Silvia Moreno-Garcia:
A gripping blend of horror and mystery, this atmospheric novel takes readers on a chilling journey through an eerie mansion in 1950s Mexico, unraveling dark family secrets along the way.
10. "A Promised Land" by Barack Obama:
In this eloquent and introspective memoir, the former president reflects on his early life, political career, and the challenges faced during his presidency, offering a compelling account of leadership and change.
11. "Interior Chinatown" by Charles Yu:
A uniquely crafted novel that uses the format of a screenplay to explore themes of identity, stereotypes, and assimilation within the Asian American experience.
12. "The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue" by V.E. Schwab:
This enchanting fantasy novel follows the extraordinary life of Addie LaRue, a woman cursed with eternal life but forgotten by everyone she meets, until she encounters a man who remembers her.
13. "Braiding Sweetgrass" by Robin Wall Kimmerer:
Blending scientific knowledge and indigenous wisdom, Kimmerer explores our interconnectedness with nature and offers a profound reflection on our relationship with the Earth.
14. "Leave the World Behind" by Rumaan Alam:
A suspenseful and thought-provoking novel that explores themes of family, race, and societal collapse when two families are brought together in a remote vacation home during a mysterious global event.
15. "Transcendent Kingdom" by Yaa Gyasi:
In this moving and introspective novel, Gyasi delves into themes of identity, belonging, and the lasting impact of trauma through the story of a Ghanaian-American woman reconciling her faith with her scientific pursuits.
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