Reading Challenge · Era

Best Books of the 2010s: A Decade of Essential Reads

The 2010s were one of the richest decades for fiction in recent memory. These are the best books of the 2010s — novels and memoirs that earned Pulitzer Prizes, National Book Awards, and millions of devoted readers. From Hanya Yanagihara's devastating A Little Life to Colson Whitehead's Pulitzer-winning The Underground Railroad, the decade's essential reads span literary fiction, memoir, and debut novels that launched careers. Whether you want the decade's prize-winners or its cultural touchstones, these are the 2010s books every reader should know.