BookRank

Best of the year

Best books of 2012

109 highest-rated books first published in 2012.

← 20112013 →

Why The Emperor's Soul is #1

The Emperor's Soul (Brandon Sanderson) scores 8.8/10 from 1.4K ratings — 0.1 points ahead of Cold Days in second place.

The score is a weighted average across 3 independent rating sources. A title with few ratings is pulled toward the category average, so a handful of enthusiastic reviews cannot outrank a book that thousands of readers have judged. Method →

  1. The Emperor's Soul
    The Emperor's SoulBrandon Sanderson · 2012 Fantasy1.4K ratings
    8.88.8 / 10
  2. Cold Days
    Cold DaysJim Butcher · 2012NYT bestseller Fantasy680 ratings
    8.78.7 / 10
  3. Caliban's War
    Caliban's WarJames S. A. Corey · 2012 Science fiction2.1K ratings
    8.68.6 / 10
  4. Blood Song
    Blood SongAnthony Ryan · 2012 Fantasy391 ratings1
    8.68.6 / 10
  5. The Blinding Knife
    The Blinding KnifeBrent Weeks · 2012 Fantasy528 ratings1
    8.58.5 / 10
  6. Bring Up the Bodies
    Bring Up the BodiesHilary Mantel · 2012NYT bestsellerFilmed 2015 Historical fiction207 ratings1
    8.58.5 / 10
  7. The Mark of Athena
    The Mark of AthenaRick Riordan · 2012 Fantasy1.2K ratings
    8.58.5 / 10
  8. The Righteous Mind
    The Righteous MindJonathan Haidt · 2012NYT bestseller Psychology238 ratings
    8.48.4 / 10
  9. Wonder
    WonderR. J. Palacio · 2012Filmed 2017 Young adult1.1K ratings
    8.38.3 / 10
  10. Wool
    WoolHugh Howey · 2012 Science fiction2K ratings
    8.38.3 / 10
  11. The One and Only Ivan
    The One and Only IvanKatherine Applegate · 2012 Children’s books178 ratings
    8.28.2 / 10
  12. Winter of the World
    Winter of the WorldKen Follett · 2012NYT bestseller Historical fiction217 ratings
    8.28.2 / 10
  13. Drama
    DramaRaina Telgemeier · 2012 Graphic novels179 ratings
    8.28.2 / 10
  14. MortalityChristopher Hitchens
    MortalityChristopher Hitchens · 2012NYT bestseller Essays93 ratings
    8.28.2 / 10
  15. This is Not My Hat
    This is Not My HatJon Klassen · 2012 Children’s books56 ratings
    8.28.2 / 10
  16. Forge of Darkness
    Forge of DarknessSteven Erikson · 2012 Fantasy64 ratings
    8.18.1 / 10
  17. The Hunters
    The HuntersJohn Flanagan · 2012 Fantasy58 ratings
    8.18.1 / 10
  18. The Hydrogen Sonata
    The Hydrogen SonataIain Banks · 2012 Science fiction267 ratings
    8.18.1 / 10
  19. The Serpent's Shadow
    The Serpent's ShadowRick Riordan · 2012 Fantasy406 ratings
    8.18.1 / 10
  20. The Invaders
    The InvadersJohn Flanagan · 2012 Fantasy63 ratings
    8.18.1 / 10
  21. Legion
    LegionBrandon Sanderson · 2012 Fantasy407 ratings
    8.18.1 / 10
  22. Brain on Fire
    Brain on FireSusannah Cahalan · 2012NYT bestseller Biography & memoir250 ratings
    8.18.1 / 10
  23. Trapped
    TrappedKevin Hearne · 2012 Fantasy282 ratings
    8.18.1 / 10
  24. Malice
    MaliceJohn Gwynne · 2012 Fantasy440 ratings
    8.18.1 / 10
  25. King of Thorns
    King of ThornsMark Lawrence · 2012 Fantasy412 ratings
    8.18.1 / 10
  26. Fair Game
    Fair GamePatricia Briggs · 2012NYT bestseller Fantasy108 ratings
    8.18.1 / 10
  27. The Woman Who Died a Lot
    The Woman Who Died a LotJasper Fforde · 2012 Fantasy64 ratings
    8.18.1 / 10
  28. Code Name Verity
    Code Name VerityElizabeth E. Wein · 2012 Young adult181 ratings
    8.18.1 / 10
  29. No Easy Day
    No Easy DayMark Owen · 2012NYT bestseller Biography & memoir107 ratings
    8.08.0 / 10
  30. Hallucinations
    HallucinationsOliver Sacks · 2012NYT bestseller Popular science81 ratings
    8.08.0 / 10
  31. The Apocalypse Codex
    The Apocalypse CodexCharles Stross · 2012 Fantasy152 ratings
    8.08.0 / 10
  32. The Enchantress: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel
    The Enchantress: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas FlamelMichael Scott · 2012 Fantasy151 ratings
    8.08.0 / 10
  33. A Crown Imperilled
    A Crown ImperilledRaymond E. Feist · 2012 Fantasy54 ratings
    8.08.0 / 10
  34. Quiet
    QuietSusan Cain · 2012NYT bestseller Psychology927 ratings
    8.08.0 / 10
  35. Tricked
    TrickedKevin Hearne · 2012 Fantasy295 ratings
    8.08.0 / 10
  36. Three Parts Dead
    Three Parts DeadMax Gladstone · 2012 Fantasy229 ratings
    8.08.0 / 10
  37. The Antidote
    The AntidoteOliver Burkeman · 2012 Psychology111 ratings
    8.08.0 / 10
  38. Captain Vorpatril's Alliance
    Captain Vorpatril's AllianceLois McMaster Bujold · 2012 Science fiction132 ratings
    8.08.0 / 10
  39. The Raven Boys
    The Raven BoysMaggie Stiefvater · 2012 Fantasy643 ratings
    8.08.0 / 10
  40. Cinder
    CinderMarissa Meyer · 2012 Science fiction1.3K ratings
    8.08.0 / 10
  41. The Golden Lily
    The Golden LilyRichelle Mead · 2012 Fantasy118 ratings
    8.08.0 / 10
  42. The Power of Habit
    The Power of HabitCharles Duhigg · 2012NYT bestseller Business148 ratings
    8.08.0 / 10
  43. Beyonders: Seeds Of Rebellion
    Beyonders: Seeds Of RebellionBrandon Mull · 2012 Middle grade70 ratings
    8.08.0 / 10
  44. Flashback
    FlashbackShannon Messenger · 2012 Young adult72 ratings
    8.08.0 / 10
  45. Gone Girl
    Gone GirlGillian Flynn · 2012NYT bestseller Thriller2.5K ratings
    7.97.9 / 10
  46. UnWholly
    UnWhollyNeal Shusterman · 2012 Science fiction127 ratings
    7.97.9 / 10
  47. The Demigod Diaries
    The Demigod DiariesRick Riordan · 2012 Fantasy151 ratings
    7.97.9 / 10
  48. The Signal and the Noise
    The Signal and the NoiseNate Silver · 2012NYT bestseller Popular science258 ratings
    7.97.9 / 10
  49. The Killing Moon
    The Killing MoonN. K. Jemisin · 2012 Fantasy177 ratings
    7.97.9 / 10
  50. The Fault in Our Stars
    The Fault in Our StarsJohn Green · 2012Filmed 2014 Young adult3.6K ratings
    7.97.9 / 10
  51. Bitterblue
    BitterblueKristin Cashore · 2012 Fantasy217 ratings
    7.97.9 / 10
  52. Antifragile
    AntifragileNassim Nicholas Taleb · 2012NYT bestseller Philosophy258 ratings
    7.97.9 / 10
  53. The Traitor Queen
    The Traitor QueenTrudi Canavan · 2012 Fantasy76 ratings
    7.97.9 / 10
  54. Kill Decision
    Kill DecisionDaniel Suarez · 2012 Science fiction203 ratings
    7.97.9 / 10
  55. Shadow of Night
    Shadow of NightDeborah Harkness · 2012NYT bestseller Fantasy406 ratings
    7.97.9 / 10
  56. Railsea
    RailseaChina Miéville · 2012 Fantasy99 ratings
    7.87.8 / 10
  57. Blue Remembered Earth
    Blue Remembered EarthAlastair Reynolds · 2012 Science fiction132 ratings
    7.87.8 / 10
  58. Redshirts
    RedshirtsJohn Scalzi · 2012 Science fiction1.3K ratings
    7.87.8 / 10
  59. Dodger
    DodgerTerry Pratchett · 2012 Fantasy133 ratings
    7.87.8 / 10
  60. City of Lost Souls
    City of Lost SoulsCassandra Clare · 2012 Fantasy650 ratings
    7.87.8 / 10
  61. Bringing Up Bebe
    Bringing Up BebePamela Druckerman · 2012NYT bestseller103 ratings
    7.87.8 / 10
  62. The Innocent
    The InnocentDavid Baldacci · 2012NYT bestseller Thriller152 ratings
    7.87.8 / 10
  63. Kill Shot
    Kill ShotVince Flynn · 2012NYT bestseller Thriller134 ratings
    7.87.8 / 10
  64. How Music Works
    How Music WorksDavid Byrne · 2012111 ratings
    7.87.8 / 10
  65. Throne of Glass
    Throne of GlassSarah J. Maas · 2012 Fantasy2.5K ratings
    7.87.8 / 10
  66. Why Nations Fail
    Why Nations FailDaron Acemoglu · 2012NYT bestseller Economics226 ratings
    7.87.8 / 10
  67. The Black Box
    The Black BoxMichael Connelly · 2012NYT bestseller Crime & mystery98 ratings
    7.87.8 / 10
  68. The Drowned Cities
    The Drowned CitiesPaolo Bacigalupi · 2012 Science fiction56 ratings
    7.87.8 / 10
  69. Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail
    Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest TrailCheryl Strayed · 2012NYT bestseller Biography & memoir115 ratings
    7.77.7 / 10
  70. Crucible of Gold
    Crucible of GoldNaomi Novik · 2012 Fantasy125 ratings
    7.77.7 / 10
  71. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Third Wheel
    Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Third WheelJeff Kinney · 2012 Middle grade224 ratings
    7.77.7 / 10
  72. Pines
    PinesBlake Crouch · 2012 Crime & mystery714 ratings
    7.77.7 / 10
  73. The Forgotten
    The ForgottenDavid Baldacci · 2012NYT bestseller Thriller96 ratings
    7.77.7 / 10
  74. This Is How You Lose Her
    This Is How You Lose HerJunot Díaz · 2012NYT bestseller Short stories210 ratings
    7.77.7 / 10
  75. Son
    SonLois Lowry · 2012 Dystopian248 ratings
    7.77.7 / 10
  76. Finale
    FinaleBecca Fitzpatrick · 2012 Fantasy156 ratings
    7.77.7 / 10
  77. Threat Vector
    Threat VectorTom Clancy · 2012NYT bestseller Thriller52 ratings
    7.77.7 / 10
  78. Pandemonium
    PandemoniumLauren Oliver · 2012 Dystopian216 ratings
    7.77.7 / 10
  79. The Twelve
    The TwelveJustin Cronin · 2012NYT bestseller Horror291 ratings
    7.77.7 / 10
  80. A Wanted Man
    A Wanted ManLee Child · 2012NYT bestseller Crime & mystery237 ratings
    7.77.7 / 10
  81. The Selection
    The SelectionKiera Cass · 2012 Young adult945 ratings
    7.67.6 / 10
  82. Ruins
    RuinsOrson Scott Card · 2012 Science fiction65 ratings
    7.67.6 / 10
  83. Defending Jacob
    Defending JacobWilliam Landay · 2012NYT bestseller Crime & mystery185 ratings
    7.67.6 / 10
  84. Shadows in Flight
    Shadows in FlightOrson Scott Card · 2012 Science fiction147 ratings
    7.67.6 / 10
  85. Every Day
    Every DayDavid Levithan · 2012 Young adult390 ratings
    7.67.6 / 10
  86. Eleanor & Park
    Eleanor & ParkRainbow Rowell · 2012 Young adult1.2K ratings
    7.67.6 / 10
  87. Destroy Me
    Destroy MeTahereh Mafi · 2012 Science fiction350 ratings
    7.67.6 / 10
  88. The Long Earth
    The Long EarthTerry Pratchett · 2012 Science fiction477 ratings
    7.57.5 / 10
  89. Odd Apocalypse
    Odd ApocalypseDean Koontz · 2012NYT bestseller Thriller76 ratings
    7.57.5 / 10
  90. Reflected In You
    Reflected In YouSylvia Day · 2012NYT bestseller Romance131 ratings
    7.57.5 / 10
  91. Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore
    Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour BookstoreRobin Sloan · 2012 Fantasy775 ratings
    7.57.5 / 10
  92. The Marriage Bargain
    The Marriage BargainJennifer Probst · 2012NYT bestseller Romance62 ratings
    7.57.5 / 10
  93. Nevermore
    NevermoreJames Patterson · 2012 Adventure68 ratings
    7.57.5 / 10
  94. Shadow and Bone
    Shadow and BoneLeigh Bardugo · 2012 Young adult2K ratings
    7.47.4 / 10
  95. The Racketeer
    The RacketeerJohn Grisham · 2012NYT bestseller Thriller117 ratings
    7.47.4 / 10
  96. Beautiful Redemption
    Beautiful RedemptionKami Garcia · 2012 Romance99 ratings
    7.47.4 / 10
  97. Bared to You
    Bared to YouSylvia Day · 2012NYT bestseller Romance228 ratings
    7.47.4 / 10
  98. 2312
    2312Kim Stanley Robinson · 2012 Science fiction164 ratings
    7.47.4 / 10
  99. Deadlocked
    DeadlockedCharlaine Harris · 2012NYT bestseller Fantasy167 ratings
    7.37.3 / 10
  100. Insurgent
    InsurgentVeronica Roth · 2012Filmed 2015 Young adult1.9K ratings
    7.37.3 / 10
  101. In the Tall Grass
    In the Tall GrassStephen King · 2012 Horror141 ratings
    7.37.3 / 10
  102. The Kill Order
    The Kill OrderJames Dashner · 2012 Science fiction338 ratings
    7.17.1 / 10
  103. Stay Close
    Stay CloseHarlan Coben · 2012NYT bestseller Thriller161 ratings
    7.07.0 / 10
  104. Reached
    ReachedAlly Condie · 2012 Young adult210 ratings
    7.07.0 / 10
  105. Zoo
    ZooJames Patterson · 2012NYT bestseller Thriller69 ratings
    7.07.0 / 10
  106. The Casual Vacancy
    The Casual VacancyJ. K. Rowling · 2012NYT bestseller Humour469 ratings
    7.07.0 / 10
  107. Rapture
    RaptureLauren Kate · 2012 Fantasy363 ratings
    6.96.9 / 10
  108. Fifty Shades Darker
    Fifty Shades DarkerE. L. James · 2012NYT bestseller Romance593 ratings
    6.66.6 / 10
  109. Fifty Shades Freed
    Fifty Shades FreedE. L. James · 2012NYT bestseller Romance540 ratings
    6.66.6 / 10

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