BookRank

Best of the year

Best books of 2016

106 highest-rated books first published in 2016.

← 20152017 →

Why Born a Crime is #1

Born a Crime (Trevor Noah) scores 8.9/10 from 1.3K ratings — 0.1 points ahead of Morning Star 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. Born a Crime
    Born a CrimeTrevor Noah · 2016NYT bestseller Humour1.3K ratings1
    8.98.9 / 10
  2. Morning Star
    Morning StarPierce Brown · 2016NYT bestseller Science fiction2.4K ratings
    8.88.8 / 10
  3. Evicted
    EvictedMatthew Desmond · 2016NYT bestseller Politics & society289 ratings
    8.88.8 / 10
  4. Crooked Kingdom
    Crooked KingdomLeigh Bardugo · 2016 Fantasy1.6K ratings
    8.88.8 / 10
  5. Empire of Storms
    Empire of StormsSarah J. Maas · 2016 Romance1.3K ratings
    8.88.8 / 10
  6. Homegoing
    HomegoingYaa Gyasi · 2016 Historical fiction589 ratings
    8.78.7 / 10
  7. Shoe Dog
    Shoe DogPhil Knight · 2016NYT bestseller Biography & memoir672 ratings
    8.78.7 / 10
  8. A Court of Mist and Fury
    A Court of Mist and FurySarah J. Maas · 2016NYT bestseller Fantasy2.9K ratings
    8.78.7 / 10
  9. The Obelisk Gate
    The Obelisk GateN. K. Jemisin · 2016 Fantasy1.3K ratings
    8.68.6 / 10
  10. When Breath Becomes Air
    When Breath Becomes AirPaul Kalanithi · 2016NYT bestseller Biography & memoir1K ratings
    8.68.6 / 10
  11. A Gentleman in Moscow
    A Gentleman in MoscowAmor Towles · 2016NYT bestseller Historical fiction1K ratings1
    8.58.5 / 10
  12. Mistborn: Secret History
    Mistborn: Secret HistoryBrandon Sanderson · 2016 Fantasy925 ratings
    8.58.5 / 10
  13. A Closed and Common Orbit
    A Closed and Common OrbitBecky Chambers · 2016 Science fiction870 ratings
    8.58.5 / 10
  14. Dog Man
    Dog ManDav Pilkey · 2016 Graphic novels193 ratings
    8.58.5 / 10
  15. Wrath
    WrathJohn Gwynne · 2016 Fantasy224 ratings
    8.48.4 / 10
  16. We Are Legion (We Are Bob)
    We Are Legion (We Are Bob)Dennis E. Taylor · 2016 Science fiction1.8K ratings
    8.48.4 / 10
  17. Gemina
    GeminaAmie Kaufman · 2016 Science fiction281 ratings
    8.48.4 / 10
  18. The Gene: An Intimate History
    The Gene: An Intimate HistorySiddhartha Mukherjee · 2016NYT bestseller History169 ratings
    8.38.3 / 10
  19. Scythe
    ScytheNeal Shusterman · 2016 Young adult1.3K ratings
    8.38.3 / 10
  20. The Simple Path to Wealth
    The Simple Path to WealthJL Collins · 2016 Business185 ratings
    8.38.3 / 10
  21. Babylon's Ashes
    Babylon's AshesJames S. A. Corey · 2016 Science fiction1.3K ratings
    8.38.3 / 10
  22. The Blood Mirror
    The Blood MirrorBrent Weeks · 2016NYT bestseller Fantasy362 ratings
    8.28.2 / 10
  23. The Underground Railroad
    The Underground RailroadColson Whitehead · 2016NYT bestseller Historical fiction767 ratings
    8.28.2 / 10
  24. Dark Money
    Dark MoneyJane Mayer · 2016NYT bestseller History80 ratings
    8.28.2 / 10
  25. Love Warrior
    Love WarriorGlennon Doyle · 2016NYT bestseller Biography & memoir50 ratings
    8.28.2 / 10
  26. Lady Midnight
    Lady MidnightCassandra Clare · 2016 Urban fantasy312 ratings
    8.28.2 / 10
  27. City of Blades
    City of BladesRobert Jackson Bennett · 2016 Fantasy248 ratings
    8.28.2 / 10
  28. GhostsRaina Telgemeier
    GhostsRaina Telgemeier · 2016 Graphic novels107 ratings
    8.28.2 / 10
  29. Algorithms to Live By
    Algorithms to Live ByBrian Christian · 2016 Technology & IT319 ratings
    8.28.2 / 10
  30. Bad Blood
    Bad BloodJennifer Lynn Barnes · 2016 Crime & mystery196 ratings
    8.28.2 / 10
  31. Nevernight
    NevernightJay Kristoff · 2016 Fantasy414 ratings
    8.18.1 / 10
  32. The Flame Bearer
    The Flame BearerBernard Cornwell · 2016NYT bestseller Historical fiction77 ratings
    8.18.1 / 10
  33. Soulsmith
    SoulsmithWill Wight · 2016 Fantasy516 ratings
    8.18.1 / 10
  34. A Mother's Reckoning
    A Mother's ReckoningSue Klebold · 2016NYT bestseller Biography & memoir56 ratings
    8.18.1 / 10
  35. Born to Run
    Born to RunBruce Springsteen · 2016NYT bestseller Biography & memoir94 ratings
    8.18.1 / 10
  36. Four Roads Cross
    Four Roads CrossMax Gladstone · 2016 Fantasy53 ratings
    8.18.1 / 10
  37. Dark Matter
    Dark MatterBlake Crouch · 2016 Science fiction3.1K ratings
    8.18.1 / 10
  38. A Torch Against the Night
    A Torch Against the NightSabaa Tahir · 2016 Fantasy336 ratings
    8.18.1 / 10
  39. Penric's Mission
    Penric's MissionLois McMaster Bujold · 2016 Fantasy70 ratings
    8.18.1 / 10
  40. Are We Smart Enough to Know How Smart Animals Are?
    Are We Smart Enough to Know How Smart Animals Are?Frans de Waal · 2016 Nature & environment62 ratings
    8.18.1 / 10
  41. Edgedancer
    EdgedancerBrandon Sanderson · 2016 Fantasy1.6K ratings
    8.18.1 / 10
  42. Fire Touched
    Fire TouchedPatricia Briggs · 2016NYT bestseller Fantasy150 ratings
    8.18.1 / 10
  43. Radio Silence
    Radio SilenceAlice Oseman · 2016 Young adult295 ratings
    8.18.1 / 10
  44. The Hammer of Thor
    The Hammer of ThorRick Riordan · 2016 Fantasy285 ratings
    8.18.1 / 10
  45. Children of Earth and Sky
    Children of Earth and SkyGuy Gavriel Kay · 2016 Fantasy53 ratings
    8.08.0 / 10
  46. A Gathering of Shadows
    A Gathering of ShadowsV. E. Schwab · 2016 Fantasy833 ratings
    8.08.0 / 10
  47. Columbus Day
    Columbus DayCraig Alanson · 2016 Science fiction348 ratings
    8.08.0 / 10
  48. The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck
    The Subtle Art of Not Giving a FuckMark Manson · 2016 Self-help738 ratings
    8.08.0 / 10
  49. Me Before You
    Me Before YouJojo Moyes · 2016NYT bestseller Romance1K ratings
    8.08.0 / 10
  50. Calamity
    CalamityBrandon Sanderson · 2016 Young adult649 ratings
    8.08.0 / 10
  51. This Savage Song
    This Savage SongV. E. Schwab · 2016 Fantasy254 ratings
    8.08.0 / 10
  52. League of Dragons
    League of DragonsNaomi Novik · 2016 Fantasy106 ratings
    8.08.0 / 10
  53. The Midnight Star
    The Midnight StarMarie Lu · 2016 Fantasy60 ratings
    8.08.0 / 10
  54. Scrappy Little Nobody
    Scrappy Little NobodyAnna Kendrick · 2016NYT bestseller Biography & memoir186 ratings
    8.08.0 / 10
  55. The Undoing Project
    The Undoing ProjectMichael Lewis · 2016NYT bestseller Economics206 ratings
    8.08.0 / 10
  56. Every Heart a Doorway
    Every Heart a DoorwaySeanan McGuire · 2016 Fantasy778 ratings
    8.08.0 / 10
  57. Unsouled
    UnsouledWill Wight · 2016 Fantasy655 ratings
    8.08.0 / 10
  58. The Hidden Oracle
    The Hidden OracleRick Riordan · 2016 Fantasy532 ratings
    8.08.0 / 10
  59. Penric and the Shaman
    Penric and the ShamanLois McMaster Bujold · 2016 Fantasy85 ratings
    8.08.0 / 10
  60. The Wrong Side of Goodbye
    The Wrong Side of GoodbyeMichael Connelly · 2016NYT bestseller Crime & mystery118 ratings
    7.97.9 / 10
  61. Tools of Titans
    Tools of TitansTim Ferriss · 2016 Business173 ratings
    7.97.9 / 10
  62. The City of Mirrors
    The City of MirrorsJustin Cronin · 2016NYT bestseller Horror184 ratings
    7.97.9 / 10
  63. Real Tigers
    Real TigersMick Herron · 2016 Crime & mystery150 ratings
    7.97.9 / 10
  64. The City Born Great
    The City Born GreatN. K. Jemisin · 2016 Fantasy60 ratings
    7.97.9 / 10
  65. Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race
    Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space RaceMargot Lee Shetterly · 2016NYT bestseller History205 ratings
    7.97.9 / 10
  66. Paradise
    ParadiseCraig Alanson · 2016 Science fiction233 ratings
    7.97.9 / 10
  67. Too Like the Lightning
    Too Like the LightningAda Palmer · 2016 Science fiction214 ratings
    7.87.8 / 10
  68. The Sun Is Also a Star
    The Sun Is Also a StarNicola Yoon · 2016 Young adult379 ratings
    7.87.8 / 10
  69. The Fever Code
    The Fever CodeJames Dashner · 2016 Science fiction176 ratings
    7.87.8 / 10
  70. The Nightmare Stacks
    The Nightmare StacksCharles Stross · 2016 Horror114 ratings
    7.87.8 / 10
  71. Home
    HomeHarlan Coben · 2016NYT bestseller Crime & mystery66 ratings
    7.87.8 / 10
  72. End of Watch
    End of WatchStephen King · 2016NYT bestseller Crime & mystery491 ratings
    7.87.8 / 10
  73. Deep Work
    Deep WorkCal Newport · 2016 Business202 ratings
    7.87.8 / 10
  74. The Last Mile
    The Last MileDavid Baldacci · 2016NYT bestseller Thriller137 ratings
    7.87.8 / 10
  75. No Man's Land
    No Man's LandDavid Baldacci · 2016NYT bestseller Thriller67 ratings
    7.87.8 / 10
  76. Smarter Faster Better
    Smarter Faster BetterCharles Duhigg · 2016NYT bestseller Business125 ratings
    7.87.8 / 10
  77. It Ends with Us
    It Ends with UsColleen Hoover · 2016NYT bestseller Romance2.4K ratings
    7.87.8 / 10
  78. My Best Friend's Exorcism
    My Best Friend's ExorcismGrady Hendrix · 2016 Horror494 ratings
    7.77.7 / 10
  79. Magpie Murders
    Magpie MurdersAnthony Horowitz · 2016 Crime & mystery418 ratings
    7.77.7 / 10
  80. Night School
    Night SchoolLee Child · 2016NYT bestseller Thriller223 ratings
    7.77.7 / 10
  81. Revenger
    RevengerAlastair Reynolds · 2016 Science fiction139 ratings
    7.77.7 / 10
  82. The Long Cosmos
    The Long CosmosTerry Pratchett · 2016 Science fiction102 ratings
    7.77.7 / 10
  83. The Wonder
    The WonderEmma Donoghue · 2016 Historical fiction119 ratings
    7.77.7 / 10
  84. The Obsession
    The ObsessionNora Roberts · 2016NYT bestseller Romance53 ratings
    7.77.7 / 10
  85. Sleeping Giants
    Sleeping GiantsSylvain Neuvel · 2016 Science fiction726 ratings
    7.67.6 / 10
  86. The Power
    The PowerNaomi Alderman · 2016 Science fiction677 ratings
    7.67.6 / 10
  87. Weapons of Math Destruction
    Weapons of Math DestructionCathy O'Neil · 2016 Politics & society248 ratings
    7.67.6 / 10
  88. Gentleman Jole and the Red Queen
    Gentleman Jole and the Red QueenLois McMaster Bujold · 2016 Science fiction94 ratings
    7.67.6 / 10
  89. The Secret History of Twin Peaks
    The Secret History of Twin PeaksMark Frost · 2016 Crime & mystery64 ratings
    7.67.6 / 10
  90. Holding Up the Universe
    Holding Up the UniverseJennifer Niven · 2016 Young adult133 ratings
    7.67.6 / 10
  91. The Ballad of Black Tom
    The Ballad of Black TomVictor LaValle · 2016 Horror301 ratings
    7.67.6 / 10
  92. Moonglow
    MoonglowMichael Chabon · 2016NYT bestseller Contemporary fiction61 ratings
    7.57.5 / 10
  93. All the Birds in the Sky
    All the Birds in the SkyCharlie Jane Anders · 2016 Fantasy378 ratings
    7.57.5 / 10
  94. Ninefox Gambit
    Ninefox GambitYoon Ha Lee · 2016 Science fiction307 ratings
    7.57.5 / 10
  95. Convenience Store Woman
    Convenience Store WomanSayaka Murata · 2016 Literary fiction1.1K ratings
    7.57.5 / 10
  96. Fool Me Once
    Fool Me OnceHarlan Coben · 2016NYT bestseller Thriller129 ratings
    7.57.5 / 10
  97. The Princess Diarist
    The Princess DiaristCarrie Fisher · 2016NYT bestseller Humour242 ratings
    7.57.5 / 10
  98. The Whistler
    The WhistlerJohn Grisham · 2016NYT bestseller Crime & mystery122 ratings
    7.47.4 / 10
  99. Glass Sword
    Glass SwordVictoria Aveyard · 2016 Young adult506 ratings
    7.47.4 / 10
  100. The Chemist
    The ChemistStephenie Meyer · 2016NYT bestseller Thriller135 ratings
    7.47.4 / 10
  101. I'm Thinking of Ending Things
    I'm Thinking of Ending ThingsIain Reid · 2016 Horror701 ratings
    7.37.3 / 10
  102. Hillbilly Elegy
    Hillbilly ElegyJ. D. Vance · 2016NYT bestseller Biography & memoir582 ratings
    7.27.2 / 10
  103. The Last Star
    The Last StarRick Yancey · 2016 Science fiction129 ratings
    7.27.2 / 10
  104. The Woman in Cabin 10
    The Woman in Cabin 10Ruth Ware · 2016NYT bestseller Crime & mystery530 ratings
    7.17.1 / 10
  105. The Circle
    The CircleDave Eggers · 2016NYT bestsellerFilmed 2017 Dystopian730 ratings
    6.86.8 / 10
  106. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
    Harry Potter and the Cursed ChildJack Thorne · 2016 Fantasy2.1K ratings
    6.36.3 / 10

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