Home Top Book List
Written by ABA
Last edited Mar 2023 — 12 min read
The year 2019 was a great year for literature, with several remarkable books being published that captivated readers and critics alike. Among these books, there were some that stood out and received prestigious awards for their exceptional storytelling, compelling characters, and profound insights.
In this article, we will be presenting a list of the award-winning books that were published in 2019. These books cover a wide range of genres and themes, from memoirs and historical fiction to science fiction and fantasy. Whether you are an avid reader or just looking for your next great read, these award-winning books are sure to offer an unforgettable literary experience. So, without further ado, let's dive into the best books of 2019!
| IMPRINT | Random House |
| COPIES SOLD | 75,000+ (as of 2019) |
| AUTHOR | Taffy Brodesser-Akner |
| PUBLISHER | Penguin Random House |
#1 Wall Street Journal Bestseller
Fleishman Is in Trouble is a satirical novel that tells the story of Toby Fleishman, a recently divorced man who is struggling to balance his new single life with his job as a hepatologist in New York City. The novel explores themes of marriage, divorce, gender roles, and the modern dating world.
| IMPRINT | Henry Holt & Company |
| COPIES SOLD | 10,000+ (as of 2020) |
| AUTHOR | Susan Choi |
| PUBLISHER | Penguin Random House |
#1 Wall Street Journal Bestseller
Trust Exercise is a novel that follows a group of teenagers attending an elite performing arts high school in the 1980s. The novel explores themes of power, consent, and the nature of memory.
| IMPRINT | One World |
| COPIES SOLD | 40,000+ (as of 2020) |
| AUTHOR | Kali Fajardo-Anstine |
| PUBLISHER | Penguin Random House |
#1 Wall Street Journal Bestseller
Sabrina Corina is a collection of short stories that center around Latina women in the American West. The stories explore themes of identity, family, loss, and displacement.
| IMPRINT | Riverhead Books |
| COPIES SOLD | 150,000+ (as of 2020) |
| AUTHOR | Marlon James |
| PUBLISHER | Penguin Random House |
#1 Wall Street Journal Bestseller
Black Leopard, Red Wolf is a fantasy novel that follows a group of mercenaries on a quest to find a missing child. The novel is set in a fantastical version of Africa and explores themes of violence, sexuality, and identity.
| IMPRINT | Pantheon Books |
| COPIES SOLD | 30,000+ (as of 2020) |
| AUTHOR | Laila Lalami |
| PUBLISHER | Penguin Random House |
#1 Wall Street Journal Bestseller
The Other Americans is a novel that tells the story of a Moroccan immigrant named Driss Guerraoui, who is killed in a hit-and-run accident. The novel follows the lives of several characters who are affected by his death and explores themes of race, immigration, and the American Dream.
| IMPRINT | Vintage |
| COPIES SOLD | 10,000+ (as of 2019) |
| AUTHOR | Kimberly King Parsons |
| PUBLISHER | Penguin Random House |
#1 Wall Street Journal Bestseller
Black Light is a collection of short stories that explore the lives of women living in the American South. The stories touch on themes of sexuality, identity, and coming-of-age.
| IMPRINT | N/A |
| COPIES SOLD | N/A |
| AUTHOR | Susan Choi |
| PUBLISHER | Helen Phillips |
#1 Wall Street Journal Bestseller
The Need is a novel that tells the story of a woman named Molly who is home alone with her two young children when she begins to sense that someone is watching her. The novel is a gripping psychological thriller that explores themes of motherhood, identity, and the nature of reality.
| IMPRINT | Alfred A. Knopf |
| COPIES SOLD | 50,000+ (as of 2020) |
| AUTHOR | Julia Phillips |
| PUBLISHER | Penguin Random House |
#1 Wall Street Journal Bestseller
Disappearing Earth is a novel that follows the aftermath of the disappearance of two young girls in Kamchatka, Russia. The novel explores the lives of several characters who are affected by the disappearance and delves into themes of community, identity, and violence against women.
| IMPRINT | Henry Holt & Company |
| COPIES SOLD | 100,000+ (as of 2020) |
| AUTHOR | Ocean Vuong |
| PUBLISHER | Penguin Random House |
#1 Wall Street Journal Bestseller
On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous is a novel that takes the form of a letter from a son to his mother who cannot read. The novel explores themes of identity, family, and the immigrant experience.
| IMPRINT | Doubleday |
| COPIES SOLD | 1.5 million+ (as of 2020) |
| AUTHOR | Susan Choi |
| PUBLISHER | Penguin Random House |
#1 Wall Street Journal Bestseller
The Nickel Boys is a novel that tells the story of two young black boys named Elwood and Turner who are sent to a reform school in Jim Crow-era Florida. The novel explores themes of race, justice, and the legacy of slavery and segregation.
| IMPRINT | N/A |
| COPIES SOLD | N/A |
| AUTHOR | Susan Choi |
| PUBLISHER | University of Texas Press |
#1 Wall Street Journal Bestseller
Go Ahead in the Rain is a biography of the influential hip-hop group A Tribe Called Quest. The book offers a mix of cultural criticism, personal anecdotes, and reflections on the impact of the group's music.
| IMPRINT | Grove Press |
| COPIES SOLD | N/A |
| AUTHOR | Sarah M. Broom |
| PUBLISHER | Grove Atlantic |
#1 Wall Street Journal Bestseller
The Yellow House is a memoir that explores the author's family history and the history of her childhood home in New Orleans East, which was destroyed in Hurricane Katrina. The book is a meditation on race, class, and the meaning of home.
| IMPRINT | N/A |
| COPIES SOLD | N/A |
| AUTHOR | Tressie McMillan Cottom |
| PUBLISHER | The New Press |
#1 Wall Street Journal Bestseller
Thick is a collection of essays that explore the author's experiences as a black woman in America. The essays cover a wide range of topics, including beauty standards, social inequality, and the politics of education.
| IMPRINT | Penguin Press |
| COPIES SOLD | N/A |
| AUTHOR | Carolyn Forché |
| PUBLISHER | Penguin Random House |
#1 Wall Street Journal Bestseller
What You Have Heard is True is a memoir that explores the author's experiences in El Salvador during the Salvadoran Civil War. The book is a meditation on the nature of political violence and the role of the artist in times of crisis.
| IMPRINT | Metropolitan Books |
| COPIES SOLD | N/A |
| AUTHOR | Greg Grandin |
| PUBLISHER | Macmillan Publishers |
#1 Wall Street Journal Bestseller
The End of the Myth is a historical analysis of the idea of the American frontier and its influence on American politics and culture. The book argues that the frontier myth has shaped American identity and contributed to the rise of nativism and nationalism.
| IMPRINT | Doubleday |
| COPIES SOLD | N/A |
| AUTHOR | Patrick Radden Keefe |
| PUBLISHER | Penguin Random House |
#1 Wall Street Journal Bestseller
Say Nothing is a nonfiction book that explores the Troubles in Northern Ireland and the disappearance of a woman named Jean McConville. The book is a gripping true-crime story that also offers insight into the complex political and historical context of the conflict.
| IMPRINT | Agate Midway |
| COPIES SOLD | N/A |
| AUTHOR | Iliana Regan |
| PUBLISHER | Agate Publishing, Inc. |
#1 Wall Street Journal Bestseller
Burn the Place is a memoir that tells the story of the author's life and career as a chef. The book is a celebration of the author's love of food and nature, as well as a meditation on identity and family.
| IMPRINT | N/A |
| COPIES SOLD | N/A |
| AUTHOR | Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor |
| PUBLISHER | The University of North Carolina Press |
#1 Wall Street Journal Bestseller
Race for Profit is a historical analysis of the intersection of race and real estate in America. The book explores how government policies, banks, and real estate agents have undermined black homeownership and perpetuated racial inequality.
| IMPRINT | Riverhead Books |
| COPIES SOLD | N/A |
| AUTHOR | David Treuer |
| PUBLISHER | Penguin Random House |
#1 Wall Street Journal Bestseller
The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee is a historical survey of Native American life and culture from the massacre at Wounded Knee in 1890 to the present day. The book challenges the idea of Native American history as a tragedy and offers a nuanced and complex portrait of Native American resilience and resistance.
| IMPRINT | Grove Press |
| COPIES SOLD | N/A |
| AUTHOR | Albert Woodfox |
| PUBLISHER | Grove Press / Grove Atlantic |
#1 Wall Street Journal Bestseller
In this memoir, Albert Woodfox chronicles his four decades in solitary confinement after being falsely accused and convicted of a crime he didn't commit. He also discusses his activism work and the importance of hope and resilience in the face of injustice.
| IMPRINT | N/A |
| COPIES SOLD | N/A |
| AUTHOR | Hanif Abdurraqib |
| PUBLISHER | University of Texas Press |
#1 Wall Street Journal Bestseller
This book is a loving tribute to the influential hip-hop group A Tribe Called Quest. Through personal anecdotes and insightful analysis, Abdurraqib explores the group's impact on both the music industry and black culture.
| IMPRINT | Grove Press |
| COPIES SOLD | N/A |
| AUTHOR | Sarah M. Broom |
| PUBLISHER | Grove Press / Grove Atlantic |
#1 Wall Street Journal Bestseller
In this memoir, Sarah M. Broom reflects on her family's history and their experience of living in a shotgun house in New Orleans East. She also explores the impact of Hurricane Katrina on her community and the city as a whole.
| IMPRINT | N/A |
| COPIES SOLD | N/A |
| AUTHOR | Tressie McMillan Cottom |
| PUBLISHER | The New Press |
#1 Wall Street Journal Bestseller
This collection of essays by Tressie McMillan Cottom explores themes of race, gender, and inequality in contemporary America. Drawing on her personal experiences as a black woman and her academic research, she offers sharp insights and thoughtful analysis.
| IMPRINT | Penguin Press |
| COPIES SOLD | N/A |
| AUTHOR | Carolyn Forché |
| PUBLISHER | Penguin Press / Penguin Random House |
#1 Wall Street Journal Bestseller
In this memoir, Carolyn Forché reflects on her time in El Salvador in the late 1970s, where she worked as a human rights activist and witnessed firsthand the atrocities committed during the country's civil war. She also explores the power of art and storytelling to effect change.
| IMPRINT | Metropolitan Books |
| COPIES SOLD | N/A |
| AUTHOR | Greg Grandin |
| PUBLISHER | Metropolitan Books / Macmillan |
#1 Wall Street Journal Bestseller
In this work of nonfiction, Greg Grandin explores the myth of the American frontier and its lasting impact on American politics and culture. He also examines the contemporary debate over immigration and the proposed border wall.
| IMPRINT | Doubleday |
| COPIES SOLD | N/A |
| AUTHOR | Patrick Radden Keefe |
| PUBLISHER | Doubleday / Penguin Random House |
#1 Wall Street Journal Bestseller
This true crime book tells the story of the Troubles in Northern Ireland and the disappearance of a mother of ten, Jean McConville. Through interviews with former IRA members and other key figures, Keefe offers a gripping and insightful account of a complex and turbulent period in Irish history.
| IMPRINT | Agate Midway |
| COPIES SOLD | N/A |
| AUTHOR | Iliana Regan |
| PUBLISHER | Agate Publishing, Inc. |
#1 Wall Street Journal Bestseller
In this memoir, chef Iliana Regan reflects on her unconventional upbringing and her journey to becoming one of Chicago's most celebrated chefs. She also explores the importance of nature and the environment in her cooking and personal life.
| IMPRINT | Versify |
| COPIES SOLD | N/A |
| AUTHOR | Kwame Alexander; illustrations by Kadir Nelson |
| PUBLISHER | Houghton Mifflin Harcourt |
#1 Wall Street Journal Bestseller
The Undefeated is a poem celebrating the resilience and perseverance of black Americans throughout history. The book features stunning illustrations by Kadir Nelson, and the poem is written by Kwame Alexander. The Undefeated won the 2020 Caldecott Medal and a Newbery Honor.
| IMPRINT | Viking Books for Young Readers |
| COPIES SOLD | N/A |
| AUTHOR | Laurie Halse Anderson |
| PUBLISHER | Penguin Random House |
#1 Wall Street Journal Bestseller
SHOUT is a memoir written in verse that explores the author's experiences with sexual assault and its aftermath. Anderson also examines the broader issue of sexual violence and the #MeToo movement. SHOUT was a National Book Award finalist and a Michael L. Printz Honor Book.
| IMPRINT | Make Me a World |
| COPIES SOLD | 10,000+ (as of 2020) |
| AUTHOR | Susan Choi |
| PUBLISHER | Penguin Random House |
#1 Wall Street Journal Bestseller
Pet is a young adult novel set in a world where angels and monsters coexist. The story follows a transgender girl named Jam who discovers a creature in her mother's painting that has come to life. Pet was a National Book Award finalist and a Stonewall Book Award winner.
| IMPRINT | Atheneum / Caitlyn Dlouhy Books |
| COPIES SOLD | N/A |
| AUTHOR | Cynthia Kadohata; illustrations by Julia Kuo |
| PUBLISHER | Simon & Schuster |
#1 Wall Street Journal Bestseller
A Place to Belong is a historical fiction novel about a Japanese-American family forced to leave their home and live in an internment camp during World War II. The story follows a young girl named Hanako as she learns to navigate life in the camp and eventually moves to a new home in Chicago.
| IMPRINT | Atheneum / Caitlyn Dlouhy Books |
| COPIES SOLD | N/A |
| AUTHOR | Jason Reynolds |
| PUBLISHER | Simon & Schuster |
#1 Wall Street Journal Bestseller
Look Both Ways is a middle-grade novel that tells the story of 10 different children as they walk home from school. The book explores themes of friendship, family, and community through interconnected stories. Look Both Ways was a National Book Award finalist and a Kirkus Prize finalist.
| IMPRINT | Kokila |
| COPIES SOLD | N/A |
| AUTHOR | Randy Ribay |
| PUBLISHER | Penguin Random House |
#1 Wall Street Journal Bestseller
Patron Saints of Nothing is a young adult novel about a Filipino-American teenager named Jay who travels to the Philippines to investigate the death of his cousin. The book explores themes of identity, culture, and family. Patron Saints of Nothing won the 2020 Michael L. Printz Award.
| IMPRINT | Balzer + Bray |
| COPIES SOLD | N/A |
| AUTHOR | Laura |
| PUBLISHER | HarperCollins Publishers |
#1 Wall Street Journal Bestseller
Thirteen Doorways, Wolves Behind Them All is a young adult novel set during World War II. The story follows a young girl named Frankie who is placed in an orphanage after her mother dies. The book explores themes of family, love, and loss, and includes elements of magical realism. Thirteen Doorways, Wolves Behind Them All was a National Book Award finalist.
| IMPRINT | Bloomsbury Children’s Books |
| COPIES SOLD | N/A |
| AUTHOR | Martin W. Sandler |
| PUBLISHER | Bloomsbury Publishing |
#1 Wall Street Journal Bestseller
1919: The Year That Changed America is a non-fiction book about the events of 1919, a pivotal year in American history
| IMPRINT | Triangle Square |
| COPIES SOLD | N/A |
| AUTHOR | Hal Schrieve |
| PUBLISHER | Seven Stories Press |
#1 Wall Street Journal Bestseller
Out of Salem is a captivating and poignant tale of a teenage werewolf coming of age in a small town in Oregon in the late 90s amidst the AIDS epidemic, which highlights the themes of acceptance, family, and identity.
| IMPRINT | First Second Books |
| COPIES SOLD | N/A |
| AUTHOR | Colleen AF Venable and Ellen T. Crenshaw |
| PUBLISHER | Macmillan Publishers |
#1 Wall Street Journal Bestseller
A graphic novel that explores the story of a girl coming to terms with her identity and her family’s secrets, set against the backdrop of her Catholic upbringing and her burgeoning love for another girl.
| IMPRINT | N/A |
| COPIES SOLD | N/A |
| AUTHOR | Dan Beachy-Quick |
| PUBLISHER | Omnidawn Publishing |
#1 Wall Street Journal Bestseller
A collection of poetry that explores the themes of nature and the self, examining the ways in which we experience the world around us and the impact it has on our identities.
| IMPRINT | N/A |
| COPIES SOLD | N/A |
| AUTHOR | Jericho Brown |
| PUBLISHER | Copper Canyon Press |
#1 Wall Street Journal Bestseller
Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry, The Tradition is a powerful exploration of Blackness, masculinity, and violence, as well as a meditation on love, family, and the struggle for belonging.
| IMPRINT | N/A |
| COPIES SOLD | N/A |
| AUTHOR | Derricotte |
| PUBLISHER | University of Pittsburgh Press |
#1 Wall Street Journal Bestseller
This collection spans Toi Derricotte's entire career as a poet, featuring poems that explore her personal history as a Black woman, as well as broader themes such as race, gender, and identity.
| IMPRINT | N/A |
| COPIES SOLD | N/A |
| AUTHOR | Camonghne Felix |
| PUBLISHER | Haymarket Books |
#1 Wall Street Journal Bestseller
A collection of poems that reflect on the complexities of identity, trauma, and survival. Camonghne Felix's work speaks to the experiences of Black women, exploring the ways in which they are often marginalized and silenced in society.
| IMPRINT | N/A |
| COPIES SOLD | N/A |
| AUTHOR | Ilya Kaminsky |
| PUBLISHER | Graywolf Press |
#1 Wall Street Journal Bestseller
Set in an unnamed country, Deaf Republic is a poetic parable that explores the power of language and the role it plays in shaping our understanding of the world around us. The book is divided into two acts and is told in the form of a play.
| IMPRINT | N/A |
| COPIES SOLD | N/A |
| AUTHOR | Ariana Reines |
| PUBLISHER | Tin House Books |
#1 Wall Street Journal Bestseller
A Sand Book is a genre-defying work that weaves together poetry, memoir, and cultural criticism. Through her writing, Ariana Reines explores themes such as sex, love, loss, and power, as well as larger issues like climate change and the nature of reality.
| IMPRINT | N/A |
| COPIES SOLD | N/A |
| AUTHOR | Mary Ruefle |
| PUBLISHER | Wave Books |
#1 Wall Street Journal Bestseller
A collection of poems that is both playful and philosophical, Dunce explores the absurdities of everyday life and the mysteries of the human experience. Mary Ruefle's work is marked by its humor, intelligence, and emotional depth.
| IMPRINT | N/A |
| COPIES SOLD | N/A |
| AUTHOR | Susan Choi |
| PUBLISHER | Graywolf Press |
#1 Wall Street Journal Bestseller
A book-length poem that explores the intersections of personal and political history, Be Recorder is a searing critique of the contemporary moment, as well as a call to action for those who would fight against injustice and oppression.
| IMPRINT | N/A |
| COPIES SOLD | N/A |
| AUTHOR | Arthur Sze |
| PUBLISHER | Copper Canyon Press |
#1 Wall Street Journal Bestseller
A collection of poems that explores the ways in which language shapes our understanding of the world around us. Through his writing, Arthur Sze invites readers to reconsider their relationships with nature, culture, and the self.
| IMPRINT | N/A |
| COPIES SOLD | N/A |
| AUTHOR | Brian Teare |
| PUBLISHER | Nightboat Books |
#1 Wall Street Journal Bestseller
Doomstead Days is a collection of poems that explores the impact of climate change on the natural world, as well as on human communities. Through his writing, Brian Teare asks us to consider the ways in which we are all implicated in the global climate crisis.
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