The Greatest American "Contemporary, Fiction, Coming of age" Books Since 2010

Click to learn how this list is calculated.

This list represents a comprehensive and trusted collection of the greatest books. Developed through a specialized algorithm, it brings together 305 'best of' book lists to form a definitive guide to the world's most acclaimed books. For those interested in how these books are chosen, additional details can be found on the rankings page.

Filter by: Genres Dates Countries
Follow on:

Genres

Contemporary

Contemporary books are a genre that focuses on stories set in the present day, often exploring current social, cultural, and political issues. These books are typically written in a modern style and often feature relatable characters dealing with real-life situations. Contemporary books can cover a wide range of topics, from romance and family drama to coming-of-age stories and thrillers. The genre is constantly evolving to reflect the changing world we live in, making it a popular choice for readers who want to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and issues.

Fiction

Coming of age

The "Coming of age" category of books typically refers to stories that explore the transition from adolescence to adulthood. These books often focus on the challenges and experiences that young people face as they navigate the complexities of growing up, including issues such as identity, relationships, sexuality, and personal growth. Coming of age stories can be set in any time period or cultural context, and may feature protagonists of any gender, race, or background. Overall, the genre offers readers a glimpse into the universal struggles and triumphs of youth, and the process of becoming a fully realized adult.

Add additional genre filters

Countries

American

Add additional country filters

Date Range

Filter

Reading Statistics

Click the button below to see how many of these books you've read!

Download

If you're interested in downloading this list as a CSV file for use in a spreadsheet application, you can easily do so by clicking the button below. Please note that to ensure a manageable file size and faster download, the CSV will include details for only the first 500 books.

Download
  1. 26. To All The Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han

    The novel centers around Lara Jean Song Covey, a high school junior who has written secret love letters to all of her past crushes, never intending to send them. However, her life turns upside down when the letters are mysteriously mailed out, causing her to confront her feelings and the repercussions of her past affections. In a desperate attempt to save face and avoid confrontation with one of her crushes, she enters into a fake relationship with another, which leads to a journey of self-discovery and the realization that sometimes love can be found in the most unexpected places.

    The 6704th Greatest Book of All Time
  2. 27. Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds

    In this gripping and thought-provoking novel, a young African American teenager named Will faces a life-altering decision after his older brother is shot and killed. Set in an elevator, the story unfolds over the course of sixty seconds as Will descends to the ground floor, contemplating whether to seek revenge on his brother's murderer. Along the way, he encounters a series of individuals who challenge his perspective on violence, justice, and the cycle of retribution. With powerful prose and a raw emotional intensity, the book explores themes of grief, systemic racism, and the complexities of personal choices.

    The 6922nd Greatest Book of All Time
  3. 28. What Belongs to You by Garth Greenwell

    The novel explores a complicated relationship between an American teacher living in Bulgaria and a young male prostitute named Mitko. The narrative delves into themes of desire, shame, and the legacy of the past, as the protagonist grapples with his own identity and sexuality. As the relationship between the two men evolves, the protagonist is forced to confront his past, his feelings of isolation, and the societal norms that shape his existence.

    The 7057th Greatest Book of All Time
  4. 29. The Twelve Lives of Samuel Hawley by Hannah Tinti

    "The Twelve Lives of Samuel Hawley" is a gripping novel that explores the life of a rugged, hardened criminal named Samuel Hawley, who attempts to protect his daughter Loo from his violent past. The narrative alternates between the present, where Hawley and Loo are trying to settle down in Massachusetts, and the past, where the circumstances surrounding Hawley's twelve bullet wounds (each representing a "life") are revealed. Through their journey, the book delves into themes of love, sacrifice, and survival.

    The 7163rd Greatest Book of All Time
  5. 30. How To Read The Air by Dinaw Mengestu

    The novel follows the journey of Jonas Woldemariam, a man who retraces the road trip his Ethiopian immigrant parents took from Peoria, Illinois, to Nashville, Tennessee, shortly after their arrival in America. As he embarks on this journey, Jonas weaves together his own personal narrative with the imagined experiences of his parents, attempting to understand their life and struggles as newcomers in a foreign land. The story delves into themes of identity, displacement, and the complexities of family relationships, all while exploring the ways in which we reconstruct our histories and seek connection through storytelling.

    The 7859th Greatest Book of All Time
  6. 31. Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng

    "Everything I Never Told You" is a gripping and emotionally charged novel that delves into the complexities of a Chinese-American family living in 1970s Ohio. When their daughter Lydia goes missing and is later found dead, the Lee family is shattered by grief and forced to confront their own secrets and insecurities. As they navigate through their individual struggles, the novel explores themes of identity, race, and the pressures of societal expectations, painting a poignant portrait of a family on the brink of collapse.

    The 7954th Greatest Book of All Time
  7. 32. Preparation for the Next Life by Atticus Lish

    This novel tells the story of a U.S. Army veteran suffering from PTSD and a Chinese Muslim immigrant, both struggling to survive in the harsh realities of New York City. Their lives intersect and they form a relationship, trying to make sense of their past traumas, navigate the complexities of their present, and find hope for a better future. The book provides an intense, gritty portrayal of life on the fringes of society, highlighting issues of immigration, class, and the human cost of war.

    The 8341st Greatest Book of All Time
  8. 33. This Is How You Lose Her by Junot Diaz

    This book is a compelling collection of short stories that delve into the complexities of love, infidelity, and the struggles of the human heart through the lens of the immigrant experience. Centered around the life of Yunior, a young Dominican-American man, the narrative weaves through his various romantic relationships, capturing the raw emotions and consequences of his actions. Through vivid prose and poignant storytelling, the collection explores themes of masculinity, cultural identity, and the quest for belonging, offering a nuanced portrayal of the challenges and triumphs of love in its many forms.

    The 8428th Greatest Book of All Time
  9. 34. Leaving the Atocha Station by Ben Lerner

    The novel follows a young American poet on a prestigious fellowship in Madrid, Spain, where he grapples with his work, relationships, and sense of self. He struggles with his own perceptions of authenticity, both in his poetry and his personal life, while navigating the cultural and language barriers of a foreign country. The protagonist's experiences are marked by a constant tension between reality and artifice, as he questions the value and impact of his own art in the face of world events.

    The 8467th Greatest Book of All Time
  10. 35. On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong

    The book is a poignant letter from a son to a mother who cannot read, delving into their family's history that began before he was born with roots stretching back to Vietnam. It explores the enduring and complex bond between them, marked by the mother's sacrifice and the silence imposed by their past traumas. The narrative weaves through themes of identity, race, and sexuality, confronting the legacies of violence and resilience that shape their lives and the immigrant experience in America. Through lyrical prose, the novel captures the beauty and pain of relationships in the face of unspeakable loss, ultimately revealing the transformative power of storytelling.

    The 8518th Greatest Book of All Time
  11. 36. Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon

    The novel centers around a teenage girl who has spent her entire life confined to her home due to a rare disease that makes her allergic to virtually everything. Her world is small and meticulously controlled until a new family moves in next door, and she begins a complicated romance with the teenage boy who becomes her window to the outside world. As their relationship deepens, she becomes willing to risk everything to experience life and love, leading to revelations that will change her understanding of the illness that has defined her existence. The story is a poignant exploration of the desire for connection and the lengths we go to for the people we care about.

    The 8527th Greatest Book of All Time
  12. 37. Simon Vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli

    The book centers around a high school junior named Simon who is not openly gay and prefers to save his drama for the school musical. However, when an email falls into the wrong hands, his secret is at risk of being thrust into the spotlight. Now, Simon is being blackmailed, and he must step out of his comfort zone before he's outed against his will or worse, the privacy of Blue, the pen name of the boy he's been emailing, will be compromised. As he navigates through friendship, blackmail, and the prospect of love, Simon must find a way to be true to himself while also trying to decode the identity of the anonymous classmate he has fallen for online.

    The 8527th Greatest Book of All Time
  13. 38. Dumplin' by Julie Murphy

    The book centers around a plus-sized teenager who, despite societal expectations, has always been confident in her own skin. Her self-assuredness is challenged when she develops a crush on a private school boy and her former beauty queen mother's pageant season rolls around. In an act of defiance and to prove a point about being comfortable in one's own body, she decides to enter the local beauty pageant, sparking a small revolution in her Texas town. Along the way, she confronts her own insecurities, makes new friends who challenge the status quo, and embarks on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment.

    The 8527th Greatest Book of All Time
  14. 39. The Sun Is Also A Star by Nicola Yoon

    The book is a young adult romance that explores themes of fate, love, and the interconnectedness of lives. It follows Natasha, a Jamaican-American girl who is trying to prevent her family's deportation from the United States, and Daniel, a Korean-American boy who is struggling with his parents' expectations for him to become a doctor. Over the course of a single day in New York City, their paths cross in a serendipitous encounter, leading them to spend the day together. As they share their dreams, fears, and stories, they develop a deep connection that challenges their beliefs about destiny and the power of their choices amidst the ticking clock of Natasha's impending deportation.

    The 8664th Greatest Book of All Time
  15. 40. Taipei by Tao Lin

    This novel follows a young writer living in New York City who is struggling with drug addiction and emotional disconnection. He embarks on a series of failed relationships and travels to Taipei, Taiwan to visit his parents. Throughout the book, he tries to find meaning and purpose in his life, exploring themes of identity, memory, and the digital age. Despite his struggles, the protagonist's journey is filled with humor and insight, providing a unique perspective on modern life.

    The 8723rd Greatest Book of All Time
  16. 41. Ghost by Jason Reynolds

    The book tells the story of a young boy named Castle Cranshaw, who is trying to escape his troubled past. He discovers his talent for sprinting when he joins a local track team. The coach becomes a mentor to him, and his teammates become his friends. As he trains for the Junior Olympics, he learns about discipline, teamwork, and dealing with his past. The book tackles themes of trauma, redemption, and the power of sports.

    The 8963rd Greatest Book of All Time
  17. 42. American Street by Ibi Zoboi

    The novel follows the story of a young Haitian girl who immigrates to Detroit, Michigan, with the hope of a new life and the American Dream, only to be confronted with the harsh realities of immigration and the struggles of adapting to life in America. Upon arrival, she is forced to live with her American cousins and navigate a world of culture clash, while dealing with the absence of her mother, who is detained by immigration authorities. The protagonist grapples with the challenges of fitting in, understanding her identity, and facing the gritty truths of her new neighborhood, all while holding onto her dreams and the spirit of her Haitian heritage.

    The 9012th Greatest Book of All Time
  18. 43. Allegedly by Tiffany D. Jackson

    The book centers on a teenage girl with a traumatic past, who was convicted of a heinous crime at a very young ageā€”the murder of a baby. Now living in a group home and dealing with the complex dynamics within, she struggles with the weight of her past and the challenges of her present. As she contends with a society quick to label her as irredeemable, she seeks to uncover the truth and fight for a future that seems increasingly out of reach. Her journey is one of resilience and the quest for redemption, as she navigates a system that is often more interested in judgment than justice.

    The 9012th Greatest Book of All Time
  19. 44. Dear Martin by Nic Stone

    The book follows the story of a bright African American teen who, after experiencing a traumatic encounter with racial profiling and police brutality, seeks guidance through a series of journal entries addressed to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. As he navigates the complexities of contemporary race relations, he attempts to understand what it means to live as a black man in today's America, striving to hold onto Dr. King's teachings amidst the pressures and prejudices of modern society. His journey is one of self-discovery, social critique, and the search for identity within a world still grappling with the deep-seated issues of racial inequality.

    The 9012th Greatest Book of All Time
  20. 45. When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon

    The book is a heartwarming tale of two Indian-American teenagers whose parents conspire to arrange their marriage. Dimple Shah, who has her sights set on a career in web development, is less than thrilled when she meets Rishi Patel, a hopeless romantic who respects his heritage and relishes the idea of an arranged marriage. Their initial encounter is anything but auspicious, but as they navigate a summer program for aspiring web developers, their shared culture and experiences draw them closer. Through a series of humorous and touching moments, the story explores themes of identity, family expectations, and personal dreams, ultimately examining whether two seemingly incompatible individuals can find love on their own terms.

    The 9012th Greatest Book of All Time
  21. 46. We are All Completely Beside Ourselves by Karen Joy Fowler

    The novel follows the story of a woman named Rosemary who grew up in an unusual family, with her parents being behavioral scientists and her sister being a chimpanzee, part of an experiment her parents were conducting. As she grows older, Rosemary grapples with the loss of her sister, who was sent away when she was five, and her brother, who left the family due to the emotional turmoil caused by the experiment. The book explores themes of memory, family, and the ethical treatment of animals.

    The 9030th Greatest Book of All Time
  22. 47. Nevada by Imogen Binnie

    This novel follows the life of Maria Griffiths, a young trans woman living in New York City who works at a second-hand bookstore. Her life takes a dramatic turn when she discovers her girlfriend has been cheating on her, prompting her to embark on a road trip across the United States. During her journey, she encounters a myriad of characters and situations that force her to confront her past, her identity, and her future. The narrative delves into themes of self-discovery, gender identity, and the complexities of the human experience, all while showcasing the protagonist's sharp wit and unique perspective on the world.

    The 9032nd Greatest Book of All Time
  23. 48. With The Fire On High by Elizabeth Acevedo

    The novel follows the journey of a high school senior with a talent for cooking and a dream of working in the culinary arts. As a teen mother, she faces numerous challenges, balancing the demands of school, her daughter's needs, and her job, all while striving to achieve her aspirations. Her passion for food is both an escape and a means of expression, and she must navigate the complexities of love, family expectations, and her own identity. The protagonist's determination and creativity in the kitchen become a metaphor for her resilience and drive to forge a path for herself and her child.

    The 9251st Greatest Book of All Time
  24. 49. Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender

    The novel follows the journey of Felix Love, a transgender teen grappling with identity and the desire for love. Despite his name, Felix has never been in love and fears that his marginalization as a Black, queer, and transgender individual makes him one too many steps removed from the happily-ever-after he craves. His quest for self-discovery and acceptance takes a turn when he begins receiving transphobic messages after someone publicly posts his deadname and pre-transition photos at school. In a bid to get revenge, Felix lands in a complicated love triangle, but the experience leads him down a path of introspection, challenging his perceptions of relationships and what it means to love himself fully.

    The 9416th Greatest Book of All Time
  25. 50. You Should See Me In A Crown by Leah Johnson

    The book follows the story of Liz Lighty, a high school senior who feels out of place in her small, prom-obsessed Midwestern town. With dreams of attending a prestigious college and becoming a doctor, Liz's plans are derailed when her financial aid falls through. In a desperate bid to secure a scholarship, she enters the race for prom queen, a competition steeped in tradition and popularity contests that she has always despised. As Liz navigates the cutthroat world of high school politics, she also embarks on a journey of self-discovery, finding new friendships, embracing her identity, and experiencing her first love, all while challenging the norms of her community and learning to shine as her authentic self.

    The 9416th Greatest Book of All Time

Reading Statistics

Click the button below to see how many of these books you've read!

Download

If you're interested in downloading this list as a CSV file for use in a spreadsheet application, you can easily do so by clicking the button below. Please note that to ensure a manageable file size and faster download, the CSV will include details for only the first 500 books.

Download