Best Books of the Decade: Fiction of the 2010s
A book list featuring the best books of the decade: fiction edition!
Ten years ago I was still in college, reading accounting textbooks, talking to friends on AIM, and working on my desktop computer. I remember thinking my days were unbelievably full between classes, tennis practice, and after school jobs. How hilarious!
Now I’ve got a real job, an eight month old, volunteer work, and an endless list of things to do around the house. One thing that hasn’t changed though is making time to read for fun. Putting together my list of the best books of the decade was a memorable trip back through my reading life.
I wish I kept some sort of reading journal or discovered Goodreads (if it even existed in 2010?) to track what I was reading during college and my young adult years. I know I had a penchant for John Grisham and Michael Crichton in high school, but started to branch out soon after.
To help put together my best books of the decade list, I had to review which books even came out that long ago! Take note, I left out any books that were included on my best books of 2019 post, so head over there if you’re interested in this year’s selections!
I categorized my favorites by genre. I end up picking up a ton of general fiction, historical fiction, chick lit/romance, young adult and fantasy books. My selections may not be those receiving prestigious awards or rave reviews from literary publications, but I have no doubt you’ll enjoy reading them.
Some will bring you to tears, most will make you smile, and a few may even change the way you think about the world.
Join Our Best Books of the Decade Linkup!
Since this is such a subjective subject, I’m curious what other readers will pick as their best books of the decade! Therefore, Allison of Mind Joggle and I are hosting a Best Books of the Decade linkup!! Add your blog post or bookstagram post to the linkup at the end of my list. Or, add your pick for the best books of the decade in the comments!
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Best Books of the Decade: The 2010s
General Fiction
Me Before You by JoJo Moyes
Published: 2012
Be prepared for sob fest! This is a unique, sweet, and heart breaking tale about a woman who becomes a caretaker for a disabled man. Louisa is exactly the type of character you root for and her character development is so satisfying. I love the natural development of the relationship between these two and the attention on unbelievably difficult, ethical decisions. | Amazon | Bookshop.org | Thriftbooks
The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman
Published: 2012
Another novel full of complicated, ethical questions. Off the coast of Australia, a lighthouse keeper and his wife are astonished when a boat washes on shore with a live baby inside. They have struggled to have kids and ultimately decide to keep the baby without telling anyone.
On the mainland, a mother grieves the loss of both her husband and baby. It’s easy to understand the decisions that both mothers make and the nuance and incredible writing turn this a captivating story.
The Storied Life Of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin
Published: 2014
It’s been years since I read this and I don’t remember exact details off the top of my head, but I remember all the good feelings it brought up. This is one of those amazing books for book lovers. A.J. Fikry owns a failing bookshop but is given a rare opportunity to make over his life. You’ll find fascinating glimpses into the ins and outs of running a bookstore as well as a sweet redemption story.
Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
Published: 2014
Liane Moriarty is one of my auto-buy authors and it’s extremely difficult picking just one of her books for this best books of the decade list. Admittedly, my favorite is probably What Alice Forgot but that was published in 2009 🙂 So, here we are with Big Little Lies. It is very worthy of this honor.
Full of school mom drama, murder, cover-ups, and so much more. Moriarty’s stories have intricate story lines and terrific characters that keep you turning pages as fast as possible. If you love a good adaptation, the HBO television series is also phenomenal.
Beartown by Fredrik Backman
Published: 2017
This is a strong candidate for my favorite book of all-time, let alone one of the best books of the decade. I’m a serious Backman fan due to his unmatched ability to write realistic characters and situations. In Beartown, he adds certain writing styles that feel almost poetic in nature to create a masterpiece.
The basic story is about a town’s hockey team and how the community takes sides when a player is accused of sexually assaulting a girl. All the major players get a say and we intimately get to know the girl, her parents, the boy, his teammates, and various other town members. I can’t recommend it enough!
The Almost Sisters by Joshilyn Jackson
Published: 2017
This novel has so much going on that it’s rather hard to describe. Southern setting, racism, nerd culture, single motherhood, family secrets, murder. You honestly can find it all in here and I know you’re skeptical about how it all fits together. Trust me, there’s a place for everything and in total it’s a captivating novel.
Historical Fiction
Fall of Giants by Ken Follett
Published: 2010
Ken Follett’s books aren’t for the faint of heart, at least due to their rather high page count. I promise you won’t notice though, because you’ll be riveted by the events taking place within. In Fall of Giants, Follett uses fictional families from various countries and social classes to show how the world was impacted by the events of World War I.
Real events serve as the backdrop and real people are interspersed throughout to lend authenticity to this tome. Both history buffs and general historical fiction fans should pick this one up! Then you can continue the trilogy through World War II and the Cold War. Amazon | Bookshop.org | Thriftbooks
The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton
Published: 2012
Kate Morton is well known for her novels that cross multiple generations and The Secret Keeper is no different. If you enjoy books that jump back and forth between time periods, The Secret Keeper is for you.
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
Published: 2015
You can find an endless number of historical fiction books about World War II these days, but this is my favorite. It follows two sisters living in German-occupied France. One sister actively helps the Resistance by leading foreign soldiers over the border into safer territory. The other stays home, struggling against the horrors in her own way.
I couldn’t put this down. It showcased life under German occupation in a way I’d never read before. The sisters were completely different yet each of their stories was utterly captivating.
Amazon | Bookshop.org | Thriftbooks
Romance/Chick Lit
Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks
Published: 2010
You’d expect Nicholas Sparks to show up in the romance section of a best books of the decade list, but the hard part is picking which one. Safe Haven is my favorite due to the main character’s mysterious background, small town charm, and riveting conclusion. I adored watching Katie grow more comfortable in her new home and open up to Alex and his kids. Amazon | Bookshop.org | Thriftbooks
Meet Me At The Cupcake Cafe by Jenny Colgan
Published: 2011
Jenny Colgan is my go-to author when I need a perfect chick-lit escape from reality. Her novels are witty, charming, and often feature some type of bakery, dessert shop, or candy store! What more could you want?? Truthfully all of her recent fiction could land on this best books of the decade list, but I spared you and picked one!
If you do want to read more, I listed all of Jenny Colgan’s books in order so you can make sure you don’t miss any!
The Hating Game by Sally Thorne
Published: 2016
A classic enemies to lovers romance with the added bonus that they’re coworkers fighting for the same position. This one is full of witty banner and delicious tension. It’s one of the first contemporary romances that I’ve read and it got me completely hooked on the genre. Amazon | Bookshop.org | Thriftbooks
The City Baker’s Guide to Country Living by Louise Miller
Published: 2016
If you prefer the romance to take more of a backseat, you’ll love The City Baker’s Guide to Country Living. Olivia flees to her best friend’s rural hometown after causing a huge problem at the exclusive club where she’s probably not still employed. She reluctantly accepts a job as the pastry chef of a local inn and takes up residence in a small house on the property. This novel is mostly about discovering the joys of small town living as Olivia learns what she wants most out of her life. I ate it up! Amazon | Bookshop.org | Thriftbooks
Things You Save in a Fire by Katherine Center
Published: 2019
Another contemporary romance where the developing relationship is just one part of an all-around excellent story. Cassie is an excellent firefighter and adores her life in Texas at her current firehouse. So, it is with great reluctance that she decides to uproot her entire life to move to Boston to help her ailing, estranged mother.
On top of their strained relationship, she’s now dealing with a new crew who clearly don’t believe women can or should be members of their team. Cassie attempts to prove her worth as a firefighter, deal with her mother, and try not to get distracted by the hot rookie who started the same time as her! Amazon | Bookshop.org | Thriftbooks
Young Adult/ YA Fantasy
The Selection by Keira Cass
Published: 2012
I was late to the game on this series and only picked it up once most of the books were written. Thankfully it worked out that way because I binge read them one after the other! In this world, girls long to participate in the Selection, a chance to compete for the heart of the prince. America Singer is chosen to participate, but it would mean leaving behind her secret love, a boy in a caste below her own. When she meets the prince, she realizes his world isn’t quite as she imagined. Amazon | Bookshop.org
Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
Published: 2013
This might be one of the most well-written young adult novels I’ve ever come across. It’s part college love story, part fantasy book, and part finding your place in the world. Cath is a megafan of the Simon Snow fantasy series and is well-known for her popular fan fic. When she goes to college, she’s not sure how to leave her computer behind and interact with real people her age. Amazon | Bookshop.org
Divergent by Veronica Roth
Published: 2014
It’s a tough choice between the Divergent series and The Hunger Game series for a best fiction of the decade list. While I enjoyed the overall Hunger Game series more, Divergent is still my favorite single book. I remember reading it the first time and then immediately rereading it because I loved it so much.
The dystopian future is split into different factions, each with special skills. Teenagers are forced to choose one faction, which becomes their new family. I thought the faction system and the training regimen was really interesting. Amazon | Bookshop.org
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Beforeby Jenny Han
Published: 2014
Start to finish this trilogy is excellent. The dynamic between the three sisters and their dad is so cute and Laura Jean is the sweetest protagonist. You’re rooting for her the entire time.
Over the years, Laura Jean has written secret letters to all the boys she loved, assuming they’ll never see the light of day. Younger sisters tend to cause problems though, and one day those letters are delivered to each boy. Now, she’s got to deal with the embarrassing fallout. Amazon | Bookshop.org
Fantasy / Science Fiction
The Wise Man’s Fear (Kingkiller Chronicles #2) by Patrick Rothfuss
Published: 2011
Obviously you’ll want to start with the first book in the series, The Name of the Wind. But this is a rare case where the sequel lives up to the original. The Wise Man’s Fear continues the story of Kvothe, who is seeking out the tribe that killed his family. This was one of the first epic fantasies I read and I couldn’t get enough of the fast-paced plot and worldbuilding. I’ve since read the series two more times! Amazon | Bookshop.org
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
Published: 2011
Calling all geeks, nerds, 80’s enthusiasts, and video game lovers. This book is a tribute to you. Although probably 60% of the references went over my head, I still immensely enjoyed the culture it is celebrating. In the future, virtual reality essentially takes the place of the real world. When the creator dies, he leaves behind a virtual treasure hunt with a massive prize. The challenges require a depth of nerd knowledge that is beyond anything I can comprehend. Even still, I couldn’t get enough of the race for the treasure! Amazon | Bookshop.org
The Martian by Andy Weir
Published: 2014
After reading this book, you’ll be Googling whether or not man has actually traveled to Mars. When Mark Watney is stranded on the Red Planet, he uses his biology skills to stay alive until the next mission arrives. It’s full of legitimate (or at least what appears to be legitimate) scientific methods that make travel to Mars seem possible. Plus, Weir injects a healthy dose of sarcasm and dry humor so I was laughing throughout the entire novel! Amazon | Bookshop.org
The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden
Published: 2017
Set in the deep woods of Russia, Vasya, is forbidden from honoring the household spirits that protect their home. However, her ability to see and interact with them makes her realize the village is at risk because they are being ignored. With the threat of the evil demons from the forest looming, Vasya must call on her abilities and even take a chance on the unpredictable winter demon to save everyone. Even if it means she’s ostracized from her own family and friends.
This folklore fantasy is mesmerizing and a perfect read for the chilly winter months. Plus I enjoyed reading about Russian fairy tale lore instead of the familiar European fairy tales. Amazon | Bookshop.org
Do you have any books you would add to this best books of the decade list? Share in the comments!
Now it’s your turn!! Add links to your Best Books of the Decade blog posts or bookstagram posts. Or share your thoughts in the comments!
I love your list! I debated adding several of yours to my own list–especially Beartown and Fangirl. A few others have been on my TBR forever. I can’t believe I still haven’t read The Nightingale or The Martian.
It’s difficult picking out even 25-30 books from over 10 years!
Oh gosh I forgot about The Light Between Oceans! I definitely think that would make it on my list.
All of these novels are amazing. I obsessed over the YA Selection series. I cannot even begin to tell you how much I loved those books–and I actually don’t like watching the Bachelor.
I recently read about The Bear and The Nightengale, and I want to read that one. I love Russian folklore; maybe two-ish years ago, I read the YA novel, Vassa in the Night–that’s an extremely obscure and creepy AF Russian folktale reimagined.
I loved the idea of the Martian and totally agree that it deserves a spot here–but I won’t lie, it also bored me to death. We watched the movie too.
Loving this list and the linkups.
Ha I’ve gotten into the Bachelor after reading the series – soooo I probably should go back and reread The Selection now!! I also was tempted to put The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey on my list which is another wintry, fairy tale retelling. You’d probably like that one too!
Noooo!!! I will love The Martian forever haha. The movie version is definitely because of my crush on Matt Damon though. Maybe not everyone’s pick for celebrity crush, but he’s absolutely mine 🙂 🙂
Oh man I had a hard enough time picking my best books of the year – I’m so impressed that you could come up with a list for the decade! This is fun to start pondering though… thanks for that inspiration. Seeing AJ Fikry on your list reminded me that it would have to go on mine. Also for me definitely Station Eleven. And I’d have to pick a Tana French one for sure because my love of those has spurred me to find a bunch of other books/authors I enjoy. I’d definitely have to put some YA on my list too, but interesting that my numbers on reading in that category are WAY higher in the 2nd half of the decade. Rainbow Rowell was definitely a gateway into reading more in that genre for me.
Big Little Lies, The Secret Keeper, and Fangirl: definitely in my top 10 of the last 6 or so years!
This is such a great, diverse list. I loved The Nightingale and All the Light You Cannot See (it would be on my top books of the decade!) The Hating Game is hysterical. The Things You Save in a Fire is on my TBR! I’m making it my end of the year goal to join this link up.
The baby’s been teething and I probably hold him 16 hours a day lately. I totally think back to ten years ago when I was in school for my MLIS and *thinking* I didn’t get sleep. Then I had kids. SEND HELP lol!
I just won The Hating Game in a bookstagram giveaway so I’m thrilled to be able to read it again! Oof I’m dreading going through the next stage of teething. We’re in a unexpected bout of amazing sleep and I’m praying it lasts as long as possible!! It is ridiculous to look back at college and think I had NO TIME! Oh, how life changes.
So many good books! Hopefully picking them wasn’t too hard. I know I agonized over my list of the top books of the decade, and I had 50 books!
4 of the 6 of your general fiction books are 4 of my favorites too– I’ll have to add the almost sisters to my tbr if it’s not already on there,
Awesome list. But I have read only a few. Need to catch up on my reading. Thank you so much for sharing.
It ends with us by Colleen Hoover