‘Tis the season for book lovers everywhere to have a say in choosing the best books of the year.
As part of our annual tradition, two BookTrib editors predict the winners of the Goodreads Choice Awards. (Check out last year’s predictions.) And if we have any say in it, our great choices might even influence your vote. Last year we hit the mark on a few of our predictions… let’s see if we can get even more right this year!
On December 7, Goodreads will announce picks from readers for their 15th annual Goodreads Choice Awards. Things are looking a little different this year, with a number of categories removed from the list, and one new genre making an appearance. While we will miss the disappearance of some essential categories — Children’s & Middle Grade, Poetry, and Graphic Novels — it is exciting to see a new contender in the mix. “Romantasy” has become a fan favorite, thanks especially to BookTok, and there are some strong contenders on this year’s list of finalists.
Join BookTrib editors Megan Beauregard and Katie Bloomer as they name their picks for the best titles of the year. Some books might even look familiar to frequent BookTrib visitors …
Goodreads has officially announced the winners of the popular vote, read more to find out which of our predictions were right!
Fiction
Megan: If I had to list the books I heard the most about this year, Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano would be at the top of that list. Selected as Oprah’s 100th Book Club pick, this one is already a favorite among readers. Hello Beautiful tells the story of William, a young man with a complicated past, and his relationship with Julia, who is part of a close-knit family, until dark secrets threaten to unravel a lifetime of loyalty. There’s a reason this story about familial relationships, love without conditions, and healing has resonated with so many people. Oprah herself said, “You cannot read it without opening up, forgiving, seeing yourself and the relationships we weave in a new way. You come away more connected to life.”
Katie: I’ve found few book covers as simplistic yet distinguishable as Yellowface by R.F. Kuang — and I seem to run into it everywhere! A Reese’s Book Club Pick, the story follows a bestselling author who’s not who she says she is. After the death of her friend, Athena Liu, struggling author June Hayward makes an impulsive decision — steal her just-finished masterpiece and pass it off as her own. But on her rise to fame, June can’t escape Athena’s shadow, and when damning evidence threatens to surface, June discovers exactly how far she will go to keep what she thinks she deserves. It’s a chilling novel about white lies and deadly consequences, one that tackles racism, diversity and cultural appropriation in a sinister yet satirical way.
Update: We got it! The winner for Fiction is Yellowface. Hello Beautiful came in second.
Historical Fiction
Megan: The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store is a clear winner, if you ask me. Award-winning author James McBride’s latest has been named the Best Book of the Year by both Barnes & Noble and Amazon. To me, that’s enough star quality to make this a winner — but the characters and mystery at the core of the novel certainly help establish the book as a strong contender. When a skeleton is found at the bottom of a well, the search for truth begins in a Pennsylvania town in 1972. The investigation unites the community of immigrant Jews and African Americans and reveals the role played by the town’s white establishment. Whether you’re a fan of historical fiction or not, that’s one compelling premise.
Katie: Over the summer, Lady Tan’s Circle of Women by Lisa See was one of those books I saw plastered all over social media and in every bookstore. This bestseller is inspired by the true story of a woman physician in 15th-century China, one whose remedies have outlived her well into the 20th century. Tan Yunxian, born into an elite family during the Ming dynasty, grows up learning about women’s illnesses alongside a young midwife-in-training, Meiling. The two form a lasting friendship — until Yunxian enters an arranged marriage, and her mother-in-law forbids her to see Meiling or help the women and girls in the household. How can she break free of these oppressive traditions? In reimagining the life of this remarkable woman, we gain a story that captures the power of female friendship and support — and I’d read that kind of book any day!
Update: So close! The winner for Historical Fiction is Weyward by Emilia Hart. (Check out our review here.) Our picks came in third and fourth!
Mystery & Thriller
Megan: There’s nothing like a piece of crime fiction that tackles real-life issues, like school shootings and police violence against Black people. S.A. Cosby dives into all that and more in All the Sinners Bleed, a gripping novel following the first Black sheriff in a small Virginia town as he investigates terrible crimes and a serial killer on the loose. What’s more, the book is an homage to family and to Cosby’s hometown. In an interview with The Big Thrill, he explains, “I think it’s my best book and I could be honest about the place … It’s not a condemnation but a love letter. My criticism comes from a place of deep affection… It’s a very honest portrait of where we come from.”
Katie: I’m not much of a mystery or thriller fan, but it’s hard to not have heard of Lisa Jewell. Her latest psychological thriller, None of This is True, follows a woman who finds herself the subject of her own true crime podcast. It begins when popular podcaster Alix Summer discovers her birthday twin, Josie Fair. When Josie mentions she might be an interesting subject for Alix’s podcast, Alix can’t resist the temptation to include her despite how unsettling she finds her. Alix soon realizes Josie’s been hiding some very dark secrets, but it’s too late. Josie has wiggled her way into Alix’s life — and home — and has left a terrible and terrifying legacy in her wake. This is the kind of bone-chilling story that sticks with readers well after they’re finished — which is why my scared-cat self will likely never read it!
Update: The winner for Mystery & Thriller is The Housemaid’s Secret by Freida McFadden. None of This is True came in second!
Romance
Megan: All of my previous picks have been dark, serious or heavy novels, so romance is a great category to root for something different! If you’re keeping up with BookTok, you’re sure to have heard the buzz about Hannah Grace’s Wildfire, a new adult romance that has everything you could want — a one-night-stand, forced proximity, strangers-to-coworkers-to-lovers (is that a thing?), and more. In Wildfire, Aurora and Russ hook up, plan to never see each other again, and then find out they’re working together at the same summer camp with one strict rule — don’t date your coworkers. This angsty, emotional and fun-filled romance novel captured readers’ hearts before it was even written. Read our interview with author Hannah Grace, and I think you’ll be convinced that Wildfire is the right choice.
Katie: There’s nothing I love more than an opposites-attract billionaire romance — which is why I’m backing Ana Huang’s King of Pride. Bold, impulsive and full of life, Isabella Valencia has never met a party she doesn’t like or a man she couldn’t charm… except for Kai Young, a reserved and proper CEO. He’s not her type, but she can’t deny that, beneath his cold exterior, he could easily make her melt with a single touch. No matter how hard they try, they can’t resist giving into their forbidden desires. Even if it costs them everything. I’m sure fellow readers (and Goodreads voters) will agree that no one tops Ana Huang when it comes to steamy, forbidden romance.
Update: Wow, not even close! The Romance winner is Happy Place by Emily Henry. (Check out our review here.)
Romantasy
Megan: Romantasy’s first year as part of the Goodreads Choice Awards cannot go unnoticed, especially since BookTok has a firm grasp on the genre and has helped it grow in popularity. With authors like Jennifer L. Armentrout, Carissa Broadbent, Kerri Maniscalco and Thea Guanzon in the ranks, there’s some tough competition. For me, Rebecca Yarros’ Fourth Wing soars above the others as a fan favorite, ever since its sequel Iron Flame was released this month (and I think our reviewer would agree!). With a movie deal in the works and another sequel on the way, Fourth Wing will continue to top the charts, especially after a sure-fire victory in this category.
Katie: I’ll have to agree with Megan on this one. As an avid fan of romantasy — partially thanks to the unending stream of content on BookTok — it’s hard to deny the popularity of Rebecca Yarros’ Fourth Wing and its sequel, Iron Flame. I mean, a unique enemies-to-lovers story about a young woman attending a brutal war college for dragon riders? Who wouldn’t want to read that?!
Update: Phew! A good call by both of us… Fourth Wing is the first-ever winner of the Romantasy category.
Fantasy
Megan: One year, Goodreads should let us vote on our favorite covers because the fantasy category is always full of eye-catching designs. Speaking of vibrant and intriguing covers that make you say “I need to own this book”, I can’t stop looking at The Fragile Threads of Power by V.E. Schwab. After BookTrib interviewed V.E. Schwab, I went out and got a copy that I’m beyond excited to dive into. Magic, dark underworlds and rising rebellions are a recipe for a great book, and I think Threads of Power is no exception to this rule. V.E. Schwab even has a sequel in the works, which will most definitely appear in a future Goodreads Choice Awards.
Katie: I too can’t deny the eye-catching beauty unique to the fantasy covers — maybe that’s what first drew me to the genre as a child. But this year, the cover that always draws my attention is Tress of the Emerald Sea. This standalone novel by literary giant Brandon Sanderson follows Tress as she sets out from her small island home on a daring adventure full of love, magic and pirates — all amidst an ocean where a single drop can mean instant death.
Update: The winner of the Fantasy category is Hell Bent by Leigh Bardugo. Tress of the Emerald Sea came in second.
Science Fiction
Megan: TJ Klune has become a name most people recognize, particularly if they’re fans of sci-fi and fantasy and his book, The House in the Cerulean Sea. I think something with this much heart, warmth and a clever premise could easily capture the hearts of readers and make this a winner. In the Lives of Puppets follows a family of robots living in the trees, until a salvaged android reveals their location and sends them on a rescue mission. This one is definitely on my TBR, because I can’t resist a heartwarming family story that grapples with identity and forgiveness, especially after getting some insight into Klune’s work in this recent interview.
Katie: While I’ve always been an avid fantasy lover, my dad’s been a lifelong fan of science fiction, from Isaac Asimov to Ben Bova. So when it came time to choose my contender for this category, I had to ask his opinion: “Children of Memory, without a doubt.” The latest installment of Adrian Tchaikovsky’s Hugo Award-winning series finds the inhabitants of the spaceship Enkidu struggling to survive generations later. When strangers arrive possessing unparalleled knowledge and thrilling technology, it seems like an answer to their prayers. But not all is as it seems, and the price of the strangers’ help may be the colony itself. This epic, far-reaching space opera would be hard to beat.
Update: Another victory! In the Lives of Puppets is the Sci-Fi winner.
Horror
Megan: I have to admit, I’ve been on a Stephen Graham Jones kick this year and was disappointed to see that Don’t Fear the Reaper didn’t make it to the final round of voting. But this year, probably because SGJ always recommends him, I dove into my first Grady Hendrix book — My Best Friend’s Exorcism. After that fun ’80s romp through demonic possession, teen drama and body horror, I’ll put my money on anything Grady Hendrix writes. How to Sell a Haunted House makes the house a character on its own, and when you add in evil puppets, that’s enough for me to cast my vote for this delightfully terrifying piece of horror.
Katie: I don’t think I’ve ever read a horror novel — aside from the occasional Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark or Goosebumps as a kid. So I think a safe bet would be on the king of horror himself, Stephen King, and his latest book, Holly. The book centers on one of King’s most compelling and resourceful recurring characters, Holly Gibney. When Holly takes on the case of a missing daughter, she discovers a pair of unimaginably depraved and brilliantly disguised adversaries. Professors Rodney and Emily Harris are the picture of bourgeois respectability — but they are harboring an unholy secret in the basement of their well-kept, book-lined home. Holly must summon all her formidable talents to outthink and outmaneuver these shockingly twisted professors if she wants to find the missing girl in time.
Update: We were spot-on here! Holly by Stephen King won and How to Sell a Haunted House came in second!
YA Fantasy & Science Fiction
Megan: This is the first year in my adult life that I haven’t read any YA titles — a sure sign that my tastes are changing and evolving. Of course, I still have a soft spot for the books that got me through middle and high school. What the River Knows by Isabel Ibañez is a lush, magical fantasy that middle school me would have been dazzled by. Main character Inez sets sail to Cairo to investigate her parents’ disappearance. But when she arrives in Egypt, the mysterious ring leads her down a path where she discovers there seems to be more to her parent’s disappearance than she was made to believe. This historical fantasy set in 19th-century Egypt has it all: mystery, politics, twists and turns, and a slow-burn forbidden romance.
Katie: I remember the popularity of Cassandra Clare’s Mortal Instruments series when I was in high school — and her popularity has only grown since then! And her latest series set in the ever-expanding Shadowhunters universe, The Last Hours, has gained immense popularity across social media platforms, especially with the release of the third and final novel, Chain of Thorns. The series protagonist, Cordelia Carstairs, has lost everything and fled to Paris. But when news arrives that London is under a new threat, Cordelia returns to find chaos and dissent. If Cordelia and her friends are going to save their city, they will have to muster their courage, swallow their pride, and trust one another again. For if they fail, they may lose everything. This novel embodies Cassandra Clare’s flair for drama, elegance and action — a winning combo.
Update: Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross is the winner of the YA Fantasy & Science Fiction category.
YA Fiction
Megan: Like I said above, I haven’t been reading YA much these days, but had I found a book like Five Survive when I was younger, I would have loved it. Red goes on a road trip with five friends — and a killer. When their RV breaks down in the middle of nowhere, the group realizes that someone wants one of them dead. But who? And why? Time is running out for them to find out if someone is hiding the truth, and if they can survive it. As a fan of dark academia and locked-room-style mysteries, Holly Jackson’s book has earned my vote.
Katie: I don’t read much YA fiction anymore either — aside from fantasy — but Imogen, Obviously by Becky Albertalli looks like the kind of book I would have loved as a teenager. This insightful story explores the nuances of sexuality, identity and friendship in a fresh and humorous way. It follows Imogen Scott, a hopeless heterosexual. She’s an ultra-supportive ally, especially to her newly out and thriving friend, Lili. But things get a little complicated when she realizes Lili has told all her new college friends that she and Imogen used to date. Imogen’s fine playing along and bending the truth for her friend, but the more time she spends with Lili’s new friend Tessa, she starts to wonder if her truth was ever all that straight to begin with. In my opinion, such a cute and quirky story can’t lose!
Update: Ali Hazelwood’s Check & Mate is the YA Fiction champion this year. (Check out our recent interview with the author.)
Debut Novel
Megan: It breaks my heart that Marisa Crane’s I Keep My Exoskeletons to Myself didn’t make it to the final round — I’m afraid not enough people have discovered that gem of a book yet. Instead, I’ll have to place my bets on one of the more popular books of the year, Maame by Jessica George. A Read With Jenna book club pick, and a highly anticipated debut by many, Maame follows a Black woman named Maddie, tasked with caring for her father while her mother spends most of her time in Ghana. Given a rare chance at freedom, she’s ready to finally experience the world for the first time. Author Celeste Ng calls it “An utterly charming and deeply moving portrait of the joys—and the guilt—of trying to find your own way in life.”
Katie: Meg Shaffer’s bestselling debut, The Wishing Game, is definitely on my list of top reads this year. (Check out my stellar review of the book here.) After a reclusive mega-bestselling children’s author resurfaces with a brand-new book and a one-of-a-kind competition, Lucy Hart rushes to the stage. Winning this contest could be the bit of good luck she needs to help her adopt Christopher, the 7-year-old foster child she tutors at school. On the magically whimsical Clock Island, Lucy must contend with ruthless book collectors, wily opponents, and the distractingly handsome (and grumpy) Hugo Reese, the illustrator of the Clock Island books. Meanwhile, the unconventional, jovial author is plotting the ultimate twist ending. It’s the kind of book that leaves readers smiling from ear to ear.
Update: Weyward by Emilia Hart takes the victory in its second category, Best Debut Novel.
Nonfiction
Megan: Nonfiction hasn’t always been my go-to genre, but lately I’ve been trying to dive into more memoirs and unconventional personal essays. I think How Far the Light Reaches might be next on my list, especially because I’ve been all for the transformative and self-reflective sea creature-themed books lately (Chlorine by Jade Song and Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armfield). In How Far the Light Reaches, science and conservation journalist Sabrina Imbler shares stories of their life as a queer, nonbinary person of color in a white and male-dominated field. They draw comparisons between their own life and the sea creatures they study that are living in remote or hostile environments, as they explore themes of adaptation, survival, sexuality and care.
Katie: As you may have guessed already, I like to read more for the joy of escapism, so I don’t tend to read a lot of nonfiction. But as a raging feminist — to the chagrin of many a family member — I’d like to see a book like Elise Loehnen’s On Our Best Behavior take home the gold. It’s a groundbreaking exploration of the ancient rules women unwittingly follow in order to be considered “good,” revealing how the Seven Deadly Sins still control and distort women’s lives. If I were to pick up a nonfiction book for my own enjoyment (rather than required reading), this would definitely be at the top of my list.
Update: The much-deserving Poverty, By America by Matthew Desmond has won the Nonfiction category.
Memoir & Autobiography
Megan: How do I decide between Elliot Page’s memoir or the stunning Hijab Butch Blues? It’s tough to choose when it comes to my personal taste, but if I’m thinking of the greater public’s vote, a celebrity memoir seems to always take the cake. Pageboy and Elliot Page’s coming out made headlines and brought joy and visibility to thousands of trans people who look up to the star of the hit movie Juno and show The Umbrella Academy. There’s nothing fans love more than an intimate look into the personal life of a celebrity, and being able to find some common ground and relatability in someone they idolize.
Katie: I’d have to be living under a rock to not have heard about Britney Spears’ new memoir, The Woman in Me. With the news coverage of her conservatorship over the past few years, I feel like she’s reentered the spotlight in an entirely new way, with more people looking at her as a human rather than just a celebrity. For decades, thanks to the media and the relentless pursuit of paparazzi, we witnessed almost everything — her triumphs, her failures, her embarrassment, her rage. But her new tell-all reveals more of her story from her perspective, allowing us a closer look into her private life. It’ll be hard for these other memoirs to beat the work of one of history’s greatest performers. (Read our review here!)
Update: Just as we suspected! It’s Britney, the winner of this year’s Memoir category. Elliot Page came in third, with Prince Harry stealing second place. (We reviewed Spare here.)
History & Biography
Megan: This one goes out to all the dads out there, or the children who need a book to gift their dad — hurry up, before the movie comes out! The Wager by David Grann is a gripping tale of “shipwreck, mutiny and murder”. This historical book details the wreck of a ship and the men who were marooned for nearly 100 days, and treated as heroes upon their return. But the return of three more men on a makeshift craft six months later tells a different story — with accusations of mutiny. What results is a trial between two factions, mixing truth and lies, morality and immorality, as the very idea of empire is called into question. I think I get why my dad likes it so much.
Katie: Even someone as ill-versed in history as myself has heard of the Astors and how they ruled over the rich and elite of American society. Named one of NPR’s Best Books of the Year, Astor: The Rise and Fall of an American Fortune by Anderson Cooper and Katherine Howe is a riveting account of the lavish and tragic lives of the Astor family, from their beginnings in the fur trade to their losses aboard the Titanic and their most recent scandals in the 21st century. As BookTrib’s review of the book says: “Far from a dry family biography, the book brings to life a cast of characters who endured tragedy and conflict even as they wielded social influence and danced the night away.”
Update: Victory number six for our editors! The Wager has taken first place in the History & Biography category.
Humor
Megan: Of the 10 finalists in this category, I recognize about 4 of the names. I’ll admit that most celebrities aren’t on my radar, and I like it that way. But when it comes to humor, I know Leslie Jones the best, especially from her recent role as a domineering, severed-nose-collecting, multi-husband-having pirate on Our Flag Means Death. When it comes to humor, I think she’s doing it right. Just take a look at the title of her book, Leslie F*cking Jones.
Katie, I’ll let you take the reigns on endorsing this book further…
Katie: Who doesn’t absolutely love Leslie Jones?! She’s real and raw and funny and, well … bigger than life! Her voice and candor are so easily recognizable, you can hear it in the title of her memoir, Leslie F*cking Jones. Her story is refreshing and funny yet rooted in real struggles. Yet, in classic Leslie Jones fashion, she doesn’t take herself too seriously. Even the book’s synopsis flows effortlessly with her unique voice and humor: “It’s not easy being a woman in comedy, especially when you’re a tall-*ss Black woman with a trumpet voice. I have to fight so that no one takes me for granted, and no one takes advantage. These are the stories that explain why. (Cue the Law & Order theme.)”
Update: Second place is close enough… but the first-place title goes to Being Henry: The Fonz… and Beyond by Henry Winkler.
