Book List

2010 National Book Critics Circle Award Finalists

FICTION

A VISIT FROM THE GOON SQUAD

by Jennifer Egan

Another ambitious change of pace from talented and visionary Egan, who reinvents the novel for the 21st century while... Full review >

FULL REVIEW >

FICTION

FREEDOM

by Jonathan Franzen

If “freedom’s just another word for nothing left to lose” (as Kris Kristofferson wrote), this book uses too many words to... Full review >

FULL REVIEW >

FICTION

TO THE END OF THE LAND

by David Grossman & translated by Jessica Cohen

A classic, full of sharp descriptions of life in Palestine and Israel today, urgent in its insistence that peace can come... Full review >

FULL REVIEW >

FICTION

COMEDY IN A MINOR KEY

by Hans Keilson ; translated by Damion Searls

Longer on wisdom than either surprise or delight, this will mainly interest readers who have been captivated by Keilson’s... Full review >

FULL REVIEW >

FICTION

SKIPPY DIES

by Paul Murray

Long and impossibly involved, but also beautifully written, with much truth and not a wasted word. A superb imagining of a... Full review >

FULL REVIEW >

CURRENT EVENTS & SOCIAL ISSUES

NOTHING TO ENVY

by Barbara Demick

Meticulous reporting reveals life in a country that tries hard to keep its citizens walled in and the rest of the world out. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >

HISTORY

EMPIRE OF THE SUMMER MOON

by S.C. Gwynne

A welcome contribution to the history of Texas, Westward expansion and Native America. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >

NONFICTION

APOLLO'S ANGELS

by Jennifer Homans

The author artfully choreographs a huge, sometimes unruly cast, producing a work of elegance, emotion and enduring... Full review >

FULL REVIEW >

BIOGRAPHY & MEMOIR

THE EMPEROR OF ALL MALADIES

by Siddhartha Mukherjee

An inspiring account of a very personal battle against “the plague of our generation.” Full review >

FULL REVIEW >

HISTORY

THE WARMTH OF OTHER SUNS

by Isabel Wilkerson

An impressive take on the Great Migration, and a truly auspicious debut. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >

BIOGRAPHY & MEMOIR

HALF A LIFE

by Darin Strauss

Genuinely remorseful and heartfelt, yet strangely unremarkable. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >

BIOGRAPHY & MEMOIR

CROSSING MANDELBAUM GATE

by Kai Bird

If one person’s story can shed light on a larger history, Bird’s memoir carries many excellent lessons. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >

BIOGRAPHY & MEMOIR

HITCH-22

by Christopher Hitchens

Revealing and riveting. There's little about his brother, his two marriages or his children, but other memoirs may follow. Full review >

FULL REVIEW >

More Book Lists

The Magazine: Kirkus Reviews

Featuring 342 industry-first reviews of fiction, nonfiction, children’s, YA, and audiobooks; also in this special Science Fiction & Fantasy issue: an interview with Brandon Sanderson, plus more thrilling, out-of-this-world books

subscribe
  • kirkus star
  • The Kirkus Star

    One of the most coveted designations in the book industry, the Kirkus Star marks books of exceptional merit.

  • kirkus prize
  • The Kirkus Prize

    The Kirkus Prize is among the richest literary awards in America, awarding $50,000 in three categories annually.

Great Books & News Curated For You

Be the first to read books news and see reviews, news and features in Kirkus Reviews. Get awesome content delivered to your inbox every week.

Thank you!

Close Quickview