The best books of 2021, picked by the editors of Publishers Weekly. Best books in fiction, mystery, romance, science fiction, nonfiction, memoir, children s books, and more.
Jamie Ducharme
(Holt)
When Ducharmeâs 2019 Time article on Juul came out, it was pretty tough to walk around New York without seeing the vape device. I was excited when I found out that article was to grow into a book, and the story Ducharme offers is a bizarre, somewhat frightening page-turner (and is set to become a docuseries, to boot). âCarliann Rittman, reviews editor
The Atmospherians
(Atria)
A woman named Sasha Marcus is harassed and canceled by menâs rights activists after speaking her mind in response to an internet troll in McElroyâs engrossing novel. Sasha then accepts a new gig helping her failed actor friend start a cult designed for men to purge themselves of toxic masculinity. McElroyâs conceit works on multiple levels, with incisive satire, earnest explorations of male identity, and a gripping plot.