17 Modern Bestsellers Set in the Enigmatic Embrace of NYC
A Little Life
Hanya Yanagihara spins a poignant tale in "A Little Life," where traumas intertwine with hope in the lives of four friends starting their post-college lives in the city’s relentless heartbeat. This National Book Award finalist is not just a novel but a Madrid depiction of enduring friendship against the odds. Link to book
My Year of Rest and Relaxation
Darkly humorous and rare in its introspection, Ottessa Moshfegh's novel captures a woman's audacious attempt to escape her glamorous facade in Manhattan's Upper East Side through a self-imposed drug-aided slumber. This is perhaps fiction's boldest exploration of society's demand on personal sanity. Link to book
Olga Dies Dreaming
Xochitl Gonzalez delivers a political-driven narrative laced with familial struggles in Brooklyn's changing landscape. "Olga Dies Dreaming" is set amidst Puerto Rico's catastrophic hurricane, unearthing deep-seated secrets while redefining the American Dream. Link to book
Harlem Shuffle
Colson Whitehead weaves a gripping crime family saga in "Harlem Shuffle," set against the tapestry of 1960s New York. This book not only highlights racial dynamics but invites readers into the underbelly of Harlem’s storied past, through the eyes of a furniture salesman straddling two worlds. Link to book
Fleishman Is in Trouble
Taffy Brodesser-Akner unfolds a seemingly modern relationship drama that delves deep into the hapless vicissitudes of marriage and parental chaos in the heart of Manhattan. This novel shrewdly questions the societal norms of success and love. Link to book
City of Girls
Elizabeth Gilbert charms readers with a tale of youthful exuberance and unrestrained love amid the colorful backdrop of New York's 1940s theater world, teaching the bittersweet lesson that one doesn't have to be virtuous to be lovable. Link to book
In Five Years
Rebecca Serle crafts an introspective love story with "In Five Years," exploring the interplay of destiny and diligent planning through the experiences of a woman caught between future dreams and present reality. Link to book
The Light We Lost
Jill Santopolo's evocative novel traverses 15 years of passion and fate. Set against New York City's poignant landscapes, it reveals how love's luminous glow can change and challenge the very essence of who we are. Link to book
The Interestings
Meg Wolitzer brings together creativity and ambition in "The Interestings," exploring the lives of artistically inclined teenagers as they mature, embodying the stark metamorphosis from the possessive ideals of youth to adulthood's reality on New York’s stages. Link to book
The Love Affairs of Nathaniel P.
Adelle Waldman’s debut scrutinizes the modern dating complexities of Nathaniel Piven in an erudite and ironic portrayal of a man's hesitations and self-deceptions in the literary corridors of Brooklyn.
Modern Lovers
In "Modern Lovers," Emma Straub elegantly captures the zeitgeist of Brooklyn's gentrified layers within a harmonious circle of college friends, portraying idiosyncratic dramas among intertwined family dynamics. Link to book
Roomies
Christina Lauren's "Roomies" untangles a charming narrative where marriages of convenience collide with true love's serendipities, a tender exploration through New York's theatrical whirl. Link to book
Before We Were Strangers
With "Before We Were Strangers," Renée Carlino crafts a heartwrenching tale of lost opportunities and rekindled love through the portals of a 'missed connections' post, traversing time and the bustling realm of NYU’s campus life. Link to book
The Devil Wears Prada
Lauren Weisberger’s quintessential story of Andrea Sachs rings every aspiring careerist's bells. The backdrop of Manhattan's high fashion culture, with its trappings of aspiration and sacrifice, is an evergreen narrative encapsulating the trials of youthful ambition. Link to book
Sweetbitter
Stephanie Danler invites readers into the chaotic energy of New York City’s elite culinary scene. "Sweetbitter" is a compelling snapshot of the transformative journey of Tess, where every sensory delight and tormented pursuit contributes to her coming-of-age saga. Link to book
Behold the Dreamers
Imbolo Mbue narrates an indelible account of the immigrant experience during the American Dream’s precarious downturn. This vividly human portrayal of a young Cameroonian couple is set against the financial crisis backdrop with gripping candor. Link to book
Severance
Ling Ma delivers a sharp-witted exploration of capitalist monotony in "Severance," where Candace Chen navigates an eerily deserted New York during an apocalyptic syndrome, blending dark realism with pungent satire. Link to book
You
Caroline Kepnes offers an unsettling look into the nature of obsession within New York City’s pulse. "You" interlaces psychological depth with thrilling momentum, inviting readers into a chilling clutches of infatuation. Link to book
This Time Tomorrow
Emma Straub’s "This Time Tomorrow" offers a heartwarming exploration of familial relationships and introspection, with the twist of time travel as Alice revisits her younger self, capturing the essence of love's timeless strength. Link to book
The City We Became
N.K. Jemisin blends urban mythology with speculative fiction in "The City We Became," where New York City’s boroughs breathe life as avatars protecting the metropolis from apocalyptic threats. A novel that transcends its genre with its creativity and depth. Link to book
The Goldfinch
Donna Tartt’s Pulitzer Prize-winning saga "The Goldfinch" is a sprawling exploration of loss and survival, following young Theo Decker's journey from tragic loneliness to artistic enlightenment amidst New York’s hectic backdrop. Link to book
City on Fire
Garth Risk Hallberg illuminates the electric vibrance of 1970s New York with "City on Fire," intertwining mystery, New England lineage, punk ethos, and the fate-stealing blackout into a masterful, complex tapestry. Link to book
Just Kids
Patti Smith’s narrative, "Just Kids," crafts an eloquent memoir of her early days alongside Robert Mapplethorpe in a never-sleeping New York City, weaving a rich portrait of their intertwined lives and artistic pursuits. Link to book
Each of these works brilliantly captures the essence of New York City — its relentless energy, its harsh realities, its opportunities, and its profound capacity to inspire. Whether exploring the city's vibrant past or its lively present, these bestselling novels offer a kaleidoscope of narratives that resonate deeply, reminding us of literature's power to transcend time and space. Dive into these pages and experience the allure of a city that eternally fascinates, captivates, and enthralls readers worldwide.