The idea for Quartz’s “Best of 2016” book list is brevity because our readers’ time is valuable. We compiled reviews of some of our favorite books published this year in 25 words or less—so you can get straight to reading. There’s no theme or ranking of our choices; they simply capture the eclectic interests of our team of reporters and editors.
“The final book to the captivating Three Body Chinese sci-fi series, Death’s End reminds us escapism is the only answer.” —Alice Truong, deputy growth editor, Asia
“Olivia Laing combines thoughtful scholarship and lyrical writing in this achingly beautiful meditation on art, loneliness, and connection.” —Corinne Purtill, reporter
“There aren’t many ‘lost’ heroes in science. When you read this book, you’ll keep wondering how we lost such a genius.” —Akshat Rathi, science and health reporter
“A year in the life of two friends, quantified through beautifully illustrated visualizations. Dear Data is a revelation of the human face of data.” —Annalisa Merelli, reporter
“A new collection of contemporary Chinese sci-fi stories in translation. Has: aliens, steampunk, and ghosts. Is: hilarious, weird, moving, and different.” —Nikhil Sonnad, things reporter
“Set in the not-too-distant future, Shriver envisions an economic apocalypse and breakdown of civilization in the US that is terrifyingly plausible.” —Eshe Nelson, economics and markets reporter
“Quirky Chinese novella that follows a happy-go-lucky audio repairman around the depraved world of Beijing’s elite.” —Max de Haldevang, editorial fellow
“This is a total game-changer—more playbook than cookbook—that plans for a week of excellent eating, rather than preparing one dish at a time.” —Jenni Avins, global lifestyle correspondent
“This imperfect, moving novel should be required high school reading. I’ve never heard some of these voices before—and I really should have.” —Hanna Kozlowska, politics and criminal justice reporter
“O’Neil makes the urgent case for applying basic ideas of auditing and transparency to algorithms, which rule our world in opaque and sometimes unintended ways.” —Joon Ian Wong, technology reporter
“A young neurosurgeon questions what gives our days meaning, and the limits of medical science, as he documents his final two years of life.” —Lila MacLellan, reporter
“An unusual, but chilling and heart-pounding take on the post-apocalypse novel by the son of horror maestro Stephen King (writing under a pseudonym). Who knew a novel could be written about spontaneous combustion?” —Erik Olsen, West coast video correspondent
“Not only does this book reveal the history and psychology behind internet addiction—it also justifies all those cat videos you just watched.” —Georgia Frances King, deputy ideas editor
“This memoir proves that writing about surfing, like boxing, can create a stripped-down character study and a pitch-perfect portrait of a broader cultural landscape.” —Thomas McBee, editorial director for growth
“This disturbing tale of violence in the 19th-century Scottish highlands is ultimately a meditation on psychosis and a legal interpretation of the human mind.” —Elijah Wolfson, deputy science and health editor
“When there are more single women, society historically changes faster. We can thank these women for the last 200 years of progress.” —Kristin Oakley, growth editor for new initiatives
“Vignettes that come together as a novel, this is hands-down the best examination of what it’s like to struggle with weight.” —Kira Bindrim, talent lab editor
“Pop-fiction, strictly meant for light-reading. Bhagat gives us a well educated, highly paid female protagonist and her dramatic love affairs.” —Suneera Tandon, Quartz India reporter
