The Best Books Set in New York City: From Classics to Romance

1. A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara

In a story spanning decades, four close friends navigate the challenges of adulthood in New York City. United by their friendship and aspirations. Willem, JB, Malcolm, and the enigmatic Jude form a tight-knit group as they pursue their dreams in the face of adversity.

However, as they confront addiction, success, and personal demons, their bond is tested. Particularly by Jude’s troubled past and his struggle to overcome it, which threatens to shape their lives irrevocably.

Read my review of A Little Life here.

2. One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston

In her cynical pursuit of solitude and disbelief in magic, twenty-three-year-old August relocates to New York City. Convinced that life’s complexities can only be faced alone. Yet, her mundane existence takes an unexpected turn. She encounters Jane, a captivating and enigmatic figure from the 1970s who disrupts August’s world with her charm and mystery.

As their connection deepens amidst the chaos of city life, August is compelled to confront her skepticism and embrace the possibility of something extraordinary. Realizing that perhaps belief in magic and love stories isn’t so far-fetched after all.

Read my review of One Last Stop here.

3. Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors

In bustling New York City, British artist Cleo meets the affluent Frank. This leads to a whirlwind marriage offering her stability and a chance at happiness. However, their impulsive union brings unforeseen challenges, impacting their lives and those around them.

Through compelling narratives, including Cleo’s genderqueer best friend and Frank’s financially dependent sister, the complexities of love, ambition, and personal growth unfold against the backdrop of urban life.

Read my review of Cleopatra and Frankenstein here.

4. Everyone is Watching by Megan Bradbury

Everyone is Watching is a novel about the men and women who have defined New York. Through the lives and perspectives of these great creators, artists and thinkers, and through other iconic works of art that capture its essence, New York itself solidifies. Complex, rich, sordid, tantalizing, it is constantly changing and evolving.

Both intimate and epic in its sweep, Everyone is Watching is a love letter to New York and its people – past, present and future.

5. Big Girl by Mecca Jamilah Sullivan

In a changing Harlem, eight-year-old Malaya rebels against Weight Watchers meetings and strict family expectations. Amidst the pressures of her prep school and her own struggles with weight, she finds solace in music. Until a family tragedy forces her to confront her hunger and societal stigmas, leading to a journey of self-acceptance.

With vibrant prose, “Big Girl” by Sullivan announces the emergence of a vital voice in contemporary fiction.

Read my review of Big Girl here.

6. Luster by Raven Leilani

Edie is struggling to find her place in a dead-end admin job and tumultuous relationships. Her life takes an unexpected turn when she meets Eric, a middle-aged archivist in an open marriage with an adopted black daughter.

She navigates complex sexual and racial dynamics, while grappling with her own identity and desires. However, still finding herself drawn into Eric’s unconventional family dynamic.

Read my review of Luster here.

7. Here is New York by E. B. White

E.B. White’s stroll around Manhattan remains the quintessential love letter to the city. Perceptive, funny, and nostalgic, and written by one of America’s foremost literary figures.

The New York Times has named Here is New York one of the ten best books ever written about the metropolis. The New Yorker calls it “the wittiest essay, and one of the most perceptive, ever done on the city.

Read my review of Here is New York here.

8. My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh

In “My Year of Rest and Relaxation,” a young woman seeks refuge from the world’s troubles by entering into an extended hibernation. Aided by a dubious psychiatrist and a cocktail of medications. Despite her privileged life in 2000s Manhattan, she grapples with a deep sense of emptiness. Stemming from personal loss, toxic relationships, and societal disconnection.

Through Moshfegh’s darkly humorous and compassionate narrative, the novel explores themes of alienation and the quest for inner peace in a glittering yet troubled world, showcasing the author’s formidable talent.

Read my review of My Year of Rest and Relaxation here.

9. Brooklyn by Colm Toibin

Eilis Lacey leaves her small-town life in Ireland for the promise of opportunity in Brooklyn, sponsored by an Irish priest. As she navigates a new world in America, Eilis finds work and unexpectedly falls in love with Tony, an Italian man.

However, her newfound happiness is threatened when news from Ireland jeopardizes her future. Eilis is forced to confront the complexities of love, family, and identity across continents.

Read my review of Brooklyn here.

10. Detransition, Baby by Torrey Peters

Reese grapples with the fallout of her partner Amy’s detransition, now living as Ames, and their fractured relationship. Struggling with loneliness, Reese seeks solace in affairs with married men while Ames, also dissatisfied, longs to reconnect with Reese.

When Katrina, Ames’s boss and lover, reveals she’s pregnant with his child and unsure of her decision, an unconventional opportunity arises for the three to form an unconventional family. Their journey explores love, identity, and the complexities of modern relationships.

Read my review of Detransition, Baby here.

11. The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

“The Bell Jar” delves into the unraveling of Esther Greenwood, a brilliant and successful young woman grappling with mental illness. Sylvia Plath’s masterful narrative immerses the reader in Esther’s descent into madness with such vividness that her turmoil feels eerily tangible and relatable.

Plath’s profound exploration of the human psyche’s darkest corners transforms “The Bell Jar” into a haunting American classic, resonating deeply with readers long after the final page is turned.

Read my review of The Bell Jar here.

12. The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger

Andrea Sachs, a recent college graduate, lands the coveted position as assistant to Miranda Priestly, the formidable editor of Runway magazine, in a world of high fashion and cutthroat ambition.

Surrounded by impossibly stylish individuals, Andrea navigates a glamorous yet demanding environment where Miranda’s power is unparalleled, reducing even the most confident to trembling subordinates with a mere glance.

Read my review of The Devil Wears Prada here.

13. I Feel Bad About My Neck by Nora Ephron

Nora Ephron offers a candid and humorous exploration of the trials and tribulations of aging, from maintenance woes to empty nests. With her trademark wit and intimacy, Ephron discusses her aversion to her purse, her futile attempts to halt the aging process, and her disdain for her own neck.

From her White House internship to her reflections on love and parenthood, Ephron shares uproarious anecdotes and sage wisdom about life as a woman of a certain age, delivering a delightful and poignant treat for readers.

Read my review of I Feel Bad About My Neck here.

14. The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston

Clementine grapples with the aftermath of the worst day of her life by crafting a plan to safeguard her heart: work hard, find a decent partner, and hold onto her dreams, even the seemingly absurd ones. However, when she encounters a charming stranger in her late aunt’s apartment, she’s faced with a dilemma—despite her resolve to avoid love, she finds herself drawn to him.

Complicating matters further, he exists seven years in the past, while she resides in his future. As Clementine navigates the intricacies of time and matters of the heart, she learns that love transcends temporal boundaries, challenging her to reconsider her notions of timing and fate.

Read my review of The Seven Year Slip here.

15. I Heart New York by Lindsey Kelk

“I Heart New York” is the ultimate summer debut for fans of Sophie Kinsella, following Angela as she escapes a broken heart by jetting off to New York City. With her bridesmaid dress in tow and the help of her newfound friend Jenny Lopez, Angela dives headfirst into the vibrant city, embracing a new look, new experiences, and even new romances.

As Angela navigates the highs and lows of her newfound freedom, readers are treated to a warm, funny, and utterly irresistible tale of love, friendship, and self-discovery in the city that never sleeps.

Read my review of I Heart New York here.