Our pick of the best of new fiction released from January 1, 2021 through March 16. 

Note that though most titles are first released in hardcover, you'll find a few exceptions that have been first published in paperback.

Be sure to check our more recent lists for fiction released after March 16, 2021:

• Best New Fiction: Spring, 2022
• Best New Fiction: Winter, 2022
• Outstanding New Fiction: Fall, 2021
• Outstanding New Fiction: Summer, 2021
• Outstanding New Fiction: Spring, 2021

More of our fiction lists can be found at the bottom of this page.

(Banner art by Maria Corte)

Don't forget to check our more recent lists for fiction released after March 16, 2021:

• Best New Fiction Summer, 2022
• Best New Fiction: Spring, 2022
• Best New Fiction: Winter, 2022
• Outstanding New Fiction: Fall, 2021
• Outstanding New Fiction: Summer, 2021
• Outstanding New Fiction: Spring, 2021

For fiction originally published in hardcover and recently released in paperback, check these lists:

• Best New Fiction FINALLY in Paperback: Spring, 2022
• Best New Fiction FINALLY in Paperback: Winter, 2022
• Best New Fiction FINALLY in Paperback: Fall, 2021
• Outstanding Fiction FINALLY in Paperback: Summer, 2021
• Outstanding Fiction FINALLY in Paperback: Spring, 2021
• Outstanding Fiction FINALLY in Paperback: Winter, 2021
• Outstanding Fiction FINALLY in Paperback - 2020