19 Fantastic Books Set in New York
There is no better way to escape everyday life than by jumping into a good book. Some of our favorite reads are books that transport you into the location – so that you feel it come alive as if it was another character.
We put together a list of books that will transport you to New York. Whether it’s the city or the ocean, these books just would not be the same if they took place anywhere else. We have 18 books set in New York that we have read and loved.
*The best books set in NYC post contains affiliate links. Purchases made through links result in a small commission to us at no cost to you. Some books have been gifted to us. All opinions are our own.
Classic Books Set in New York
Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Are you a fan of Rose’s storyline from Downton Abbey? Well, our swinging-dancing, jazz-loving, rebellious debutante would be perfectly happy inside Fitzgerald’s famed novel.
The book might take place in America, but the same ideas of the class divide and resistance to change in the most opulent of settings could be felt in England too.
Daisy and Gatsby’s story still seems so relevant today too. This tragic love story is a classic for a reason.
Find this book in Books set in New York / Classic Books / 1920s Novels
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
Not all books with unreliable narrators are mysteries and thrillers. Sylvia Plath’s semi-autobiographical work shows Esther Greenwood’s mental breakdown. While working as a summer intern in New York City, Esther is sexually assaulted and returns home to recuperate.
With her academic dreams on hold, Esther falls into a deep depression and attempts suicide, eventually sent to a psychiatric hospital to recover. With its deep insights into mental health and gender roles, Plath’s novel is a great classic book to read.
Find this book in Literary Classics / Unreliable Narrator, Books Set in New York
Historical Fiction Books Set in New York
Table for Two
Author: Amor Towles
Year: 2024
Genre: Historical Fiction Short Stories
More info: New York Times Bestseller
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 14+
Plot
With Table for Two, famed author Amor Towles re-released his novella, Eve in Hollywood, along with a brand new collection of short stories set in New York City. Each story is an ode to a different part of life in New York, telling the stories of a Russian immigrant, a rare bookseller, an opera bootlegger, and a stranded traveler, among others.
And for Rules of Civility fans, Eve is a character from that novel who was last seen boarding a train to Hollywood. Her adventures out west were an absolute delight!
Why Kirsten loves it
Though I am not typically into short stories, Amor Towles is a favorite of mine so I had to read this collection. Each short story could have been a novel of it’s own, but the novella about Eve was the shining star for me.
Find this book in: Old Hollywood Books / Summer Read 2024 / Books Set in NYC / New Historical Fiction Books / Giftable Books
The Spectacular: A Novel by Fiona Davis
This book set in New York City in 1956 is about Marion Brooks who decides to audition to become a Radio City Rockette. When tragedy strikes Radio City Music Hall, the city still in turmoil over the inability to catch the “big Apple Bomber.”
Soon, Marion finds herself helping the police with the search along with Peter Griggs, a young doctor who wants to use profiling to catch the criminal. I fell hard for this story, another example of a Fiona Davis book capturing my attention and holding it until the end.
She creates the best characters and weaves a historical fiction tale that feels like it could be true. I learned so much about the Rockettes and now I’m dying to see them perform.
The Rules of Civility by Amor Towles
Amor Towles can do no wrong! I loved this story set in 1938 that follows a year in working girl Katey Kontent’s life in NYC. Starting and ending on NYE, we get to see the many twists and turns of Katey’s life that year.
Romances, career changes, and discovered secrets pepper the year of entering womanhood for Miss Kontent. Towles’s writing was captivating as always. His characters were expertly crafted and I felt an emotional connection to each of them.
This one will have to go on our list of the best books about New Year’s Eve and the fact that it is a book set in New York is a bonus!
Museum of Extraordinary Things
Author: Alice Hoffman
Year: 2014
Genre: Historical Fiction
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Coralie Sardien spends her days in a Coney Island freak show called the Museum of Extraordinary Things. There, she appears as the mermaid in the museum run by her father. She is one of many attractions in the show.
One night, Coralie meets Eddie Cohen who has run away from his Orthodox Jewish community. What follows is a love story during tumultuous times in New York history.
Why Jackie loves it
This historical fiction carnival book is a must-read and one of the best books set in New York I have read. Alice Hoffman writes some of the most compelling books on subjects that are so unique.
Find this book in: Best Carnival and Circus Books / Fantastic Books Set in New York / Alice Hoffman books in Order
Montauk by Nicola Harrison
I anticipated a lighthearted read, but this book had more soul than I was expecting! Set in 1938 in Montauk among the glamorous world of Manhattan’s summering elite, it was full of secrets and romance.
It’s like a historical fiction version of an Elin Hildebrandt book with romance and personal growth as our heroine discovers true love in a sleepy beach town.
Why I Like it: I shed a few tears at the ending, which surprised me! There is a short, not-so-graphic rape scene – so if that’s a trigger for you, steer clear. Otherwise, I applaud this debut and recommend it for your beach bag!
Find this book in Seaside Books / Hurricane Novels / Books Like People We Meet on Vacation / Books Set in New York
Love Historical Fiction? We do too! That’s why we created the Ultimate List of Historical Fiction carefully divided by time period.
Books Set in Brooklyn
The Witches of Brooklyn
Author: Sophie Escabasse
Illustrator: Sophie Escabasse
Year: 2020
Genre: Fantasy
Age: 7-11
More info: Graphic Novel
Plot
When Effie finds out that her aunts are witches, she wants to join them in practicing witchcraft, but she has a lot to learn. This is a charming one-sitting read for your favorite little witch or wizard.
Why Jackie loves it
This graphic novel is the first in a series and I love it for many reasons. It’s about modern-day witches in Brooklyn. It is a diverse book with female heroines. I love the move towards strong female protagonists in children’s books. I also love that this book is set in New York City. The setting makes it so relatable for so many kids.
Find this book in: Witch Books for Kids / Books Set in New York / Fantasy Books for Tweens
The Engineer’s Wife by Tracey Enerson Wood
I had no idea that a woman was so instrumental in the building of the Brooklyn Bridge. Emily Warren Roebling is the focus of this historical fiction novel.
I loved learning about New York at the time of the bridge building and how hard Emily fought for her right to be part of the building. It’s also humbling to understand the dangers of building in the 1860s and 70s.
Men risked their lives for the betterment of society. On the lighter side, all the scenes with P.T. Barnum made me smile. I used to work for the circus after all! This is one of the best books set in NYC and we highly recommend you read this one.
Cobble Hill by Cecily Von Ziegesar
This book explores families in the Cobble Hill neighborhood of Brooklyn and is a more mature look at NYC. The families and their stories are interwoven in a gossip girl like way, but the similarities end there.
The struggles these families experience range from eccentric to serious, but they all feel very real and relatable. These could be your neighbors or friends and that’s what makes it so enjoyable!
Contemporary Fiction Books Set in New York
The Means by Amy Fusselman
Shelly Means is a stay-at-home mom who wants to build her Hamptons dream house – even if she can only afford a container home.
But her plans to build her dream home quickly go south, especially when her husband, a voice-over actor, loses his job. Her antics as she tries to compete with the other rich New Yorkers were thoroughly entertaining.
Why I Liked it: This satire had me laughing out loud numerous times. This is one quick read that’s worth picking up.
Find this book in Books Set in New York / Books Set at the Beach
Push by Sapphire
Push is a look at life in the poverty-stricken streets of Harlem in the eighties. The main character is an illiterate 16-year-old pregnant with her second child by her father.
The commentary on a life of poverty and the struggles to get out of her situation are horrific but inspiring. It is incredibly difficult, but such a worthwhile, thought-provoking book.
Behold the Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue
June 2017 Oprah’s Book Club Pick
This contemporary fiction story was recommended to me so often in the past few years that I was worried it wouldn’t live up to the hype. My library hold finally came due and I finally took the plunge. WHAT TOOK ME SO LONG?
Honestly, I love this story about immigration, Wall Street, and the American dream. At a time when election coverage is ramping up, this book seems so relevant and is a great book club book. Jeni and Nedi’s story about their move from Cameroon and how it affects their marriage and their morals was compulsively readable. I couldn’t put it down. Don’t wait as long as I did to read this amazing African novel.
Fitness Junkie by Lucy Sykes and Jo Piazza
A great book that had me laughing out loud and wondering who in the world does these crazy diets!!
I also loved how the story found a 40-something finally embracing her own badassness and standing up for herself. This contemporary fiction is the perfect poolside read.
Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk
Author: Kathleen Rooney
Year: 2017
Genre: Historical Fiction
More info: National Indie Bestseller
Age Range: 14+
Plot
This book could be an amazing movie. It is not the type of book that you “can’t put down” because it takes place on New Year’s Eve 1984 with flashbacks from the Jazz Age all the way to the AIDS epidemic. But, it is an incredibly interesting and very well-written New Year’s Eve book.
Lillian Boxfish takes the reader with her through a look at New York City through the ages. She starts off writing copy for R.H. Macy’s and becomes one of the highest-paid advertising women in the country.
Now, at 85 years old, she is still as savvy as she ever was and is determined to make the most of her time. Breaking the boundaries of what was expected of a woman was Lillian’s thing and makes this book perfect for anyone looking for books like Lessons in Chemistry.
Trigger Warnings
Suicide
Why Jackie loves it
This is such a unique book that is so character-driven. It is a delightful read. Lillian is a wonderful character who has so much depth.
Find this book in: Books Like Lessons in Chemistry / Books with Food in the Title / New Year’s Eve Books / Books Set in New York / Books With Flowers in the Title
Ultimate List of Contemporary Fiction Novels to Love in 2024
For more contemporary fiction books like these, check out our ultimate list for dozens of recommendations.
Sci-fi/ Fantasy Books Set in New York
Plot
This 5-star read is making our best books of 2019 list for sure. When people start to become ill with False Memory Syndrome, nobody knows who will get it or how.
Barry is a cop who sees the devastating effect of FMS on the people who contract it. Helen is a scientist who studies memory. Barry and Helen come together to find answers and stop everyone’s past from becoming one distorted memory.
Why Jackie loves it
Blake Crouch is so smart, this book made me think about concepts I had never considered. If you like sci-fi, this is an absolute must-read. If you have never read Sci-fi, this is a perfect book to read first.
Find this book in: Best Sci-Fi Books / Time Loop Books / Best Books of 2019 / Books Set in New York / Nonlinear Narrative Novels
The Thousandth Floor by Katherine McGee
Set 100 years in the future in a 1000-floor tower, New York’s privileged elite navigate romance, privilege, and temptation in this sci-fi YA novel.
It gave me gossip girl vibes with a futuristic feel except it opens with someone falling from their death from the top floor. Avery Fuller is genetically designed to be perfect but is her life as perfect as it seems? If you love sci-fi, forbidden love stories, and the fight for survival of the Hunger Games, this book is perfect for you to read.
Find this book in Books Like the Hunger Games / Sci-Fi Books / YA Dystopian Books
The Golem and the Jinni
Author: Helene Wecker
Year: 2013
Genre: Historical Fantasy
More info: Golem and the Jinni #1
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Chava arrives in New York in 1899. She is a Golem whose master has died on the voyage. When. Rabbi recognizes her for the creature that she is, he takes her in. Ahmed is a Jinni who is in Manhattan but is still not free. When Amed and Chava meet, they fall in love.
Why Jackie loves it
This historical fantasy combines fables from two cultures into one magical read. It left me feeling hopeful, with a smile on my face.
Find this book in: Mythology Books / Books Set in New York
Love Fantasy Books? We do too! That’s why we created the Ultimate List of Fantasy for Adults and the Ultimate List of YA fantasy!
YA Books Set in New York
The Sun is Also a Star
Author: Nicola Yoon
Year: 2016
Genre: YA Romance
Spice Rating:💋💋
Age Range: 12+
Plot
This National Book Award finalist is the story of Natasha and Daniel. They meet 12 hours before Natasha and her family are deported to Jamaica. Where will their story take them? You can’t fall in love in 12 hours, can you?
Trigger Warnings
Racism, Deportation, Suicidal thoughts
Why Jackie loves it
This Young Adult novel is smart and well-written. I loved reading it. Yoon has done something very difficult with this book. She switches back and forth between a few different narrators and still manages to maintain the flow of the story.
Find this book in: Coming-of-age Books for Teens / Books Set in New York / Thought-provoking Novels / Books by Female BIPOC Authors / Fun Books for Teens / Best YA Romance Books
Color Me In by Natasha Diaz
I love the idea of this story and there was so much about it that I loved. The exploration of a multi-racial identity from a teenager’s point of view is unique and powerful.
Naveah grew up in NYC with a Black mom and. a Jewish dad. When they split up and she moves to Harlem, she is forced to confront who she is and her biracial identity. She must learn to find her voice and discover who she is meant to be rather than who everyone wants her to be.
Even though this story is YA I think the story could have had a little bit more- I wanted more. This YA book set in New York is written by a Black, Jewish writer who has a unique perspective and is a must-read.
Children’s and Tween Books Set in New York
The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street
Author: Karina Yan Glaser
Year: 2018
Genre: Middle Grade Fiction
Age: 7 – 12
More info: Vanderbeekers #1
Plot
This charming story is about a bi-racial family in Harlem with 5 kids who are about to lose their home before Christmas. Why? Because their reclusive landlord won’t renew their lease.
My entire family enjoyed this delightful tale of the siblings trying to win their landlord over so they don’t have to leave home. It was full of all the antics you would expect of a big family.
Why Kirsten loves it
I can’t begin to tell you how connected my family has grown to the Vanderbeekers over the course of the series. They are sweet, funny, good-natured, mischievous children – each with a personality all their own. Their antics make for incredible stories, but the heart and love at the center of the family keep me reaching for these books. This is hands down one of my favorite series for middle grade readers and the one I recommend the most often.
Why Jackie loves it
I love that the Vanderbeekers’ story normalizes city living and a bi-racial family – something that’s hard to find in many children’s book series. You will fall in love with this cast of characters and as the series progresses you’ll come to regard them as family.
Find this book in: Best Books for a 10-Year-Old / Best Family Audiobooks For Road Trips / Read Aloud Books / Realistic Fiction Books / Christmas Chapter Books
Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief
Author: Rick Riordan
Year: 2005
Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy
Age:9-13
More info:
Percy Jackson and The Olympian Book #1
Currently a Series on Disney Plus
Plot
This first Percy Jackson book is about our beloved Percy, who discovers he is a demi-god and must recover Zeus’s stolen lightning bolt. He travels into the underworld to locate the lightning bolt and, at the same time, try to save his mother.
His amazing adventures with Annabeth and Grover along the way create the foundation for all the books that follow in this amazing and epic series.
Why Jackie loves it
I don’t think anyone has read this middle grade fantasy series and not loved it. It’s a contemporary Greek mythology retelling for the ages. It is fun and exciting!
Adaptation Information
While the original films based on the books are generally considered to be flops, the show adapted on Disney+ is fantastic! Season 2 is currently being filmed and will follow the second book in the series.
Find this book in: Percy Jackson Books in Order / Rick Riordan Books / Best Books for 10-year-olds / Books like Keeper of the Lost Cities / Tween & Teen Fantasy Books / Books With Neurodivergent Characters
