This list includes 33 Books that start with Z, from “Z for Zachariah” to “Zuleika Dobson”. It features novels, nonfiction, and children’s titles from several decades and multiple countries.
Books that start with Z are titles whose first letter is Z, often memorable for unique names and themes. Notable examples include the dystopian “Z for Zachariah” and the satirical classic “Zuleika Dobson”.
Below you’ll find the table with Title, Author, Year, and Genre.
Title: The exact book title helps you locate the work quickly and match it in catalogs or bookstores.
Author: The credited writer helps you distinguish editions and follow an author’s other works when you research or browse.
Year: The original publication or first edition year gives historical context and helps you find the correct edition.
Genre: The listed genre clarifies tone and audience, helping you choose titles that match your interests or lesson plans.
Books that start with Z
| Title | Author | Year | Genre |
|---|---|---|---|
| Z for Zachariah | O’Brien, Robert C. | 1974 | YA Science Fiction |
| Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance | Pirsig, Robert M. | 1974 | Philosophical Novel |
| Zorba the Greek | Kazantzakis, Nikos | 1946 | Literary Fiction |
| Zami: A New Spelling of My Name | Lorde, Audre | 1982 | Memoir |
| Zeitoun | Eggers, Dave | 2009 | Narrative Non-fiction |
| Zone One | Whitehead, Colson | 2011 | Post-apocalyptic Fiction |
| Zodiac: The Shocking True Story of the Hunt for the Nation’s Most Elusive Serial Killer | Graysmith, Robert | 1986 | True Crime |
| Zero K | DeLillo, Don | 2016 | Science Fiction |
| Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald | Fowler, Therese Anne | 2013 | Historical Fiction |
| Zlata’s Diary: A Child’s Life in Sarajevo | Filipović, Zlata | 1993 | Memoir |
| Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth | Aslan, Reza | 2013 | History |
| Zathura | Van Allsburg, Chris | 2002 | Children’s Picture Book |
| Zorrie | Hunt, Laird | 2021 | Historical Fiction |
| Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future | Thiel, Peter; Masters, Blake | 2014 | Business |
| Zinky Boys: Soviet Voices from the Afghanistan War | Alexievich, Svetlana | 1990 | Oral History |
| Zoo City | Beukes, Lauren | 2010 | Urban Fantasy |
| Zeno’s Conscience | Svevo, Italo | 1923 | Modernist Novel |
| Zadig, or The Book of Fate | Voltaire | 1747 | Philosophical Fiction |
| Zen in the Art of Archery | Herrigel, Eugen | 1948 | Philosophy |
| Zog | Donaldson, Julia | 2010 | Children’s Picture Book |
| Zeroes | Westerfeld, Scott; Lanagan, Margo; Biancotti, Deborah | 2015 | YA Science Fiction |
| Zel | Napoli, Donna Jo | 1996 | YA Fantasy |
| Zodiac | Stephenson, Neal | 1988 | Eco-thriller |
| Zero History | Gibson, William | 2010 | Science Fiction |
| Zuckerman Unbound | Roth, Philip | 1981 | Literary Fiction |
| Zita the Spacegirl | Hatke, Ben | 2011 | Children’s Graphic Novel |
| Zuleika Dobson | Beerbohm, Max | 1911 | Satirical Novel |
| Zoo | Patterson, James; Ledwidge, Michael | 2012 | Thriller |
| Zoli | Tóibín, Colm | 2006 | Historical Fiction |
| Zero Day | Baldacci, David | 2011 | Thriller |
| Z is for Moose | Bingham, Kelly | 2012 | Children’s Picture Book |
| Zeus Grants Stupid Wishes: A No-Bullshit Guide to World Mythology | O’Brien, Cory | 2013 | Humor / Mythology |
| Zennor in Darkness | Dunmore, Helen | 1993 | Historical Fiction |
Descriptions
Z for Zachariah
A post-apocalyptic classic about a young girl who believes she is the last human on Earth until a stranger appears. Winner of the Edgar Award.
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
An influential and bestselling examination of life and values told through the story of a father-son motorcycle trip across America.
Zorba the Greek
A celebrated novel about an intellectual narrator whose life is transformed by the exuberant and life-affirming Alexis Zorba. Famously adapted into a 1964 film.
Zami: A New Spelling of My Name
A foundational work of Black feminism and LGBTQ+ literature, which the author describes as a “biomythography,” combining history, biography, and myth.
Zeitoun
The true story of a Syrian-American man who endured prejudice and injustice in New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Won the American Book Award.
Zone One
A literary take on the zombie genre from a two-time Pulitzer Prize winner, following a team of “sweepers” clearing out Manhattan’s undead.
Zodiac: The Shocking True Story of the Hunt for the Nation’s Most Elusive Serial Killer
The definitive, chilling account of the Zodiac Killer who terrorized Northern California in the 1960s and 70s, written by a journalist who covered the case.
Zero K
A profound and chilling novel from a master of American literature, exploring themes of death, technology, and what it means to be human in a cryonics facility.
Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald
A bestselling novel that brings to life the passionate, tumultuous story of Zelda Fitzgerald, the brilliant and troubled wife of F. Scott Fitzgerald.
Zlata’s Diary: A Child’s Life in Sarajevo
The poignant diary of a young girl living through the Bosnian War, often compared to Anne Frank’s diary for its powerful, first-hand perspective of conflict.
Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth
A provocative and bestselling historical biography that examines the life of Jesus through the lens of the tumultuous political and religious world he inhabited.
Zathura
From the creator of *Jumanji*, this Caldecott-winning sequel sends two brothers on an adventure into outer space after they discover a mysterious board game.
Zorrie
A finalist for the National Book Award, this quiet and powerful novel follows the life of one woman in rural Indiana through the highs and lows of the 20th century.
Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future
An influential book on innovation and entrepreneurship from the co-founder of PayPal, arguing that progress comes from creating entirely new things.
Zinky Boys: Soviet Voices from the Afghanistan War
A harrowing collection of first-hand accounts from soldiers and civilians, offering a previously censored look at the brutal reality of the Soviet-Afghan War. By a Nobel laureate.
Zoo City
An inventive and gritty fantasy set in an alternate Johannesburg where criminals are magically attached to animal familiars. Winner of the Arthur C. Clarke Award.
Zeno’s Conscience
A landmark of Italian modernist literature, this darkly humorous novel follows the title character’s attempts to quit smoking and understand his own psyche.
Zadig, or The Book of Fate
A classic satirical tale from the French Enlightenment philosopher, following a young Babylonian man as he navigates the unpredictable nature of fortune and destiny.
Zen in the Art of Archery
A slim but profound book detailing a German professor’s six-year journey into the study of Zen Buddhism through the practice of Japanese archery.
Zog
A charming and beloved picture book about an eager but accident-prone young dragon at Dragon School, from the creators of *The Gruffalo*.
Zeroes
The first book in a trilogy about six teenagers born in the year 2000 who each possess a unique, and often unhelpful, superpower.
Zel
A dark and psychologically rich retelling of the Rapunzel fairy tale, told from the shifting perspectives of Zel, her mother, and the prince.
Zodiac
An early novel from the celebrated sci-fi author, this fast-paced “eco-thriller” features a witty environmentalist hero battling corporate polluters in Boston Harbor.
Zero History
The final installment in the “Bigend” trilogy from the father of cyberpunk, this is a cool, stylish thriller about global marketing, secret military tech, and fashion.
Zuckerman Unbound
Part of the acclaimed Zuckerman series, this novel explores the price of fame as Roth’s literary alter ego grapples with the success of his controversial bestseller.
Zita the Spacegirl
The first book in a delightful and action-packed graphic novel series about a brave girl who must rescue her best friend after he is abducted by aliens.
Zuleika Dobson
A classic and witty satire of undergraduate life at Oxford University, where an enchanting femme fatale causes the entire student body to fall in love with her.
Zoo
A thrilling bestseller in which a young biologist races to warn humanity that animals are coordinating violent attacks against them.
Zoli
A powerful novel from the acclaimed Irish author, exploring the life of a fictional Roma poet and singer in mid-20th-century Central Europe.
Zero Day
The first book in the bestselling John Puller series, introducing a military criminal investigator tasked with solving a brutal crime in a remote West Virginia town.
Z is for Moose
A hilarious and chaotic alphabet book where an overly enthusiastic Moose gets impatient waiting for his turn at the letter M and decides to take matters into his own hands.
Zeus Grants Stupid Wishes: A No-Bullshit Guide to World Mythology
A sarcastically funny and gleefully profane retelling of world myths, perfect for readers who enjoy a modern and irreverent take on ancient stories.
Zennor in Darkness
An award-winning novel set in Cornwall during World War I, where D. H. Lawrence and his German wife are viewed with suspicion by their neighbors.