Lists featuring The World Is What It Is: The Authorized Biography of V. S. Naipaul

• New York Times's "Best Books of the Years 1996-2008"
• New York Times's "100 Notable Books of 2008"
• Washington Post Best Books of 2008 - Non-fiction
• Barnes and Nobles Favorite Life Story Books 2008
• New York Times's "Editor's Picks 1968-2011"
• New York Times 10 Best Books of 2008
• rb42083's "Books I've Read 2009"
• drinkgoodtea's "More Books to Read"