Goodreads Readers Have Spoken: These Are the 10 Most-Read Books of 2026 So Far
From Kristin Hannah to Sarah J. Mass, see what's topping members' 2026 reading challenge lists
Key Takeaways
- These books come from Goodreads’ “Readers’ Most Read Books” Reading Challenge list.
- We selected 10 standout titles from the larger Goodreads list for you to check out.
- The picks span memoir, romantasy, romance, fantasy, science fiction and thrillers.
There are only three months left in the year, which means time is running out on your Goodreads reading challenge—but don’t panic just yet. The popular reading app just released one of its most useful lists of the year: the the one that highlights books readers have actually been finishing in 2026—books so compelling you can’t help but race through them. Some of the picks are exactly what you’d expect. Others might genuinely surprise you. Keep scrolling for our top 10 picks from the list.
Memoir: ‘Told You So’ by Mayci Neeley
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star Mayci Neeley reveals what happened before the cameras started rolling in this honest memoir. From surviving an abusive relationship with her college boyfriend to becoming pregnant at 19 only to lose her next boyfriend in a car accident months later, Mayci leaves nothing out.
“Writing and then reading about my abuse was hard. That section of the book makes me so angry,” she told Woman’s World last year. “A lot of this is traumatic, and I haven’t worked through a ton of it. I’ve worked through the big things, but not all the other little things, so I feel like it definitely brought up emotions. But in my head, I’m doing it to help inspire other women who can relate to or feel the same way as I do.”
What Goodreads users are saying: “Told You So is one of those memoirs that reads like a fiction novel—beautifully written, emotional and impossible to look away from. Even though it’s Mayci Neeley’s real life, it unfolds with the richness of a story, which makes every moment hit even harder. The book is chilling, heartbreaking and incredibly beautiful all at once. Neeley’s courage in sharing her truth offers comfort, hope, and a reminder that healing is possible. If you’ve ever struggled with fear or self-forgiveness, this book meets you exactly where you are.”
Romantasy: ‘A Court of Thorns and Roses’ by Sarah J. Maas
The first book in Sarah J. Maas‘ bestselling series begins when 19-year-old huntress Feyre Archeron kills a wolf in the woods and a terrifying beast-like creature arrives demanding justice. Dragged to the magical faerie land of Prythian, Feyre discovers her captor, the powerful High Fae lord Tamlin, isn’t the monster she expected. As she navigates this dangerous new world, a deadly blight spreads across the land, and despite being a mortal, Feyre might be the only one who can stop it.
What Goodreads users are saying: “This book is incredible. It brings you into a world of broken magic that heals the longer you spend in it. It captures what it means to be tricked, to be in love, to be broken and to heal. It shows how life doesn’t end at happily ever after.”
Historical fiction: ‘The Great Alone’ by Kristin Hannah
The Great Alone takes readers to 1970s and 1980s Alaska and follows Vietnam veteran Ernt Allbright after he returns home from the war. He’s haunted by his POW experience, and after losing another job, he relocates his family to Kaneq, Alaska, because he thinks it’s their final chance at redemption. His daughter, 13-year-old Leni, navigates growing up while caught between her parents’ turbulent marriage.
What Goodreads users are saying: “Kristin Hannah has written a beautifully detailed and emotionally affecting novel that is both compelling and gripping. This is Leni’s story, the burdens she grows up with, her emotional bond with her mother and her search for identity and roots. It’s a tale of love and hope despite the battering that life can give. A brilliant read that I will not forget and highly recommend it.”
Romance: ‘The Last Letter’ by Rebecca Yarros
If you’re searching for a moving romance, Fourth Wing author Rebecca Yarros delivers with this novel. A single letter from Ella to her brother Ryan is enough to make soldier Beckett Gentry fall hard. When Ryan is killed in action, Beckett abandons his post in Afghanistan to care for Ella and her twins—one of whom is battling cancer—in Telluride, Colorado. What follows is a beautiful blend of heart-melting romance and raw, honest grief.
What Goodreads users are saying: “Wear waterproof mascara while reading this book. Seriously, waterproof mascara and tissues. If you need a good cry, read this book. There are happy moments and fun moments. Moments I wanted to cheer with the characters and moments I was happy that good things were finally happening. But this book is about the good times and the love that can come out of heartache. It is about loss, family, love, falling in love, responsibility, grief, heartache and hope.”
Dystopian: ‘I Who Have Never Known Men’ by Jacqueline Harpman
Originally published in 1995, this novel has found a new group of readers thanks to BookTok. Deep underground, 39 women are held captive. They are watched by guards and have no idea how they got there. Then, one day, the 40th prisoner arrives and she might hold the key to getting them all out. But none of the women are prepared for what the real world is like.
What Goodreads users are saying: “If you enjoy wondering if you’ll ever feel hope again, this book’s for you. If you’re on the hunt for a happily ever after, you might want to look elsewhere, because this book doesn’t do redemption or catharsis or answers. What we do get is a meditation on what’s left when everything we think makes us human such as love, connection and hope, is stripped away. By the time I turned the last page, I was left reeling and grappling with the enormity of my own insignificance. It’s frustrating, haunting and unforgettable.”
Fantasy: ‘Katabasis’ by R.F. Kuang
The Ancient Greek term ‘Katabasis’ describes a descent into the underworld, and that perfectly sums up what happens in this R.F Kuang novel. When Alice Lav’s mentor, Jacob Grines, dies in a magical mishap at Cambridge—possibly caused by her—she refuses to accept his death. Determined to resurrect him, Alice ventures on a twisted, dangerous expedition to the realm of the dead alongside her academic nemesis and former flame, Peter Murdoch. A magical adventure that will leave readers guessing.
What Goodreads users are saying: “Some books are too magnificent to simply be described—they must be devoured and savored slowly to fully appreciate their brilliance. This is one of them—a spellbinding blend of enemies-to-lovers romance and dark academia fantasy, featuring a mind-blowing journey through hell. The story weaves together elements of mathematics, philosophy and religion, enriched with fascinating anecdotes from Ancient Greek mythology.”
Science fiction: ‘Red Rising’ by Pierce Brown
The first book in Pierce Brown’s bestselling series follows Darrow, who is part of the Red caste, the lowest color in a color-coded society. He works all day and is convinced that he’s actually making Mars livable for future generations. But when it comes to light that humanity has already discovered civilization on Mars, Darrow and his fellow Reds feel betrayed. Longing for justice, Darrow decides to infiltrate the legendary Institute, which could be his most deadly and dangerous task.
What Goodreads users are saying: “I reread this book to dive back into the series, and I have to say, it was a fantastic experience! This time, I listened to the audiobook, and it was absolutely perfect. I highly recommend it for anyone looking to immerse themselves in this gripping story.”
Suspense: ‘Bunny’ by Mona Awad
If you love dark academia books, don’t miss this one by Mona Awad! Samantha Heather Mackey knows she’s an outsider in her MFA program at New England’s Warren University. She also knows that her fiction writing cohort, which has a group of girls that call each other “bunny,” isn’t for her. But when she gets invited to join their group, things change. As she delves deeper into their intriguing world, friendships are tested and secrets are revealed, forcing Samantha to decide what really matters and what she really wants.
What Goodreads users are saying: “This book was an intense, surreal experience that honestly made me feel like I was losing my mind, but in a way that I found incredibly fun and engaging. It possesses a dream-like quality, almost like a fever dream, constantly shifting between nightmarish scenarios and moments that are entirely surreal or bizarre. The plot is quite chaotic and scattered, yet strangely easy to follow, as if the narrative is deliberately disorganized to mirror the craziness of the story world.”
Memoir: ‘Strangers: A Memoir of Marriage’ by Belle Burden
One of the most talked about memoirs right now is this one written by Belle Burden. Belle thought her life was going great, until her husband of 10 years announced that he was leaving her, forcing Belle to reexamine every aspect of her life. Filled with honesty, hard moments and growth, this book is everything readers want in a memoir.
What Goodreads users are saying: “This is a brilliant but, quite frankly, jaw-dropping account of the implosion of Belle Burden’s marriage. It took my breath away. It must have been painful to write. It was certainly hard to read but I would highly recommend it to anyone. I sincerely hope Ms. Burden writes more books.”
Thriller: ‘My Husband’s Wife’ by Alice Feeney
This novel opens with shocking drama as Eden Fox arrives at her house only to discover she’s been locked out. Inside are her husband and another woman who insists she’s his spouse. The story then shifts from Eden’s bewildering ordeal to follow Birdy, a mysterious woman who has dark secrets and multiple unsettling connections to both Eden’s hometown and her husband. What follows is a thrilling tale that will leave readers stunned.
What Goodreads users are saying: “I consider Alice Feeney to be the Queen of Twists, and this novel did nothing but solidify that belief. My Husband’s Wife was so crazy and outrageously fun. All of the unpredictable drama, the turns, the sly shifts in perspective bringing continuous new insights, I loved it all.”
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