I don’t know about you, but The New York Times Best Sellers are my go-to when I need some new inspiration for my TBR list.
But let’s face it, with so many incredible novels making it to the top of these coveted charts, we bookworms are spoiled for choice.
So, to help you narrow down your options and find your perfect next read, I’ve created a list of 10 unmissable new fiction titles that have taken the New York Times Best Sellers list by storm this year.
📚 Quick Navigation:
Complete Book List | Genres Covered | How to Choose | NYT Bestseller FAQs | More Recommendations
Genres in This Bestseller List
📖 Literary Fiction: Black Cake, The Love of My Life, One Italian Summer
🔍 Mystery/Thriller: The Club, Something to Hide, Dream Town
🍰 Cozy Mystery: Caramel Pecan Roll Murder
💕 Contemporary Romance: Book Lovers
⚡ Fantasy/Mythology: Kaikeyi
📚 Dystopian Fiction: The School for Good Mothers
Perfect for: Readers who want quality recommendations across multiple genres from the most trusted literary authority
Whether you’re catching up on acclaimed books from recent years or looking for timeless bestsellers that continue to captivate readers, these New York Times bestsellers represent some of the most compelling fiction of the past few years. From literary fiction to cozy mysteries, there’s something here for every reader.
10 Unmissable New York Times Bestsellers
Featured Books: This curated list highlights notable New York Times bestsellers from recent years. For current weekly rankings, visit nytimes.com/books/best-sellers.
| Sr. No. | Title | Publication Date | Print Length | Author | Publisher | Where to Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fourth Wing | May 2, 2023 | 500 pages | Rebecca Yarros | Red Tower Books | Amazon |
| 2 | It Ends with Us | August 2, 2016 | 376 pages | Colleen Hoover | Atria Books | Amazon |
| 3 | Where the Crawdads Sing | August 14, 2018 | 384 pages | Delia Owens | G.P. Putnam’s Sons | Amazon |
| 4 | The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo | June 13, 2017 | 400 pages | Taylor Jenkins Reid | Atria Books | Book Shop |
| 5 | Atomic Habits | October 16, 2018 | 320 pages | James Clear | Avery | Amazon |
| 6 | Iron Flame | November 7, 2023 | 640 pages | Rebecca Yarros | Red Tower Books | Amazon |
| 7 | It Starts with Us | October 18, 2022 | 336 pages | Colleen Hoover | Atria Books | Book Shop |
| 8 | The Women | February 6, 2024 | 480 pages | Kristin Hannah | St. Martin’s Press | Amazon |
| 9 | Daisy Jones & The Six | March 5, 2019 | 368 pages | Taylor Jenkins Reid | Ballantine Books | Book Shop |
| 10 | Onyx Storm | January 21, 2025 | 720 pages | Rebecca Yarros | Red Tower Books | Amazon |
1. Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros (May 2023)
Rebecca Yarros delivers the ultimate fantasy romance with this dragon rider academy story that took BookTok by storm. Twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail was supposed to join the Scribe Quadrant, but her commanding general mother orders her into the deadly Riders Quadrant instead.
At Basgiath War College, dragons don’t bond to “fragile” humans—they incinerate them. With her small stature and brittle bones, Violet faces death at every turn, especially from Xaden Riorson, the most powerful and ruthless wingleader who wants her dead for being her mother’s daughter.
This enemies-to-lovers fantasy became a viral sensation, spending over 65 weeks on the NYT bestseller list and launching one of the most popular book series of the decade.
2. It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover (August 2016)
Colleen Hoover’s most powerful novel follows Lily Bloom, who falls for neurosurgeon Ryle Kincaid despite his insistence that he doesn’t do relationships. But when her first love Atlas unexpectedly returns to her life, Lily must confront difficult truths about love, strength, and making impossible choices.
This emotionally charged story tackles themes of domestic violence and resilience, becoming the bestselling novel of both 2022 and 2023 despite being published in 2016. With over 10 million copies sold worldwide and a 2024 film adaptation starring Blake Lively, it remains a cultural phenomenon.
3. Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens (August 2018)
Delia Owens crafts an unforgettable story about Kya Clark, the “Marsh Girl” who grows up isolated in the North Carolina marshlands. When a local man is found dead, Kya becomes the prime suspect in this haunting blend of coming-of-age story, nature writing, and murder mystery.
This debut novel has sold over 18 million copies worldwide and spent years on bestseller lists. The 2022 film adaptation featured a new Taylor Swift song, introducing the story to an even wider audience and cementing its place as a modern classic.
4. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid (June 2017)
When reclusive Hollywood icon Evelyn Hugo finally decides to tell her life story, she chooses unknown journalist Monique Grant for the exclusive. As Evelyn recounts her rise to fame and her seven marriages, shocking secrets emerge that connect both women’s lives in unexpected ways.
This captivating tale of Old Hollywood glamour, forbidden love, and buried secrets has become a modern phenomenon, beloved by readers across all demographics. The book’s exploration of ambition, sacrifice, and authentic love has made it a consistent bestseller and book club favorite.
5. Atomic Habits by James Clear (October 2018)
James Clear revolutionizes personal development with his practical framework for building good habits and breaking bad ones. Rather than focusing on massive changes, Clear demonstrates how tiny improvements—just 1% better each day—compound into remarkable results over time.
With over 25 million copies sold worldwide and translations into 60+ languages, this has become the definitive guide to habit formation. Clear’s four-step system makes behavior change accessible and sustainable, earning praise from everyone from Olympic athletes to Fortune 500 CEOs.
6. Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros (November 2023)
The highly anticipated sequel to Fourth Wing raises the stakes as Violet Sorrengail begins her second year at Basgiath War College. With war threatening everything she holds dear and new enemies emerging, Violet must master her powers while protecting deadly secrets that could destroy those she loves.
This explosive continuation of the Empyrean series dominated bestseller lists immediately upon release, proving that the Fourth Wing phenomenon was just the beginning. Fans praised Yarros for deepening both the world-building and the intense romance that made the first book irresistible.
7. It Starts with Us by Colleen Hoover (October 2022)
The long-awaited sequel to It Ends with Us follows Lily as she navigates her new life as a single mother while her relationship with Atlas Corrigan rekindles. But when her ex-husband Ryle discovers their connection, the situation becomes more complicated and dangerous than ever.
Hoover delivers both the closure fans demanded and the love story they hoped for, while addressing criticisms of the first book’s handling of abuse dynamics. The novel became an instant bestseller, proving readers’ continued devotion to these characters and their journeys.
8. The Women by Kristin Hannah (February 2024)
Kristin Hannah tells the powerful story of Frances “Frankie” McGrath, who enlists as a combat nurse in Vietnam when her brother ships out to war. This sweeping historical novel follows Frankie through the war and its aftermath, exploring the often-overlooked experiences of women who served.
Hannah’s masterful storytelling illuminates a crucial but under-told piece of history while delivering an emotionally resonant tale of courage, trauma, and healing. The novel spent multiple weeks at #1 on the NYT bestseller list, cementing Hannah’s reputation as a master of historical fiction.
9. Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid (March 2019)
Told through an oral history format, this novel chronicles the rise and dramatic fall of the fictional 1970s rock band Daisy Jones & The Six. When mysterious lead singer Daisy Jones joins the established band, their collaboration creates legendary music—and legendary drama.
Reid’s innovative storytelling and vivid characters brought this fictional band to life so convincingly that readers often forget they never actually existed. The 2023 Amazon Prime adaptation further boosted the book’s popularity, introducing new audiences to this irresistible tale of music, fame, and complicated love.
10. Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros (January 2025)
The explosive third installment in the Empyrean series finds Violet facing her greatest challenges yet as the stakes reach catastrophic levels. With war raging and impossible choices ahead, Violet must embrace her full power while risking everything she’s fought to protect.
Released to massive anticipation, Onyx Storm sold 2.7 million copies in its first week—the highest opening week for any adult novel in 20 years. Yarros continues to prove that the romantasy genre has staying power, delivering the epic conclusion fans have been desperately awaiting.
You May Also Read: The Complete List of The Legend of Drizzt Books in Reading Order
New York Times Bestseller FAQ
What makes a book a New York Times bestseller?
The New York Times bestseller list is based on weekly sales data from independent and chain bookstores, online retailers, and other outlets across the United States. Books are ranked by sales volume in specific categories.
Are NYT bestsellers always good books?
While commercial success doesn’t guarantee literary quality, NYT bestsellers represent books that have resonated with large numbers of readers. Many combine compelling storytelling with broad appeal.
How often is the NYT bestseller list updated?
The New York Times updates their bestseller lists weekly, typically reflecting sales from the previous week. Lists are published every Sunday.
Are these books suitable for book clubs?
Many NYT bestsellers make excellent book club choices because they generate discussion and have widespread appeal. Books like “The School for Good Mothers” and “Black Cake” offer rich themes for group discussion.
Should I read NYT bestsellers in any particular order?
Most bestsellers are standalone novels, but some are part of series. Check if a book is part of an ongoing series before diving in, though many series books can be enjoyed independently.
Where can I find current NYT bestseller lists?
Visit nytimes.com/books/best-sellers for the most current lists across fiction, non-fiction, and specialized categories, updated weekly.
How to Choose Your Next NYT Bestseller
New to NYT Bestsellers? Start Here:
- Book Lovers – Contemporary romance, accessible and engaging
- Black Cake – Family saga with cultural richness
- One Italian Summer – Emotional journey, beautiful setting
Love Mystery & Suspense?
- The Club – Elite society thriller
- Something to Hide – Police procedural series
- Caramel Pecan Roll Murder – Cozy mystery with recipes
Want Literary Depth?
- The School for Good Mothers – Thought-provoking dystopian
- Kaikeyi – Mythology retelling
- The Love of My Life – Complex character study
Reading Order Tips:
Series Books: “Something to Hide” is part of the Lynley series, “Caramel Pecan Roll Murder” is from the Hannah Swensen series, and “Dream Town” features Aloysius Archer. While these can be read standalone, series fans may want to start earlier.
More Bestseller Recommendations
Love discovering acclaimed books? Explore our other curated lists:
- Modern Classics – Contemporary books destined to become classics
- Best Books of All Time – Ultimate reading list across all eras
- Emily Henry Books – Complete guide to the Book Lovers author
Conclusion
These New York Times bestsellers represent some of the most compelling and widely-read fiction of recent years.
Whether you’re drawn to literary fiction, mysteries, romance, or thought-provoking narratives, these acclaimed books offer quality storytelling that has captured readers nationwide.
But, if you’d prefer some best-selling recommendations that span through the ages, here’s a list of smash hit contemporary titles that are well on their way to becoming classics.
Do you have any NY Times Best Sellers recommendations we need to check out this year? Drop a comment in the box below!