The Most Read Books of the 2019 Reading Challenge

Ann wrote: "Bill wrote: "The fact that Harry Potter is still dominating this list means that some people need to expand their reading lists/genres and check out what else is available in the world of literatur..."

I agree. HP is always fun... and for me, I like carrying books to re-read when I'm out on errands, so that I don't get so into a new book when I stop for lunch or a drink, that I forget to finish the errands! (Yes, I do get *that* into books on occasion.) My latest nostalgia kick is hunting out the old Sweet Dreams and Wildfire teen romances from my middle school days and seeing how they hold up 30+ years later. Reading a new book is great: you (hopefully) just made a new friend! But there's a lot to be said for reconnecting with an old friend as well.

Just finished reading The Great Alone. Almost as good as Crawdads. I loved both. Get your tissues out.

Michelle wrote: "You know, I haven't read a single book on this list. And there are several I wouldn't touch if you put a gun to my head.
LOL I feel the same way!

The Medallion by Cathy Gohlke

Renate wrote: "As a retired high school English teacher, I now prefer to support Indy authors. I now read for pure enjoyment and entertainment. Only read some of the above because of belonging to a local book clu..."

I couldn't pass this up! I am an indy author of two inspirational romance books, if you're interested. Cookie Encounter, and Heir Force, which is military related. They can both be ordered from anywhere and for libraries if you don't want to purchase them.

Reading “Wanderers,” by Chuck Wendig.

In the last few months I've read several Myron Bolitar novels by Harlan Coben, several Scott Pratt novels, a few John Lescroart novels (I love legal thrillers), Someone Knows by Lisa Scottoline, Mrs. Everything by Jennifer Weiner, Nothing to Hide by Allison Brennan, Shattered Mirror by Iris Johasen, Stalked (with Lucy Kincaid) by Allison Brennan, and my current one, What Doesn't Kill You, by Iris Johansen. There are others, but I don't remember them all. My favorite authors are Johansen, Brennan, and probably Lescroart and Weiner. I LOVE suspense, but occasionally I like a little happy sprinkled in there.

Oh, I forgot--I've also read An Anonymous Girl.

Mercedes wrote: "I am so not in your focus group..."

Me either!

Chernobyl Shines a new ,dark light on the world cover ups of nuclear accidents.

The Art of Racing in the Rain
A Gentleman In Moscow

I'm currently reading Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

I'm currently reading an ARC copy of The Reality Assertion ( Deplosion series) by Paul Anlee.

4 books:
Promise Cove by Vickie McKeehan; Another Man's Treasure by SW Hubbard; Archaeology From Space by Sara Parcak; and Tea Time Mystery by Faith Martin

Ann wrote: "Harry Potter never gets old. I read a wide range of books, and have reread HP a number of times. "

Agreed! I read all sorts of books, and Harry Potter is a series that I re-read every so often. I plan on re-reading them while I'm in school (and working full-time!) this fall.

Anne wrote: "Chernobyl Shines a new ,dark light on the world cover ups of nuclear accidents."

Are you referring to "Chernobyl The History of A Nuclear Catastrophe" by Serhii Plokhy? That's on my (long) list of books to read.

I'm reading The Book That Matters Most. Just finished Crawdads. Loved it

Always wondered about Crawdads but couldn't find anyone who'd read it and could rate it. Now I'll have to give it a try.

I just finished The Family Man and I'm currently reading What the Dead Know.

I am into Reading about the last Prophet Muhammed (may peace be upon him). Finished The First Muslim and after the by Lesley Hazelton. Now started Muhammed The Prophet of our times
by Karen Armstrong. Amazing books and I can't put the book back once I picked it up. All of them

But where is Boy Swallows Universe, my book of the year?

Juho wrote: "I'd be far more curious to see the least read books - the ones only I have read this year."

That would actually be of interest in a curious way. I don't think I've read many things that are THAT obscure, but the odd tatty thing I pick out at old book shops and peruse while on holiday may sneak in.

Sally wrote: "I generally don't read best sellers. I'm not a lemming. I like to explore the bookstore. Sometimes the blurb will attract me. Sometimes the artwork on the cover. Because I read fiction, I don't wan..."

I get you. But sometimes the best sellers are best sellers for good reasons.

Also, liking things that are popular doesn't make you a lemming. Quit being a snob. You had to choose to visit this list to come and make that point.

Have you read Johansen's What Doesn't Kill You? I'm just about to finish that. It's terrific.

Andy wrote: "I get you. But sometimes the best sellers are best sellers for good reasons.

Also, liking things that are popular doesn't make you a lemming. Quit being a snob. You had to choose to visit this list to come and make that point. "

In the past, I've read some books simply because they were best sellers, and I wanted to know what everyone was talking about. I regret reading The Da Vinci Code, but glad I read Harry Potter. I've since learned, best seller or not, I will read something, only as long as the plot interests me. If I'm not interested, I won't read it, even if everyone is raving about it.

Jasmine wrote: "I've since learned, best seller or not, I will read something, only as long as the plot interests me. If I'm not interested, I won't read it, even if everyone is raving about it..."

YES. Read what interests you no matter where it falls on any lists! :)

Paranoid by Lisa Jackson, you know, for fun.

Those lists are a bit odd. The “top twenty most read”... but is that exclusive to people participating in the reading challenge or Goodreads overall? Also, why include a separate list for the top 8 non-fiction, but not the top fiction? And why only the top four classics? Vaguely disappointed. Also, wondering if I’m significantly older than average goodreads user...;-)

The Alice Network and The Great Alone

I'm listening to The Spies of Shilling Lane, by Jennifer Ryan.

Zohal wrote: "Interesting that the Classics are all Dystopian"

I think it's a clear indicator that we're headed towards collapse. Make more friends! Get healthy! Grow something edible...

I've read 32 books so far this year none of which are on the above lists!

The Widows of Malabar Hill

I just read The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah.
The story takes place in Alaska in early seventies. I was in Alaska when I read it. Engaging and revealing of life in the wild part of Alaska. A family struggles with life in a cabin off the grid, and with the father's ptsd from the Vietnam war. Excellent writing. Vivid descriptions of landscape. Heartbreaking family dynamics of love and loss.

I don't read trash about Michael Obama. I mostly read James Patterson, Dean Koontz, Clive Cussler and Stephen King. I want to be entertained not educated. I will go back to school and be educated.

Felix, you are totally Completely wrong about Michelle Obama. That book was the dumbest and stupidest book I’ve ever read. I only read a third of the way into the book before putting it down. All the people I work with, all my friends and my family all say that we should go to in together and buy a pre-book so that we have something start of camp far west. I recommend not reading this book or supporting her in anyway. completely wrong about Michelle problem. That book was the dumbest stupidest book I’ve ever read. I only read third of the way into the book before putting it down. All the people I work with, and my friends and my family all say that we should go to end together and by I pre-book so that we have something start of him our way. I recommend not reading this book or supporting her in anyway.

Killing Commendatore by Haruki Murakami. Obviously weird but fascinating.

I really liked Disappearing Earth by Julia Phillips and am recommending to everyone who likes fiction set somewhere different, in this case the Kamchatka Peninsula of far eastern Russia.

I've been reading the Kazuo Ishiguro's books. I started with The Remains of the Day and couldn't stop until I read them all!! Fantastic!!

Becoming is #1 on 2 lists and yet the #2 books on both lists have more reviews. No one has even written a review since 2018. Why is this book on both lists?

Tina wrote: "Becoming is #1 on 2 lists and yet the #2 books on both lists have more reviews. No one has even written a review since 2018. Why is this book on both lists?"

haha maybe try sorting the GR ratings/reviews into Newest order instead of the Default order? The Default order is by popularity of reviews, not by most recent. Today alone, July 20, there are over 50 ratings/reviews. Where the Crawdads Sing has more ratings but the average is lower than Becoming. 4.61 vs 4.52 even though Crawdads has about 37,000 more ratings. 98% of raters liked Crawdads vs 99% of raters liked Becoming. Likewise, Educated has 100,000 more ratings and 98% of raters liked the book but an average rating of 4.48. Crawdads and Educated are more divisive because people don't know what they're getting into. Everyone who has read Becoming did so because they like the Obamas, so it's a lot less divisive in its ratings. You don't like them, don't read it. Easy peasy.

Murder inthe Reading Room

Elyse wrote: "Tina wrote: "Becoming is #1 on 2 lists and yet the #2 books on both lists have more reviews. No one has even written a review since 2018. Why is this book on both lists?"

haha maybe try sorting th..."

Ruth wrote: "Murder inthe Reading Room"

Elyse wrote: "Tina wrote: "Becoming is #1 on 2 lists and yet the #2 books on both lists have more reviews. No one has even written a review since 2018. Why is this book on both lists?"

haha maybe try sorting th..."

Thanks! I have never even tried the sorting option before. Do I have to do this every time or can I change the default to the my preference?

I'm presently reading 'The Elegance of the Hedgehog' Muriel Barbery 2006 novel . It celebrates people we probably interact with daily but hardly know. It's a philosophical book with great humour. Just before that I read 'The Waiter' by Matias Faldbakken . I'v spent a lifetime in the hospitality industry and am fascinated by novels and memoirs set in hotels. Anthony

Tina wrote: "Thanks! I have never even tried the sorting option before. Do I have to do this every time or can I change the default to the my preference?..."

You have to do it for every book page. And every time too. I don't think it sticks. Such a pain. It should be a Preferences thing.

Neide wrote: "I really want to give Daisy Jones & the Six, Circe and Educated a try. Great list!"

me too!

Joanne wrote: "I'm listening to The Grapes of Wrath which I read in high school and still loving it."

I read "Grapes of Wrath" 40 years ago. I hated this book, in spite of how well-written, and captivating it was. I still recall the trials and tribulations of the Joad family, and it gave an inkling of what life was like for my grandparents; it was a long slog getting through it because of the unrelenting misery and hard times. I was depressed for weeks. He really drives a point home.

Donna wrote: "I read "Grapes of Wrath" 40 years ago. I hated this book, in spite of how well-written, and captivating it was. I still recall the trials and tribulations of the Joad family, and it gave an inkling..."

I loved Grapes of Wrath, to my surprise. I had read East of Eden and *hated* it.

Just finished 11/23/63 by Stephen King. WOW! Quite simply one of the best books I've ever read. Note: It's not a horror story -- more of a love story with time travel. Not normally something I'd read but...it was truly amazing. I couldn't put it down.