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The 60 Most Read Books of the 2022 Reading Challenge
As the final days of the year tick themselves off the calendar, the 2022 Goodreads Reading Challenge is coming to a close. Sincere congratulations to all who participated, and can we just say…wow. More than 6.5 million (!) readers took the challenge this year, pledging to read more than 320 million (!!) books. That’s a lot of page-turning. Maybe there’s an alternative energy source here?
If you’re curious about which books were the most read in this year’s challenge, well, so were we. We’ve listed below the Top 60 books marked as Read (as opposed to, say, Want to Read) by those who signed up for the challenge. These are the raw numbers from Goodreads regulars, reporting on the books they finished in 2022.
The big takeaway, which quickly becomes apparent, is that author Colleen Hoover is the undisputed queen of publishing this year. She’s claimed 4 of the top 10 slots on our list, and 5 of the top 12. Hoover’s story is pretty amazing, and her success speaks to the supernova power of online reviews, viral reaction videos, and BookTok.
Those same online dynamics powered a huge surge for romance novels generally, romantic comedies specifically, and several individual books that broke through to mainstream pop culture in 2022. You’ll also find plenty of the year’s most talked-about titles in science fiction, memoirs, fantasy, thrillers, historical fiction, and existential ennui.
Check out our list, add anything promising to your own Want to Read shelf, and feel free to continue the conversation in the comments section.
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What are some of your favorite reads so far this year from your 2022 Reading Challenge? Let us know in the comments!
And be sure to check out more recent articles.
And be sure to check out more recent articles.
Comments Showing 51-100 of 327 (327 new)
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Nakita
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Dec 07, 2022 08:35AM
I’ve read 4 out of 60… And after scrolling through this list, the number will remain the same lol
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I’ve read 7 of these and have one on my “want to read list.” None of Colleen Hoover are in my purview. I’m an historical fiction fan.
Read 39 out of 60 and own 3 that i haven’t read yet. 🫣
I've read 21 of these myself. Several more on my Want to Read list.
I’ve read 14 of these, though some before this year.
Ive read 5 of these and a few others are on my TBR. I think the list would be more interesting without the CoHo popularity going on rn.
I've read 23 of these book, though not necessarily in 2022. Quote a few are also on my TBR.
People continuing to love HP more than they love trans people.
I've read 31 with plans to read more on this list! (Not reading any more CoHo- a couple I already mistakenly read ugh)
This list is depressing and I say that having read over half of them. Thankfully my personal list also has a mix of other genres and books that are not quite such light reads. I think this list mostly speaks about the type of reader who loves social media. I just really hope publishers don't see this and think this is all readers want.
ugh so many CH books 😒 28 out of 60, unfortunately
I've read 33 of these and most were this year. I guess I buy into hype a lot.
Why isn’t there a ‘Don’t want to read’ option?
9 read and tons and tons on the want to read list… love these lists goodreads❤️
I've read 23 of these 60 books (not all this year), and many are on my TBR. This was the year I started following BookTok and that has definitely influenced my choices.
Only 2 on my want to read. One of these days, I'll get around to Harry Potter. Most of this list looks like Romance which I haven't been a big fan of since way back when with Danielle Steel, Deveraux and such.
only 16, but i refuse to read Colleen Hoover no matter how many of her books you put on these lists 😌
I’ve read 29/60 and have a few of them on my TBR wondering if I can get to them before the 31st. I
I have read 26 and some of them were really excellent. Taylor Jenkins Reid and Lianne Moriarty are two of my favorite authors.
I've read 13 out of 60 ! not all this year though
10 out of 60! If so many of these werent Colleen Hoover I'd probably have more lol
Wooops, I‘ve read 24 out of this 60 books
What a depressing comment section. Honestly, I am just happy people are reading. Let readers enjoy what they want without judgement.
Benjamin wrote: "Not to sound negative, but it's a shame these books are the most read. So many other great genres out there. They seemed a bit all the same type of book."As someone who absolutely loves reading from many different genres, I agree that this is a very disappointing list. I do have to say though, when you think about the number of people who stop reading entirely when they finish school and no longer have to, I feel that any reading is good reading. :) So I'm going to try and put a positive spin on it and hope they broaden their horizons and never lose their love of reading.
Luka wrote: "booktok was a mistake"I don't agree. I am also disappointed that Colleen Hoover and the like have taken up an unwarranted amount of space on this list, however, so many people stop reading entirely when they no longer have to for school. I'm just glad they are reading at all, and I hope a Colleen Hoover, et al. induced reading binge will eventually lead to bigger and better things.
I've read 18 of these, and people who say that it's a shame what people read, or that booktok has ruined things... NOPE. I love that people find joy in reading, that's the most important thing. The attitude of "I'm not like other readers I'm better because I read xyz" is an attitude we could've left in the aughts, tbh. Are there books beyond this list that I personally enjoyed more? Yeah, but I also read a lot on this list and have plenty on my TBR. At the end of the day we should enjoy books, not win some intellectual prize.
My favorite read of the year was probably The Book Eaters. Once There Were Wolves and How High We Go In The Dark are top 3 and very close contenders
I'm happy to say I only read a handful on this list. I tend to read literary fiction and historical fiction. I sound like a book snob, but people read what they like to read and that's what I see from this list.For me: The Book Eaters, Horse by Geraldine Brooks, and Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver to name a few.
I've read 8 of these and i am currently reading Lessons In Chemistry.
50/60 not really any surprises. Those who says it the same genre should probably read more 😜 Harry Potter will probably be on the list many years to come, Colleen Hoover has had a really good year and she just writes feel good books 📚 easy to read and gives you a break.
My top 5 favorite
Crying in H Mart
The Seven Husbands of Eve. Hugo
The Sings of Achilles
Where the crawdads Sing
Harry Potter
Benjamin wrote: "Not to sound negative, but it's a shame these books are the most read. So many other great genres out there. They seemed a bit all the same type of book."I was thinking the same thing. Mostly romance? lol
Can we appreciate that only 7 out of 60 of the books are written by male authors and the rest are women 🙌
Is Colleen Hoover really worth all of the hype?
I am shocked that nearly every Colleen Hoover book made it on this list. I am sorry but what the heck? Can we please stop Colleen Hoover? Her books literally scream “misogyny”
But I have read some of the other books listed here and I actually have enjoyed some of them
I think this list reflects the state of our feelings. Since Covid, things have been depressing and lonely. What better type of books to feel engaged with than this list? I'm just throwing this out there. I know my reading reflects my mood completely. Sometimes I can't get into a great book and when I'm feeling good I can read and enjoy it. Maybe its just me.
I read 6/60. There are a few of them in my TBR pile. I just picked up Jennette McCurdy's book today.
