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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 201-250 of 327 (327 new)
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Laura
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Dec 10, 2022 07:59PM
17 out of 60 for me!
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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 agree. There is only one book on that list that is even on my tbr, and it's Atomic Habits. I was hoping to find books worth putting on my tbr list that's not romance (is that what most of these are? I don't recognize any). Pretty sad.
Amber wrote: "I've read a whopping two from this list this year, seven if you include 2020 and 2021. Then again, I don't like romance as a rule and don't understand the Colleen Hoover hype. My favorite titles ..."
Thanks for adding your favorites. They look interesting (much more so than this list of 60); I'm going to look them up.
I have read 25 of the 60 and another 23 are on my tbr
1 read but not this year and 2 tbr. The list isn’t very diverse in genre but I think it’s understandable. There’s so much going on these days, it’s nice to have a bit of escapism in an easy read.
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 had the same thought or at least a very similar one. With so many truly GREAT books out there, seems a shame these are "the most read"
31 out og 60 👍 not bad if i say so myself....☺️
I’ve read 5 of these, the best being Project Hail Mary. Best book in last year: Cloud Cuckoo Land.
I’ve read 5 of these, the best being Project Hail Mary. Best book in last year: Cloud Cuckoo Land.
I have read 10/60 of these but only 8 this year.
I’ve read 20 and own so many more so I need to read my TBR pile! Only one or two of these have disappointed me.
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 agree 100% Colleen Hoover's popularity continues to baffle me!!
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'm guessing this is because the Goodreads demographics skew to those that read these genres.
I've read 4, DNFed a few, then I have some on my TBR as well.
Amber wrote: "Can we have a most read list that doesn’t include Colleen Hoover?"Nudibelle wrote: "15 for me . Colleen must be stopped"
I couldn't agree more!!
11 out of 60! Read on this year's challenge and 4 read on 2021... Loved Taylor Jenkins Reid Books!!
Inread only Harry potter about 15 years ago...all other books here are super advertised and overrated....
Can someone tell me the appeal of Colleen Hoover? I just don't see it. Love that Harry Potter still seems popular. X
Maybe this needs to be done like the World Cup... separate lists for male and female (and other?) readers and/or separate lists for male and female authors (though that may not do it).
Jiji wrote: "Colleen Hoover... Loved a couple of her earlier books but I can't get past Verity.Surprised Harry Potter continues to be on most read books lists."
Don't be surprised about HP. New generations discover those books! I read them when they first appeared and now both my children read them.
Sarbajoya wrote: "Got a score of 6 out of 60. Exactly 10%"Lol, me too!
Barbara wrote: "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 agree a disappointing ..."
A lot of people just like to read for fun. There’s nothing wrong with that.
Sanny wrote: "Can we appreciate that only 7 out of 60 of the books are written by male authors and the rest are women 🙌"And it has suddenly become clear to me why so many people think these books are all “light” and beneath them!
I’m surprised that any of the books that I read this year made the list as I have a very elective taste in books. I’ve read three. Will see if any other books on this list is worth reading. Any suggestions? 😊
I've read 16 of these. My faves this year were "Everything I Never Told You" by Ng, "The Thirteenth Tale" by Dianne Setterfield, "The Vanishing Act" and "Hamnet" by Maggie O'Farrell, "The Lincoln Highway" by Amor Towles, "The Stationery Shop" by Marian Kamali, "Writers and Lovers" by Lily King, "The Book of Essie" by Meghan McLean Weir, "People of the Book" and "Year of Wonders" by Geraldine Brooks, "Lightning Strike" by William Kent Krueger, "Lessons in Chemistry" by Bonnie Garmus (my very favorite), "The Pearl that Broke Its Shell" by Nadia Hashima, "Ghosted" by Rosie Walsh, "The Swimmers" by Julie Otsuka, "The Maid" by Nita Prose, "Fresh Water for Flowers" by Valerie Perrin. Sixteen books, true, but it represents only about 15% of my reading so it seems fair.
Dora wrote: "wow apparently I'm super mainstream (I've read 32 of these)😅🙃and almost all others are on my tbr😂"
Desert Dweller writes, this certainly isn’t. Very serious list.
4/60, one of them being a book from childhood. A lot of these seem like... definite skips.Yes, it would be good to have more data. Let's see lists for genre, at the very least.
As for gender, don't really care. I'm not sure having it be all women is particularly useful or celebratory. It kind of speaks to the sameness of such a list.
My list is more loaded with mysteries than romance so obviously I appreciate the appeal of light reading, but c’mon readers, let’s mix it up a bit!
I've read zero of the 60. There are too many good books out there to read that aren't "popular." People read Colleen Hoover and "Where the Crawfish Sings" because, well, other people read Colleen Hoover and "Where the Crawfish Sings."
I've read 28 of the 60 books. I always find it interesting how different our opinion on a book can be amoung a diverse group of serious readers. It's hard for me to rate a book a five and I had a few this past year. Happy reading in 2023!
Abi wrote: "I've read 4 out of these 60 books this year. I'm surprised just how many Coleen Hoover books are on this list"Me too!
I have read 12 of the 60 listed above. Not a Hoover fan and I didn't love Evelyn Hugo the way everyone else did. The Silent Patient was meh for me. I'm hoping my other books on my TBR that made this list don't disappoint. I did love Remarkably Bright Creatures, however and I don't see it listed above. Everyone should read that book, in my opinion.
I have read 14 of these books so far, but I agree this list seems to be heavy on the lite side..way too much Colleen Hoover there, when there are so many great authors to choose from. It gives the impression that people are dumbing down, as that seems to be what sells, which is a shame.
Anna wrote: "Colleen Hoover can't write for shit tbh"I read ~100/yr & I've never even heard of her. WTH?
I look thru reading lists for my next book. I’ve read 4 from this list but would recommend only one. A disappointment
Bethany wrote: "Abi wrote: "I've read 4 out of these 60 books this year. I'm surprised just how many Coleen Hoover books are on this list"She's definitely in her peak right now! Verity put her on the map, sky ro..."
Bethany wrote: "Abi wrote: "I've read 4 out of these 60 books this year. I'm surprised just how many Coleen Hoover books are on this list"
She's definitely in her peak right now! Verity put her on the map, sky ro..."
I read Circe earlier this year and just finished Song of Achilles! I agree, those were great books. I think Circe was my favorite book that I read in 2022, but Song of Achilles would make my top ten for sure.
Jon wrote: "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 agree, but I think thi..."
I agree with the comment about the people of Goodreads. I personally don’t spend time marking the books I’ve read on their list. I keep my own book diary. Recording things in Goodreads is too much hassle.
7of 60…most of them don’t interest me. What’s with all the Colleen Hoover..yikes!
