Most Read Books of the 2023 Reading Challenge

With the 2023 Goodreads Reading Challenge in its final lap, the time has come for a sneak peek at this year’s page-turning action. For instance, which books have been most popular with readers in this year’s challenge? It’s pretty fascinating, actually.
But first, some raw numbers. According to our latest count, more than 7.6 million readers across the globe participated in this year’s challenge, pledging to read more than 330 million books. Wow. We tried to calculate the total number of pages read, using average book length, but it crashed the supercomputer here at Goodreads World Headquarters.
As for the books themselves, we’ve listed below the top titles marked as Read (as opposed to Want to Read) by those who signed up for the challenge. Some takeaways: Rebecca Yarros’ surprise sensation Fourth Wing took the top overall spot, highlighting a big year for fantasy-romance novels in general. You’ll also find a lot of familiar author names haunting the top side of the list: Hoover and Henry, Maas and Michaelides.
Click around and you’ll find a little bit of everything—from mysteries to memoirs, queer fantasy to insightful contemporary fiction. And, of course, plenty of romance, with everyone from book nerds to hockey players finding love and/or lust. Oh, also: magical realism concerning octopi.
Check out this year’s list, add anything promising to your Want to Read shelf, and feel free to continue the conversation in the comments section. Congratulations to all of this year’s participants! Book nerds, assemble!
Comments Showing 101-150 of 294 (294 new)
Wow I’ve read 20 of these and most of the others are on my TBR list. I guess I like to read trendy books. 😅
I've read 4, and only 2 were published this year. Midnight Library is from 2020! I've read a lot of books this year but not from this list. I am so very OK with that.
Somehow I've managed to read 16 of these this year - one is still on my TBR list. But I've managed to complete my reading challenge for this year so every additional book is just a bonus! I might have to increase the goal in 2024!
Only read one of these (and it was this year and everything) but quite a few of them are on my "stuff to borrow from the library when the current stack is done" list so likely to feature in next year's challenge.
Could y‘all let me know if „fourth wing“ is sth for someone who never read fantasy before? I mean i just HAVE TO know if the hype is worth it!!!!
I have read 19 of them and in the progress of two of them. I am super proud of myself this year normally I read like two of them.
I got curious from all the comments. I've read only five of these, and have another 5 (or 6?) in my TBR. I don't (usually) read what's considered popular either...
Wow! I've read ZERO titles on this list, but still managed to read 90 books in 2023. I bet if you calculated the LEAST read books from people who participated, a few of mine would be there.
Read 6. Song of Achilles is best in this list. Lessons in Chemistry simply perfect. And main character of Remarkably bright creatures is the most lovable octopus you will ever meet.
Wow! I haven’t read a single one of these! Guess I am catching up on older books that I have in my to read list 🤷♀️
Read 22, but some were last year I think. My 3 faves - every summer after, Fourth Wing, and Remarkably Bright Creatures
I read 12 here, however I read a lot of the lesser known authors...people might be surprised if they widen their scope of reading that there is much beyond the huge bestsellers.
I have read 16 of them from this list, some were from last year though. My favorite was Verity and the Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.
A suggestion. These books are obviously mostly read by women. Goodreads itself has many more women readers than men. (Women in general are more active readers). Lists like these have no appeal to me. Can you create lists of books for and read by men??
































I have read none tho