In 2026, several books achieved the coveted number-one spot on The New York Times Best Sellers lists. Here's an overview of some notable titles: 

Fiction:"The Widow" by John Grisham – A legal thriller from one of the most commercially successful American novelists, this title reached number one on the fiction list in 2026."The Housemaid" by Freida McFadden – This psychological thriller continued McFadden’s strong run on the best-seller lists, reaching the top spot in 2026."Theo of Golden" by Allen Levi – A widely read inspirational novel, this book reached number one and appeared more than once at the top of the 2026 fiction rankings.

Nonfiction:"The Look" by Michelle Obama with Meredith Koop – A nonfiction title from the former First Lady, this book reached number one on the nonfiction list in 2026."Strangers" by Belle Burden – A memoir that became one of the notable nonfiction best sellers of the year, reaching the top spot on the list."Nobody’s Girl" by Virginia Roberts Giuffre – This memoir reached number one on the nonfiction list and became one of the prominent nonfiction titles of 2026.

If you're wondering, what are the best books to read in 2025? We'd recommend checking out the latest New York Times Bestsellers, as well as the Amazon Bestsellers. 

In 2025, several books stood out as the year’s most acclaimed and widely recommended reads. Here’s an overview of some notable titles:

Fiction:"The Emperor of Gladness" by Ocean Vuong – A literary novel exploring loneliness, family, and human connection, praised for its lyrical prose and emotional depth."Dream Count" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie – A sweeping novel about love, identity, and friendship that marked Adichie’s highly anticipated return to fiction."Wild Dark Shore" by Charlotte McConaghy – A literary thriller set on a remote island, combining environmental themes with family drama and suspense."Atmosphere" by Taylor Jenkins Reid – A historical novel centered on NASA’s space shuttle era, blending ambition, romance, and personal discovery."Great Big Beautiful Life" by Emily Henry – A contemporary novel that became a favorite among readers for its blend of romance, family secrets, and humor.

Nonfiction:"Careless People" by Sarah Wynn-Williams – A memoir offering an insider’s account of life inside one of the world’s most influential technology companies."Everything Is Tuberculosis" by John Green – A compelling exploration of the history, science, and global impact of one of humanity’s deadliest diseases."Abundance" by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson – A widely discussed book examining how governments and institutions can build more effectively to address modern challenges."The Let Them Theory" by Mel Robbins – A self-help book focused on reducing stress and improving relationships by letting go of the need to control others."Source Code" by Bill Gates – The Microsoft co-founder’s memoir, reflecting on his early life, influences, and the beginnings of his career in technology.

If you're curious about the current best-selling fiction books, today's top titles include:

"The Ballad of Falling Dragons" by Sarah A. Parker – A fantasy novel and the second book in the Moonfall series, it currently holds one of the top positions on major bestseller lists and has become a standout hit among fantasy readers.

"Ironwood" by Michael Connelly – A crime thriller from the bestselling author of the Bosch novels, this book has been one of the strongest-selling fiction releases of the year.

"Yesteryear" by Caro Claire Burke – A historical fiction novel that has spent time near the top of bestseller rankings and gained attention through book-club and literary-fiction audiences.

"Hope Rises" by David Baldacci – A suspense novel that recently reached the number-one position on major fiction bestseller lists, continuing Baldacci’s long-running commercial success.

"The Correspondent" by Virginia Evans – A literary novel that became a surprise bestseller, spending multiple weeks at the top of fiction rankings and earning strong critical acclaim.

If you're curious about the current Amazon best-selling books, the top titles include:

Fiction: "The Ballad of Falling Dragons" by Sarah A. Parker – A fantasy novel that currently holds one of the top positions on major bestseller lists, driven by strong demand among fantasy and romantasy readers."Ironwood" by Michael Connelly – A crime thriller from the bestselling author of the Bosch series, ranking among the strongest-selling fiction releases of the month."Yesteryear" by Caro Claire Burke – A historical fiction novel that has remained near the top of bestseller charts and gained additional attention through book-club selections."Tom Clancy: Rules of Engagement" by Ward Larsen – A military thriller that has become one of the month’s leading fiction sellers.

Nonfiction: "Liar’s Kingdom" by Andrew Weissmann – A political nonfiction title that currently leads several hardcover nonfiction rankings."Strangers" by Belle Burden – A memoir that has become one of the most discussed nonfiction books of the month."The Joy of Money" by Carrie Joy Grimes – A personal finance book that continues to perform strongly among nonfiction readers."Famesick" by Lena Dunham – A memoir that debuted strongly and remains among the month’s top-selling nonfiction releases.

Paperback and Cross-Category Best Sellers: "Theo of Golden" by Allen Levi – One of the strongest-selling paperback titles, maintaining a leading position on bestseller lists."The Housemaid" by Freida McFadden – A psychological thriller that continues to sell heavily on Amazon and remains one of the platform’s most visible fiction titles."The Let Them Theory" by Mel Robbins – A self-help book that has remained one of Amazon’s most consistently purchased nonfiction titles."The Correspondent" by Virginia Evans – A literary novel that has become a breakout bestseller with strong reader reviews and sustained sales momentum.

You can get free audiobooks on Audible through several methods. New members receive a free audiobook with their trial membership. Audible Plus subscribers get access to thousands of included titles in the Plus Catalog. Prime members occasionally receive special free audiobook offers, and there are regular promotions offering free content. Additionally, you can find free classics and other promotional titles in the Audible store.

The best Audible audiobooks are determined by listener ratings and reviews. Top-rated books span multiple genres, from self-help to fantasy. Many of these highly-rated titles are available through the Plus Catalog, while others are worth using your monthly credits on. The most popular audiobooks often feature professional narration and full-cast performances.

Top fiction audiobooks on Audible include timeless classics like "The Great Gatsby" and modern favorites like Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. These consistently rank among the highest-rated titles, with Jim Dale's narration of the Harry Potter series being particularly celebrated. The Plus Catalog includes both contemporary fiction and classics.

Recent bestselling memoirs on Audible include "Spare" by Prince Harry and "I'm Glad My Mom Died" by Jennette McCurdy. David Goggins' "Never Finished" has also maintained high ratings, especially among self-development listeners. These author-narrated autobiographies consistently rank among the most downloaded titles.

Top self-help titles on Audible include "Atomic Habits" and David Goggins' motivational works. The Plus Catalog features numerous highly-rated self-development books, particularly in categories like motivation, personal growth, and business success. Many of these titles rank among Audible's all-time bestsellers.

Science fiction fans on Audible highly rate both classic novels and new releases in the genre. The Plus Catalog includes popular sci-fi series and standalone titles. Notable entries include post-apocalyptic fiction, space operas, and time travel stories. Many sci-fi audiobooks feature full-cast performances or acclaimed narrators, elevating the listening experience.

If you're wondering what are the good books to read in 2026? We recommend checking out a variety of exciting best-selling books. 

Fiction:"The Ballad of Falling Dragons" by Sarah A. Parker – A fantasy novel that became a breakout hit among fantasy and romantasy readers, praised for its world-building and emotional storytelling."Ironwood" by Michael Connelly – A crime thriller that continued Connelly's reputation for tightly plotted mysteries and compelling characters."Yesteryear" by Caro Claire Burke – A historical novel that earned attention for its vivid setting and character-driven narrative."The Correspondent" by Virginia Evans – A literary novel that gained strong word-of-mouth recommendations and critical acclaim."Hope Rises" by David Baldacci – A suspense novel that became one of the year's most popular mainstream fiction releases.

Nonfiction:"Strangers" by Belle Burden – A memoir exploring identity, relationships, and personal transformation that resonated with many readers."Famesick" by Lena Dunham – A candid memoir examining fame, creativity, and self-discovery."Liar's Kingdom" by Andrew Weissmann – A political nonfiction book focused on misinformation, power, and contemporary American public life."The Joy of Money" by Carrie Joy Grimes – A practical personal-finance guide that became a popular recommendation among readers looking to improve their financial habits."The Look" by Michelle Obama with Meredith Koop – A memoir and style-focused reflection that attracted widespread interest and strong sales.

If you're wondering what the best new fiction to read in 2025 is, we recommend checking out a variety of exciting best-selling fiction books. 

"The Emperor of Gladness" by Ocean Vuong – A literary novel about friendship, loneliness, and healing that earned widespread praise for its emotional depth and lyrical writing.

"Dream Count" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie – A sweeping novel exploring love, identity, migration, and female friendship, marking Adichie’s highly anticipated return to fiction.

"Great Big Beautiful Life" by Emily Henry – A bestselling contemporary novel combining romance, family secrets, and humor, making it one of the year’s most popular mainstream releases.

"Heartwood" by Amity Gaige – A literary thriller praised for its suspense, psychological depth, and strong critical reception.

"The Buffalo Hunter Hunter" by Stephen Graham Jones – A horror novel blending historical fiction and supernatural elements that appeared on numerous year-end best-of lists.

"The Director" by Daniel Kehlmann – A historical novel centered on filmmaker G.W. Pabst, widely praised for its ambition, intelligence, and exploration of art during political upheaval.

"Heart the Lover" by Lily King – A literary novel about love, memory, and second chances that became one of the most critically admired fiction releases of the year. 

The New York Times bestseller list updates weekly, featuring the most popular books across multiple categories. Current bestselling authors like Colleen Hoover and James Patterson frequently appear on these lists. The rankings reflect both print and digital sales from thousands of retailers nationwide.

A New York Times bestseller achieves this status through strong sales reported by a diverse range of booksellers. Contemporary authors like Kristin Hannah and Harlan Coben reach these lists through a combination of pre-orders, first-week sales, and sustained reader interest. Rankings consider both physical and digital book sales.

Regular fixtures on the NYT bestseller list include prolific authors like Nora Roberts and David Baldacci. Newer sensations like Colleen Hoover have joined established names like Michael Connelly in achieving consistent bestseller status. Jodi Picoult and Elin Hilderbrand also frequently appear with their new releases.

The New York Times bestseller list spans multiple genres. Thriller authors like James Patterson and Harlan Coben consistently perform well. Contemporary fiction from writers like Kristin Hannah and romance from Colleen Hoover are also regular chart-toppers. Mystery novels from authors like David Baldacci frequently appear.

The NYT maintains separate lists for fiction and nonfiction, both hardcover and paperback. Authors like Elin Hilderbrand might appear on the fiction list while Stephen King could simultaneously rank in multiple categories. Each list tracks the most successful books in its category.

Instant bestsellers achieve high sales immediately upon release, common with authors like Nora Roberts and Michael Connelly. Long-term bestsellers maintain sales over time through sustained reader interest. Some books, like those from Stephen King, manage both immediate and lasting success.

The best place to find discounted books online is Amazon, where daily deals feature bestsellers at significantly reduced prices. Many New York Times bestselling authors have their books regularly discounted, including works by James Patterson and Nora Roberts. While several online retailers offer sales, Amazon consistently provides competitive prices on both new releases and backlist titles. Look for special promotions during major shopping events for the deepest discounts on popular books.