The most read books on Goodreads this week are much the same as they were last week—in fact, the top five are identical. To add a little variety, I’ve included the top five from three different countries across the globe: Puerto Rico, South Africa, and Ukraine. There’s a lot of overlap, but also some notable deviations. For example, the #1 most read book on Goodreads this week in Ukraine is Bunny by Mona Awad, which came out in 2020.
Even the full top 50 most read books this week list is pretty homogenous: almost all of the titles are by white authors, and there are only a few genres represented (mostly romance, fantasy, and thrillers). So, let’s start with a couple new books out this week that should be on your radar, then we’ll get into the most read books.
Two New Books Out This Week You Should Know About
Unfortunately, the most read books on Goodreads tend not to be diverse by any definition of the word. So, here are a couple of new books out this week that deserve wider readership. This both come recommended by Erica Ezeidefi.
 I Got Abducted by Aliens and Now I’m Trapped in a Rom-Com by Kimberly LemmingI finally, finally started reading Lemming’s Mead and Mishaps series, and it is every bit as ridiculous, fun, and spicy as everyone said it was. I expect the same of her latest, just maybe in an updated timeline. Instead of spice farmers and cheesemakers, we follow Dorothy Valentine, who is close to finishing her PhD in wildlife biology when she gets attacked by a lion (!). She’s saved, but it’s only because she gets abducted by aliens (!!). She ends up teaming up with the aforementioned lion—who is cutely named Toto—to escape in a pod, and they crash land on a planet that has dinosaurs. On top of all that, she gets into a sexy adventure with two (two!) aliens, one of whom may be a war criminal. As they traverse the new-to-them planet, Dorothy wonders if she wants to go back home at all, and…I can’t say I blame the good sis. |
 Snowy Day and Other Stories by Lee Chang-dong, translated by Yoosup Chang, Heinz Insu FenklThis is the first story collection by a highly influential literary and cinematic presence in South Korea. It’s stories are similar to Lee Chang-dong’s renowned films (Burning, Secret Sunshine)—they’re unsettling, originally published in the ’80s, and explore injustice and betrayal. In one story, Chang-dong draws from his memory of serving in the South Korean military, and writes of how class differences between a college-educated private and a working-class corporal result in a tragedy. In another, the emotional abuse two brothers inflict on each other encapsulates the feeling of 1980s South Korea. |
The Most Read Books On Goodreads This Week
#5:
 Deep End by Ali HazelwoodAli Hazelwood is one of the most popular authors in the romance genre at the moment—you might recognize her from The Love Hypothesis and the paranormal romance Bride. Her newest is a college romance between a competitive diver and star swimmer. It was read by almost 32,000 Goodreads users this week and has a 4.1 average rating. Puerto Rico: The Fall Risk by Abby Jimenez South Africa: The Crash by Freida McFadden Ukraine: Priest by Sierra Simone |
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#4:
 Iron Flame (The Empyrean, #2) by Rebecca YarrosWhether it’s people rereading the second book to prepare for book three or those new to the series scrambling to catch up, Iron Flame has seen a bump in readers alongside Fourth Wing and Onyx Storm. Almost 34,000 people read it least week, and it has a 4.4 average rating. Puerto Rico: Iron Flame (The Empyrean, #2) by Rebecca Yarros South Africa: Fourth Wing (The Empyrean, #1) by Rebecca Yarros Ukraine: Twisted Love by Ana Huang |
#3:
 Fourth Wing (The Empyrean, #1) by Rebecca YarrosFourth Wing may have slipped down the most read books on Goodreads ranking slightly, but only because book three has taken it over. It’s hard to believe there are still new readers for it to reach, but more than 34,000 users marked this dragon riding academy romantasy book as read this week. It has a 4.6 average rating. Puerto Rico: Deep End by Ali Hazelwood South Africa: Iron Flame (The Empyrean, #2) by Rebecca Yarros Ukraine: The Housemaid by Freida McFadden |
#2:
 The Crash by Freida McFaddenFreida McFadden has quickly become one of the most read authors on Goodreads at the moment, with many titles in the top 50. Her newest thriller is about a pregnant woman who crashes her car during a storm and is taken in by a couple in a remote cabin. It was read by over 39,000 users and has a 3.8 average rating. Puerto Rico: Fourth Wing (The Empyrean, #1) by Rebecca Yarros South Africa: Deep End by Ali Hazelwood Ukraine: Onyx Storm (The Empyrean, #3) by Rebecca Yarros |
#1:
 Onyx Storm (The Empyrean, #3) by Rebecca YarrosFinally, to no one’s surprise, the #1 goes to the newest Empyrean book, which came out January 21st. The question now is whether we’re at peak Empyrean or if the hype will stay alive until the next volume—Yarros has said she hasn’t started book four yet. Onyx Storm was read by almost 98,000 Goodreads users this week and has a 4.3 average rating. Puerto Rico: Onyx Storm (The Empyrean, #3) by Rebecca Yarros South Africa: Onyx Storm (The Empyrean, #3) by Rebecca Yarros Ukraine: Bunny by Mona Awad |
If you’re looking for more buzzy books, check out The Bestselling Books of the Week, According to All the Lists.
Find more news and stories of interest from the book world in Breaking in Books.
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