How Do Critics Review The Latest Best Sellers Books Today?

As someone who keeps a close eye on the literary world, I’ve been absolutely captivated by the latest NYT bestsellers for 2023. One standout is 'The Covenant of Water' by Abraham Verghese, a sweeping multigenerational saga that’s both heart-wrenching and beautifully written. Another favorite is 'Yellowface' by R.F. Kuang, a sharp and satirical take on the publishing industry that’s impossible to put down. For thriller fans, 'The Only One Left' by Riley Sager delivers chills and twists in equal measure. And let’s not forget 'Happy Place' by Emily Henry, a romantic novel that’s as witty as it is heartfelt. These books are dominating the charts for good reason—they’re masterfully crafted and utterly compelling.

there are some real gems topping the charts. 'Happy Place' by Emily Henry is currently dominating with its heartfelt story about rekindling love and nostalgia. 'Yellowface' by R.F. Kuang has also made waves, blending romance with a gripping narrative. Colleen Hoover's 'It Starts with Us' continues to be a fan favorite, thanks to its emotional depth and relatable characters. For those who enjoy historical romance, 'The Duchess Deal' by Tessa Dare offers a delightful mix of wit and passion. These books are not just popular; they resonate deeply with readers, making them must-reads for any romance lover.

the genre is exploding with fresh titles. 'Project Hail Mary' by Andy Weir is a standout, blending hard science with heartwarming camaraderie. It’s like 'The Martian' but with even more interstellar intrigue. Then there’s 'The Ministry for the Future' by Kim Stanley Robinson, a chillingly plausible take on climate change and geopolitics. For something more action-packed, 'Leviathan Wakes' by James S.A. Corey (the basis for 'The Expanse' series) never fails to deliver epic space opera vibes. I also adore 'Klara and the Sun' by Kazuo Ishiguro—a quieter, poignant exploration of AI and humanity. These books are dominating shelves for good reason.

I get a thrill every month scrolling through the big bestseller roundups — it's like window-shopping the world's reading habits. Right now, the names that keep popping up across the New York Times, Amazon, Publishers Weekly, and indie lists are a mix of reliably huge sellers and a few breakout sensations. On the fiction side you'll see Colleen Hoover turning up constantly thanks to viral buzz from social platforms with titles like "It Ends with Us" and newer releases that keep resurging. Contemporary voices like Taylor Jenkins Reid also remain near the top because her storytelling (think "Daisy Jones & The Six") keeps finding new readers through book clubs. At the same time, genre heavyweights are holding ground: Rebecca Yarros made a big splash with "Fourth Wing" and similar fantasy titles are still doing well, while thriller and crime readers keep James Patterson, Stephen King, and Jane Harper high on charts. Nonfiction isn't being left out — celebrity memoirs and notable memoirists such as Michelle Obama with "The Light We Carry" or other high-profile figures often dominate nonfiction lists. Finally, literary prize winners and celebrated novelists like Kazuo Ishiguro or Colson Whitehead sometimes reappear when new works or reissues come out. If you're trying to follow who’s truly topping charts this month, I check multiple sources: the New York Times bestseller lists (they have separate categories for hardcover, paperback, and combined), Amazon’s Top 100, Publishers Weekly, and IndieBound for what independent bookstores are selling. Also, audiobook charts on Audible can show different trends. Honestly, the fun part is seeing a debut author shoot up a list overnight — that’s why I like watching both mainstream lists and niche communities. If you tell me the genre you care about, I can highlight the most likely chart-toppers from that corner and recommend a couple of reads I’d actually buy and lend to friends.

I still remember the first time I realized how different the audiobook world can be from print best-seller lists: I was stuck in traffic with a stubborn toddler and a long commute, and the narrator of "Where the Crawdads Sing" had me sobbing in a minivan. That moment made it obvious—some best sellers absolutely dominate both print and audio, especially when a powerful narrator or a celebrity voice is involved. But they don’t always match one-to-one. Big publishers usually produce audio versions for major releases, so you'll often see the same titles at the top of Audible or Libro.fm charts, yet there are surprising exceptions where a quieter indie title becomes an audio darling because of an unforgettable performance. Genre matters a lot. Thrillers, memoirs, and celebrity books often leap into audiobook popularity because people want to hear the voice—real or performed. Self-help and business bestsellers like "Atomic Habits" also do well in audio because listeners consume them while multitasking. On the flip side, literary novels that people prize on paper for prose richness sometimes underperform in audio if the narration doesn't capture the style. Libraries and subscription services have blurred these lines further: heavy borrowing can push some titles into audio prominence without them topping traditional sales charts. My practical tip? Listen to a sample—narration can make or break whether a best seller feels worth your time.

I still get this excited-squeal feeling walking into bookstores, so here's what I actually check when I want the latest best sellers now. Big national chains are usually the safest bet: Barnes & Noble in the US, Waterstones in the UK, Indigo in Canada, and Books-A-Million tend to stock newly released best sellers right on their front tables the week a book drops. They get big shipments, display hardcover first editions, and often have staff picks and promotional displays for whoever’s climbed the charts on the "New York Times Best Sellers" list. If you prefer something with a curated vibe, I love popping into independent stores—those little shops often carry best sellers, but they also surprise you with signed copies or indie press picks. Use Bookshop.org to find local indies that will ship the same-day or let you reserve a copy. Airport and train-station stores like Hudson News also carry mainstream best sellers if you’re traveling and need something last minute. Practical tip from my own book-hunting: always check the store’s website inventory or call ahead. Many shops will hold a copy for you or accept pre-orders (I once snagged a signed slipcase edition by ordering through a tiny shop that had preorders). If a physical stock is slim, audiobooks and e-books via services like Libby, Audible, or your vendor’s online store are instant satisfactions while you wait for a paper copy. Happy hunting—I’ll probably be in the new releases aisle if you want recommendations.

I get asked this all the time when I’m scrolling book charts and muttering about discoverability—short version: yes, indie titles absolutely show up on best-seller lists, but where and how depends a lot on which list you’re looking at. From my experience poking through Amazon Kindle charts, publisher newsletters, and the occasional bookstore display, indie and self-published books often rise fastest on retailer-driven lists like Amazon’s genre best-sellers or Kobo’s charts. Big outliers like "Wool" or "The Martian" started independently and blasted up those kinds of charts before they crossed over into mainstream attention. The New York Times and some other curated lists are slower and have their own reporting rules and categories, so an indie book might need concentrated sales, broad distribution, or special reporting by bookstores to be eligible. USA Today tends to be more sales-inclusive, so indie titles can and do show up there if the numbers add up. If you’re a reader wanting to find hidden gems, I’d check both retailer charts and indie-focused newsletters or blogs. If you’re an author aiming for a list, focus on building preorders, making sure sales are reported by stores that feed the list you’re targeting, and cultivating a strong launch community—BookTok, newsletter readers, and local indie bookstore support can move the needle. I love seeing small-press and self-pub books climb; it keeps the shelves spicy and unpredictable, and it usually means more weird, brilliant stories for the rest of us to discover.

I get such a kick out of hunting down what’s hot on the bestseller lists — it’s like following a TV show where every episode is a new release week. I can’t pull up real-time 2025 bestseller charts for you right now, but I can tell you exactly how I track which 2025 novels land on the big lists and where to check. Start with the obvious: peek at the "New York Times Best Seller" page, "Amazon Charts", "Publishers Weekly" and "USA Today" weekly lists. Those are where a lot of new 2025 novels will show up first. I also watch library hold counts and IndieBound’s indie-bookstore lists — they’re fantastic for spotting grassroots hits that aren’t yet splashed across mainstream media. For pop-culture buzz, BookTok and bookstagram reels can blow up an obscure title overnight, so I follow a handful of creators who post consistent roundups. If you want to be proactive, subscribe to publisher newsletters (I get at least three weekly emails) and set Google Alerts for "2025 new novel" plus names of authors you love. Preorder rankings on Amazon often foreshadow the first-week bestsellers, too. If you want, tell me a genre you care about and I’ll suggest which feeds and store charts to watch most closely.