How Long Are The Top Selling Books 2023?

I've been keeping an eye on the bestsellers this year, and the length of top-selling books in 2023 varies quite a bit. For instance, 'Fourth Wing' by Rebecca Yarros, a fantasy romance that took BookTok by storm, sits around 500 pages. On the other hand, 'Happy Place' by Emily Henry, a contemporary romance, is a bit shorter at roughly 400 pages. Thrillers like 'The Housemaid’s Secret' by Freida McFadden tend to be fast-paced and often land in the 300-350 page range. Meanwhile, massive epics like 'The Will of the Many' by James Islington stretch beyond 600 pages, catering to readers who love immersive, lengthy reads.

Interestingly, non-fiction hits like 'Atomic Habits' by James Clear are usually more concise, often under 300 pages, focusing on delivering actionable insights without fluff. It’s clear that 2023’s top sellers reflect diverse preferences—some readers crave thick, sprawling narratives, while others prefer tight, punchy stories.

This year’s bestsellers show that page counts are as varied as the genres themselves. Take 'The House in the Pines' by Ana Reyes—a psychological thriller that’s lean at under 300 pages, perfect for a single-sitting read. Then there’s 'The Wishing Game' by Meg Shaffer, a heartwarming middle-grade crossover that’s around 320 pages, offering depth without overwhelming younger readers. Even in YA, like 'Divine Rivals' by Rebecca Ross, the trend leans toward 350-400 pages, blending rich storytelling with approachable length.

On the flip side, historical fiction like 'The Secret Book of Flora Lea' by Patti Callahan Henry stretches to 400+ pages, weaving intricate pasts and presents. Cookbooks and lifestyle titles, such as 'Magnolia Table, Volume 3' by Joanna Gaines, often exceed 300 pages but are designed for dipping in and out. The diversity in length reflects how readers’ habits have evolved—some want quick escapes, while others seek tomes to savor. Notably, graphic novels like 'Heartstopper: Volume 5' by Alice Oseman prove impactful storytelling can happen in under 200 pages, visuals doing heavy lifting. It’s a reminder that in 2023, storytelling thrives at every length.

As someone who devours bestsellers the moment they hit the shelves, I’ve noticed 2023’s top-selling books span a wide range of lengths. Fantasy and sci-fi dominate the longer end, with titles like 'Tress of the Emerald Sea' by Brandon Sanderson clocking in at nearly 400 pages, while 'Hell Bent' by Leigh Bardugo pushes past 500. These books often build intricate worlds, justifying their heft. In contrast, romance and contemporary fiction, like 'Yours Truly' by Abby Jimenez or 'Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow' by Gabrielle Zevin, typically run between 300-450 pages—long enough for deep character arcs but concise enough to binge in a weekend.

Thrillers and mysteries, such as 'The Only One Left' by Riley Sager, often hover around 350 pages, balancing suspense with brevity. Non-fiction bestsellers, like 'Outlive' by Peter Attia, vary widely; some are dense at 400+ pages, while others, like 'Build the Life You Want' by Arthur Brooks, are streamlined under 250. Even within genres, outliers exist—Colleen Hoover’s 'It Starts with Us,' a sequel, is relatively short at 300 pages, proving emotional impact doesn’t always require length.

What fascinates me is how audiobook adaptations influence this. Longer books, like 'The Covenant of Water' by Abraham Verghese (700+ pages), gain traction as immersive listens, while shorter self-help books thrive in digestible formats. The takeaway? There’s no magic page count for success—just compelling stories, whether they’re slim or doorstoppers.