Booksology Well, so far, the most read books on Goodreads in 2025 are very similar to the most read books in 2024. Before you scroll down, try to guess which three authors have titles in the top five. If you’ve been following this series, you’ll definitely get them all.
Since these are well-known titles, we also included the most read books in three countries around the world. This time, we’re looking at the reading habits of Goodreads users in Brazil, Indonesia, and Norway. Although there is some overlap with the global list, there are also titles that are uniquely popular in each country, including some that are not available in English. The Portuguese book Ainda estou aqui by Marcelo Rubens Paiva is one of the most popular titles in Brazil. at the moment.
As always, Goodreads’ global list of most popular books doesn’t include many authors of color. Approximately 98% of the authors of books on the top 50 list are white. (In this context, I recommend reading about “The Unbearable Whiteness of Goodreads Choice Awards.”) At the end of this list, I’ve listed two great books by BIPOC authors that were released this week. , if you want recommendations in your inbox every week, sign up for Book Riot’s In Reading Color newsletter.
#5:
A Courtyard of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. MaasThree of this week’s top five books are from the Romantasy series. Sarah J. Maas may only be #5 on this list, but she has 12 titles in the top 50. Courtyard of thorns and roses Read by over 20,000 people this week and currently has 3.4 million ratings on Goodreads with an average rating of 4.2. Brazil: I’m still here by Marcelo Rubens Paiva Indonesia: Animal Farm by George Orwell Norway: A Courtyard of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas |
#4:
 “The Boyfriend” Frieda McFaddenFrieda McFadden is the reigning queen of the thriller world, with two titles in the top five this week. This is her latest title. It has over 28,000 readers on Goodreads with an average rating of 4.0. Brazil: Emily Henry’s funny story Indonesia: The sea tells a story (the sea speaks its name) Written by Leila S. Chudori Norway: “The Housemaid” Frieda McFadden |
#3:
 “The Housemaid” Frieda McFaddenThis is the first book in Frieda McFadden’s Housemaid series, followed by The Housemaid’s Secrets and The Housemaid is Watching. It was read by about 32,000 Goodreads users this week, with an average rating of 4.3. Brazil: “Forth Wing” by Rebecca Yaros Indonesia: “White Nights” by Fyodor Dostoyevsky Norway: iron frame rebecca yaros |
#2:
 iron frame rebecca yarosRebecca Yarosz earned two of this week’s top five spots in the Empyrean series. The third book, Onyx Storm, will be released on January 21st. iron flameThe second book in the series was read by over 32,000 people this week with an average rating of 4.4. Brazil: “The Housemaid” Frieda McFadden Indonesia: Yellowface by RF Kuang Norway: “Shining Brightly” by Ingvild H. Richoi |
#1:
 “Forth Wing” by Rebecca YarosThe most read books on Goodreads this week were: 4th wingthe first book in the Empyrean series. This romantic series about a dragon riding academy is one of the most popular in the genre. 4th wing Read by over 46,000 people this week with an average rating of 4.6. Brazil: “Head of the Saint” by Socorro Acholi Indonesia: Days at Morisaki Shoten by Satoshi Yagisawa Norway: “Forth Wing” by Rebecca Yaros |
Two new books coming out this week that 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 two new books coming out this week that deserve to be read by a wider audience.
 Home Seeking by Carissa ChenThis book starts with a buzz about 2025. In it, Suu Kyi and Hai Wen’s childhood friendship sweetens into teenage love in 1940s Shanghai, and their futures seem to unfold in parallel. But then their shared future becomes rift when Hywen secretly joins the military to protect his brother from conscription. Their lives diverged over the decades, except for one day when Hywen looked up and saw Suchi while grocery shopping in Los Angeles. They feel like they have a second chance at what they were meant to be, but everything in their lives weighs heavily on them, and they wonder if they will be able to create something new and worthwhile. It’s not clear. —Erica Eseifedi |
 “The Unexpected Diva” by Tiffany L. WarrenOpera singer Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield has performed on famous stages, including at Buckingham Palace. Although Eliza was born a slave, she was adopted by a wealthy woman who raised her in a Quaker community asylum and led a relatively charmed life. But then her mother dies and her white cousins compete for her inheritance, leaving her with few options. Her mother always wanted her to pursue her musical talent. Her performance in Steamboat Buffalo set her on the path to stardom, and she jumped at the chance. But for an educated, free black woman, even fame and success are not enough to convince those around her that she deserves the great life she builds for herself. —Rachel Brittain |
If you’re looking for more trending books, check out this week’s bestselling books with a complete list.
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