In 2016, many of the top fiction reads were popular because they tackled relevant and relatable themes. Take 'When Breath Becomes Air'. It dealt with life, death, and the meaning of living, which are things that many people think about. Also, strong character development in books like 'Commonwealth' made readers care about the characters and their fates, thus increasing the popularity of these reads.
In the case of 'It', Stephen King has a huge fan base already. The story of a terrifying clown preying on children is both a classic horror concept and King was able to create a very immersive world. The characters were well - developed, and the sense of fear and mystery kept readers hooked. Also, the movie adaptation helped bring more attention to the novel.
The plots were a big factor. For example, in 'The Silent Patient', the mystery of why the patient was silent and the slow - burn revelations kept readers on the edge of their seats. Also, the themes in some of these novels were relevant. In 'The Testaments', the exploration of a dystopian society and female empowerment was timely and thought - provoking. Many of these novels also had great writing styles that made the reading experience enjoyable. For instance, Ann Patchett's prose in 'The Dutch House' was elegant and engaging, which added to the novel's popularity.
In the case of 'The Woman in the Window', the popularity came from its genre of psychological thriller. The unreliable narrator, the sense of mystery, and the claustrophobic setting of a woman mostly confined to her home added to the allure. These elements combined with the well - crafted plot twists made it one of the best - selling fiction books in 2018.
For 'Water for Elephants', the unique setting of the circus during the Depression was very appealing. It was a world that many people were curious about. The love story set against this backdrop added an element of romance and adventure, which together made it popular.
For some of the 2018 best - selling fiction novels like 'Educated', its unique and inspiring story was a big draw. It showed the power of education against all odds. People were attracted to Tara Westover's real - life struggle and how she overcame it.
For books like 'Where the Crawdads Sing', its vivid descriptions of nature and the unique story of the protagonist's survival made it popular. The strong sense of place and the mystery elements attracted a wide range of readers.
The 2018 thriller novels were popular because they often had unique and engaging plots. For example, in 'The Woman in the Window', the unreliable narrator aspect was very intriguing. Readers were constantly trying to figure out what was real and what was in her head. Also, the settings in many of these novels were well - crafted. Like in 'The Chalk Man', the small - town setting added a sense of claustrophobia and mystery.
The unique world - building in these novels was a major factor. For example, in 'The Priory of the Orange Tree', the detailed and vast world with different cultures and magic systems fascinated readers.
Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders was among the top reads. It's a very unique novel that combines historical elements with a rather unconventional narrative. Saunders uses a chorus of voices from the dead in a cemetery to tell the story of Abraham Lincoln's grief over his son's death, making it a very moving and original piece of fiction.
Another great 2014 fiction read was 'All the Light We Cannot See' by Anthony Doerr. This novel is set during World War II and weaves together the stories of a blind French girl and a German boy. It's beautifully written, with rich descriptions that really bring the story to life.