The 'Shadow and Bone' trilogy by Leigh Bardugo has been extremely popular lately. It has a great blend of magic and a somewhat science - fiction - inspired world - building. 'The Poppy War' by R. F. Kuang is also very well - liked. It has a complex and engaging plot set in a fictional world with some science - fiction - adjacent elements. 'Six of Crows' which is also by Leigh Bardugo and is part of the same universe as 'Shadow and Bone' has been very popular among YA readers for its characters and heist - like story.
One of the very popular ones is 'The Three - Body Problem' by Liu Cixin. It has attracted a large number of readers around the world with its unique and imaginative view of the universe.
Among the most popular are 'Uglies' as it makes you think about beauty standards and society's control over appearance. 'Legend' is popular for its dual - perspective storytelling and the exciting action between the two main characters from different social classes. 'Red Rising' has gained a large following for its gritty and complex world - building on Mars.
I think 'The Testaments' by Margaret Atwood is very popular recently. It's a sequel to 'The Handmaid's Tale' and continues to explore the themes of female oppression and resistance. Also, 'Circe' by Madeline Miller has feminist undertones. It retells the story of the Greek mythological figure Circe, emphasizing her strength and agency as a woman.
One of the popular ones is 'Convenience Store Woman' by Sayaka Murata. It offers a unique perspective on the life of a woman who works in a convenience store and how she doesn't quite fit into the norms of society.
Well, 'I Offer My Heart' by María Dueñas has gained a lot of popularity. It tells an engaging story of love and self - discovery.
In recent years, 'Red Sparrow' has been very popular. It has a unique take on the world of spies with a strong female lead. Another popular one is 'The Night Agent' by Matthew Quirk. It's a fast - paced thriller involving the CIA and lots of action. Also, 'The President's Daughter' by Bill Clinton and James Patterson has elements related to the CIA and has gained quite a bit of attention.
In recent years, 'Red, White & Royal Blue' has been extremely popular. It's a fun and romantic story about the relationship between the son of the US president and a prince. Another popular one is 'The Priory of the Orange Tree' which features LGBT characters and a richly imagined fantasy world.
In recent years, 'The Cartel' series has been quite popular. It gives a modern take on drug cartels which have similarities to mafia organizations in terms of power struggles and illegal activities. 'The Force' by Don Winslow is also a great one. It shows the corruption and power - play within a police force that has some mafia - like elements in its operations.
I'm not sure which are the absolute most popular this year specifically, but 'The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes' by Suzanne Collins has been getting a lot of attention. It's a prequel to 'The Hunger Games' series. Also, new releases in ongoing series like Leigh Bardugo's 'King of Scars' duology might be popular among fans.
One of the most popular cyber science fiction works in recent years is 'Ready Player One'. It presents a virtual world full of challenges and adventures. Another is 'Altered Carbon', which explores concepts like body swapping in a cybernetic future.