The halfway point of 2022 has quickly rounded the corner, meaning it is time to reflect and recalibrate for the remainder of the year. For most readers, there is never enough time to enjoy the vast amount of literature in the spotlight every month, which is why I’ve put together a list of top selling fictional novels from each month of this year. Below you’ll find six spoiler-free descriptions of books that received some of the top sales each month.
January
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid spent 28 weeks on “The New York Times Best Seller” list in January and continues to be in the bookstore spotlight. This historical fiction follows a struggling journalist named Monique as she conducts interviews with the 1960’s Hollywood star Evelyn Hugo about her famous seven marriages.
Through their interviews, Monique learns of Evelyn’s unfortunate upbringing and her rise to fame, along with its relationships, ruthless methodology, and unexpected connections all while unraveling Evelyn’s motivations. Why would the retired star choose her over a more prominent journalist?
This novel contains graphic content including abuse, death, mention of suicide, drugs, and various other topics.
February
By the end of February, Colleen Hoover’s It Ends With Us had spent 35 weeks on “The New York Times Best Sellers” list and earned a 4.5/5 on Goodreads. This romance follows Lily, who grew up in a small town in Maine and pushed through college before starting her own business in Boston. She always works hard for what she wants, which is why she is troubled when she meets neurosurgeon Ryle Kincaid, a love interest not so interested in love.
Lily struggles, as Ryle is not interested in relationships, but eventually weasels herself into his heart. The two build a relationship in which Lily questions Ryle’s previous reluctance while dealing with his soft yet stubborn disposition.
Lily finally captures Ryle’s heart but is burdened with questions about him when her first love Atlas Corrigan reenters her life. Atlas and Lily’s previous love threatens what she has created with Ryle, and she is placed in a difficult position between both lovers.
March
Published the previous month, one of March’s top selling novels was Lucy Foley’s The Paris Apartment, a mystery story following Jess as she stays in her brother Ben’s apartment.
Jess has just left her job under unfortunate circumstances and reaches out to her brother, who reluctantly agrees to let her stay with him until she can get back on her feet. When she shows up in Paris hoping to get a fresh start, she discovers the apartment to not only be more luxurious than she was expecting, but also empty. Ben is no where to be found, leaving Jess full of questions including how he could afford this place.
When she reaches out to his eclectic neighbors, no one is of use. Jess can tell everyone is keeping secrets surrounding her brother’s situation, but no one is willing to share. She realizes these circumstances put her fresh start on the back burner and make Ben’s future a priority.
April
Dolly Parton and James Patterson’s Run, Rose, Run was published on the seventh of March, became a best seller just three weeks later and continued to stay at the top of the charts for the entirety of April.
The novel’s protagonist AnnieLee is a runaway looking to make it big in Nashville with her music and escape her past. On her journey, AnnieLee meets Ruthanna, a retired music icon voiced by Dolly Parton in the audiobook. AnnieLee quickly realizes that the music industry has a dark side, a side that followed her from home and that she may not be able to escape.
May
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens was published in 2018 and by the end of 2019 had sold over 4.5 million copies. This best selling novel features two plots that intertwine over time.
Raised in the wild, Kya Clark is called the “Marsh Girl” of Barkley Cove, a fishing village that rejects Kya for her unorthodox lifestyle and isolation from society. She is automatically named suspect once Chase Andrews is declared dead and struggles to find her way without a traditional upbringing.
Kya begins to yearn for connections and relationships, something she reaches out for in two men from her village who are interested in her unique character. The novel illustrates a unique coming-of-age story interwoven with mystery and violence as the unexpected happens to young Kya.
June
From the same author as It Ends With Us, Verity follows Lowen Ashleigh’s journey into the home of Verity Crawford, a bestselling author whose husband Jeremy is invited to finish the last books started by his now injured and incapable wife. When Lowen finds Verity’s unfinished autobiography full of unthinkable secrets, she chooses to hide it from Jeremy, knowing that it would destroy him and his love for Verity.
Lowen struggles with the possibility of showing Jeremy the book that would ruin his marriage while she develops feelings for him herself. She is left to chose between her own gain and his loss.
This novel contains graphic content such as death, murder, abuse, and sex.
Closing Thoughts
Though there have been numerous bestselling fiction novels so far this year, these are some of the most recognized and recommended novels of 2022. With genres from romance to mystery and coming of age stories, I hope you’ll find a book or author to fall in love with.
Happy reading, and stay curious!
These books and images were listed on “The New York Times Best Sellers” list. Descriptions and photos from Goodreads and The New York Times.