The definitive answer to ‘What are the top selling books of 2024?’ is revealed in Publishers Weekly’s verified sales data: Kristin Hannah’s The Women leads with 1.5 million copies sold, followed by Sarah J. Maas’ fantasy romance titles and Dav Pilkey’s children’s graphic novels. Despite overall market growth of 6.5% to $14.2 billion, only 29% of top sellers were new releases, with backlist titles dominating 70% of the bestseller list.
| Rank | Title & Author | Copies Sold | Publish Date | Genre |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Women by Kristin Hannah | 1.5M | Feb 6, 2024 | Historical Fiction |
| 2 | A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas | 1.3M | 2015 (Reprint) | Fantasy Romance |
| 3 | The Scarlet Shedder (Dog Man #12) by Dav Pilkey | 1.25M | Mar 19, 2024 | Children’s Graphic |
| 4 | The Housemaid by Freida McFadden | 1.1M | Apr 18, 2023 | Thriller |
| 5 | Atomic Habits by James Clear | 982k | 2018 (Reprint) | Self-Help |
| 6 | It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover | 931k | 2016 (Reprint) | Romance |
| 7 | Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros | 877k | Nov 7, 2023 | Fantasy Romance |
| 8 | Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros | 810k | May 2, 2023 | Fantasy Romance |
| 9 | A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas | 791k | 2016 (Reprint) | Fantasy Romance |
| 10 | It Starts with Us by Colleen Hoover | 757k | Oct 18, 2022 | Romance |
Source: Publishers Weekly/Circana data tracking 85% of US print sales1
Figure 1: Verified 2024 book sales distribution. The Women outsold nearest competitor by 200,000 copies.
Fantasy romance dominates with four titles, while women’s fiction claims three spots. Children’s graphic novels like Dog Man demonstrate remarkable series momentum, with 1.25 million copies sold despite strong competition. Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour Book (1.2 million copies) was excluded from this official list as it was Target-exclusive1.
2024 Book Format Market Performance
The US book market grew 6.5% to $14.2 billion2, but performance varied significantly by format. Hardbacks and digital audio drove growth, capturing 48.4% of trade revenue2. Paperbacks maintained unit sales dominance but grew only modestly (+3.0%), while mass market formats declined sharply (-13.3%). Religious press revenues surged 18.9%2, suggesting thematic resonance with current events.
| Format | Revenue ($B) | YoY Change | Market Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardback | 3.5 | +6.8% | 36.8% |
| Paperback | 3.2 | +3.0% | 33.7% |
| Digital Audio | 1.1 | +23.8% | 11.6% |
| Ebooks | 1.0 | +1.6% | 10.5% |
| Mass Market | 0.12 | -13.3% | 1.3% |
Figure 2: Year-to-date format revenue changes. Digital audio shows strongest growth at 23.8% while paperbacks decline.
Key Market Insights You Need to Know
- Backlist dominance: 70% of top sellers were previously published titles (only 29% new releases)1. Established series benefit from built-in audiences and algorithmic visibility.
- Series advantage: 60% of top 10 titles belonged to established series. Series installments outsold standalone debuts by 27% on average1.
- Format strategy shift: Hardbacks grew revenue 6.8% while paperbacks grew only 3.0%2. Digital audio revenue grew 23.8% to $1.1 billion2.
- BookTok effect: Rebecca Yarros’ books saw 300% sales growth following viral TikTok mentions, demonstrating social media’s powerful influence on book sales.
Verified Bestseller FAQs
What is the #1 bestselling book of 2024?
Kristin Hannah’s The Women is the verified #1 bestselling book of 2024 with 1.5 million copies sold according to Publishers Weekly/Circana data tracking 85% of US print sales. This historical fiction title significantly outsold the #2 title (A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas) by 200,000 copies.
Why do older books dominate the bestseller list?
70% of top sellers were previously published titles. Established series benefit from built-in audiences, algorithmic visibility on retailer sites, and sustained social media promotion. This creates self-reinforcing sales cycles where popular books become even more visible through recommendation algorithms.
How are bestseller rankings calculated?
Publishers Weekly uses Circana’s Point-of-Sale data tracking 85% of US print sales from bookstores, wholesalers, and online retailers. USA TODAY combines print and electronic formats across multiple retailers. Most industry trackers require broad retail distribution, which is why Target-exclusive titles like Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour Book (1.2M copies) don’t appear on Publishers Weekly’s list.
Why is digital audio growing so fast?
Digital audio revenue grew 23.8% to $1.1 billion as commuters adopt audiobooks. The convenience factor aligns with modern multitasking lifestyles, with listeners consuming content during commutes, workouts, and household chores. This growth contrasts with paperback declines (-12.6% in September), highlighting shifting consumer preferences.
How has social media impacted book sales?
BookTok has dramatically reshaped the industry, with Rebecca Yarros’ books seeing 300% sales growth following viral TikTok mentions. The platform has particularly boosted fantasy romance, creating overnight bestsellers from midlist titles. Publishers now actively scout BookTok for emerging trends and collaborate with ‘BookTokers’ during launch campaigns.
Alex Reynolds
Industry analyst specializing in publishing market dynamics. Translates complex industry data into actionable insights for creators and publishers. Known for identifying emerging trends through deep analysis of sales patterns and consumer behavior shifts.
