Welcome friend! I frequently read articles on Goodreads and have come to quite enjoy them. In October, they shared Eight Beloved Books from Each of the Past 10 Years, highlighting the 8 most read books from 2014-2023. This is not a straight list of each year’s most popular books but rather “a representative collection” of the books that Goodreads members were reading or possibly rereading and recommending at that time.
I love data analysis opportunities so I thought I would use Goodreads’ framework in a new TBR Tales. Since this isn’t a straightforward listicle like theirs – I obviously wanted to infuse some reflection – I have broken it down into 5 years chunks. Today, we will look at 2014-2018 and tomorrow, we will visit 2019-2023. I love the timing of this analysis because it lets me see myself as the reader I have become since I moved to Canada and the books from all these years. Each article will talk about:
- The top representative 8 books for each year according to Goodreads – what are these books? What kind of stories from this year are most read by readers?
- Which of the top 8 I have read and if I believe them to be as exceptional as this list sounds? I am interested to show how my tastes differ from the reading community at large as well as find gaps (because there are) when I didn’t read any of the popular books.
- Which of the books from that year are on my TBR?
If you are curious, the original article linked above has links to dive into each individual year of publication and investigate the top 200 most read books from that year. I will be focusing on the 8 books sampled by the article. Let’s begin in 2014.
Books Published in 2014
I love starting in 2014 because it is the year I moved to Canada and there are a few firsts associated with the books published this year.
Goodreads highlights critically acclaimed works of historical fiction (All the Light We Cannot See), domestic drama (Big Little Lies) as well as personal narratives (Everything I Never Told You). Post-apocalyptic and dystopian themes resonate in Station Eleven and Red Rising, offering speculative glimpses into humanity’s resilience and flaws. Ugly Love and To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before explore romance and relationships from adult and young adult perspectives. I love that a nonfiction work, The Body Keeps the Score, a groundbreaking nonfiction book on trauma, stands out from 2014. Interestingly, four of these books have since been adapted into TV series.
I have read four out of the eight. Station Eleven (2020) was my first dystopian novel, a book discussion with Ariel during the pandemic. The photo I took of this book is brilliant! Big Little Lies (2020) gave me company when I needed to get lost in a thriller. Everything I Never Told You (2019) was emotional and I’d love to revisit it. To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before (2014) is extra special because it is one of the first books I bought in Canada. Browsing the top 200 list for this year led me to rediscover Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult, which I listened to as my first audiobook in 2018. Its story and format make it unforgettable.
Looking ahead, I want to finally dive into All the Light We Cannot See and The Paper Magician, two books that promise to enrich my reading journey.
Books Published in 2015
2015 was a year of standout books and Goodreads highlights a range of genres from gripping thrillers (The Girl on the Train, Pretty Girls) to poignant historical fiction such as The Nightingale. A lot of fantasy was published this year including Six of Crows, A Darker Shade of Magic, and The Fifth Season, each delivering unique worlds and unforgettable characters. A lot of people I know have adored the raw emotional exploration in A Little Life. 2014 is when Before the Coffee Gets Cold started charming readers through its time-traveling café adventures.
I have read three of the eight books. The Nightingale (2021) was a beautiful depiction of the relationship between two sisters during the Second World War. It’s a book I recommend for book clubs as Charlie and I had a great discussion about it. The Girl on the Train (2017) was a page-turner. I started reading Before the coffee gets cold series in 2021 and still return to it. Book 5 just came out in September. It is lovely to see a Japanese series continue to be translated into English a decade later.
The 200 list reminded me of some favorites. Elizabeth Gilbert’s Big Magic: Creative living beyond fear (2021) has been a great influence in how I pursue creativity. My Heart and Other Black Holes (2020) by Jasmine Warga was a rare YA novel that left a lasting impression on me. Lastly, The Murmur of Bees by Sofia Segovia is another translated book, made for buddy reading.
On my TBR from 2015 are A Darker Shade of Magic and The Fifth Season, both the first in series that Ariel has loved. I’m looking forward to exploring these highly praised fantasy worlds.
Books Published in 2016
2016 offers a mix of emotional narratives, speculative fiction and nonfiction. There are stories of complex relationships (It Ends with Us – now a movie), alternate realities (Dark Matter), legacy of apartheid (Born A Crime), slavery (Homegoing), historical events (A Gentleman in Moscow, The Underground Railroad), resilience (When Breath Becomes Air) and a fresh look at life’s challenges (The Subtle Art Of Not Giving A F*ck).
I have read three of the eight books. Dark Matter (2016) brings back memories of an evening at my husband’s when we were early in our dating. He was hosting a Magic the Gathering game night while I was frustrated with how Dark Matter’s finale was turning out. We recently watched the TV series and it was really well done, I would say better than the book. Mark Manson’s The Subtle Art Of Not Giving A F*ck gave me much to reflect on and I have read it twice since 2018. Born A Crime was educational and fun, and it sparked comparisons to my Indian upbringing.
The 200 list features a recent favorite of mine, Amber Smith’s The Way I Used to Be. This YA series tugged at my heartstrings. On my TBR, I have Scythe by Neal Shusterman, the first book in another popular YA series. I recently found The Underground Railroad and When Breath Becomes Air at my Little Free Library.
Books Published in 2017
So many of the titles from 2017 are still being read. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo continues to captivate readers with its old-Hollywood glamour and complex protagonist. The Hate U Give explored race, justice, and activism. Family dramas, urban (Little Fires Everywhere) and historical (Pachinko, Before We Were Yours) feature on the list. Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine is another one I have heard a lot about, a heartfelt story about loneliness and self-discovery. There is also The Alice Network features female spies, and If We Were Villains gave a dark academic twist to Shakespearean drama.
Of these, I’ve only read one—Little Fires Everywhere in 2019. I quite enjoyed the TV series too though I don’t remember how true it was to the book. Definitely on my list to reread.
What the top eight do not include is one of my absolute favorite books – Strange the Dreamer by Liani Taylor. This fantasy novel holds a special place in my heart for its lyrical prose and imaginative world and sincere characters. So many of my writer friends have adored this book and it’s one I want to memorize by heart. I love it so much.
Considering I have read so few, how many of the eight are on my TBR? Four! The Seven Husbands Of Evelyn Hugo was gifted to me by a friend, and historical fictions Pachinko, Before We Were Yours and The Alice Network are stories I want to read. With Pachinko recently adapted into a TV series, I hope to read it before diving into the show.
Finally, 2017 saw the release of Katherine Arden’s The Bear and the Nightingale, the start of a popular fantasy series. It’s another title I hope to binge-read one day.
Books Published in 2018
So many of the books highlighted by Goodreads were featured repeatedly on bookstagram. Delia Owens’ Where the Crawdads Sing with its blend of mystery and coming-of-age storytelling, Tara Westover’s powerful memoir Educated about resilience and self-discovery, and Michelle Obama’s Becoming inspired millions with her candid reflections on life as the First Lady and beyond. Madeline Miller’s Circe reimagined Greek mythology with a feminist lens, and Sally Rooney’s Normal People explored the complexities of love and connection. It has been adapted for TV since. 2018 was the year Alice Oseman’s Heartstopper came out. This book about queer love and identity has over 700k ratings on Goodreads and the sixth volume is highly anticipated. Heather Morris’ The Tattooist of Auschwitz brought untold stories from World War II to light. James Clear’s Atomic Habits offered actionable insights for personal growth, becoming a cornerstone for the self-help genre.
Of the eight highlighted books, I have read two books. Atomic Habits (2019) remains the most impactful habit-forming book I have ever read. I wish I had highlights and not just a few paragraphs of Goodreads review to refer to. Add to the reread list… Educated (2020) was a thought-provoking discussion with Ariel.
From the top 200 list, Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi stands out as a special memory for me. It is the first book I ever reviewed as a book blogger on Armed with A Book. Though I did not read Where the Crawdads Sing, I have watched the movie.
On the TBR from 2018, I have Circe, The Tattooist of Auschwitz and Foundryside by Robert Jackson Bennett.
Final Reflections and Invitations
This brings us to the end of the first half of this article! What do you think so far?
Looking back at 2014-2018, I’m struck by how many books highlighted by Goodreads have been adapted into TV series or movies, reaching even broader audiences.
I see a number of authors who are still popular today. I may not have read them but I know how much Sally Rooney, Kate Quinn, Taylor Jenkkins Reid, Colleen Hoover, and Leigh Bardugo have captured readers, becoming auto-buy authors for many.
This exercise has also been a reminder of how my reading journey has evolved. From rediscovering books that have shaped me, like Freshwater and Atomic Habits, to identifying gaps in my reading, like All the Light We Cannot See and Circe, I’m inspired to revisit old favorites and finally tackle long-awaited TBR titles.
As I prepare for Part 2, I can’t help but reflect on 2019—an especially significant year for me, as it marked the beginning of Armed with A Book! Starting the blog gave me a platform to deepen my connection with the books I love, share my thoughts with a community of readers, continue to grow as a reader and writer, and connect with authors and publishers.
Stay tuned for Part 2, where we’ll dive into 2019-2023 and explore how blogging, buddy reads, and access to advanced copies influenced my journey. Let’s see what we uncover.
About TBR Tales
Dive into the world of TBR Tales, where the journey through the to-be-read pile becomes a rich narrative of literary exploration. Join me as I navigate the pages of books, reflecting on the joys, challenges, and unexpected treasures found along the way. From rediscovering old favorites to embracing new genres, TBR Tales is a celebration of the reader’s life. Sign up for the TBR Tales Exclusive Mailing List and get an email from me when a new post is available each month! Thank you for reading. 🙂
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