Home » NYT Bestseller List – This Week’s New York Times Bestsellers

NYT Bestseller List – This Week’s New York Times Bestsellers

Each week, the NYT Bestseller List offers a glimpse into the books captivating readers across the country. Featuring a diverse range of titles spanning fiction, nonfiction, children’s literature, and more, the list is a prestigious marker of literary success. Securing a spot on the New York Times Bestseller List can propel authors into the spotlight, drive book sales, and spark film adaptations.

This article reveals the hottest books making waves this week in all book genres. It also explores the history of the New York Times Bestseller List, its ranking criteria, its influence on authors and publishers, and how this bestseller list compares to other bestseller lists. Lastly, we highlight recent trends shaping the books that dominate the NYT Bestseller List today. This article was created by former literary agent Mark Malatesta. Mark is also the creator of this list of The Bestselling Authors of 2024, the Best Books for Writers, and this guide about How to Become a Bestselling Author.

NYT Bestseller List This Week:
January 20, 2026

What Is On the New York Times Bestseller List Right Now?

Current NYT Bestseller List

This week’s New York Times bestseller list delivers a compelling blend of high-concept thrillers, brainy conspiracy fiction, emotionally charged redemption stories, and blockbuster fantasy. Whether you’re drawn to secret projects and missing scientists, blood-soaked storms in remote cabins, or alchemists hunting their stolen memories, these titles promise momentum, mystery, and big feelings.

Secrets, Conspiracies, and High-Voltage Suspense

Debuting at #1, The Correspondent by Virginia Evans takes a quieter—but deeply gripping—approach to suspense: the kind that unfolds through memory, regret, and the unanswered questions of a life. When letters from someone Sybil Van Antwerp once knew begin arriving, they push her toward revisiting a past she may not be ready to face—and toward the hard work of forgiveness.

At #4, Dan Brown returns with The Secret Of Secrets, bringing Robert Langdon back into a chase that blends intellectual puzzles with peril. As Langdon searches for a missing noetic scientist he’s been seeing, he uncovers revelations connected to a secret project—pulling him into the kind of high-stakes labyrinth Brown readers crave.

Laura Dave’s The First Time I Saw Him turns domestic life into a pressure cooker. When Hannah’s husband reappears five years after vanishing, the shock sends her and her daughter on the run—an emotional thriller built on paranoia, protection, and the terrifying question of who you can trust.

Crime, Cold Cases, and Trouble at the Door

John Grisham’s The Widow brings classic legal-thriller drive to rural Virginia. When small-town lawyer Simon Latch is accused of murder, he’s forced to pursue the real killer himself—where law, reputation, and survival collide.

Freida McFadden’s The Intruder goes straight for the pulse. During a brutal storm, Casey makes a fateful choice: she lets a blood-covered girl into her cabin. It’s the kind of simple premise that turns into a trapdoor—because the real danger often starts with a single act of compassion.

Brad Meltzer’s The Viper keeps the action moving in the Escape Artist series as a murder tied to a priceless object reopens a cold case involving the death of Nola’s mother. It’s conspiracy-flavored suspense with personal stakes—where the past won’t stay buried.

James Patterson and Susan DiLallo add undercover intrigue in The Invisible Woman, following an FBI agent embedded to investigate an art dealer’s possible ties to organized crime—another reminder that the art world remains a perfect setting for secrets, power, and hidden networks.

Reese Witherspoon and Harlan Coben’s Gone Before Goodbye delivers cinematic momentum: when a mysterious man disappears, the former combat surgeon who helped him is suddenly on the run. Fast, tense, and built for readers who like their thrillers with a moral edge.

Magic, Fate, and the Dark Glamour of Fantasy

Fantasy is thriving on this list, led by Alchemised by SenLinYu. After the war, an imprisoned alchemist is sent to a necromancer to recover her lost memories—an irresistible setup for readers who love morally complicated magic, haunting power dynamics, and identity as a battlefield.

Callie Hart’s Brimstone continues the Fae & Alchemy series, throwing Saeris and Fisher into a new wave of dangers as they fight to protect the people closest to them. It’s romantasy with escalating stakes—where devotion is tested as much as strength.

Melissa de la Cruz’s Rings Of Fate raises the epic scale: the fate of two kingdoms hinges on a barmaid hungry for freedom and a prince carrying ancient weapons. It’s classic fantasy propulsion—destiny, rebellion, and the thrill of ordinary people becoming pivotal.

And for readers who want something wildly original and hilarious in its intensity, Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman traps Carl (a Coast Guard vet) and Princess Donut (his ex’s cat) inside a fantasy dungeon. It’s chaos, comedy, and brutal survival—delivered with surprisingly big heart.

Heart, Memory, and Second Chances

Taylor Jenkins Reid’s Atmosphere continues to shine with its 1980 NASA space shuttle training setting, following Joan Goodwin as ambition, identity, and pressure converge in a world built for the extraordinary.

Thomas Schlesser’s Mona’s Eyes offers a different kind of urgency—tender and luminous. When a 10-year-old faces potential permanent vision loss, her grandfather fights back the only way he can: by bringing beauty into her life, one experience at a time (translated by Hildegarde Serle).

Mitch Albom’s Twice leans into emotional what-if territory: Alfie Logan can relive any moment one more time—but must accept the outcomes. When love enters the equation, the gift becomes a gamble, and the heart becomes the risk.

Conclusion: Big Stakes, Bigger Questions

This week’s bestsellers revolve around a powerful theme: what we do when the past returns—as a letter, a missing person, a lost memory, a reopened case, or a second chance we didn’t expect to get. Whether your next read involves secret science projects, stormy-night intruders, fae-and-alchemy peril, or a cat named Princess Donut in a death dungeon, this list is stacked with stories that pull you forward—and don’t let go.

Which one are you picking up first?

About the New York Times Bestseller List

The New York Times bestseller list is one of the most prestigious and sought-after literary rankings in the world. Since its debut in 1931, it has served as a definitive measure of literary success, influencing book sales, marketing strategies, and even the cultural landscape of reading in the United States.

Unlike purely data-driven lists, The New York Times employs a proprietary and partially curated methodology that blends sales figures with editorial oversight, ensuring a diverse and balanced representation of books. The list spans multiple categories, including fiction, nonfiction, self-help, children’s literature, and more, offering a broad view of what’s capturing the attention of readers nationwide.

Making it onto the New York Times bestseller list can enhance an author’s visibility and credibility, potentially leading to increased sales. However, the methodology has been the subject of debate, as the ranking system is not solely based on raw sales numbers.

History of The New York Times Bestseller List

The New York Times introduced its bestseller list on October 12, 1931, initially focusing only on book sales in New York City. As its influence grew, the list expanded to include rankings from across the United States, incorporating data from different regions to provide a more comprehensive view of book popularity.

By September 9, 1945, the list had evolved into a national ranking, and today, it features multiple categories that reflect the diversity of books and reader preferences. Over the decades, the methodology and scope of the New York Times Bestseller List have continued to evolve, adapting to the rise of online bookstores, audiobooks, and e-books.

Criteria and Compilation Process

The New York Times bestseller list is compiled using a proprietary and confidential methodology. While it is based on sales data, the Times exercises editorial discretion in its rankings. The ranking process includes:

• Sales Data Collection – The New York Times gathers weekly book sales reports from a wide range of retailers, including independent bookstores, national chains, and online platforms.
• Weighted Data Considerations – The methodology does not rely exclusively on raw sales volume. Instead, it accounts for diversity in sales locations, preventing any single retailer from disproportionately influencing the rankings.
• Category and Format Separation – The list is divided into distinct categories such as fiction, nonfiction, hardcover, paperback, and digital formats to better represent different reader preferences.

Because the Times does not publicly disclose its full methodology, speculation exists about how editorial discretion factors into the selection process. Notably, the Times may exclude books with significant bulk purchases, marking them with a dagger (†) if included. Some publishers and authors have raised concerns that the list occasionally excludes books that perform well in certain sales channels.

Categories Featured

The New York Times bestseller list includes multiple categories to capture a broad spectrum of literary genres and formats. These categories ensure that both commercial and literary works receive recognition. Some of the most notable categories include:

• Hardcover Fiction & Nonfiction – Featuring newly released books in both fiction and nonfiction.
• Paperback Trade Fiction & Nonfiction – Recognizing books that remain popular in paperback format.
• Combined Print & E-Book Fiction & Nonfiction – Offering a ranking that accounts for both print and digital sales, excluding audiobooks.
• Advice, How-To, and Miscellaneous – Covering self-help, instructional, and inspirational books.
• Children’s & Young Adult Books – Highlighting bestselling middle-grade, YA, and illustrated books.
• Graphic Novels & Manga – Reflecting the growing popularity of illustrated storytelling.

These categories help readers find bestsellers that align with their interests, whether they prefer literary fiction, memoirs, thrillers, or self-improvement books.

Impact on Authors and Publishers

Appearing on the New York Times bestseller list is one of the most sought-after achievements in publishing. For authors, making the list can:

• Increase Book Sales – Books featured on the list often see a surge in sales due to heightened visibility.
• Enhance Credibility – The New York Times Bestseller designation boosts an author’s reputation, making future publishing deals and media appearances more likely.
• Expand Marketing Opportunities – Publishers often use the NYT bestseller status as a marketing tool to attract new readers.

For publishers, getting a book on the Times list can validate a marketing strategy and influence decisions on reprints, foreign rights sales, and potential adaptations. Many literary agents and editors use bestseller performance as a benchmark when signing new authors.

Comparison with Other Bestseller Lists

While the New York Times bestseller list is considered one of the most prestigious, it is not the only major book ranking system. Here’s how it compares to other bestseller lists:

• Amazon Bestseller List – Updated hourly based on real-time sales data, Amazon’s list reflects direct consumer purchasing behavior but can be influenced by short-term promotional campaigns.
• Publishers Weekly Bestseller List – Compiled from national retail data, Publishers Weekly provides a more sales-focused ranking without editorial discretion.
• USA Today Bestseller List – This list ranks books solely based on sales across all formats, without category divisions, providing a straightforward measure of commercial success.
• Indie Bestseller List – Based on sales at independent bookstores, this list highlights books that thrive outside of mainstream commercial outlets.

Unlike these lists, the New York Times list employs a partially subjective methodology that considers multiple factors beyond pure sales volume.

Recent Trends and Notable Entries

The New York Times bestseller list is constantly evolving to reflect current literary and cultural trends. In recent years, several trends have emerged:

• Surging Popularity of Memoirs and Personal Narratives – Many readers gravitate toward personal storytelling, particularly from celebrities, activists, and thought leaders.
• Diverse Representation in Fiction – Books by underrepresented authors have gained significant traction, highlighting a shift toward inclusive storytelling.
• Rise of Self-Help and Productivity Books – Readers continue to seek books on habits, mindset, and personal development.
• TikTok’s Influence on Book Sales – Viral recommendations through #BookTok have propelled certain titles onto bestseller lists, particularly in the young adult and romance genres.

These trends demonstrate the evolving interests of readers and the influence of digital culture on book sales.

Reader Engagement and Community

The New York Times bestseller list plays an essential role in literary culture, influencing book clubs, academic reading lists, and media discussions. Many bestsellers are chosen for television adaptations, movie deals, and celebrity endorsements. Additionally, public libraries often use the list to determine which books to acquire, ensuring that the most in-demand titles remain accessible to a broad audience.

The Times also engages readers through in-depth book reviews, author interviews, and literary criticism, helping to shape national conversations around literature and culture.

Conclusion

The New York Times bestseller list remains one of the most influential and prestigious literary rankings in the world. By balancing sales data with editorial oversight, it offers a curated selection of books that resonate with a broad audience. Whether highlighting groundbreaking fiction, thought-provoking nonfiction, or the latest self-help trends, the list continues to serve as a trusted guide for readers and a career-defining milestone for authors.

The Bestselling Author, LLC is not affiliated with the New York Times, nor does this post imply its endorsement of The Bestselling Author, LLC.

The Bestselling Author, LLC

Established in 2011, The Bestselling Author has helped 400+ authors get literary agents and/or traditional publishers. Writers who've worked with Literary Agent Undercover, a division of The Bestselling Author, have gotten six-figure book deals; been on the New York Times bestseller list; had their books adapted for TV, stage, and feature film; had their work licensed in 40+ countries; and sold many millions of books.

Notable authors include Nelson Johnson, author of Boardwalk Empire, which Martin Scorsese produced for HBO; Leslie Lehr, author of A Boob's Life, which is currently being adapted for an HBO Max TV series by Salma Hayek; and Scott LeRette, author of The Unbreakable Boy, which was published by Thomas Nelson and is now a major motion picture by Lionsgate starring Patricia Heaton, Zachary Levi, and Amy Acker.

The founder of The Bestselling Author, Mark Malatesta, is a former literary agent, literary agency owner, AAR member, and Marketing & Licensing Manager for the gift and book publisher Blue Mountain Arts. He is now an author coach and consultant. Click here to see Mark Malatesta reviews.

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