History's Best Selling Books of 2017

Hats off to 2017! Few books commanded as much fanfare and nationwide excitement as Camino Island. Alongside sensationally popular hits like The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and Origin, consumers eagerly embraced the Y2K fever and early digital revolution. Pioneering outfits from industry leaders like John Grisham and Taylor Jenkins Reid set the standard for quality, producing celebrated items that dominated airwaves and playground buzz alike. Browse our definitive retrospective below to rediscover the genuine articles of the era.

1. Camino Island

   Released in 2017 by John Grisham, Doubleday

   John Grisham's 'Camino Island' made a significant splash upon its release in June 2017, quickly asserting itself as a must-read summer thriller. Deviating slightly from his signature legal thrillers, this novel offered readers a captivating blend of literary mystery, crime, and a dash of charming deceit, set against the idyllic backdrop of a Florida island. Its launch was met with eager anticipation from Grisham's loyal fanbase and new readers alike, securing its place as a dominant force on bestseller lists and proving that Grisham's storytelling prowess extended well beyond the courtroom. The book swiftly became a cultural phenomenon, a perfect escape read discussed widely among book clubs and vacationers.

2. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

   Released in 2017 by Taylor Jenkins Reid, Atria Books

   In 2017, "The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo" by Taylor Jenkins Reid transcended its 2017 debut to become a bona fide cultural phenomenon, captivating millions and dominating bestseller lists. This mesmerizing novel about a reclusive Old Hollywood icon revealing her life's truths saw an unprecedented resurgence, largely fueled by its viral popularity on TikTok's "BookTok" community. Its compelling narrative, brimming with glamour, secrets, and profound emotional depth, struck a chord with a new generation of readers, cementing its status as a must-read sensation and a testament to the power of word-of-mouth recommendations in the digital age. It was truly a defining literary moment of the year.

3. Origin

   Released in 2017 by Dan Brown, Doubleday

   When Dan Brown's 'Origin' burst onto the literary scene in October 2017, it immediately reignited the global fascination with his signature blend of art history, secret societies, and scientific puzzles. Following the phenomenal success of its predecessors featuring symbologist Robert Langdon, this fifth installment arrived with immense anticipation, cementing its status as a major cultural event. Readers worldwide were eager to delve into another high-stakes adventure that promised to tackle humanity's most enduring questions, positioning 'Origin' not just as a book launch, but as a continuation of a literary phenomenon that consistently topped bestseller lists and sparked widespread discussion across diverse demographics.

4. The Rooster Bar

   Released in 2017 by John Grisham, Doubleday

   John Grisham's annual release is an event, and 'The Rooster Bar' in 2017 was no exception, immediately hitting bestseller lists and drawing readers into a timely legal thriller. Its popularity stemmed from Grisham's established brand as a master of the genre, combined with a plot that tapped into contemporary societal anxieties. As a cultural phenomenon, it continued Grisham's tradition of blending compelling narratives with relevant social issues, solidifying its place as a must-read novel of its release year. The book's immediate success underscored the public's ongoing appetite for Grisham's unique blend of legal suspense and social commentary.

5. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Getaway

   Released in 2017 by Jeff Kinney, Amulet Books

   Released on October 24, 2017, 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Getaway' swiftly became a literary sensation, cementing its place as one of the year's undisputed bestsellers. As the twelfth installment in Jeff Kinney's globally beloved series, its arrival was met with immense anticipation from young readers and their parents alike. This particular volume captured the imaginations of millions, providing a much-needed dose of humor and relatability as protagonist Greg Heffley navigates the chaotic realities of a family vacation gone hilariously wrong. Its immense popularity underscored the enduring cultural phenomenon that the 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid' franchise had become, proving that the relatable trials and tribulations of middle school life, presented through Kinney's unique blend of text and cartoons, continued to resonate deeply with a vast audience.

6. The Destruction of Hillary Clinton

   Released in 2017 by Susan Bordo, University of California Press

   Susan Bordo's "The Destruction of Hillary Clinton" emerged in 2017 as a vital contribution to understanding the tumultuous 2016 US presidential election and its unexpected outcome. Published in the immediate aftermath of Donald Trump's victory, the book offered a meticulous, feminist-informed autopsy of Hillary Clinton's campaign, focusing on the systemic forces that Bordo argued contributed to her downfall. Its historical significance lies in its incisive analysis of how deeply ingrained gender biases, amplified by an increasingly fractured and partisan media landscape, shaped public perception and political discourse. The book served as a critical lens for those grappling with the election's results, pushing readers to consider the profound cultural and political currents that made Clinton's path to the presidency uniquely challenging and ultimately unsuccessful.