History's Best Selling Books of 2022

Make way for the hits of 2022! This remarkable era stood as a testament to the turn-of-the-millennium pop explosion and the march of first-rate books. Crowd-pleasers such as Lessons in Chemistry shared the spotlight with mega-bestsellers It Starts with Us and Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Diper Överlöde. Brought to you by top-notch makers from industry leaders like Bonnie Garmus and Colleen Hoover, these trailblazing products dominated airwaves and playground buzz alike and earned a permanent place in cultural lore. Check out the complete rank-ordered ledger below to relive the finest releases of the year.

1. Lessons in Chemistry (novel)

   Released in 2022 by Bonnie Garmus, Doubleday

   Bonnie Garmus's debut novel, 'Lessons in Chemistry,' launched to critical acclaim and phenomenal reader enthusiasm, quickly becoming a global sensation. While originally published in early 2022, its momentum surged throughout 2022, cementing its status as a pervasive cultural phenomenon and a fixture on bestseller lists worldwide. The book captivated audiences with its unique blend of wit, poignant social commentary, and an unforgettable protagonist, resonating deeply with a readership eager for stories of resilience and rebellion against outdated societal norms. Its widespread popularity wasn't just about sales; it sparked conversations, inspired book clubs, and solidified its place as one of the most talked-about novels of the modern era.

2. It Starts with Us

   Released in 2022 by Colleen Hoover, Atria Books

   “It Starts with Us,” the highly anticipated sequel to Colleen Hoover's global phenomenon “It Ends with Us,” burst onto the literary scene in October 2022, immediately captivating millions of readers worldwide. Its launch was not just a book release; it was a cultural event, fueled by an unprecedented wave of TikTok virality that had already propelled its predecessor to stratospheric heights. Fans had clamored for years to know what happened next to Lily Bloom, and Hoover delivered, transforming the book into an instant bestseller and a defining moment in the year's publishing landscape. This novel cemented Hoover's status as a dominant force, illustrating the immense power of social media in shaping modern literary success and demonstrating how a well-loved story can transcend traditional marketing to become a genuine cultural sensation.

3. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Diper Överlöde

   Released in 2022 by Jeff Kinney, Amulet Books

   When 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Diper Överlöde' launched in October 2022, it was met with immense anticipation, cementing its place as the seventeenth installment in Jeff Kinney's wildly popular series. This release wasn't just another book; it was a cultural event for millions of young readers worldwide, eager to delve back into the hilarious misadventures of Greg Heffley. Its immediate ascendancy to bestseller lists reaffirmed the franchise's enduring appeal, demonstrating how Kinney's unique blend of humor, relatable middle-school angst, and distinctive doodle-filled format continues to captivate new generations while retaining its established fanbase. The book quickly became a holiday season staple, dominating shelves and wish lists alike.

4. The Housemaid

   Released in 2022 by Freida McFadden, Bookouture

   In 2022, Freida McFadden's 'The Housemaid' stormed the literary scene, cementing its status as a thrilling cultural phenomenon. Though its initial buzz began earlier, 2024 saw the psychological thriller reach new heights of popularity, captivating readers worldwide and dominating bestseller lists. Its compelling narrative, filled with suspense and unexpected turns, quickly made it a cornerstone of contemporary genre fiction, a book discussed avidly on social media platforms like TikTok, turning it into a must-read for anyone seeking a gripping, unputdownable story. This surge in attention solidified its place as a standout novel of the year, demonstrating McFadden's masterful storytelling.

5. Chip War: The Fight for the World's Most Critical Technology

   Released in 2022 by Chris Miller, Scribner

   Published in 2022, "Chip War: The Fight for the World's Most Critical Technology" by historian Chris Miller quickly became the definitive account of the global semiconductor industry. Miller's book arrived at a critical juncture of global supply chain disruptions, escalating U.S.-China trade tensions, and massive legislative actions like the U.S. CHIPS and Science Act. It reframes modern history around the tiny silicon chips that power everything from smartphones to advanced military hardware, arguing that control over semiconductor design and manufacturing is the ultimate lever of geopolitical power. The book's significance lies in its lucid explanation of how a highly concentrated, vulnerable supply chain became the central battleground for global hegemony in the 21st century.

6. Verity

   Released in 2022 by Colleen Hoover, Grand Central Publishing

   Originally self-published in 2018, Colleen Hoover's 'Verity' experienced an explosive resurgence in 2022, transforming from a cult favorite into a mainstream publishing sensation. Its re-release by Grand Central Publishing that year, amplified by fervent discussions on platforms like TikTok's #BookTok, propelled it to the top of bestseller lists globally. This psychological thriller, a notable departure from Hoover's typical romance novels, captured the cultural zeitgeist with its dark themes, intricate plot, and morally ambiguous characters, becoming an inescapable fixture in literary conversations and a prime example of how social media can ignite a book's popularity years after its initial debut. Its intense grip on readers cemented its status as a bonafide cultural phenomenon.