By Cassandra Murphy

Welcome, readers! I’m Cassandra, and I’m thrilled to share that I’ve joined The Booker Albert Agency as an intern! With my life mission of connecting with others through storytelling and my career goals of working in the publishing industry, this opportunity is an exciting stepping stone–I’m eager to learn more about the world I aspire to be a part of and make a meaningful impact in. As a lifelong book lover, active member of the online book community, and an aspiring author, I’ve found so much inspiration and insight through the stories I read–and I hope this newsletter brings a bit of that to you, too. I usually gravitate toward thrillers, romance, horror, and general fiction, but psychological thrillers are my favorite. I love getting lost in unsettling settings and tangled up in unforgettable characters. More than anything, I love the conversations that books spark. Connecting with others through stories is one of the best parts of being a reader, and I can’t wait to hear what you’re reading and what’s been on your mind lately.

What Makes a Hit
The Fiction Phenomena of the Past Five Years

As a reader who primarily gravitates toward thrillers and romance, I’ve read 7 out of the 20 most successful fiction books of the last five years—and here are my raw thoughts.

I’m no literary expert, but I am an avid reader. And honestly? I found most of these titles genuinely enjoyable! My ratings mostly fall in the four- to five-star range—with one solid two-star read that I just couldn’t connect with. (We’ll get to that.)

This got me thinking: What exactly makes a book blow up in such a big way? Why these titles, at this particular moment in time?

After reading and reflecting, I think it comes down to two key things:

1. These books are heartfelt and easy to digest.
They often strike a careful balance—emotionally resonant but never too heavy, often plot-forward, and very readable. Not to say they’re fluff. Many of them touch on real emotional terrain: grief, mental health, heartbreak, trauma, hope. But they tend to present these themes in an accessible, hopeful way that keeps the pages turning.

2. Social media is the new word of mouth.
I first heard about every single one of these books through social platforms like #BookTok and #Bookstagram. The book community online is incredibly powerful—news travels fast, reviews are deeply influential, and a single viral video can launch a book to the top of the charts.

In fact, one of the biggest surprises for me? Every single book on this list has either already been adapted or is currently in talks for a film or TV adaptation. Isn’t it wild to think that, as readers, we’re helping shape the pop culture narrative in real time?

That’s a powerful—and beautiful—thing. This shared influence, this community we’re all part of, matters more than we might think. When we post, review, gush, recommend, or lend a book to a friend, we’re adding to a momentum that can ripple all the way to Hollywood.

A Few Quick Stats:

Here’s what else stood out to me about this list of the top 20 bestselling fiction books of the last five years:

• Genre Breakdown:

  • Romance & Romantasy: 40%

  • Thriller/Mystery: 20%

  • Fantasy/Sci-Fi: 20%

  • Historical Fiction: 10%

  • Contemporary Fiction: 10%

• Authorship:

  • 12 of the 20 books were written by women

  • Only 3 of the 20 were debut authors

• Common Themes:

  • Women-led stories

  • Genre mashups (Romance + STEM, fantasy + romance, etc.)

  • Mental health, grief, healing, and transformation

  • Plot-driven but emotionally engaging writing

  • Nearly all books are between 350–400 pages and average over 3.5 stars on Goodreads

What I Hope to See Next

Looking ahead, one thing I’d love to see in the next wave of bestsellers is more debut authors and fresh, diverse voices. Especially considering only three of the twenty books on this list came from debut authors.

That’s why we read, right? Whether it’s to escape or to better understand the world we live in, encountering new perspectives helps shape our own. And to me, that’s one of the most wonderful parts of being a reader.

The Books I’ve Read From the List:

So far, I’ve read 7 of the 20 titles, and here’s how they stacked up for me:

• Favorites (4-5 stars):
  The Silent Patient, The Midnight Library, The Housemaid, The Guest List, and The Love Hypothesis

• One I Struggled With (2 stars):
  It Starts With Us – This was the one that didn’t quite land for me. I know it’s beloved, and I get the appeal, but I personally found it a little slow and predictable.

And now? I’ve got 11 more books from the list currently sitting on my shelves—and I’m especially excited to dive into The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab. That one’s been calling my name for a while now.

Which of these top-selling books from the last five years stood out to you the most? Any on your TBR that you’ve been saving for the perfect reading mood?

Let’s compare notes—because if there’s one thing this list proves, it’s that the best reads are the ones we talk about together.

The Last Time I Lied: A Perfect Spooky Summer Camp Adventure

As I read my way through Riley Sager’s backlist, The Last Time I Lied was the natural next pick. I was craving a thriller set at a summer camp by a lake–and so far, it hasn’t disappointed me. The setting is pitch-perfect; I feel like I’m right there at camp, completely immersed. It has transported me back to my own adolescent summers–playing games, building friendships, and trying to fit in with the older, seemingly more confident girls.

Sager really nails that universal teenage desire to belong. The story captures all the hallmarks of girlhood: awkward moments, whispered secrets, embarrassing missteps, and flashes of carefree fun. One of my favorite Sager signatures is that constant, unsettling question: Is something paranormal going on… or is someone pulling the strings? That blurred line creates this delicious paranoia that makes you devour pages faster, always second-guessing what’s real.

I’m almost finished, and I can’t wait to see how the truth finally unfolds. I’ve grown so invested in these characters and need to know how it ends. After this, the only Sager novel I have left is Survive the Night–and I’m already excited to dive into that one, too!

Blurb

Two Truths and a Lie—Vivian, Natalie, Allison, and Emma played it constantly in their cabin at Camp Nightingale. But the game ended the night Emma, half-asleep, watched the others slip silently into the woods. The last thing she—or anyone—saw was Vivian pausing at the door, pressing a finger to her lips to hush Emma before disappearing into the dark.

Fifteen years later, Emma is a rising star in the New York art world, channeling her haunted past into large-scale paintings—canvases of tangled branches and shadowy leaves framing spectral girls in white dresses. When her work captures the attention of Camp Nightingale’s wealthy owner, Emma receives an unexpected invitation: return to the newly reopened camp as a painting instructor.

Driven by lingering guilt—and perhaps a need for answers—Emma agrees to go back. Camp Nightingale looks almost untouched, the same midnight-dark lake, the same familiar faces. She’s even placed in her old cabin—only now, a security camera watches her door.

As unsettling clues about the camp’s history begin to surface, Emma becomes determined to uncover the truth of what happened that night. But the answers she seeks might cost more than she’s prepared to give.

NEW DEAL ALERT!!!

If you have a topic that you think I should write about or you want to write an article for us, email me at [email protected] with your bio and topic. We’re always looking for fresh perspectives.

Of course, authors or industry professionals if you want to write about something email me!

Authors, do you want to submit a book to us?

Check us out at the Booker Albert website.

Happy reading,
Rebecca Lawrence