Another popular one might have been 'The Wizard of Earthsea' by Ursula K. Le Guin. It had a large following among fantasy lovers. The world - building and the story of Ged's journey are quite captivating. It had been around for a while but was still very popular in 1988.
I'm not entirely sure which was the most popular, but 'Beloved' got a lot of acclaim. It won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1988. So it was surely very well - regarded.
One of the most popular might be 'The Bonfire of the Vanities'. It was widely read and talked about at the time. Its exploration of different social strata in New York made it appealing to a broad audience.
I think 'The Goldfinch' was quite popular. It won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 2014, which is a good indication of its popularity and critical acclaim.
The 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy is also very popular. It's an epic adventure with a grand world - building. The story of the fight against evil in Middle - earth is captivating.
Among the popular books in the 2019 list of fiction books is 'The Dutch House' by Ann Patchett. It's a family saga that spans decades. The story about the two siblings and their relationship to the Dutch House they grew up in is both heartwarming and heartbreaking at times.
I think 'The Kite Runner' was also very popular. It had a powerful story that touched on important themes like family, friendship, and the effects of war. Many people could relate to the characters and their struggles in the complex setting of Afghanistan.
'The Vegetarian' by Han Kang was quite popular too. It tells the story of a woman who decides to become a vegetarian, which has a profound impact on her family and her own sense of self. It's a short but very impactful book that explores themes of identity, control, and non - conformity in a unique way.
Well, 'The Preacher's Wife' was quite popular. It likely attracted readers with its exploration of the relationship between a preacher and his wife, and the various challenges they face in a small - town religious community.
One of the most popular ones was 'The Help'. It was widely read and even made into a movie later. Its popularity might be due to its poignant portrayal of race relations and the strong female characters in it.
One of the popular ones is 'The Power' by Naomi Alderman. It's a feminist - themed book that imagines a world where women develop the ability to electrocute people at will, which flips the power dynamics between genders.
I'm not sure which ones were the absolute most popular, but 'The Firm' by John Grisham was quite well - known. It's a legal thriller that had people on the edge of their seats with its twists and turns.