Well, 'The Mirror & the Light' by Hilary Mantel was quite popular in 2020. It's the final part of her Cromwell trilogy, and it offers a detailed look at the last days of Thomas Cromwell. Mantel's writing is so vivid that you feel like you're right there in Tudor England.
'Transcendent Kingdom' by Yaa Gyasi was also popular. This book focuses on a Ghanaian - American family and their experiences. It deals with themes like race, religion, and mental health. The main character is a neuroscientist trying to make sense of her family's past and her own present, and Gyasi tells the story in a very engaging way.
The novel 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' was also quite popular in 2009. It was a dark and gritty mystery that introduced the world to the complex characters of Lisbeth Salander and Mikael Blomkvist. It had a really engaging plot that kept readers hooked.
A popular 2013 fiction book was 'The Interestings' by Meg Wolitzer. It's about a group of friends who meet at a summer camp and then follows their lives over the years. It shows how their relationships change, and the different directions their lives head in, which is quite relatable for many readers.
Another popular one was 'The Stone Sky' by N.K. Jemisin. It's the conclusion of the Broken Earth trilogy. Jemisin's world - building is top - notch, and this book in particular is a great exploration of power, race, and the environment in a post - apocalyptic fantasy setting. It has a very unique magic system.
I really liked 'Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine'. It has some dark humor elements. Eleanor's view of the world and her interactions with others are both heartwarming and hilarious at times. It's a story that makes you laugh while also making you think about loneliness and friendship.
One of the popular fiction books in 2018 was 'Circe' by Madeline Miller. It's a retelling of the story of the sorceress Circe from Greek mythology. The book was loved for its vivid descriptions and strong female lead.
The book 'Matrix' by Lauren Groff was popular in 2021. It's a reimagining of the life of a 12th - century nun. It has rich descriptions of the historical setting and complex characters.
In 2016, some popular fiction books included 'The Girl on the Train' by Paula Hawkins and 'Me Before You' by Jojo Moyes. These books gained a lot of attention and had a wide readership.
The book 'The Girls' by Emma Cline was also very popular in 2016. It was based on the Manson Family murders and told from the perspective of a young girl who gets involved with a cult - like group. It was a fascinating look at the allure of such groups and the naivete of youth.
One of the popular fiction books in 2016 was 'The Girl on the Train' by Paula Hawkins. It was a gripping psychological thriller that had readers hooked with its unreliable narrator and mysterious plot twists.
One of the popular fiction books in 2015 was 'Go Set a Watchman' by Harper Lee. It was highly anticipated as it was a sequel of sorts to 'To Kill a Mockingbird'.