When a book is popular it tells us a lot about our society and what the mass interest was like at the time of publication. It is good to know the fluctuation of these titles to predict future popular books, as well as gaining inspiration for stories you might be currently writing. 

Compiled below is one popular title from each year starting with 2000. Let this list provoke questions, thoughts, and ideas of your own. 

Go back in time to see what made them so popular and what idea you might be able to steam from them for your own writing. At the very least, you might find a new favorite book. 

2000 — The Rescue by Nicholas Sparks

2001 — The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen 

2002 — The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold

2003 — The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown

2004 — The Five People You Meet In Heaven by Mitch Albom

2005 — The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd

2006 — Marley & Me by John Grogan

2007 — Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling

2008 — Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

2009 — My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult

2010 — The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

2011 — The Help by Kathryn Stockett

2012 — Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James

2013 — Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

2014 — The Fault In Our Stars by John Green

2015 — The Girl On the Train by Paula Hawkins

2016 — Hamilton by Ron Chernow