Bestseller lists are a strange mix of quality, timing, marketing and luck. Still, the books millions of people buy in a year say a lot about what readers want. Below are the ten bestselling print books of 2025 in the US, using figures from Circana BookScan, which tracks print sales at most major retailers.
The top 10 at a glance
| # | Book | Author | Copies sold (print, 2025) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Let Them Theory | Mel Robbins | 2,812,799 |
| 2 | Sunrise on the Reaping | Suzanne Collins | 2,000,856 |
| 3 | Onyx Storm (special edition) | Rebecca Yarros | 1,699,963 |
| 4 | The Housemaid | Freida McFadden | 822,261 |
| 5 | Partypooper (Diary of a Wimpy Kid #20) | Jeff Kinney | 817,430 |
| 6 | Dog Man: Big Jim Believes | Dav Pilkey | 767,342 |
| 7 | Atomic Habits | James Clear | 742,090 |
| 8 | Dog Man: Big Jim Begins | Dav Pilkey | 681,041 |
| 9 | The Secret of Secrets | Dan Brown | 653,505 |
| 10 | Fourth Wing | Rebecca Yarros | 623,226 |
Onyx Storm’s standard edition sold a further 573,192 copies, so across editions it was the year’s third bestseller with roughly 2.27 million copies.
Why each one sold
1. The Let Them Theory – Mel Robbins
A short, simple idea (let other people do what they’re going to do, and focus on how you respond) spread widely through social media and podcasts. It’s the clearest example of 2025’s self-help surge: the whole category grew 14.7%. It’s an easy, motivational read. If you like it, the deeper ideas behind it are explored in books on our self-improvement list.
2. Sunrise on the Reaping – Suzanne Collins
A new Hunger Games prequel, set during the 50th Games, was always going to be huge. Its readers range from teenagers who discovered the series recently to adults who grew up with it.
3. Onyx Storm – Rebecca Yarros
The third book in the Empyrean series. Collector’s editions with sprayed edges drove much of its sales, a trend that has become a big part of how romantasy is marketed. Start with book one. Our Fourth Wing review explains what to expect.
4. The Housemaid – Freida McFadden
Published in 2022, this domestic thriller kept selling on word of mouth and social media recommendations. Its twisty plot makes it a classic “can’t put it down” read.
5, 6 and 8. Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Dog Man
Children’s series remain bestseller machines. Three of the top ten are illustrated books for young readers, a reminder that kids’ reading habits are a large part of the book market.
7. Atomic Habits – James Clear
Published in 2018 and still in the top ten seven years later, Atomic Habits is one of the most durable nonfiction bestsellers of the century. We explain why in our Atomic Habits review.
9. The Secret of Secrets – Dan Brown
A new Robert Langdon thriller, Dan Brown’s first in eight years. Fans of The Da Vinci Code bought it in large numbers.
10. Fourth Wing – Rebecca Yarros
Two years after release, the first Empyrean book was still selling hundreds of thousands of copies as new readers discovered the series.
What the list tells us
- Backlist matters. Two of the top ten (Atomic Habits and Fourth Wing) were published years earlier, and The Housemaid in 2022. Great word of mouth keeps books selling.
- Series dominate. Six of the ten belong to established series or franchises.
- Romantasy and self-help are the adult growth stories. Together, Yarros and Robbins account for more than 5 million copies in this table alone.
- Children’s books are a powerhouse. Never underestimate Greg Heffley and Dog Man.
For the bigger picture, including which genres grew and shrank, see the US book market in 2025.
Should you read them?
Bestsellers aren’t automatically the best books, but they’re often the most enjoyable ones. Our quick verdicts:
- For a quick motivational read: The Let Them Theory.
- For a gripping story: The Housemaid or Sunrise on the Reaping.
- For lasting value: Atomic Habits.
- For pure escapism (adults only): Fourth Wing.
Source: Publishers Weekly, “Print Book Sales Rose Slightly in 2025” (Circana BookScan data). Figures cover print sales at outlets reporting to Circana BookScan and exclude ebooks and audiobooks.
Frequently asked questions
What was the bestselling book of 2025?
The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins, with 2,812,799 print copies sold in the US according to Circana BookScan.
How many copies did Onyx Storm sell in 2025?
About 2.27 million print copies across its special edition (1,699,963) and standard edition (573,192).
Is Atomic Habits still a bestseller?
Yes. It sold 742,090 print copies in the US in 2025, ranking seventh for the year, seven years after it was first published.
Do these figures include ebooks and audiobooks?
No. Circana BookScan tracks print sales only, from outlets that report to it.
