12 Best-selling B Books: A Must-Read Collection for Bookworms

Get ready, book lovers! This special collection of 12 popular books has something for everyone. Whether you love fantasy tales, mysterious crimes, real-life stories, or family dramas, these books will take you on amazing journeys.

You’ll read about indigenous cultures, difficult family secrets, and characters brave enough to live their true selves. The people in these pages show great strength, self-discovery, and a desire to be authentic.

You’ll find scary horror stories, funny satires poking fun at modern life, and historical fiction that transports you to the past.

But no matter the genre, these books all showcase literature’s power to delight, educate, and connect people across backgrounds and experiences.

Get lost in worlds familiar and new in this must-read collection.

1. Bad Cree by Jessica Johns

• Genre: Magical Realism, Indigenous, Fantasy 
• Date of release: January 2023
• Publication: The Fiddlehead
• Available on: Amazon

Dara has an extraordinary ability – she can communicate with nature and comprehend the language of animals. As she navigates her indigenous Cree community, Dara stumbles upon a mystical realm interwoven with her world.

Ancient traditions collide with modern realities, propelling Dara on a profound journey of self-discovery. The narrative explores cultural identity, environmental oversight, and the profound connection between humans and the natural world.

With poetic prose and vivid imagery, the story immerses readers in a fascinating tale that honors indigenous storytelling while celebrating the resilience of the human spirit.

2. Burning Ridge by Margaret Mizushima

• Genre: Mystery, Crime Fiction
• Date of Release: 2022
• Publication: Crooked Lane Books
• Available on: Amazon, Barnes & Noble

In the rough land of the Colorado Rockies, police officer Mattie Cobb and her K-9 companion Robo investigate a series of wildfires seemingly linked to a deadly crime.

As they keep investigating, they uncover many hidden secrets and confront the serious damage caused to the environment.

Replete with gripping suspense and richly developed characters, the novel tackles issues of conservation, challenges faced by rural law enforcement, and the unbreakable bond between humans and their canine counterparts.

This exciting book will keep readers hooked from beginning to end, unable to put it down as the mysterious story unfolds.

3. Beloved by Toni Morrison

• Genre: Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction
• Date of release: 1987
• Publication: Alfred A. Knopf
• Available on: Amazon, Barnes & Noble

Toni Morrison’s Beloved is a haunting masterpiece that delves into the lasting trauma of slavery. Set after the American Civil War, the story follows Sethe, a former slave who has settled in Cincinnati with her family.

However, they are visited by a mysterious presence, forcing Sethe to confront the horrors she endured.

With lyrical prose, Morrison crafts a powerful narrative that explores themes of motherhood, identity, and the quest for freedom.

The novel’s poetic language and vivid imagery create a haunting atmosphere, inviting readers to witness the profound impact of slavery on the human psyche.

4. Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson

• Genre: Fiction, Family Saga
• Date of Release: 2022
• Publication: Penguin Random House
• Available on: Amazon, Barnes & Noble

Centered around a traditional Caribbean black cake, this multi-generational saga unravels one family’s secrets and complex histories.

Siblings Byron and Benny begin to piece together their mother’s mysterious past, uncovering long-buried truths about identity, family bonds, and the weight of inherited legacies.

With vivid prose and layered characters, the book explores themes of cultural heritage, belonging, and the sacrifices made to pursue a better life.

This fascinating read celebrates the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring power of family stories to shape who we are.

5. Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer

• Genre: Nature Writing, Memoir
• Date of release: 2013
• Publication: Milkweed Editions
• Available on: Amazon, Local Bookstores

In Braiding Sweetgrass, Robin Wall Kimmerer, a botanist and member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, weaves together scientific knowledge and indigenous traditions in a fascinating work.

She celebrates the reciprocal relationship between humans and the natural world through personal narratives and ecological insights.

Kimmerer’s lyrical prose invites readers to accept a mindful coexistence with the environment, acknowledging the wisdom embedded in traditional environmental knowledge.

This thought-provoking book challenges readers to reevaluate their relationship with the natural world and encourages a deeper appreciation for the interconnectedness of all living beings.

6. Birnam Wood by Eleanor Catton

• Genre: Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction
• Date of Release: 2023
• Publication: Bloomsbury Publishing
• Available on: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, IndieBound

In this richly atmospheric novel, Morse transports readers to the backdrop of medieval Scotland, weaving a fascinating tale of ambition, betrayal, and the consequences of unchecked power.

Inspired by Shakespeare’s Macbeth, the story follows the intertwined fates of a young laundress, a charismatic lord, and a desperate king, whose actions set a chain of events that will reshape history.

With lyrical prose and intricate characters, Birnam Wood is a haunting exploration of human nature and the enduring allure of the supernatural. It invites readers to ponder the timeless themes of ambition, morality, and the price of power.

7. Build Your House Around My Body by Violet Kupersmith

• Genre: Short Story Collection, Horror, Ghost Stories
• Date of Release: 2023
• Publication: Random House
• Available on: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, IndieBound

In this spine-tingling collection of ghost stories, Kupersmith seamlessly blends Vietnamese folklore and modern sensibilities, crafting chilling and thought-provoking tales.

From a vengeful spirit haunting a suburban home to a young woman’s encounter with an ancient evil, each story offers a unique perspective on the complexities of grief, identity, and the lingering echoes of the past.

With powerful language and creative narratives, Build Your House Around My Body is a must-read for fans of the horror genre and those seeking fresh, diverse voices that challenge conventional perspectives on life, death, and the supernatural.

8. Bel Canto by Ann Patchett

• Genre: Novel, Drama
• Date of release: 2001
• Publication: HarperCollins
• Available on: Amazon, Local Bookstores

Ann Patchett’s Bel Canto is a gripping tale exploring art’s transformative power and human connection.

When a group of international guests attending an evening opera performance becomes entangled in a hostage crisis, unlikely bonds form between the captors and captives, transcending language barriers and cultural divides.

Patchett’s masterful storytelling delves into the complexities of human relationships, showcasing how shared experiences can bridge even the most significant divides.

The novel’s rich character development and compelling narrative invite readers to ponder art’s enduring impact and the human spirit’s resilience.

9. Beartown by Fredrik Backman

• Genre: Literary Fiction, Drama
• Date of release: 2016
• Publication: Atria Books
• Available on: Amazon, Local Bookstores

Fredrik Backman’s Beartown is a poignant and thought-provoking novel set in a small hockey town. When a shocking act threatens to tear the community apart, the story follows the lives of its residents as they navigate the aftermath.

Backman’s narrative delves into themes of loyalty, friendship, and the consequences of silence, capturing the complexities of human nature.

With rich character development and a gripping plot, the novel invites readers to confront difficult questions about morality, forgiveness, and the ties that bind communities together.

Beartown is a compelling exploration of the complexities of small-town life and the profound impact of our choices.

10. Born a Crime by Trevor Noah

• Genre: Memoir, Autobiography
• Date of release: 2016
• Publication: Spiegel & Grau
• Available on: Amazon, Local Bookstores

In his compelling memoir, Born a Crime, comedian Trevor Noah shares his remarkable journey growing up in apartheid-era South Africa.

With wit and honesty, Noah recounts navigating the complexities of a society divided by racial injustice, offering insights into his experiences and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

From his humble beginnings to his rise as a successful entertainer, Noah’s narrative is a powerful testament to perseverance and the ability to find humor in even the darkest circumstances.

This thought-provoking memoir invites readers to confront difficult truths while celebrating the triumph of the human spirit.

11. Bliss Montage by Ling Ma

• Genre: Literary Fiction, Satire
• Date of Release: 2023
• Publication: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
• Available on: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, IndieBound

In this wickedly smart and darkly comedic novel, Ma satirizes the absurdities of modern life, from social media obsession to the relentless pursuit of happiness.

The story follows a motley crew of characters, including a disillusioned film student and a self-help guru, navigating a surreal world that values appearances over substance.

With biting wit and incisive social commentary, Bliss Montage is a delightfully subversive read that will make readers question their relationship with the constant pressure to curate the perfect life.

It is a scathing critique of contemporary society delivered with humor and satire.

12. The Book of Night Women by Marlon James

• Genre: Historical Fiction, Magical Realism
• Date of release: 2009
• Publication: Riverhead Books
• Available on: Amazon, Local Bookstores

Marlon James’s The Book of Night Women is a haunting and powerful exploration of the brutal realities of slavery in Jamaica. Set on a sugar plantation in the early 19th century, the novel follows the lives of a group of enslaved women who secretly practice dark magic and plan a rebellion.

James’s vivid and poetic prose transports readers into a world of unimaginable cruelty, where the women’s resilience and determination to break free from their oppressors are both inspiring and heartbreaking.

With its rich historical detail and magical realism elements, the novel offers a unique perspective on the legacy of slavery and the enduring strength of the human spirit in the face of unspeakable adversity.

The Book of Night Women is a haunting and unforgettable read that challenges readers to confront the painful truths of history while celebrating the power of resistance and the enduring bonds of sisterhood.

Final Thoughts

As you turn the final pages of these remarkable books, you’ll find yourself forever changed, your perspectives broadened, and your appreciation for the written word deepened.

This collection proves the enduring magic of storytelling, reminding us that within the realm of literature, we can explore the depths of the human experience, confront harsh realities, and celebrate the triumphs of the spirit.

Whether you’re seeking support, inspiration, or simply a fascinating escape, these 12 best-selling titles have something to offer every reader.

Immerse yourself in their pages, allow their words to linger, and carry the lessons they impart into your daily life.

For within these stories lie the threads that bind us all – the universal truths, the shared experiences, and the persisting belief in the transformative power of a well-told tale.