Our readers' most purchased books in 2022
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A loyal companion on a long commute or lazy Sunday afternoon, books give us joy. They inspire, motivate and enrich our lives. According to the Association of American Publishers’ annual StatShot report released in September, the U.S. book publishing industry generated $29.33 billion, a $3.23 billion increase over the previous year and the highest number ever reported by StatShot Annual.
“In an economy that is overcrowded with entertainment options, it is thrilling and gratifying to see such resounding affirmation for reading,” said Maria A. Pallante, president and CEO of AAP. This number reflects sales from every genre, including mystery and romance, self-help and DIY. But what makes a book worth reading? Some are simply a great story that holds you captive til the end; others offer a perspective that transforms your life. For the DIYer, top picks are among those that provide unique tips and solutions that help you master your craft.
To end the year, we took a look at the books Select readers particularly enjoyed in 2022 and rounded up the 20 most purchased books across our coverage. What we discovered is that Select readers had a huge interest in journals, mysteries, LGBTQ+ reads, gardening and culinary arts.
1. Hunt a Killer: The Detective’s Puzzle Book
4.7-star average rating from 52 reviews on Amazon
Learn more: 28 best gifts under $25 for everyone on your list
Hunt a Killer
Hunt a Killer $ at Amazon
Hunt a Killer $ at Target
Hunt a Killer $ at Barnes and Noble
2. Vegetable Gardening for Beginners: A Simple Guide to Growing Vegetables at Home
4.7-star average rating from 1,969 reviews on Amazon
Learn more: The best gardening books for beginners in 2021
Vegetable Gardening for Beginners
Vegetable Gardening for Beginners $ at Amazon
3. The Gay Revolution: The Story of the Struggle
4.7-star average rating from 244 reviews on Amazon
Learn more: LGBTQ History Month: 17 must-read books about queer history
The Gay Revolution
The Gay Revolution $ at Amazon
The Gay Revolution $ at Books A Million
The Gay Revolution $ at Bookshop
4. 1000 Record Covers
4.7-star average rating from 2,838 reviews on Amazon
Learn more: 23 best gifts for the music lovers in your life
1000 Record Covers
1000 Record Covers $ at Barnes and Noble
1000 Record Covers $ at Amazon
5. Potter Gift Q&A a Day for Moms: A 5-Year Journal
4.7-star average rating from 2,071 reviews on Amazon
Learn more: 15 best Mother's Day gifts for new and expecting moms in 2022
Potter Gift Q&A a Day for Moms: A 5-Year Journal
Potter Gift Q&A a Day for Moms: A 5-Year Journal $ at Walmart
Potter Gift Q&A a Day for Moms: A 5-Year Journal $ at Amazon
6. Large-Format Internet Address & Password Logbook
4.7-star average rating from 1,319 reviews on Amazon
Learn more: 32 gifts for grandparents that are cozy, useful and fun
Large-Format Internet Address & Password Logbook
Large-Format Internet Address & Password Logbook $ at Amazon
Large-Format Internet Address & Password Logbook $ at Barnes and Noble
7. The Complete Gardener: A Practical, Imaginative Guide to Every Aspect of Gardening
4.8-star average rating from 3,054 reviews on Amazon
Learn more: The best gardening books for beginners in 2021
The Complete Gardener
The Complete Gardener $ at Amazon
The Complete Gardener $ at Barnes and Noble
The Complete Gardener $ at Target
8. Four Hundred Souls: A Community History of African America, 1619-2019
4.8-star average rating from 6,066 reviews on Amazon
Learn more: 10 books about Black history to read in 2022, per Goodreads members
Four Hundred Souls
Four Hundred Souls $ at Penguin Random House
Four Hundred Souls $ at Hudson Booksellers
Four Hundred Souls $ at Amazon
9. Audible Membership
Amazon’s Audible
Amazon’s Audible $ at Amazon
10. Martha Stewart’s Newlywed Kitchen
4.7-star average rating from 140 ratings on Amazon
Learn more: 40 best bridal shower gifts and gift ideas for 2021
Martha Stewart’s Newlywed Kitchen Recipe Book
Martha Stewart’s Newlywed Kitchen Recipe Book $ at Amazon
11. The Bucket List: 1000 Adventures Big & Small Book
4.7-star average rating from 3,145 reviews on Amazon
Learn more: 10 best last-minute Valentine's Day gift ideas in 2022
The Bucket List: 1000 Adventures Big & Small
The Bucket List: 1000 Adventures Big & Small $ at Amazon
The Bucket List: 1000 Adventures Big & Small $ at Barnes and Noble
The Bucket List: 1000 Adventures Big & Small $ at Target
12. When Breath Becomes Air
4.7-star average rating from 30,562 reviews on Amazon
Learn more: The best books and reading gifts for your favorite bookworm in 2022
When Breath Becomes Air
When Breath Becomes Air $ at Amazon
When Breath Becomes Air $ at Barnes and Noble
When Breath Becomes Air $ at Target
13. Freakonomics Revised and Expanded Edition
4.5-star average rating from 3,626 reviews on Amazon
Learn more: 23 best dad-approved Father's Day gift ideas
Freakonomics Revised and Expanded Edition
Freakonomics Revised and Expanded Edition $ at Amazon
14. The Stonewall Reader
4.7-star average rating from 331 reviews on Amazon
Learn more: LGBTQ History Month: 17 must-read books about queer history
The Stonewall Reader
The Stonewall Reader $ at Walmart
The Stonewall Reader $ at Books A Million
The Stonewall Reader $ at Amazon
15. The First-Time Gardener: Growing Plants and Flowers
4.7-star average rating from 67 reviews on Amazon
Learn more: The best gardening books for beginners in 2021
The First-Time Gardener: Growing Plants and Flowers
The First-Time Gardener: Growing Plants and Flowers $ at Amazon
The First-Time Gardener: Growing Plants and Flowers $ at Barnes and Noble
16. The 5-Minute Gratitude Journal
4.7-star average rating from 3,888 reviews on Amazon
Learn more: 19 best white elephant and Secret Santa gift ideas for 2022
The 5-Minute Gratitude Journal
The 5-Minute Gratitude Journal $ at Amazon
17. My Favorite Recipes: The XXL DIY Cookbook
4.6-star average rating from 39 reviews on Amazon
Learn more: 22 best unique Mother's Day gifts for moms in 2022
My Favorite Recipes: The XXL DIY Cookbook
My Favorite Recipes: The XXL DIY Cookbook $ at Amazon
18. We Begin at the End
4.4-star average rating from 20,833 reviews on Amazon
Learn more: Bestselling books 2021: The most purchased books we covered
We Begin at the End
19. The House in the Cerulean Sea
4.7-star average rating from 32,964 reviews on Amazon
Learn more: The best books and reading gifts for your favorite bookworm in 2022
The House in the Cerulean Sea
The House in the Cerulean Sea $ at Amazon
The House in the Cerulean Sea $ at Barnes and Noble
The House in the Cerulean Sea $ at Bookshop
20. The Plot
4.2-star average rating from 19,629 reviews on Amazon
Learn more: 28 cozy gifts for anyone who loves to stay home and chill
The Plot
The Plot $ at Amazon
The Plot $ at Target
The Plot $ at Barnes and Noble
21. Savor: Entertaining with Charcuterie, Cheese, Spreads & More!
4.7-star average rating from 855 reviews on Amazon
Learn more: These unique hostess gifts will guarantee a future invite
Savor
Savor $ at Amazon
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