Best-Selling Author's Classic Novel Ranked Among ‘Most Read Books' in United States on Goodreads
More than a year after its debut, The Women is still one of the biggest reading phenomena in America.
The bestselling historical novel by Kristin Hannah was recently included on Goodreads' list of the most-read books in the United States this year, further cementing its status as one of the defining book-club and historical fiction successes of the decade.
Originally released in hardcover in 2024, The Women tells the story of Frances "Frankie" McGrath, a young nursing student who joins the Army Nurse Corps during the Vietnam War. What begins as a patriotic decision quickly transforms into a life-altering experience as Frankie confronts the brutal realities of war abroad and the emotional fallout waiting back home.
"The Vietnam War cast a big shadow over my childhood," recalls Hannah. "I remember the turbulence of the era, the unrest. When I was in elementary school, my best friend's father was MIA; he'd been shot down in 1967. I remember wearing his POW bracelet for decades. As a result, his name was burned into my memory. Because of him, I remember vividly the sense of waiting for the warriors to come home, and I remember how they were treated upon return."
The novel struck a major chord with readers for its emotional storytelling and its focus on women whose contributions during the Vietnam War were often overlooked in mainstream historical narratives.
Hannah, already known for bestselling novels like The Nightingale and The Four Winds, once again blended sweeping historical detail with deeply personal character-driven storytelling, a formula that has helped make her one of the most commercially successful authors working today.
Part of the book's enduring popularity also comes from strong word-of-mouth momentum online, particularly through book communities on Goodreads, TikTok and social media reading groups.
Now, fans have another milestone to look forward to: the paperback edition of The Women is scheduled for release on September 15, 2026, and is already available for preorder.
The upcoming paperback release is expected to introduce the novel to an even broader audience, especially as historical fiction continues dominating bestseller lists and book club discussions.
"I don't intend my characters to be role models," Hannah told TODAY. "I intend them to be full-blooded humans that maybe teach you something and entertain you. The point of being someone to emulate is that you are the kind of person who doesn't give up. No matter what mistakes you make, you do your very best to rectify them and to get back on the right path."
Its place among Goodreads' most-read books of the year proves that The Women has become far more than a temporary bestseller, it's a modern historical fiction phenomenon.
Related: Best-Selling Author's Classic Book Ranked Among ‘Most Streamed Audiobooks' of All Time
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This story was originally published May 14, 2026 at 2:42 PM.