Reading tastes can vary wildly depending on where you are. Different countries gravitate toward different stories, and even within the United States, what people read can change from state to state, city to city.

But that raises an interesting question—what do Americans as a whole actually love to read?

Thankfully, PBS set out to answer exactly that. Through its eight-part series The Great American Read, PBS surveyed readers across the country to uncover the books that left the biggest impact.

Back in 2018, thousands of readers weighed in, sharing the stories that meant the most to them. The series didn’t just rely on data either—it featured interviews with authors, celebrities, and passionate readers from all walks of life, all offering insight into the books that shaped them.

The result? A list that feels real.

It’s not just about literary prestige or critical acclaim—it’s about the books people genuinely love. The ones that stayed with them, that they recommend over and over again, and that continue to stand the test of time.

Of course, no list can ever be perfect. Everyone has their own favorites. But this one offers a fascinating snapshot of America’s reading habits—and you might be surprised by what made the cut.

Here are the ten most popular books chosen by American readers.

America’s Favorite Books to Read 

Ten Favorite Books 

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee was America’s favorite book to read according to this list. The survey asked about 7,200 people what they loved to read and this classic novel received the most votes. The Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon came in second and the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling came in at third.

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee book cover
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

I think this list got the first book right because To Kill a Mockingbird is one of the best books ever written. It is easily one of my favorites and started me down my reading journey. Before To Kill a Mockingbird, I wouldn’t have given classic novels a try.

That is the magic of an amazing book. And for many people, it may be another novel. But what you can’t deny is how good To Kill a Mockingbird is.

I don’t have much to say about Outlander because I don’t really read romance novels. But I will have to give it a try at least in the coming months. I have bought it but I haven’t gotten around to reading it.

What is there to say about Harry Potter that hasn’t already been said? The series is amazing and it is always going to one of America’s favorite books and series for the next 50 years. Millenials love this book and it has become a part of our childhood.

I am happy to see The Lord of the Rings on this list but I am worried if it will still be here in the near future. With less and less adults and children reading, books like TLOTR will be read less and be forgotten. This series resonates with fantasy lovers but with the digital age, this novel and series might become one more franchise that gets forgotten over time.

The Lord of the Rings book cover
The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien

A novel that I do not think will be forgotten is Jane Eyre. One might argue that this series has never been popular. While adults are reading less, more women read then men so books like this should still be popular. It is a great novel and has aged well since it was written in the 1800s.

Conclusion 

That is all for this list of America’s favorite books to read. These are all great selections and I am happy that classic novels are still popular with readers. And as you may have noticed, I am worried about the future of literature as less and less people read over time.

We shouldn’t take it for granted that we can read any book we want. Not everyone gets to and who knows what the future holds. These classic novels have kept as company but have also warned us of the many futures that await us. And not all of them are good.

What did you think of the America’s favorite books to read list? Are you surprised or was this what you expected it to be? Let us know what you think in the comments below. Until next time, happy reading!

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