Book-to-screen adaptations propelled three of the top five most read books on Goodreads in February 2026. Classics and thrillers dominated the list, with Wuthering Heights seeing renewed interest from a recent movie. Freida McFadden's works led in readership numbers.
The most read books on Goodreads for February 2026, as reported on February 27, reflect a strong influence from screen adaptations. Three of the top five titles gained popularity from their TV or movie versions, according to the analysis.
Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë ranked prominently, read by nearly 76,000 users with an average rating of 3.9. The recent movie adaptation, though loosely related to the original, has renewed interest in the classic. The source notes curiosity about reader reactions, given the film's dramatic divergence, and mentions that the book's average rating has improved since the movie announcement.
Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid followed closely, with almost 79,000 readers and a 4.3 average rating. The TV show adaptation's popularity is significant, and anticipation builds for season two, encouraging readers to revisit the source material.
The Correspondent by Virginia Evans emerged as a sleeper hit from 2025, driven by word-of-mouth. It was read by nearly 95,000 users, earning a 4.5 average rating. The story centers on a woman who writes daily letters and confronts a painful past when someone responds.
Freida McFadden's The Housemaid, the first in its series, topped readership at 106,000 users with a 4.3 rating. Its movie adaptation is currently out, drawing attention to the tale of a housemaid uncovering family secrets. McFadden's latest, Dear Debbie, led with almost 172,000 readers and a 4.0 rating. It follows an advice columnist seeking revenge after personal betrayals.
The list highlights a lack of diversity among top reads, prompting recommendations for new February releases like Greedy by Callie Kazumi, a horror thriller; Queen of Faces by Petra Lord, a YA dark academia novel; and On Morrison by Namwali Serpell, an analysis of Toni Morrison's works.
