The Independent Press Top 40 Bestsellers: Fiction

This list highlights the Independent Press Top 40 Bestsellers in fiction for the week ending October 18, 2026. It ranks the most popular books sold in hundreds of independent bookstores across the United States. The data is compiled by the Independent Publishers Caucus and shared with the American Booksellers Association. This weekly ranking is a snapshot of trends in independent publishing, showing which fiction titles resonated most with readers during that specific period. Independent bookstores are small, locally owned shops that often focus on curated selections rather than mass-market bestsellers.

The rankings are based on sales figures from independent bookstores nationwide, which report their bestselling titles to the American Booksellers Association. This association represents over 1,700 independent bookstores in the U.S. The Independent Publishers Caucus then compiles and designs the list, making it publicly available through platforms like Literary Hub. This method ensures the list reflects the tastes of readers who shop at smaller, community-focused bookstores rather than large chain retailers.

The top five fiction bestsellers for this week are: 1) The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett (Spiegel & Grau), 2) I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman (Transit Books), 3) Fruit Fly by Josh Silver (Crooked Lane Books), 4) Stitched by Eli McCann (Torrey House Press), and 5) The Odyssey translated by Emily Wilson (W.W. Norton). These books span different genres, including contemporary fiction, speculative fiction, and classic literature. For example, The Odyssey is an ancient Greek epic poem, while The Calamity Club is a modern novel. The list includes both new releases and enduring favorites.

The bestsellers come from a variety of independent publishers, showcasing the diversity of the independent publishing world. Some notable publishers on the list include Grove Press, W.W. Norton, Transit Books, NYRB Classics, and New Directions. These publishers often specialize in niche genres, translated literature, or reprints of classic works. For instance, NYRB Classics focuses on republishing forgotten or overlooked literary works, while Transit Books is known for its contemporary fiction and translations. This diversity highlights the breadth of stories and voices available outside mainstream publishing.

The list features a mix of genres and themes, including historical fiction, horror, literary fiction, and poetry. For example, The Iliad and The Odyssey are ancient epics, while Rottenheart by Kat Dunn and Sometimes I Scare Myself by Jeneva Rose fall under horror. Cloud Runner: Poems by Joy Harjo represents poetry, and Fcked Up Fairy Tales* by Liz Gotauco and Jade Gotauco offers a humorous take on classic fairy tales. This variety reflects the eclectic tastes of readers who shop at independent bookstores, where unique and unconventional titles often find an audience.

Several titles appear multiple times on the list, indicating their popularity. For example, The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower is listed as volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6, suggesting it is a multi-volume series. Similarly, Hungerstone and Rottenheart by Kat Dunn are both featured, indicating a series or recurring theme. This repetition highlights the appeal of serialized storytelling or interconnected works among readers of independent fiction.