We often get questions from authors and publishers about what’s working well right now on BookBub. To that end, we’ve spoken with our editors to find out what BookBub readers have been buying lately across a few of our categories. We hope these insights help partners identify titles that may be good fits for an upcoming Featured Deal, Featured New Release, or Ads campaign!
The Editorial Review Process:
As a reminder, we have a limited number of spots in our curated Featured Deals and Featured New Release emails. Because we receive hundreds of submissions per day, we’re only able to feature a subset of the titles we see, so we rely on an editorial process to determine which deals and new releases BookBub’s members are most likely to buy. Our editors use a combination of historical performance data and knowledge of our members’ tastes to select the featured books. (You can find an infographic that breaks down the Featured Deal selection process here).
We asked our editors what tropes and trends have been working well recently in a few of our categories, and for examples of books we’ve run that include these attributes. While the editors would love to see more books that meet these descriptions, keep in mind that this list is not exhaustive — there are lots of other themes, tropes, and subjects that our readers enjoy in each of these categories.
Also, because we receive so many submissions, a book that falls into one of these areas won’t necessarily be the best fit for our members. Even if it is, timing is everything and we may simply not have room for your book when you submit! Lastly, note that these trends are not evergreen — our readers’ tastes and preferences typically change over time, so be sure to subscribe to the Partners Blog for future trend updates like this one.
Science: Big questions about space and time
Science readers are currently enjoying mind-expanding nonfiction, especially if it helps them grapple with complex topics like neuroscience, quantum mechanics, and physics. Science books that address big questions and afford a glimpse of the inner workings of space and time are of particular interest, as long as they’re not too speculative.
BookBub Featured Deal blurb: “Do time and space exist? What is reality? A New York Times bestselling author hailed as “the scientist they’re calling the next Stephen Hawking” (The Times) breaks down complicated questions about the universe in this lucid journey through physics. “Rovelli’s book is a gem” (NPR).
Middle Grade: Lighthearted fantasy
Our Middle Grade readers love magical adventures with a hearty dose of whimsy and humor. Like the work of Roald Dahl and Rick Riordan, these stories are often fast-paced, infused with magic, and full of fun!
BookBub Featured Deal blurb: “Buckle in for “a breathtaking adventure” that “rivals Rick Riordan’s The Lightning Thief” (Booklist): On her 12th birthday, ordinary Kiranmala is unexpectedly pulled into a magical dimension — where she must fulfill her royal destiny and save the world! “Laugh-out-loud funny and extremely engaging” (Kirkus Reviews).
Children’s: Educational
Beautifully illustrated picture books pack an extra punch when they highlight a valuable, age-appropriate lesson. Whether teaching children about sharing, nature, or important historical figures, books that combine kid-friendly storytelling with an important message or information are doing well with our readers right now.
Featured Deal Blurb: “The #1 New York Times bestseller and Academy Award–nominated film comes to life for children! This educational picture book celebrates four black women who did crucial work for NASA. “Inspirational and groundbreaking… Freeman’s full-color illustrations are stunning” (School Library Journal).
History: Narrative histories of sweeping topics
Our History readers are eagerly purchasing sweeping, readable histories of broad topics, such as the course of an entire dynasty, life as experienced in another time, or the founding of a nation. These books are both educational and entertaining, and the historical information comes to life through interesting anecdotes and evocative — but also factual — storytelling.
BookBub Featured Deal blurb: “Step into an English castle and experience the Middle Ages in this captivating classic! From military measures to the culinary tastes of nobles and peasants, this history is a must-have work of medieval scholarship. “The Gieses succeed in making a remote and unfamiliar world accessible” (Kirkus Reviews).
Historical Romance: Making bets
Romances featuring a bet are quite popular among our historical romance readers at the moment. When the hero or heroine enters into a bet, often he or she is bound to consequences that can complicate matters of the heart. As an unlikely pair is forced together to fulfill an obligation, usually they both come to a revelation that some things are more important than winning a bet — a rewarding ending that historical romance fans can’t help but swoon over!
BookBub Featured Deal blurb: “After losing a card game, the Marquess of Bromton must fulfill a wager and marry Lady Katherine, a spinster ruined by scandal. At least a child of their union would give him a rightful heir — but what happens when his heart starts to get involved?”
New Adult Romance: Elements of Romantic Comedy
One recent trend in New Adult Romance has been books with elements of romantic comedy! Our readers are enjoying stories that make them laugh out loud in between the more romantic scenes. These books have the same tropes and meet-cutes as other romances, but with over-the-top moments or snarky inner dialogue that deliver side-splitting humor and moments of levity.
Featured Deal Blurb: “From a USA Today bestselling author! At 22, Jan keeps having one-night stands — and still hasn’t lost her virginity. But her latest fling, Matt, might be the one guy whose allure she can’t deny…”
Erotic Romance: An arrangement
Erotic romance readers love when the characters make an arrangement or deal with no intention of falling in love — but sparks suddenly fly! Whether it’s a friends-with-benefits situation or a marriage of convenience, the forced intimacy in these books leads to a tantalizing sexual tension and uncontrollable chemistry.
Featured Deal Blurb: “From a USA Today bestselling author: Confident billionaire Nathan Windsor has everything he wants in life — but his gorgeous new neighbor, Sophie, stops him in his tracks. He proposes an arrangement to show her how to let loose… and their chemistry is hotter than either expected!”
Paranormal Romance: Steamy Scenes
Right now Paranormal Romance readers don’t seem to shy away from steamy scenes and erotic content — in fact, books that are on the sexier side are currently performing well to this category. In these books, often a supernatural mate (or two) will embark on a sensual journey filled with intimacy and pleasures with a human woman.
Featured Deal Blurb: “From a USA Today bestselling author: While imprisoned, sexy wolf shifter Reed meets Hannah and discovers a passionate connection. But will Hannah be able to handle another bond when former Navy SEAL Josh comes to their rescue? A red-hot ménage romance with over 800 five-star Goodreads ratings!”
Romantic Suspense: Protecting the innocent
Tales that spotlight children in danger have been well-received by our Romantic Suspense readers lately. The stakes are elevated when an innocent child (or someone with a baby on the way) is in peril, and our subscribers love it when the hero swoops in as the protector!
Featured Deal Blurb: “From a USA Today bestselling author: Career-oriented Kate is blindsided when her sister’s daughter is abandoned on her doorstep. Now, someone is out to harm her niece — and sexy Navy SEAL vet Chuck may be the bodyguard with daddy skills she needs! But can they keep things strictly professional?”
Christian Fiction: Romantic suspense
While BookBub’s Christian fiction readers enjoy a wide range of content, romantic suspense has performed particularly well recently. Adding a dash of danger to a love story is a great way to hook readers usually drawn to romance or fast-paced thrillers, and it seems to be a winning combination in Christian fiction at the moment.
BookBub Featured Deal blurb: “When an injured young woman stumbles out of the mountains of Kauai with no memory, Cameron helps her uncover the past. But she’s not yet free from danger — and together their search for the truth will change their lives. A faith-filled work of romantic suspense!”
Christian Nonfiction: Common questions about faith
Christian nonfiction readers enjoy books that offer a deep dive into common questions that many might experience throughout their spiritual journey, such as whether science and faith can be reconciled or what may await after death. Books that turn to the Bible to reflect upon these questions offer the comfort, hope, and faith-strengthening answers these readers seek.
BookBub Featured Deal blurb: “A profoundly moving New York Times bestseller with over 26,000 five-star Goodreads ratings: Don was pronounced dead after a horrific car accident, only to be revived 90 minutes later. Share in the glorious time he spent in heaven with the Lord in this “extraordinary story” (Newsweek).
True Crime: Suburban secrets
BookBub’s true crime readers are currently loving deep dives into contemporary crimes that reveal the turbulence, secrets, and tragedies of seemingly perfect families in quiet neighborhoods. Well-researched accounts of shocking acts that rocked a community — and the events that led up to them — offer a chilling glimpse into the dark side of human nature.
BookBub Featured Deal blurb: “From a New York Times bestselling author: When a young mother went missing, investigators immediately zeroed in on her husband — but what began as a missing persons case would escalate into a horrifying sequence of tragedies that would destroy an entire family and shock a nation.”
Want to share this post? Here are ready-made tweets:
Click to Tweet: Interesting! Check out the latest trends across different book categories! #pubtip https://bit.ly/2VfUquH
Click to Tweet: Great resource about what kind of books BookBub readers are buying! #publishing https://bit.ly/2VfUquH
