Ever wondered what book defined 21st-century France? Or which novel stole the hearts of readers in South Korea, Kenya, or Argentina?
This interactive map explores the most beloved books written by local authors in every country — selected from millions of Goodreads reviews and reader ratings. From quiet memoirs to sweeping fantasies, it’s a celebration of the stories that move us, connect us, and reflect who we are.
We didn’t just ask what’s most sold — we asked: what’s most loved? Click on a country to discover the books readers treasure most — and start building your global reading list.
We used Goodreads data as of May 2025 to identify the most highly rated books of the 21st century — focusing on books written by authors native to each country. Ratings, number of reviews, and lasting popularity played key roles in our selection.
Each book was matched to its respective country using ISO3 codes.
The result: a curated, global bookshelf of stories that matter — and that readers keep coming back to.