This Week in Coming Of Age — Week of May 25, 2026

Biggest Gainers

Ghost Town by Tom Perrotta

Published: April 28, 2026

In its first week of tracking, Ghost Town has surged to 1,501 ratings, an increase of 308 from last week, reflecting a robust growth rate of 26%. This new release from bestselling author Tom Perrotta captures a tumultuous summer in the 1970s through the eyes of a grieving middle schooler, Jimmy. Its strong debut suggests that readers are keen on narratives that blend nostalgia with the weight of personal loss, a theme quite resonant in today's literary climate.

Stats: 1,193 → 1,501 (+308)

The Book Woman's Daughter by Kim Michele Richardson

Published: May 3, 2022

Although The Book Woman's Daughter has only seen a modest increase of 175 ratings this week, bringing its total to 89,197, it continues to hold strong as a beloved book club choice, reflective of its deeply engaging narrative about independence in the Appalachian mountains. Its growth of just 0.20% may seem minor, but given its established audience, it displays remarkable consistency for a title released four years ago.

Stats: 89,022 → 89,197 (+175)

The Lying Life of Adults by Elena Ferrante and Ann Goldstein

Published: September 1, 2020

With an incremental increase of 126 ratings, The Lying Life of Adults now totals 88,131 ratings, reflecting a stable performance for a novel released five years ago. Ferrante’s examination of adolescence and the complexities of family dynamics remains engaging for readers, maintaining a steady growth of 0.14% despite its established status in the literary world.

Stats: 88,005 → 88,131 (+126)

Surprise of the Week

The Left and the Lucky by Willy Vlautin

Published: April 14, 2026

The unexpected surge for The Left and the Lucky this week, gaining 167 ratings to reach a total of 940, demonstrates a commendable 22% growth that exceeds many other new releases. Its exploration of profound themes of friendship and resilience resonates strongly amidst ongoing social concerns, indicating that Vlautin's storytelling is striking a chord with contemporary audiences.

Stats: 773 → 940 (+167)

Quick Hits

The Hired Man by Sandra Dallas

This new release showcases a growing interest with 62 new ratings this week, bringing its total to 980, and marks a solid 6.8% increase. Stats: 918 → 980 (+62)

Rabbit Cake by Annie Hartnett

With its unique premise and humor, Rabbit Cake added 95 ratings this week, bringing its total to 16,627, reflecting a steady growth rate of 0.57%. Stats: 16,532 → 16,627 (+95)

Where the River Settles, The Lost Pages by Kemma MarShall

This noteworthy title has seen a marginal increase of just 5 ratings, reaching 501 total ratings, a 1.0% growth. Stats: 496 → 501 (+5)

Pick of the Week goes to The Left and the Lucky — while it may be a new release, its exceptional growth this week of 22% indicates that it’s not merely fading into the background. Surpassing other contemporaneous titles and rapidly gaining traction illustrates that readers are eager for heartfelt, poignant stories amidst challenging times, positioning it perfectly in the current landscape of Coming Of Age literature.