This Week in History — Week of June 8, 2026

Biggest Gainers

Take Me to Your Leader: Perspectives on Your First Alien Encounter by Neil deGrasse Tyson added 96 ratings this week — more than any other nonfiction title and remarkable for a book published this year. The top 3 books by absolute rating increase are led by When We See You Again by Rachel Goldberg-Polin, which grew its ratings count by 209, followed by Take Me to Your Leader and Last Branch Standing: A Potentially Surprising, Occasionally Witty Journey Inside Today's Supreme Court by Sarah Isgur.

When We See You Again by Rachel Goldberg-Polin

Published: April 21, 2026

When We See You Again by Rachel Goldberg-Polin leads the biggest gainers with 209 new ratings, a 12% growth from last week. This is the book's second consecutive week on the chart, moving up from 5th place last week. The book's trajectory points show a steady increase in ratings count over the past 10 days, with a net gain of 358 ratings.

Stats: 1,786 → 1,995 (+209)

Take Me to Your Leader: Perspectives on Your First Alien Encounter by Neil deGrasse Tyson

Published: May 12, 2026

Take Me to Your Leader by Neil deGrasse Tyson is a debut on the chart, entering at the 2nd position with 96 new ratings, a 13% growth from last week. The book's trajectory points show a net gain of 96 ratings over 3 days, indicating a strong start.

Stats: 715 → 811 (+96)

Last Branch Standing: A Potentially Surprising, Occasionally Witty Journey Inside Today's Supreme Court by Sarah Isgur

Published: April 14, 2026

Last Branch Standing by Sarah Isgur is another debut on the chart, entering at the 3rd position with 69 new ratings, a 14% growth from last week. The book's trajectory points show a net gain of 119 ratings over 11 days, indicating a steady increase in interest.

Stats: 502 → 571 (+69)

Surprise of the Week

Rasputin: The Downfall of the Romanovs by Antony Beevor showed unexpected movement, entering the most read books list with a modest 50 new ratings, a 6.2% growth from last week. This relatively low growth compared to other titles on the list makes it a surprise, given the strong competition from other new releases.

Rasputin: The Downfall of the Romanovs by Antony Beevor

Published: April 14, 2026

Rasputin by Antony Beevor has been steadily increasing in ratings count over the past 9 days, with a net gain of 112 ratings, as indicated by its trajectory points. Despite the slow growth, the book's entry into the most read books list is notable.

Stats: 806 → 856 (+50)

Quick Hits

Suicidal Empathy: Dying to Be Kind by Gad Saad

Stats: 381 → 457 (20%, +76)

The Case for America: An Argument on Behalf of Our Nation by Bret Baier

Stats: 240 → 287 (20%, +47)

This week's pick is When We See You Again by Rachel Goldberg-Polin, not because it's a new release, but because its 209 new ratings in a single week put it ahead of every other nonfiction title, showing significant and continued interest in the book. Whatever is driving readers to this title shows no sign of slowing down, making it the most interesting story this week based on the numbers.