2026 First Half "Books Everyone Talked About" Ranking

We have announced the "Books Everyone Talked About Ranking 2026 First Half," compiled based on book reviews posted on note. The book that received the most reviews from readers in the first half of 2026 was Ryo Asai's "In the Megachurch." Following its No. 1 ranking in the new releases for the full year 2025, it also won the Bookstore Grand Prize in April 2026. In this new releases ranking, "Naruse Runs Through the Capital," the concluding work of the Naruse series which has exceeded a cumulative total of 2.5 million copies, took the top spot.

All ranked works have a dedicated page on note, allowing readers to read fan reviews and proceed directly to purchasing the books. Below are the details of the ranking.

"Books Everyone Talked About Ranking 2026 First Half" Results (Overall)

"In the Megachurch," winner of the Bookstore Grand Prize 2026, secured the overall No. 1 position. "Naruse is Going to Take Over the World" ranked second, marking its third consecutive appearance in the top 3, and "Naruse Runs Through the Capital," the concluding work of the series, ranked fourth, demonstrating the overwhelming popularity of the Naruse series. "BUTTER" at No. 3 has surpassed 2 million copies worldwide, and "Convenience Store Woman" at No. 5 has exceeded 3 million copies worldwide since winning the Akutagawa Prize, with both works receiving international acclaim through foreign translations.

This ranking, which visualizes "books that made readers want to write reviews after finishing them," resulted in works that move readers' hearts and inspire them to talk about them, from buzzworthy new releases to masterpieces decades old, ranking high regardless of genre or era. We present excerpts from book reviews posted on note for the top-ranked books.

No. 1: In the Megachurch (by Ryo Asai, published by Nikkei BP, Nikkei Economic Newspaper Publishing)

This novel depicts the light and shadow of "oshi-katsu" (fan activities) in the context of the heated "scenes" on social media, from three perspectives: the organizer, the deeply involved, and the formerly involved. It won the Bookstore Grand Prize 2026 and also generated significant buzz as Ryo Asai's 15th anniversary work as an author.

On note, reviews that overlap the book's themes with readers' own "oshi-katsu" or daily immersive experiences are prominent, with many reflecting, "Am I also inside a megachurch?"

Talk About "In the Megachurch" Being a "Story" Too | TaroChin https://note.com/tarochin1985/n/n0f4d66608cce

[Book Review] What Happens When You Ask an Underground Idol Otaku to Talk About "In the Megachurch" | Kabe no Oku

https://note.com/kabenok017/n/n1969bc971e6e

But Even When I Came to My Senses (Spoiler Alert: Review of Ryo Asai's "In the Megachurch") | MGH

https://note.com/mgh666/n/na40565586a0d

I Want to Keep Believing in "Stories" From Now On | Review of "In the Megachurch" [Bookstore Grand Prize] | Akiumi Mariko

https://note.com/isiqrl/n/nd4b9508fea93

▶Work Page https://note.com/hashtag/イン・ザ・メガチャーチ

No. 2: Naruse is Going to Take Over the World (by Mina Miyajima, published by Shinchosha)

A coming-of-age novel set in Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture, depicting the protagonist Akari Naruse, who is straightforward about her desires. Two years after winning the Bookstore Grand Prize 2024, it continues to attract new readers. This ranking marks its third consecutive appearance in the top 3, following 2024 and 2025. Many comments express how Naruse's straightforwardness has moved readers across generations.

"Naruse is Going to Take Over the World" Part 1: Unexplained Actions and the Formation of a Modern Heroine | Sugiyama

https://note.com/meitantei68/n/nff92e9841703

[An Old Man "Felt Thrilled"] Naruse is Going to Take Over the World - Until I Realized She Was Like Bulma from "Dragon Ball" | Kai

https://note.com/novel_dog7764/n/n811729899a33

The Reason Why I, Who Thought "Yeah, Yeah, Naruse, Naruse!" Ended Up Talking About It Anyway - Mina Miyajima's "Naruse is Going to Take Over the World" | Aojiso Losu

https://note.com/qjrs_yabai2029/n/n693c0c3f22c6

Work Page▶https://note.com/hashtag/成瀬は天下を取りにいく

No. 3: BUTTER (by Asako Yuzuki, published by Kawade Shobo Shinsha)

A novel inspired by a real event, depicting desire and independence centered on "eating" and "being a woman." Nine years after its publication in 2017, it continues to captivate readers, surging from 14th place last year to 3rd place. Many readers have re-examined their own ways of life and value systems after reading it.

Book Review "BUTTER" | What Does It Mean to Be a Woman? | Aomori Inu

https://note.com/gifted_camel586/n/nf5225b61e091

Women Living by Their Own Standards - Review of Asako Yuzuki's "BUTTER" | Perosuke

https://note.com/fine_iris374/n/n8da527378277

An Uncool Me. ~After Reading "BUTTER" | Hanamaruko

https://note.com/kissa_atogaki/n/n6b0429e45ae8

"Women Who Degrade Each Other - "BUTTER" (by Asako Yuzuki) as Alternative Feminism" | Tansan Kohi

https://note.com/jammvx/n/ne51b70953f53

Work Page▶https://note.com/hashtag/butter

"Books Everyone Talked About" New Releases Ranking 2026 First Half Results

This ranking is for new releases.

"Naruse Runs Through the Capital," the concluding work of the Naruse series, took the No. 1 spot for new releases. Second place went to Kanae Minato's latest novel, "Gyosei," and third place was awarded to "Kousatsu Suru Wakamono Tachi" by Kaho Miyake, author of the bestseller "Naze Hataraite Iru to Hon ga Yomenakunaru no ka." Fourth place is the survival essay "Kyojaku ni Ikiru" by Zettai ni Shuden wo Nogasanai Onna, depicting the reality of living with a frail constitution. Fifth place is "Cafe no Kaerimichi," a collection of linked short stories set in the downtown areas of the Taisho and early Showa periods by Hikaru Shimazu, which also won the 174th Naoki Prize.

Following these are works such as "Aoten," Masayasu Wakabayashi's (Audrey) debut novel and a Naoki Prize nominee, "Hontou no Koto wo Kaku Renshu" on writing techniques, Naoki Matayoshi's first full-length novel in six years, "Ikiteru wa," and the 174th Akutagawa Prize winner "Sakubi."

No. 1: Naruse Runs Through the Capital (by Mina Miyajima, published by Shinchosha)

The concluding work of the Naruse series. It depicts Akari Naruse's struggles in a new environment after graduating high school and entering Kyoto University. It gained momentum immediately after its release on December 1, 2025, primarily among fans who had followed the series' growth. Many reviews highlighted the line from her mother, Miki, "She's that kind of girl," interpreting it as a reflection of the family's love that supported Naruse's freedom.

"She's That Kind of Girl" ~A Story of Affirmation and Love | Kanako

https://note.com/nicobooks/n/nfc96136d8f98

<Reading> Naruse Runs Through the Capital | Onshi Yamakawa (onshi)

https://note.com/onshi3855/n/nd886b5ad25ef

Mastering Kyoto, Connecting and Expanding Akari Naruse | Yuki (yuuki)

https://note.com/yk317ss/n/ne8aef3960af9

▶Work Page: https://note.com/hashtag/成瀬は都を駆け抜ける

No. 2: Gyosei (by Kanae Minato, published by Shueisha)

A novel that explores human faith and love from the perspective of a second-generation member of a religious group, and a talked-about work nominated for the Bookstore Grand Prize 2026. Many reviews mentioned being drawn in by the tagline on the obi, "I just wanted to protect the stars," and reading it in one sitting. It is a book that leaves a deep resonance with its conclusion that awaits beyond hardship.

Book Review "Gyosei" Kanae Minato | A Political Assassination Case by a Second-Generation Religious Member | Chinaco/Cat and Movie Lover

https://note.com/chinaco_cinema/n/n2f2a55ad8f71

On the Border Between Light and Darkness | Gyosei | Swan and Bat | Book Review | Shifuki Haru

https://note.com/86_shibuki/n/n295baa346309

Heartbreaking and Painful, with a Supreme Star in My Chest - "Gyosei" Kanae Minato | Konno Yoru / Novels and Delicious Food

https://note.com/umum_hachi/n/n355c0d2776fa

▶Work Page: https://note.com/hashtag/暁星

No. 3: Kousatsu Suru Wakamono Tachi (by Kaho Miyake, published by Shueisha Shinsho)

The latest book from literary critic Kaho Miyake, author of the bestseller "Naze Hataraite Iru to Hon ga Yomenakunaru no ka." It analyzes the psychology of young people who seek correct answers and want to be rewarded, against the backdrop of the popularity of "analysis videos." Voices of empathy are spreading, moved by the passage that says, "What you love has meaning."

Book Review No. 33 "Kousatsu Suru Wakamono Tachi" / Kaho Miyake | Yui

https://note.com/clean_crocus624/n/n7f2ce558468f

[Reading] A 30-Something Shaken After Reading "Kousatsu Suru Wakamono Tachi." | Nacchi

https://note.com/nnnnnnn_nnn/n/na422ed0a234f

Reading Kaho Miyake's "Kousatsu Suru Wakamono Tachi" Lightened My Heart 🪽 | Mayu Yaizawa

https://note.com/yaizawa_mayu528/n/n39dc6687aec6

▶Work Page: https://note.com/hashtag/考察する若者たち

<Ranking Overview>

Target for Compilation: Articles posted with the official note hashtags "#読書感想文" (Book Review) or "#読書記録" (Reading Record) along with the work's title.

Compilation Method: For each work, the number of people who posted reviews within the period is tallied and ranked in descending order.

Compilation Period: December 1, 2025 - May 31, 2026

Category Details

- Overall Ranking: All books, regardless of publication year, are included.

- New Releases Ranking: Books published on or after one month prior to the start of compilation (November 1, 2025) are included.

Reasons Why People Want to Talk About Books They've Read

Since note does not have advertising revenue linked to view counts, many book reviews are posted out of a pure motivation to "talk about this work," rather than prioritizing articles that will be seen by more people. By reading reviews from other readers, one can encounter different interpretations or find fellow enthusiasts of the same work, enriching the reading experience.

Noting this reader enthusiasm, note provides data as an SNS indicator to "Billboard JAPAN Book Charts," Japan's first comprehensive book chart. Through initiatives that visualize the momentum of works, which cannot be captured by sales figures alone, we aim to play a role in connecting books and readers.

Additionally, the works introduced in this ranking have dedicated pages on note's "AI Context Network," where fan reviews and entry points to the works are gathered.

On these work pages, readers can discover their next book by reading various reviews, and their voices lead to book purchases. This creates a cycle where reader feedback strengthens the work.

Reference: About Creating Buzz for Books Using note

Many publishers have already opened official accounts on note. A wide range of initiatives are underway, including author interviews, sample readings, reading campaigns, and calls for reviews triggered by book giveaways. In some cases, image data of book covers is distributed to make it easier for readers to write reviews, which can help generate buzz for the works.

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