‘Harry Potter,’ ‘Help,’ ‘Hunger Games’ Are Good Reads

Here is a look at the top 10 most widely-read books in the country, according to GoodReads.com. Book lovers looking for something new to read can go to the social cataloging Web site for rating books and sharing thoughts.

GoodReads.com has more than five million members, The Courier-Journal reported in July. Readers rank and review their favorite books and the Web site regularly runs reports on the most widely-read books in the United States. Browsing can easily turn to buying with links to book sellers online.

All of the most widely-read books this week have been written by women. Most have been adapted for film.

1. The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold

Sebold's protagonist, Susie Salmon, watches over her family from her personal heaven after having been raped and murdered.

2. The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Stockett's debut novel is told from the perspective of two black maids and a white aspiring writer in 1960's Jackson, Mississippi.

3. The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling

These tales were prominently featured in the last book of the seventh Harry Potter series. There were only supposed to be seven copies- six for gifts to people closely connected to the book series and one to auction for charity- but fan enthusiasm resulted in a larger printing.

4. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Collins' debut novel takes places in a post-apocalyptic North America where children are forced to fight each other to the death on live television.

5. Bossypants by Tina Fey

The comic genius' autobiography delves into her personal life, her journey with Saturday Night Live, her success on the hit show 30 Rock, and everything in between.

6. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

The second book in Collins' Hunger Games series shows protagonist Katniss Everdeen having to continue to pretend to love Peeta Mellark, as not doing so would mean certain death by the Capitol.

7. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

The third book in the Hunger Games trilogy provides a conclusion to the series that has brought mixed reviews from readers and critics, due in part to the changes in the protagonist, as well as the heavy subject matter.

8. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

In the first book in the Harry Potter series the protagonist finds out he's a wizard and goes to wizarding school.

9. My Soul to Save by Rachel Vincent

This is the second book in Vincent's paranormal teen Soul Screamers series and draws readers further into the world of supernatural beings Vincent has created.

10. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling

The third book in the Harry Potter series shows the wizarding world on alert when a dangerous criminal breaks out of Azkaban prison. Little does Harry know that Sirius Black may be closer to him than he thinks.

Correction: An Article published August 19, 2011 incorrectly stated the plot for the first Harry Potter novel. The plot given was for the second novel.