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The 2000s in books

Who ruled the 2000s? James Patterson was Author of the Decade on the NYT Hardcover Fiction list. Every #1 bestseller of the 2000s, the biggest books and the top authors.

NYT Hardcover Fiction

James Patterson portrait

Author of the Decade 2000s

James Patterson

29 crowns · 166 weeks among the top five authors · Era Power 2,557

Top authors of the 2000s
#AuthorEra PowerCrownsTop-five weeks
1James Patterson2,55729166
2Dan Brown2,30984160
3John Grisham2,07945134
4Danielle Steel1,50518103
5Nicholas Sparks1,2671877
6Mitch Albom1,2481690
7Janet Evanovich9822563
8Stephen King9481863
9Mary Higgins Clark9122055
10Dean Koontz8111050
Every #1 bestseller of the 2000s219 books reached #1 on the NYT Hardcover Fiction list
First week at #1TitleAuthorWeeks at #1
Jan 2, 2000Harry Potter and the Chamber of SecretsJ. K. Rowling7
Feb 20, 2000The BrethrenJohn Grisham9
Apr 23, 2000The WeddingDanielle Steel2
May 7, 2000Before I Say Good-ByeMary Higgins Clark4
Jun 4, 2000Easy PreyJohn Sandford1
Jun 11, 2000The IndwellingTim LaHaye & Jerry B. Jenkins4
Jul 9, 2000Hot SixJanet Evanovich1
Jul 16, 2000The House on Hope StreetDanielle Steel5
Aug 20, 2000Winter SolsticeRosamunde Pilcher3
Sep 10, 2000The Bear and the DragonTom Clancy6
Oct 15, 2000The RescueNicholas Sparks2
Oct 29, 2000Drowning RuthChristina Schwarz1
Nov 5, 2000The Last PrecinctPatricia Cornwell3
Nov 26, 2000Winter's HeartRobert Jordan1
Dec 3, 2000The MarkTim LaHaye & Jerry B. Jenkins5
Jan 14, 2001From the Corner of His EyeDean Koontz3
Feb 4, 2001A Day Late and a Dollar ShortTerry McMillan3
Feb 25, 2001A Painted HouseJohn Grisham4
Mar 25, 20011st to DieJames Patterson2
Apr 8, 2001DreamcatcherStephen King3
Apr 29, 2001A Common LifeJan Karon1
May 6, 2001On the Street Where You LiveMary Higgins Clark4
Jun 3, 2001Chosen PreyJohn Sandford3
Jun 24, 2001"P" Is for PerilSue Grafton2
Jul 8, 2001Seven UpJanet Evanovich1
Jul 15, 2001Leap of FaithDanielle Steel2
Jul 29, 2001The Fourth HandJohn Irving1
Aug 5, 2001Suzanne's Diary for NicholasJames Patterson4
Sep 2, 2001Valhalla RisingClive Cussler4
Sep 30, 2001Black HouseStephen King & Peter Straub2
Oct 14, 2001The CorrectionsJonathan Franzen2
Oct 28, 2001Isle of DogsPatricia Cornwell1
Nov 4, 2001Midnight BayouNora Roberts1
Nov 11, 2001The KISSDanielle Steel1
Nov 18, 2001DesecrationTim LaHaye & Jerry B. Jenkins3
Dec 9, 2001Skipping ChristmasJohn Grisham6
Jan 20, 2002One Door Away from HeavenDean Koontz2
Feb 3, 2002Journey Through HeartsongsMattie J.T. Stepanek2
Feb 17, 2002The Diary of Ellen RimbauerJoyce Reardon1
Feb 24, 2002The SummonsJohn Grisham4
Mar 24, 20022nd ChanceJames Patterson & Andrew Gross2
Apr 7, 2002Everything's EventualStephen King2
Apr 21, 2002Three FatesNora Roberts1
Apr 28, 2002The Nanny DiariesEmma McLaughlin & Nicola Kraus1
May 5, 2002Daddy's Little GirlMary Higgins Clark2
May 19, 2002The Shelters of StoneJean M. Auel4
Jun 16, 2002In This MountainJan Karon2
Jun 30, 2002The Beach HouseJames Patterson & Peter de Jonge2
Jul 7, 2002Hard EightJanet Evanovich1
Jul 21, 2002The RemnantTim LaHaye & Jerry B. Jenkins3
Aug 18, 2002The Lovely BonesAlice Sebold10
Aug 25, 2002Red RabbitTom Clancy3
Oct 6, 2002Nights in RodantheNicholas Sparks1
Oct 13, 2002From a Buick 8Stephen King1
Nov 3, 2002Q Is for QuarrySue Grafton2
Nov 17, 2002Answered PrayersDanielle Steel1
Nov 24, 2002Chesapeake BlueNora Roberts2
Dec 8, 2002Four Blind MiceJames Patterson1
Dec 15, 2002PreyMichael Crichton4
Jan 26, 2003Crossroads of TwilightRobert Jordan2
Feb 23, 2003The King of TortsJohn Grisham5
Mar 23, 2003The JesterJames Patterson & Andrew Gross1
Apr 6, 2003The Da Vinci CodeDan Brown59
Apr 20, 2003BirthrightNora Roberts1
Apr 27, 2003ArmageddonTim LaHaye & Jerry B. Jenkins5
Jun 1, 2003Naked PreyJohn Sandford1
Jun 29, 2003The Lake HouseJames Patterson1
Jul 20, 2003Johnny AngelDanielle Steel1
Aug 3, 2003To the NinesJanet Evanovich1
Aug 31, 2003The Teeth of the TigerTom Clancy2
Sep 28, 2003BleachersJohn Grisham2
Oct 12, 2003The Five People You Meet in HeavenMitch Albom7
Nov 2, 2003Blow FlyPatricia Cornwell1
Feb 22, 2004The Last JurorJohn Grisham3
Mar 21, 20043rd DegreeJames Patterson & Andrew Gross1
Apr 18, 2004Glorious AppearingTim LaHaye & Jerry B. Jenkins3
Jun 27, 2004Song of SusannahStephen King1
Jul 11, 2004Ten Big OnesJanet Evanovich1
Jul 18, 2004Sam's Letters to JenniferJames Patterson1
Aug 1, 2004“R” Is for RicochetSue Grafton1
Sep 26, 2004TracePatricia Cornwell2
Oct 10, 2004The Dark TowerStephen King3
Oct 31, 2004Northern LightsNora Roberts2
Nov 14, 2004Hour GameDavid Baldacci1
Nov 21, 2004Metro GirlJanet Evanovich1
Nov 28, 2004London BridgesJames Patterson1
Dec 12, 2004Night FallNelson DeMille1
Jan 30, 2005The BrokerJohn Grisham4
Mar 6, 2005HoneymoonJames Patterson & Howard Roughan4
Apr 3, 2005The RisingTim LaHaye & Jerry B. Jenkins1
Apr 24, 2005No Place Like HomeMary Higgins Clark1
May 1, 2005True BelieverNicholas Sparks3
May 22, 20054th of JulyJames Patterson & Maxine Paetro4
Jun 5, 2005The ClosersMichael Connelly1
Jun 26, 2005The Mermaid ChairSue Monk Kidd1
Jul 3, 2005The HistorianElizabeth Kostova1
Jul 10, 2005Eleven on TopJanet Evanovich3
Jul 31, 2005LifeguardJames Patterson & Andrew Gross4
Sep 4, 2005Chill FactorSandra Brown1
Sep 11, 2005Point BlankCatherine Coulter1
Sep 18, 2005Polar ShiftClive Cussler & Paul Kemprecos2
Oct 9, 2005Anansi BoysNeil Gaiman1
Oct 16, 2005A Breath of Snow and AshesDiana Gabaldon1
Oct 23, 2005The Lincoln LawyerMichael Connelly1
Oct 30, 2005Knife of DreamsRobert Jordan1
Nov 6, 2005At First SightNicholas Sparks1
Nov 13, 2005PredatorPatricia Cornwell2
Nov 27, 2005A Feast for CrowsGeorge R. R. Martin1
Dec 4, 2005Mary, MaryJames Patterson5
Dec 25, 2005“S” Is for SilenceSue Grafton2
Jan 22, 2006The HostageW. E. B. Griffin1
Feb 12, 2006CellStephen King3
Mar 5, 2006The 5th HorsemanJames Patterson & Maxine Paetro3
Mar 19, 2006The HouseDanielle Steel1
Apr 16, 2006GoneJonathan Kellerman1
Apr 23, 2006Two Little Girls in BlueMary Higgins Clark4
May 21, 2006Beach RoadJames Patterson & Peter de Jonge3
Jun 11, 2006At RiskPatricia Cornwell1
Jun 18, 2006The HusbandDean Koontz3
Jul 9, 2006Twelve SharpJanet Evanovich3
Jul 30, 2006Angels FallNora Roberts2
Aug 6, 2006PhantomTerry Goodkind1
Aug 20, 2006Judge & JuryJames Patterson & Andrew Gross4
Sep 17, 2006Rise and ShineAnna Quindlen1
Sep 24, 2006The Book of FateBrad Meltzer1
Oct 1, 2006The Thirteenth TaleDiane Setterfield2
Oct 15, 2006For One More DayMitch Albom9
Nov 12, 2006Lisey's StoryStephen King1
Nov 26, 2006Dear JohnNicholas Sparks1
Dec 3, 2006CrossJames Patterson3
Jan 28, 2007Plum Lovin'Janet Evanovich4
Feb 25, 2007Step on a CrackJames Patterson & Michael Ledwidge2
Mar 11, 2007Innocent in DeathJ. D. Robb1
Mar 18, 2007Shopaholic & BabySophie Kinsella1
Mar 25, 2007Nineteen MinutesJodi Picoult4
Apr 22, 2007I Heard That Song BeforeMary Higgins Clark2
May 6, 2007The Children of HÚRinJ. R. R. Tolkien. Christopher Tolkien1
May 13, 2007Simple GeniusDavid Baldacci2
May 27, 2007The 6th TargetJames Patterson & Maxine Paetro2
Jun 10, 2007A Thousand Splendid SunsKhaled Hosseini15
Jul 8, 2007Lean Mean ThirteenJanet Evanovich1
Jul 22, 2007The QuickieJames Patterson & Michael Ledwidge2
Sep 30, 2007You’Ve Been WarnedJames Patterson & Howard Roughan2
Oct 14, 2007Playing for PizzaJohn Grisham3
Oct 28, 2007World Without EndKen Follett1
Nov 11, 2007Book of the DeadPatricia Cornwell1
Nov 18, 2007Protect and DefendVince Flynn1
Nov 25, 2007Stone ColdDavid Baldacci1
Dec 2, 2007Double CrossJames Patterson4
Dec 23, 2007“T” Is for TrespassSue Grafton2
Jan 27, 2008Plum LuckyJanet Evanovich2
Feb 10, 2008Duma KeyStephen King1
Feb 17, 2008The AppealJohn Grisham5
Mar 23, 2008Change of HeartJodi Picoult3
Apr 13, 2008CompulsionJonathan Kellerman1
Apr 20, 2008Unaccustomed EarthJhumpa Lahiri1
Apr 27, 2008Where Are You Now?Mary Higgins Clark1
May 4, 2008Hold TightHarlan Coben1
May 11, 2008The Whole TruthDavid Baldacci1
May 18, 2008Sundays at Tiffany’SJames Patterson & Gabrielle Charbonnet1
May 25, 2008The HostStephenie Meyer2
Jun 8, 2008Odd HoursDean Koontz1
Jun 15, 2008Blood NoirLaurell K. Hamilton1
Jun 22, 2008Nothing to LoseLee Child1
Jun 29, 2008SailJames Patterson & Howard Roughan1
Jul 6, 2008Fearless FourteenJanet Evanovich2
Jul 20, 2008The Last PatriotBrad Thor1
Jul 27, 2008TributeNora Roberts2
Aug 10, 2008Moscow RulesDaniel Silva2
Aug 24, 2008AcheronSherrilyn Kenyon1
Aug 31, 2008Smoke ScreenSandra Brown1
Sep 7, 2008The Force UnleashedSean Williams1
Sep 14, 2008Devil BonesKathy Reichs1
Sep 21, 2008Dark CurseChristine Feehan1
Sep 28, 2008AnathemNeal Stephenson1
Oct 5, 2008The Story of Edgar SawtelleDavid Wroblewski2
Oct 19, 2008The Lucky OneNicholas Sparks2
Nov 2, 2008The Brass VerdictMichael Connelly1
Nov 9, 2008Extreme MeasuresVince Flynn1
Nov 16, 2008The Gate HouseNelson DeMille1
Nov 23, 2008Divine JusticeDavid Baldacci1
Nov 30, 2008The Christmas SweaterGlenn Beck, Kevin Balfe & Jason Wright2
Dec 7, 2008Cross CountryJames Patterson2
Dec 21, 2008ScarpettaPatricia Cornwell3
Jan 18, 2009Black OpsW. E. B. Griffin1
Jan 25, 2009Plum SpookyJanet Evanovich3
Feb 15, 2009The AssociateJohn Grisham4
Mar 15, 2009Promises in DeathJ. D. Robb1
Mar 22, 2009Handle with CareJodi Picoult3
Apr 12, 2009True DetectivesJonathan Kellerman1
Apr 19, 2009Long LostHarlan Coben1
Apr 26, 2009Turn CoatJim Butcher1
May 3, 2009Just Take My HeartMary Higgins Clark1
May 10, 2009First FamilyDavid Baldacci1
May 17, 2009The 8th ConfessionJames Patterson & Maxine Paetro1
May 24, 2009Dead and GoneCharlaine Harris1
May 31, 2009Wicked PreyJohn Sandford1
Jun 7, 2009Gone TomorrowLee Child1
Jun 14, 2009The ScarecrowMichael Connelly1
Jun 21, 2009Skin TradeLaurell K. Hamilton1
Jun 28, 2009RelentlessDean Koontz1
Jul 5, 2009KnockoutCatherine Coulter1
Jul 12, 2009Finger Lickin’ FifteenJanet Evanovich1
Jul 19, 2009SwimsuitJames Patterson & Maxine Paetro1
Jul 26, 2009Black HillsNora Roberts1
Aug 2, 2009Best Friends ForeverJennifer Weiner1
Aug 9, 2009The DefectorDaniel Silva1
Aug 16, 2009The Girl Who Played with FireStieg Larsson1
Aug 23, 2009Bad Moon RisingSherrilyn Kenyon1
Aug 30, 2009South of BroadPat Conroy2
Sep 13, 2009Alex Cross’S TrialJames Patterson & Richard DiLallo1
Sep 20, 2009Dark SlayerChristine Feehan1
Sep 27, 2009The Last SongNicholas Sparks1
Oct 4, 2009The Lost SymbolDan Brown7
Nov 15, 2009The Gathering StormRobert Jordan & Brandon Sanderson1
Nov 22, 2009Ford CountyJohn Grisham1
Nov 29, 2009Under the DomeStephen King1
Dec 6, 2009I, Alex CrossJames Patterson2
Dec 20, 2009“U” Is for UndertowSue Grafton1

Author of the Decade and the rankings are the ChartReign Power model: the author with the most chart power over the decade, not the most #1s. Crowns are weeks crowned Author of the Week. How it works