Twilight voted worst book of all time by Goodreads readers

Stephenie Meyer’s teenage fantasy novel Twilight has recently been voted the worst book of all time by readers on Goodreads, according to Parade. The revelation comes despite the novel’s massive commercial success, having sold over 160 million copies worldwide. While it remains a cultural phenomenon, the rating highlights how public opinion of the book has shifted over time.

From Blockbuster to Cultural Icon

First published in 2005, Twilight quickly captured the imagination of readers, telling the story of Bella Swan, a teenage girl who falls in love with the 170-year-old vampire Edward Cullen. Mixing romance, thriller, and fantasy elements, the novel resonated strongly with teenagers of the time.

Its popularity spawned sequels including New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn, cementing the series as a defining force in young adult literature. The film adaptations, starring Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, and Taylor Lautner, were also hugely successful at the box office and helped elevate the stars to global fame.

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A Love-Hate Relationship

Despite its success, Twilight has long divided opinion. Critics have taken issue with its character dynamics, prose style, and storyline. Notably, horror author Stephen King described the series in The Guardian as “really not about vampires and werewolves. They’re about how the love of a girl can turn a bad boy good.” King went further, calling it “tweenager porn” and admitted he read it but “felt no urge to go on with her.”

A Polarising Legacy

The latest Goodreads ranking confirms that Twilight continues to provoke strong reactions. While millions remember it fondly as a cultural touchstone of teenage fantasy, others now view it less kindly. Its enduring presence in public discourse demonstrates how some books can remain both influential and controversial for years.