A recent survey by Litres mapped where Russian readers reach most for romance novels, with the results published by TASS. The data reveals a striking regional pattern in the popularity of love stories across the country, highlighting what people enjoy and how tastes differ from one region to another.
Ingushetia stands out as the country’s strongest market for romance books. In this republic, nearly half of all romance book sales come from that genre, with a share reaching 45.86%. The north Caucasus region follows closely behind, where Chechnya accounts for about 31.8% and Dagestan for roughly 29.46% of romance genre sales. Other republics in the same cluster show solid engagement as well, including Kabardino-Balkaria at around 26.87% and North Ossetia-Alania at about 25.28%. These numbers reflect a cultural affinity for romantic narratives that resonates across diverse communities in the North Caucasus, illustrating how regional tastes can drive genre popularity in the national market.
Moving toward the Central Federal District, the appetite for romance literature is pronounced in the Oryol and Tambov regions. These two areas stand out by recording approximately 24% each, placing them among the top centers of romance reading within the district. Their prominence suggests a steady demand for emotional storytelling, intimate character arcs, and the dreamlike escapes that romance novels provide, even in a region known for its historical connections to classic literature and pragmatic cultural tastes.
Conversely, interest in romance titles is markedly lower in several far-flung territories. Chukotka and the Jewish Autonomous Region report modest engagement levels around 9.78% and 9.96% respectively. Moscow and Saint Petersburg, while large metropolises with broad cultural ecosystems, show more modest shares around 15% for romance purchases in this category. The Krasnoyarsk Territory mirrors that level, while the Far Eastern Federal District trails with about 9.31% romance interest, underscoring a clear regional disparity in demand for love narratives. These contrasts illuminate how urban density, regional identity, and local literary ecosystems shape what people choose to read in their leisure time.
Across the nation, the most popular romance title for a broad swath of readers in several regions is Matilda Starr’s fantasy romance School of Sorcerers. Another standout romance, The World of Amatorio by Marie Moore, dominated as a top pick in many markets. Marina Surzhevskaya’s Temptation, James Cameron Gatesbury’s The Curious Case of Elizabeth, Dmitry Petrov’s Kuritsyn Residential Complex, and a few other works also performed strongly in various locales, reflecting a diverse field of romantic fiction that resonates with different readers and regional preferences. The ranking of titles hints at a shared appetite for adventurous plots, emotionally charged relationships, and imaginative settings that capture the imagination of readers in cities and rural towns alike.
In discussions with industry observers, Mu Ping, founder and general director of the publishing house Chance, noted a rising interest in Chinese literature among Russian readers. This trend suggests a broader curiosity about romance and related genres beyond national borders, as readers seek fresh voices and new storytelling approaches. The shift points to a market that welcomes cross-cultural narratives and expands the landscape of what counts as romance in contemporary Russian publishing.
These developments reflect a moment of evolution in Russian literary culture, where regional preferences and global influences meet on shelves and screens. The data underscores how readers across Russia choose romance for companionship, escape, and shared cultural moments, while publishers respond by curating titles that speak to diverse tastes and regional identities. The conversation around romance in Russia is part of a larger conversation about reading habits, cultural production, and the power of stories to connect people across vast geographic distances.