📚 Book Recommendations
🏆 The Top 10 Staff Picks Best Books of 2025
🏆 The Top 10 Staff Picks Best Books of 2025
📖 1. Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix (Horror)
"A beautifully haunting, thought-provoking story about societal views and motherhood that dabbles with witchcraft. There are moments where you laugh, feel scared, and even cry. That’s the beauty of this book: everything comes with a price."
—Caylee Wilson, Midtown Reader
📖 2. The Three Lives of Cate Kay by Kate Fagan (Fiction)
"Rarely do I care so intensely about characters in a suspense novel, but The Three Lives of Cate Kay provides mystery with hope and redemption."
—Tammy Watkins, The Village Bookseller
📖 3. Water Moon by Samantha Sotto Yambao (Fantasy)
"This delectable treat of a book is a triumph of worldbuilding… Perfect for a cozy read by the fire."
—Victoria Ford, Comma, a Bookshop
📖 4. What Happened to the McCrays? by Tracey Lange (Fiction)
"The addictive story of a couple rediscovering love after a tragedy upended their relationship. Readers will have empathy for good-hearted Casey and Kyle."
—Chris Stuckenschneider, Neighborhood Reads
📖 5. The Favorites by Layne Fargo (Fiction)
"I loved everything about this exhilarating novel… Set within the demanding, cutthroat world of competitive ice dancing."
—Anderson McKean, Page and Palette
📖 6. Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney (Thriller)
"The queen of twist does it again! This book exceeded my expectations. Packed with tension and unexpected twists that kept me up all night."
—Chelsea Praznik, Nacho Mama’s Bookshop
📖 7. Good Girl by Aria Aber (Fiction)
"Fans of Ocean Vuong and Kaveh Akbar, take note… A bright coming-of-age novel centering a young woman grieving her mother and falling into a dangerous romance."
—Laurel Rhame, Phoenix Books
📖 8. More or Less Maddy by Lisa Genova (Fiction)
"Lisa Genova pulled me into Maddy’s compelling story, and left me with a better understanding of the challenges someone with bipolar disorder faces."
—Angela Sides, Monkey and Dog Books
📖 9. North Is the Night by Emily Rath (Fantasy)
"The worlds of Finnish gods and goddesses and mortals collide… I can’t wait to see where these fierce feminists take us next."
—Mary O'Malley, Skylark Bookshop
📖 10. Sweet Fury by Sash Bischoff (Thriller)
"Sweet Fury is sure to please readers who want a solid, twisty, character-driven thriller with a film industry background."
—Kathy Mailloux, East City Bookshop
🏆 10 Best Indie Books of All Time 📚🔥
Top 10 Best Indie Books of All Time 📚🔥
📖 The Martian – Andy Weir
“Brilliantly nerdy and filled with humor, this self-published sensation turned blockbuster is an unforgettable survival story.”
📖 Wool – Hugh Howey
“A dystopian masterpiece that redefined self-publishing success and captivated sci-fi fans worldwide.”
📖 Legends & Lattes – Travis Baldree
“A cozy, feel-good fantasy about second chances, coffee, and orcs—you won’t want to leave this world.”
📖 A Man Called Ove – Fredrik Backman
“A heartwarming and witty exploration of life, loss, and unexpected friendships.”
📖 The House in the Cerulean Sea – TJ Klune
“A whimsical and deeply touching tale about finding family in the most unexpected places.”
📖 We Are Legion (We Are Bob) – Dennis E. Taylor
“A wildly entertaining sci-fi adventure featuring humor, AI, and a reluctant hero.”
📖 The Atlas Six – Olivie Blake
“Dark academia meets magic in this seductive, mind-bending tale of ambition and secrets.”
📖 Shatter Me – Tahereh Mafi
“A lyrical, dystopian thrill ride packed with romance and intense world-building.”
📖 The Name of the Wind – Patrick Rothfuss (Originally Self-Published)
“A breathtaking fantasy epic that sets the gold standard for storytelling.”
📖 Beautiful Disaster – Jamie McGuire
“A gripping, emotionally intense romance that sparked a new wave in indie publishing.”
🔥 More to Come! Stay Tuned for More Indie Classics.
📌 Barnes & Noble links coming soon!
📢 Want to see more indie book rankings? Check out our full Best Indie Books List.
📚 Best Books for Every Aesthetic & Mood
📚 Best Books for Every Aesthetic & Mood
Looking for the perfect book to match your mood? Whether you crave something poetic and nostalgic, dark and mysterious, or hopeful and futuristic, this curated collection will help you find your next unforgettable read.
At FindLitBooks, we believe that books should feel like an experience—transporting you to different worlds, emotions, and storytelling styles. Browse by aesthetic below and find your next literary escape.
📖 Click on any book to grab a copy and start reading!
🌅 Golden Hour Reads: Books That Feel Like a Sunset
For fans of lush, poetic writing, nostalgia, and books that feel like warm light on your skin.
✨ Best Picks:
📖
📚 Best Books for Every Aesthetic & Mood
Looking for the perfect book to match your mood? Whether you crave something poetic and nostalgic, dark and mysterious, or hopeful and futuristic, this curated collection will help you find your next unforgettable read.
At FindLitBooks, we believe that books should feel like an experience—transporting you to different worlds, emotions, and storytelling styles. Browse by aesthetic below and find your next literary escape.
📖 Click on any book to grab a copy and start reading!
🌅 Golden Hour Reads: Books That Feel Like a Sunset
For fans of lush, poetic writing, nostalgia, and books that feel like warm light on your skin.
✨ Best Picks:
📖 The Night Circus – Erin Morgenstern | A magical, immersive story that unfolds like a dream.
📖 Where the Crawdads Sing – Delia Owens | A stunning blend of nature writing, mystery, and coming-of-age storytelling.
📖 The Light We Lost – Jill Santopolo | A heartbreaking yet beautiful love story spanning years.
📖 Call Me By Your Name – André Aciman | A summer-drenched romance with gorgeous prose.
📖 Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow – Gabrielle Zevin | A modern epic about love, creativity, and the passage of time.
🏰 Dark Academia & Haunting Prose
For fans of gothic mysteries, secret societies, and books that feel like candlelit libraries.
📚 Best Picks:
📖 The Secret History – Donna Tartt | The quintessential dark academia novel.
📖 If We Were Villains – M.L. Rio | Shakespeare, betrayal, and obsession in a prestigious drama school.
📖 Babel – R.F. Kuang | A linguistics-inspired fantasy exploring colonialism and dark academia.
📖 Mexican Gothic – Silvia Moreno-Garcia | A haunting horror set in a mysterious, decaying mansion.
📖 The Shadow of the Wind – Carlos Ruiz Zafón | A book about books, love, and a long-lost literary mystery.
🌿 Solarpunk & Eco-Fiction: Hopeful Sci-Fi for a Better Future
For fans of utopian sci-fi, green technology, and optimistic worldbuilding.
🌱 Best Picks:
📖 The Ministry for the Future – Kim Stanley Robinson | A gripping climate fiction novel that feels eerily real.
📖 A Psalm for the Wild-Built – Becky Chambers | A cozy, thoughtful sci-fi about a monk and a robot.
📖 Parable of the Sower – Octavia Butler | A gripping dystopian story with a visionary, hopeful protagonist.
📖 The Overstory – Richard Powers | A literary novel about trees, activism, and human connection to nature.
📖 Walkaway – Cory Doctorow | A futuristic take on post-scarcity economics and resilience.
💫 Cozy Speculative Fiction: Comforting Reads with a Touch of Magic
For fans of warm, gentle storytelling, slice-of-life sci-fi, and books that feel like a hug.
🌙 Best Picks:
📖 Legends & Lattes – Travis Baldree | A cozy, low-stakes fantasy about an orc opening a coffee shop.
📖 The House in the Cerulean Sea – TJ Klune | A whimsical, heartwarming story about found family.
📖 Piranesi – Susanna Clarke | A beautifully written book that feels like stepping into a dream.
📖 The Tea Master and the Detective – Aliette de Bodard | A tea-filled sci-fi mystery with Sherlock Holmes vibes.
📖 Howl’s Moving Castle – Diana Wynne Jones | Classic whimsical fantasy with humor and heart.
💡 Stay Updated on the Best Books!
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| A magical, immersive story that unfolds like a dream.
📖 Where the Crawdads Sing – Delia Owens | A stunning blend of nature writing, mystery, and coming-of-age storytelling.
📖 The Light We Lost – Jill Santopolo | A heartbreaking yet beautiful love story spanning years.
📖 Call Me By Your Name – André Aciman | A summer-drenched romance with gorgeous prose.
📖 Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow – Gabrielle Zevin | A modern epic about love, creativity, and the passage of time.
🏰 Dark Academia & Haunting Prose
For fans of gothic mysteries, secret societies, and books that feel like candlelit libraries.
📚 Best Picks:
1. The Secret History by Donna Tartt
I still remember the first time I immersed myself in The Secret History. Set in an elite New England college, this dark academia novel lays the groundwork for what dark academia literature is all about. Its atmospheric setting, intricate characters, and the simmering suspense of forbidden knowledge make it a perennial favorite among fans of dark academia books. If you've ever wondered what are dark academia novels at their finest, this masterpiece will answer that question.
2. If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio
Imagine if Shakespeare had penned a tale of murder, mystery, and dramatic tension—If We Were Villains does just that. This novel is a standout among dark academia book recs, plunging you into an elite arts college where seven theater students find themselves entangled in a tragedy as theatrical as it is dark. Every twist feels like a nod to the best gothic dark academia, making it a must-have on any list of dark academia books to read.
3. Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
For those who crave a supernatural twist in their dark academia experience, Ninth House is a thrilling dive into the unknown. Following Yale student Alex Stern, who navigates a world of secret societies and ghostly apparitions, this novel redefines what it means to be part of the dark academia universe. If you’re exploring new dark academia books or simply curious about the genre, this eerie narrative delivers an unforgettable mix of magic, mystery, and modern dark academia vibes.
4. Catherine House by Elisabeth Thomas
Step into the mysterious corridors of Catherine House, where every secret and ritual adds to the gothic charm of dark academia literature. As Ines uncovers hidden truths at a secluded liberal arts college, you’ll find yourself absorbed by the blend of suspense and eerie tradition—a combination that solidifies this title as one of the best dark academia novels. This book is a gem for anyone compiling a list of dark academia classics or seeking dark academia books with a hint of romance and enigma.
5. A Deadly Education (The Scholomance #1) by Naomi Novik
Ever wished your school days had an edge of peril and magic? A Deadly Education catapults you into a magical academy where the stakes are life and death. Our protagonist, El, is not only fighting for survival but also challenging the conventions of dark academia. This novel is an essential addition for anyone curating dark academia book recs, proving that dark academia can be both fantastical and ferociously engaging.
🌿 Solarpunk & Eco-Fiction: Hopeful Sci-Fi for a Better Future
For fans of utopian sci-fi, green technology, and optimistic worldbuilding.
🌱 Best Picks:
📖 The Ministry for the Future – Kim Stanley Robinson | A gripping climate fiction novel that feels eerily real.
📖 A Psalm for the Wild-Built – Becky Chambers | A cozy, thoughtful sci-fi about a monk and a robot.
📖 Parable of the Sower – Octavia Butler | A gripping dystopian story with a visionary, hopeful protagonist.
📖 The Overstory – Richard Powers | A literary novel about trees, activism, and human connection to nature.
📖 Walkaway – Cory Doctorow | A futuristic take on post-scarcity economics and resilience.
💫 Cozy Speculative Fiction: Comforting Reads with a Touch of Magic
For fans of warm, gentle storytelling, slice-of-life sci-fi, and books that feel like a hug.
🌙 Best Picks:
📖 Legends & Lattes – Travis Baldree | A cozy, low-stakes fantasy about an orc opening a coffee shop.
📖 The House in the Cerulean Sea – TJ Klune | A whimsical, heartwarming story about found family.
📖 Piranesi – Susanna Clarke | A beautifully written book that feels like stepping into a dream.
📖 The Tea Master and the Detective – Aliette de Bodard | A tea-filled sci-fi mystery with Sherlock Holmes vibes.
📖 Howl’s Moving Castle – Diana Wynne Jones | Classic whimsical fantasy with humor and heart.