Benable — create shareable lists of things you recommend!
E.g., products you love, local businesses, travel recs - you can add anything to a Benable list!
What Should I Read Next?
48
items I’ve read 50+ books each year for the past few years—spanning multiple genres—so I have quite a few recommendations if you’re looking for your next read! All links are to bookshop.org because we love supporting indie bookstores 🫶🏻 Note: I've only included the first books in series, but if it's on this list, I've read (and recommend) the whole series!
Sections
5
Dystopian & Sci Fi
Fantasy
Mystery & Thriller
Romance
Romantasy
Dystopian & Sci Fi
I feel like this one doesn’t need much explaining? If you haven’t read it yet, do yourself a favor and read it asap.
The Hunger Games
I met this author and she was the sweetest person! this book has an interesting take on multi-verses and walking between worlds that I really enjoyed
The Space Between Worlds
READ THIS SERIES. Sci-fi & fantasy, this is the FUNNIEST series I have ever read, while also being extremely emotionally complex. I will never stop recommending this series.
Dungeon Crawler Carl
This is a quick, funny read with talking cats. What's not to like?
Starter Villain
Fantasy
Can confirm this series is still so much fun to read as an adult! Whether you’re reading it for the first time or revisiting Camp Half-Blood, this is an incredible series based on Greek mythology. Plus it’s a show on Disney+!
Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book One: The Lightning Thief
Although this series may be YA, it’s still a dark fantasy about three sisters who will have to kill each other for the crown. It’s an intriguing read, even as an adult!
Three Dark Crowns
Slower paced, but this one is a must-read if you’re a fan of Greek mythology.
Circe
If you’re an Alice in Wonderland fan, this standalone Queen of Hearts story is a must-read!
Heartless
whimsical but still a bit dark, this one constantly had me second-guessing things!
Caraval
A lesser known Hades x Persephone retelling, I definitely recommend.
The Goddess Test
If you like Legends & Lattes, this is your next read. A cozy fantasy involving a plant and tea shop, nature magic, and dragons? Perfect.
Can't Spell Treason Without Tea
This is an intense historical fantasy in a war setting. It's so, so good, but very dark and gruesome. The collector's edition is STUNNING.
The Poppy War: A Novel
The coziest, most heartwarming fantasy about an orc trying to open a coffee shop. It has the best found family and is my go-to comfort book that I will always recommend to people. I also recommend the audiobook, which is narrated by the author!
Legends & Lattes: A Novel of High Fantasy and Low Stakes
A standalone, dark academia fantasy that had me audibly gasping. It's dark and emotional, but so good.
Blood Over Bright Haven: A Novel
This was one of my favorite series in high school and still holds up as a reread now as an adult
Red Queen
Mystery & Thriller
Told from the POVs of the past, present, and a murder mystery podcast, this book keeps you guessing! It’s also got a supernatural element too 👀
Almost Surely Dead
Agatha Christie is the Queen of Crime for a reason! This is the first in the series revolving around Detective Hercules Poirot.
The Mysterious Affair at Styles
Agatha Christie mystery in a Bridgerton setting, with the small-town absurdity of Gilmore Girls. I also highly recommend the audiobook; the British narrator really adds to the Bridgerton vibes!
A Most Agreeable Murder: A Novel
This one has a premise I've never seen before, which lends itself to creating two mysteries in one story. It was fun switching between the mystery of the past and that of the present, and seeing how the two ultimately intertwined!
How to Solve Your Own Murder: A Novel
Full disclosure: this is the only one in the series I've read. I found it to be a bit predictable, but still a good, quick thriller!
The Housemaid
Romance
This is the only mafia romance I’ve read, but I’m a big fan! The series takes place in Boston and each book follows one of the O’Malley siblings. This is a series you’re probably not going to be reading primarily for the plot…
Dark Succession (previously published as The Marriage Contract)
The perfect beach read, this book is just so heartwarming! Swifties will also find a fun Easter egg in this one 👀
The Summer of Broken Rules
This was my first Emily Henry and the one that began the addiction. Do yourself a favor and read this if you’re a romance book girly!
Beach Read
such a fun read, plus it’s coming to Netflix in July 2026!
People We Meet on Vacation
this is 100% a cheesy, Hallmark-esque, small-town romance with some Stars Hollow vibes! plus the sequel is even better imo
The Pumpkin Spice Café
I read this one in 24 hours, definitely one of my top Emily Henry books
Book Lovers
This one really hits hard for those who are feeling stuck in their current job/location, while also having one of the best MMCs!
Happy Place
This is the only Abby Jimenez book I've read so far, but it was amazing. I laughed so much, and I absolutely loved the veterinarian MMC!
Say You'll Remember Me
Basically The Bachelor in book form with Cinderella references. Such a fun read!
If the Shoe Fits
This is the first in a series of interconnected standalones, but I really loved this one in particular. It felt so realistic, which I appreciated!
The Wedding Date
This is the only book I've read by Taylor Jenkins Reid (so far), but I really enjoyed it! Not only is this book about the romance, but it's also about dealing with grief, which was really beautiful.
One True Loves
I was a little nervous about this one, but was pleasantly surprised! It's darker in nature just by virtue of the main characters' ...hobbies... but it's also very funny! Hot take, but the second book (Leather & Lark) is my favorite in the trilogy
Butcher & Blackbird
If you like audiobooks, I specifically recommend listening to this one around Christmas! I was laughing SO much
How My Neighbor Stole Christmas
Romantasy
Quite possibly my favorite series of all time. The message of how small acts of kindness can save the world is just so powerful 🥹 I will always recommend starting with Throne of Glass first and reading Assassin’s Blade third (after Crown of Midnight...
Throne of Glass
The Crescent City series is an urban fantasy series, which is not a type of fantasy that I read too often, but I really enjoyed this SJM series as well!
House of Earth and Blood
Hades x Persephone retelling that you definitely aren’t reading primarily for the plot 🤭 The first few books feel more like interconnected standalones, but as the series progresses there becomes an overarching storyline and conflict!
Neon Gods
If you want to read about dragons and romance against the backdrop of a war college, this is the series for you!
Fourth Wing
This is probably one of the most unique magic systems I’ve ever read about. One Dark Window is a gothic fantasy that will pull you into a world of magical cards and deceit. & the second book in this duology is just as good as the first!
One Dark Window
while I do recommend you read the Caraval trilogy before this one, the OUABH trilogy could be read on its own. it’s so magical and whimsical and wonderful and I highly recommend!
Once Upon a Broken Heart
The book that got me back into reading after a years-long hiatus, this one will always have a special place in my heart!
A Court of Thorns and Roses
Readers are not kidding when they say there's a MAJOR plot twist.
Metal Slinger: Fire & Metal: Book One
I adore this series! It had me laughing SO much.
Assistant to the Villain
I would consider this a romance with fantasy characters. It was a five-star read for me (as were the other two in the trilogy); it had me laughing so much while also exploring some more complex family relationships.
A Witch's Guide to Fake Dating a Demon
If you liked Caraval, this is the more adult, more haunted version of that. Plus the OCD representation is amazing. Five stars.
Phantasma
This is a beautifully written gothic and medieval fantasy about gods, power, and faith, with some romance as well! Rachel Gillig has officially become an auto-buy author for me
The Knight and the Moth
I agree with those describing this as a CW show in book form. It's chaotic and messy, but it's SO addicting! This series also has the best enemies to lovers plot I have ever read.
Zodiac Academy 1: The Awakening
This is the perfect witchy rom-com for fall! It literally had me laughing out loud
The Ex Hex
If you're looking for something to cure your ACOTAR hangover, look no further!
Quicksilver