Read These Books About Books Now (26 Book Ideas)

Violet Powell, a young woman from rural Maine, is being released from prison after serving time for a fatal drunk-driving crash.

Within the walls of a Portland bookstore, Violet struggles with guilt while Harriet navigates an empty nest, and Frank confronts marital troubles.

But as these three cross paths, their encounters spark a new journey through the healing power of literature.

This latest novel offers transformative second chances from the beloved author of One-In-A-Million-Boy.

Related- Monica Wood Interview

Erin Connolly, who is newly grieving, accidentally donates her cherished annotated copy of To Kill a Mockingbird to a local library.

But, after it reappears with fresh notes and an invitation from a mysterious pen pal, Erin embarks on a life-changing literary journey.

As they share their stories through the margins of classic novels, Erin discovers unexpected connections and confronts painful truths that could alter her future forever.

Release Date- 3 September 2024

Related- Books On Grief and Loss

You'll feel like a kid again as you pour over the page of this book within a book coyly narrated like your favorite middle-grade chapter books.

In West Virginia, two boys vanish during a school trip to Red Crow State Forest, becoming known as the "lost boys." When a nurse discovers them seemingly unharmed months later, the mystery deepens, weaving an enchanting tale of magic and love in the heart of Appalachia.

Join us later this summer on the Book Gang podcast in another exclusive Meg Shaffer interview to learn more about her process that proves a sophomore slump doesn't have to be a thing.

Release Date- 16 July 2024

Related- Best Magical Realism Books

Related- Meg Shaffer Interview (The Wishing Game)

This novel took some provocative turns, but I loved the overall message in how books can help us be more empathetic to those around us.

In this small Southern town, banned books are now available in a neighbor's little library, and the encounter changes the readers' lives.

For example, Are You There God, It's Me, Margaret teaches a boy about periods and what his mom's "bandages" under the sink are for.

But there are also more pivotal lessons, like a wife discovering The Diary of Anne Frank and understanding her husband's collection of Nazi memorabilia with a whole new lens.

At its root, the books (some real, some fictional) showcase the empathy we discover when we read these novels for the first time. 

If When Harry Met Sally is your favorite rom-com, you'll adore this laugh-out-loud enemies-to-lovers romance.

Natalie and Rob are brought together for a friend's wedding. Although sparks initially fly, the mood dampens when Natalie discovers Rob's one-star review on Goodreads.

As they navigate their newfound tension, awkward encounters unfold as they gather for their friend's momentous milestones, from baby showers to vacations.

Be sure to listen to my Laura Hankin interview on the Book Gang podcast and join us for our special spoiler episode, where we discuss the hilarious twists as she brought readers to their happily-ever-after.

Related- Books About Authors and Publishing

Zara expects a windfall after her father's passing, only to receive a paltry sum that barely covers her mounting bills.

Turning to ghostwriting, she finds success but soon becomes entangled in a dangerous web of obsession when she takes on a celebrity chef's memoir.

Prepare to get muddy in these treacherous waters. It's a darkly funny novel laced with ambition and deception.

Related- 2024 Summer Reading Guide

This well-researched novel offers a short story experience within its chapters.

A book curator specializing in conserving medieval documents must preserve a Hebrew manuscript from the fifteenth century. This intriguing book was saved from the ruins of a bombed library, but it holds a mesmerizing story.

Hannah's curiosity and sleuthing offer readers many microscopic mysteries in the restoration of this book of prayers.

Jennifer Kim's deadpan narration in this novel's audiobook adds a delicious layer to this satirical story.

Ingrid Yang's academic struggles take a strange turn when she stumbles upon a scathing note challenging her dissertation research on a celebrated poet.

With the help of her K-drama-loving best friend Eunice, a girl who understands a good plot twist, they try to uncover the mystery behind this renowned literary figure.

This discovery leads to unexpected revelations about race, identity, and the often absurd nature of academia.

But readers should prepare for a long and winding road to the finish.

In the frigid isolation of early 1900s Svalbard, Sven finds solace in the icy wilderness and the pages of his beloved books. With his battered copies as constant companions, he seeks refuge from the harsh realities of his surroundings and the scars of his past.

However, unexpected friendships with a Scottish executive and a Finnish trapper shatter his solitude, opening this introvert's world to companionship and connection.

It was such a joy to spend a day with Nathaniel, discussing his writing process for this uniquely imagined world. He not only holds an MFA in Creative Writing and MS in Environmental Studies from the University of Montana, but he is also a former resident of the Arctic Circle Expeditionary Program.

You can unlock this interview by joining our book club.

Related- 2023 Book Club Books

Candace Chen struggles to navigate the challenges of her pre-pandemic role in a publishing house amid the sweeping effects of a global health crisis.

Ma offers readers a fascinating look at the internal workings of a publishing house through intriguing insights into the unique printing processes of Bibles overseas, including how they achieve printing on those paper-thin pages.

I can't wait to dissect this novel together in our book club this year!

Related- 2024 Book Club Books

This juicy novel offers readers a horrifying case of literary deception as a white author shamelessly appropriates the identity of an Asian writer for personal gain.

June Hayward and Athena Liu were Yale classmates destined for literary stardom. But when Athena dies unexpectedly, June seizes the opportunity to claim Athena's manuscript as her own.

From choosing an ambiguous pseudonym to the marketing strategy, Kunag's biting commentary on publishing is propulsive and illuminating.

It would make an incredible book pairing with Disorientation!

Related- Top Celebrity Book Club Books

In this Read with Jenna book, an African-American author launches a cross-country tour to promote his bestselling novel.

His journey intertwines with the moving stories of Soot, a young Black boy from a rural town, and The Kid, a possibly imaginary child who appears to him along the way.

As these stories converge, the novel explores the harsh realities of racism that electrify into a powerful exploration of identity and societal issues.

This story serves as a gentle reminder to keep going despite life's challenges and highlights the impact of our choices on others.

There is a library beyond the universe where books recount stories of alternate realities. One describes your present life, while others narrate the paths you could have taken.

Readers are introduced to Nora, the protagonist exploring different life choices in this magical Midnight Library. The concept resonated deeply with many of our book club members the year we selected it.

Related- Best Books About Alternate Realities or Parallel Lives

In this uniquely built novel, Alice's debut unfolds like a tapestry in this story, weaving together the lives of nine different readers who find themselves profoundly changed by her words.

From a homeless teenager seeking solace in fiction to a grieving widower finding hope anew, each character discovers unexpected revelations within Alice's novel.

As their individual stories pull together, Erica Bauermeister showcases the transformative power of fiction's ability to inspire and heal.

Alice Pearse is a working mother doing her best to juggle it all. She unexpectedly plunges into a new bookish career, snagging a dream job at Scroll.

This hip young start-up promises to be the future of reading, with its chain of chic literary lounges and dedication to beloved classics. 

All goes swimmingly until her dad gets sick, her marriage flounders, her babysitter quits, and work serves up some wild plot twists.

As you can imagine, the balancing jig for Alice might be up, and this mom discovers some surprising truths about work-life balance.

Related- Elisabeth Egan Interview

This novel offers a full cast audiobook narration with Aja Naomi King, Heather Alicia Simms, and Bahni Turpin.

At Wagner Books, Nella Rogers is the only Black woman on staff who deals with her colleagues' daily microaggressions. When another Black woman joins the agency, Nella hopes for solidarity and support.

However, tensions arise when a bestselling author's racially insensitive storyline tests their relationship, leading to a showdown with far-reaching consequences.

Don't miss The Other Black Girl series adaptation on Hulu, which rivaled the book primarily as they changed the book's ending for the series.

Related- Best Social Horror Books

James lands a dream deal with a major publishing house, only to discover his editor is Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis herself.

Entranced by James's autobiographical novel, Mrs. Onassis becomes his guiding literary force, urging him to excavate his family's layered story.

As he wrestles with his story's shortcomings, her gentle guidance leads him back to his roots, where he unearths the truths he's been avoiding all along.

Steven Rowley masterfully honors Mrs. Onassis's legacy with grace and respect, weaving a fictional narrative that captures her essence through stunning observation.

This chunky novel is in my summer stack and I am SO excited to dig in. I've heard incredible things.

For the Kalotay family, ancient books hold magical secrets. Estranged sisters Joanna and Esther, raised to protect these treasures, must reunite when their father's death reveals a mysterious volume.

As they explore their family's legacy, they uncover hidden secrets spanning centuries and continents, leading them to a world of danger they never imagined.

In Meg Shaffer's whimsical, cozy fantasy novel, a devoted teacher's aide is invited into the enchanting world of her favorite childhood series, Clock Island, through a contest hosted by the author where she could win a life-altering prize.

However, the competition is fierce for these loyal readers. Lucy must battle ruthless book collectors and wily opponents.

Related- 23 Enthralling Books Set on Islands

In a sprawling mansion filled with peculiar treasures, January Scaller harbors a secret: the discovery of a magical door to another world at age seven.

When she unearths a hidden book detailing the adventures of another door-seeker named Adelaide, January's journey of self-discovery begins.

With tantalizing prose and enchanting world-building, Harrow leads readers on a mesmerizing fantasy adventure. I was entranced.

Related- Books About Parallel Universes and Multiverse to Read Now

Julia Whelan is a screenwriter, lifelong actor, and award-winning audiobook narrator of over FIVE HUNDRED BOOKS. Indulging through the audiobook format is the only way to enjoy this one.

In this steamy romance, two audiobook narrators are tasked with bringing a legendary novelist's book to life, which offers readers a rather intimate look at an audiobook partnership.

This novel dishes up some surprising routines in an audiobook narrator's life, from narration preparation to snack routines that mimic Julia's daily habits.

In a meta moment, Julia offers the fictional project Casanova LLC  as an audiobook experience for readers on her new exclusive platform.

Related- Julia Whelan Interview

When acclaimed author Eva Mercy and literary icon Shane Hall cross paths at a literary event after nearly a decade, their reunion ignites a tornado of emotions as they process their past romance, which had spanned seven unforgettable days as teenagers.

Fifteen years later, they still found references to themselves in each other's books, so this reunion has been a long time coming. 

Related- Best Second Chance Romance Novels

The audiobooks of Emily Henry's novels, all narrated by Julia Whelan, are a must-listen. Undoubtedly subjective, this novel would be my pick if forced to choose the best Emily Henry book.

In this grumpy-sunshine story, Nora is a determined literary agent who doesn't identify with traditional romantic heroines or small-town love stories.

But, when her sister convinces her to spend the summer in a charming small town that seems straight out of a Hallmark movie, she finds herself in the perfect spot for a meet-cute.

So, when Nora discovers that the grumpy editor she's been avoiding since an awkward encounter lives in the town where she's vacationing, her trip unfolds with more plot twists than expected.

Hazel's tranquil life in 1960s London is disrupted in this historical fiction book when she uncovers a rare book tied to her past.

Evacuated to the English countryside during WWII with her younger sister Flora, Hazel created a world called Whisperwood to comfort her.

But tragedy struck when Flora vanished, leaving Hazel burdened with guilt.

Years later, as Hazel explores these secrets hidden within the book, long-held family mysteries resurface.

This novel explores sisterly bonds and the enduring power of storytelling as Hazel seeks to uncover the truth about Flora's disappearance, which many readers have found so satisfying.

Related- Coming-Of-Age Books That Any Adult Will Love

Narrated by Death, this young adult novel brings a hauntingly unique perspective to the devastating era of Hitler's reign.

The story follows a poor German girl taken in by a foster family where her adopted father's lessons in reading become her lifeline.

But in a time of great poverty and where books were scarce, this little girl becomes a "book thief," stealing books for reading. It's a stunning tale showcasing the hope books offer readers in dark times.

Fun Fact: Erika Swyler learned the bookbinding process and bound this manuscript to try to catch an editor's eye.

When young librarian Simon receives a mysterious book detailing the travails of a 1700s carnival, he uncovers chilling parallels to his family's history of drowning tragedies.

Desperate to break the curse looming over his sister, Simon pursues this mesmerizing mystery, which unfolds in a seamless narrative that pulls together the past and present, taking readers on a beautiful journey.

Related- Erika Swyler Interview