The Best Books to Get Out of a Reading Slump

This new novel inspired our entire reading slump-busting thriller list because I adored it so much.

In this darkly comedic story, Pale Horse, the world's deadliest assassin, has turned over a new leaf and has joined the Assassins Anonymous support group, vowing never to kill again.

But what happens when he's pursuing his redemption story and so many are still out for revenge?

Readers should prepare for deliciously clever plot twists, which we discuss in our patron spoiler-filled episode about the shocking Assassins Anonymous ending Hart crafted!

Luckily, we can expect many more adventures as this is the first book in a planned series and has been optioned for film by Steven Spielberg's team. 

Related- 2024 Summer Reading Guide

Phoebe arrives at the luxurious Cornwall Inn, with the intention of ending her life in the gorgeous canopy bed looking out to the seaside, just like in her favorite Victorian novels.

She brings only one dress and her cat's pain pills, which she intends to take with wine and go quietly into the night after the brutal end to her marriage. 

However, she soon discovers that her booked stay is a mistake, as the entire inn was supposed to be reserved only for one lavish wedding party.

Unexpectedly, Phoebe finds herself swept into the wedding preparations and forms heart-to-heart connections with the narcissistic bride and other wedding party attendees leading her to find a new purpose over the week of festivities.

Espach's dialogue is vibrant with charisma, charm, and playful shenanigans, making every page a delight. This clever novel is one of my favorites of the year- I never wanted this story to end. 

Related- Best Books About Weddings

An unlikely friendship is formed through a prison book club, where Harriet leads a group of feisty women through book selections, and they uproariously offer their hilarious feedback.

Although they are not to exchange personal information, when one prisoner is finally released, she finds Harriet out in the real world, where she helps her begin her new life chapter.

But neither could expect that they would form a strange and magical alliance with a man with all the reason in the world not to forgive her crime.

Readers discover the backstory of her prison sentence, but more importantly, they discover the hope forgiveness can offer.

Wood shines in her details, from her scene setting at the book club to the unusual occupations and hobbies she meticulously crafts for her characters. 

Related:

Monica Wood Interview (The One-In-A-Million Boy)

Books About Bookstores

Books About Book Clubs

Books About Libraries

Books About Books

Daniel considers himself a lucky guy even though he's suffered from a debilitating disease since he was a small child.

When a local girl goes missing, Daniel realizes that he may have been the last person to see the girl and the person who may have kidnapped her that day.

He decides to take his story to Reddit, where he begins a conversation with the captor. As he discloses more and more, Daniel is convinced he might be the one to help solve the missing person case.

But it is tough to convince the police that you have valuable information when you can't speak or move. 

Related- Best Disability Pride Books to Read Now

What happens to Nina is revealed quickly in this thriller, but the real tension lies in how a well-connected family's desperate search for answers unravels into a full-blown media circus.

As someone attuned to the exploitative nature of true crime, I found the novel's examination of shifting perspectives, media frenzy, and conspiracy theories razor-sharp. It's a PERFECT book club selection.

This atmospheric story sweeps you into the eerie woods with a missing author and a cult-like community. In this novel, commune members are instructed not to cross the border because doing so could spread disease to their community.

However, someone has been testing this theory for some time with surprising results, and each character will discover that this forest holds many secrets, including those that could unlock their past.

Related- Fiction Books About Authors And Publishing

This historical fiction novel shocked me with its haunting beauty and darkness. Based on the true crime case that inspired Lolita, it pulls back the curtain on the horrors young Sally Horner endured after being abducted in 1948.

Capturing criminals back then is a frustrating process to witness, let alone be a victim of. It takes a strong reader to read this one, and I know Sally's story is going to be imprinted on my heart forever.

Greenwood's poetic writing makes this an emotionally gripping read even in the darkest moments.

It's rare for multiple people to vanish in a neighborhood, but when two women and a six-year-old girl disappear, the mystery only deepens when the child is found eleven years later.

The "whodunit" vibes are pitch-perfect, and I had no idea where the story was going—exactly the kind of fast-paced suspense that reads like a movie.

Local Woman Missing won an Audie Award in 2022.

Related- Best Mary Kubica Books

A poker game gone awry kicks off a clever, twist-laden caper.

With a narrator who's unreliable in the best kinds of ways, this audiobook, narrated by legendary Julia Whelan, is perfect when you need something sharp and fast-paced to get your head back in the game of reading. 

Published in 2018, this backlist gem stands out as one of the best con artist books I've ever read. It is cinematic in scope and twists.

Related:

2024 MomAdvice Book Club Books

Captivating Books on Con Artists

Julia Whelan Interview (Book Gang Podcast)

If you crave an unforgettable protagonist, Sally Diamond will take you on a wild ride. 

Sally's literal interpretation of her father's dying wishes leads her to do something horrific, but what follows is even more disturbing. 

As Sally uncovers chilling secrets about her past, readers will be riveted until the final page.

Despite the darkness, the way her village embraces her adds an unexpected and touching found family dynamic that makes this one of the most unique thrillers I've read.

Related- Found Family Trope Books

This dark academia thriller feels like a blockbuster movie in book form.

Forget good versus evil—this is a battle between bad and worse, with morally complex characters that made this a guilty pleasure read.

The tension skyrockets as Victor & Eli experiment with near-death experiences to unlock superhuman powers. Reminiscent of Flatliners, Schwab's twist on the superhero genre will have you holding your breath through every gripping scene.

Related- 2024 Book Club Books

Exploring the last days of a serial killer through the eyes of those around him is a haunting and thought-provoking book idea.

As Ansel awaits execution, we discover his troubling past, shaped by a complicated childhood and the triggers that led to his violent acts.

Each character, from his mother to a dedicated homicide detective, adds depth to Ansel's story, prompting readers to question their sympathies.

Gwen's disastrous dating life turns dark when her swiped-right matches start turning up dead in their coastal English town. 

This serial killer mystery reveals each new date gone wrong in each chapter, keeping you guessing to who the killer could be.

With plenty of red herrings and laugh-out-loud moments, this book is as fun as a Scream movie—perfect for readers who love a wild ride in their mysteries!

Related:

30 Fictional Serial Killer Books to Read Now

L.M. Chilton Interview (Book Gang Podcast)

After a traumatic event, Bonnie Lincoln escapes her reality by recreating the set of the 70s sitcom Three's Company after winning the lottery.

The immersive living experience raises great questions about trauma and escapism, but Bonnie's unlikable nature and inability to evolve did polarize readers.

This unique book journey is not for everyone but may resonate with those who enjoy an immersive, albeit strange, reading experience.

This was one of our most dynamic book club discussions we've had as a group.

Related- 2023 Book Club Books

This gripping exposé on the Sackler family and the opioid crisis feels like a thriller, but it's all too real. The storytelling here is immersive, making it perfect for readers who want to get hooked on nonfiction again.

Through three sections, Keefe uncovers the motives of three generations of the family, revealing how well-intentioned beginnings turned into greed and manipulation, leading to widespread abuse of the drug.

We also learn of the stories of those caught in its trap.

Related- Books on Addiction and Recovery

If you are caught up in the horrific headlines with P. Diddy, this YA novel is a chilling exploration on the exploitation of Black women in the music industry. 

When Enchanted, a talented teen, catches the eye of R&B star Korey Fields at a singing contest, she is thrilled to receive VIP tickets and an opportunity to be mentored by him.

However, what begins as a dream come true quickly spirals into a nightmare as Korey's controlling and abusive behavior escalates. 

ANY book by Tiffany D. Jackson will pull you out of a reading slump, but I hope this is a great introduction to her work.

Related- These Social Horror Books Will Make You Think

A dystopian theme park where android princesses dream of freedom—sounds like a fairytale gone wrong.

But, following a murder accusation against one princess in the park, the clues drop in for readers like a perfect, page-turning puzzle.

Fans of Westworld will love this thrilling take on what happens when we trust technology a bit too much.