These are by far my least read genres.
This list will give you a great start if you, like me, don’t normally read these types of books but are looking to branch out of your comfort zone. These are all easy and fun books I would recommend to beginners in these genres.
I am primarily a fantasy and thriller reader. Many of these books have those elements in them as well, which helped me to really enjoy them.
Having read and loved every single one of these books, I chose them for their content, enjoyment, and reading experience – rather than the level of ratings or number of reviews they have.
I hope this gives you something new and amazing to add to your tbr! And I hope it helps you to read more broadly and realize that you can love books in these genres too.
In no particular order, these are my top, five-star, literary, contemporary, historical, and romance reads from the past year:
Best Historical Fiction:
The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow
This one has plenty of magical realism to make it a great historical fiction book for fantasy readers.
“In a sprawling mansion filled with peculiar treasures, January Scaller is a curiosity herself. As the ward of the wealthy Mr. Locke, she feels little different from the artifacts that decorate the halls: carefully maintained, largely ignored, and utterly out of place.”
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
This is one of my favorite books of all time. It felt so incredibly real while I was reading it that I actually researched whether it was based on a true story. That’s how you know it was an amazing experience. Evelyn is possibly the most iconic character in a story.
“Aging and reclusive Hollywood movie icon Evelyn Hugo is finally ready to tell the truth about her glamorous and scandalous life. But when she chooses unknown magazine reporter Monique Grant for the job, no one is more astounded than Monique herself. Why her? Why now?”
All the Blood We Share by Camilla Bruce
If you are an avid horror reader, definitely try this historical fiction book based on a true story about a family of serial killers.
“A sinister novel based on the real Bloody Benders, a family of serial killers in the old West bound by butchery and obscured by the shadows of American history.”
River Sing Me Home by Eleanor Shearer
Another great historical book that has emotional depth and a magical feel.
“The master of the Providence plantation in Barbados gathers his slaves and announces the king has decreed an end to slavery. As of the following day, the Emancipation Act of 1834 will come into effect. The cries of joy fall silent when he announces that they are no longer his slaves; they are now his apprentices. No one can leave. They must work for him for another six years. Freedom is just another name for the life they have always lived. So Rachel runs.”
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
This is a perfect blend of fantasy, historical fiction, and romance.
“France, 1714: in a moment of desperation, a young woman makes a Faustian bargain to live forever and is cursed to be forgotten by everyone she meets. But everything changes when, after nearly 300 years, Addie stumbles across a young man in a hidden bookstore and he remembers her name.”
The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah
You’ll easily fall for these characters. It’s a very action-packed and emotional read. And it’s based on very real events.
“From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Nightingale and The Great Alone comes an epic novel of love and heroism and hope, set against the backdrop of one of America’s most defining eras—the Great Depression.”
Beyond That, the Sea by Laura Spence-Ash
A character-driven story that follows one woman throughout her lifetime, and all the people who influenced her. It has short chapters and multiple POVs that make for a quick, intriguing reading experience.
“A sweeping, tenderhearted love story, Beyond That, the Sea by Laura Spence-Ash tells the story of two families living through World War II on opposite sides of the Atlantic Ocean, and the shy, irresistible young woman who will call them both her own.”
The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon
Martha Ballard is a very memorable character. This story is atmospheric, deals with difficult topics in a feminist light, and would make for some great discussions.
“From the New York Times bestselling author of I Was Anastasia and Code Name Hélène comes a gripping historical mystery inspired by the life and diary of Martha Ballard, a renowned 18th-century midwife who defied the legal system and wrote herself into American history.”
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
Another iconic character, this one is perfect for fans of STEM reads, with a fierce female protagonist. I enjoyed the snarky humor and was rooting for Zott the whole way through.
“Laugh-out-loud funny, shrewdly observant, and studded with a dazzling cast of supporting characters, Lessons in Chemistry is as original and vibrant as its protagonist.”
Best Literary & Contemporary Fiction:
Other Birds by Sarah Addison Allen
This is one of my favorite books of all time. It has mystery/thriller elements in the plot, a dash of romantic tension, lots of whimsical magical realism, emotional plights for the characters, and the prose to make it feel literary without being too fluffy. Highly recommend!
“An enchanting tale filled with magical realism and moments of pure love that won’t let you go. Between the real and the imaginary, there are stories that take flight in the most extraordinary ways… Each of them has a story, and each story has an ending which hasn’t yet been written.”
The Five-Star Weekend by Elin Hilderbrand
My first read by this author and I really enjoyed it. It has a little mystery/thriller vibes, small-town atmosphere, romantic sub-plots, and great character development. You’ll find many of the themes are relatable in some way.
“From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Hotel Nantucket. After tragedy strikes, Hollis Shaw gathers four friends from different stages in her life to spend an unforgettable weekend on Nantucket. The Five-Star Weekend is a surprising and captivating story about friendship, love, and self-discovery set on Nantucket. It will be a weekend like no other.”
Best Romance:
The Bodyguard by Katherine Center
This is the only rom-com book I’ve ever given five stars. I usually do not like rom-coms at all, but this one just had something special. There’s witty banter, a badass female protagonist, some thrilling plot elements. Definitely recommend this one if you’re looking for a non-rom-com-reader approved book to try.
“She’s got his back. He’s got her heart. They’ve got a secret. What could possibly go wrong? Protecting Jack should be easy. But protecting her own heart? That’s the hardest thing she’s ever done…”
Misfit (Prep #1) by Elle Kennedy
I loved this series so much! The more I think about it, the more I love it. It’s my favorite of all her series. I loved the setting, all the characters, the mystery plot, the romance. It was all fantastic and I really hope we get more in this series.
“Finding out your mom is marrying some rich guy you’ve never met is enough to make any eighteen-year-old’s head spin. And for RJ Shaw, it gets worse: he’s being sent to Sandover Prep for senior year. If there’s one place a misfit hacker like RJ doesn’t belong, it’s an ivy-covered all-boys boarding school for rich delinquents. There’s no point trying to get along with anyone. That is, until he meets Sloane Tresscott in the woods on the outskirts of campus. Gorgeous and sharp-tongued, Sloane is pure temptation.”
My Fault (Culpables #1) by Mercedes Ron
I’m obsessed with this series – it’s my guilty pleasure. The first book has the best balance of mystery/thriller plot, character arcs, relationship development. It’s just so freaking good.
“Fast-paced and sizzling with a forbidden enemies-to-lovers romance, My Fault is the first book in Mercedes Ron’s Culpable trilogy. This suspenseful YA series untangles the threads of love, trauma, and secrets, perfect for fans of Ugly Love and After.”
Pestilence (The Four Horseman #1) by Laura Thalassa
I’ll read anything Laura Thalassa writes. This is my favorite of her series. It is the perfect blend of fantasy and romance. The world-building is done so well and continues throughout the entire series. Each book is centered on a new couple.
“They came to earth—Pestilence, War, Famine, Death—four horsemen riding their screaming steeds, racing to the corners of the world. Four horsemen with the power to destroy all of humanity. They came to earth, and they came to end us all.”
Too Late by Colleen Hoover
This is the romance book for thriller readers. I haven’t loved everything by this author, but this one I definitely did. And it made me want to read her other books that are mystery/thriller romances. So far though, this is my favorite.
“A psychological suspense novel of obsession and dangerous love. The definitive edition of Too Late from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Verity .”
Things We Never Got Over (Knockemout #1) by Lucy Score
Another romance series that I recommend to readers who don’t like rom-com. This one, while absolutely hilarious at times, is much darker in themes. And it has a mystery/thriller plot that I loved and made the pacing much faster. Shown in the picture is the third (and final) book in this series.
“Bearded, bad-boy barber Knox prefers to live his life the way he takes his coffee: Alone. Unless you count his basset hound, Waylon. Knox doesn’t tolerate drama, even when it comes in the form of a stranded runaway bride.”
Every Summer After by Carley Fortune
I enjoyed this one so much! I didn’t like her next book nearly as much, and I’m hopefully her third release this year will be more like this one. I love the way the story is told and how the timelines are structured. It gave me all the feels.
“Told over the course of six years and one weekend, Every Summer After is a big, sweeping nostalgic look at love and the people and choices that mark us forever.”
Calamity by Constance Fay
This the the romance book for science-fiction readers. It is a fun adventure with a loveable crew. I’m definitely looking forward to the next book in this series.
“Bramble’s inaugural debut is equal parts steamy interstellar romance and sci-fi adventure, perfect for fans of Firefly and Ilona Andrews. Despite volcanic eruptions, secret cultists, and deadly galactic fighters, the greatest threat on this mission may be to Temper’s heart.”
Hemlock by Kiersten Modglin
An exciting blend of thriller and romance, this author was new to me this year and I’ve now read four of her books. She writes fun, fast-paced, popcorn stories. If you like darker romance and a twisty plot, give this one a try.
“Seamlessly blurring the edges between psychological thriller and romantic suspense, million-copy bestselling author Kiersten Modglin brings us a dark and twisted romantic thriller, perfect for fans of Verity , Tell Me Lies , The Ghost Writer , and YOU .”
A Thousand Boy Kisses by Tillie Cole
I had to include this one on the list as one of the few books that made me actually tear up. If you’re looking for a book that will tug at your heart strings, this is the one. And I always love a dark, broody MMC.
“One kiss lasts a moment. But a thousand kisses can last a lifetime. One boy. One girl. A bond that is forged in an instant and cherished for a decade. A bond that neither time nor distance can break. A bond that will last forever. Or so they believe.”
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