A popular theme infantasy, romance, and even mystery genres is that of a narrative centered around books. Literature is often used as a way to escape everyday life, and transport oneself into an entirely new world—and several books build upon this experience, bringing the world of books, libraries, and reading to life in magical ways.These types of novels often highlight the transcendent way books can bring people together, give them hope, and help readers travel to entirely new worlds.
Several of these books have gone on to become some of themost popular Booktok books, includingBook Loversby Emily Henry andThe Book of Doorsby Gareth Brown. Others have gone on to become New York Times bestsellers, but afew remain to be hidden gems beloved by the reading community. Books written about books is no new concept, but some particularly great choices offer readers the most unique narratives across several different genres, including some ofthe best romance books, fantasy books, and historical fiction novels.
15The Echo Of Old Books
Written By Barbara Davis
The Echo of Old Booksis theperfect romantic historical fiction,following the whimsical rare bookseller, Ashlyn Greer—who has the ability to feel the echoes of a book’s previous owner. Through this gift, she can feel the emotions people leave behind, and after finding two books with deeply strong echoes, and no author or publisher, she finds herself wrapped up in their love story.
The Echo of Old Bookshas become a favorite among readers, with the novel even being nominated for a Goodreads Choice Award.
The story introduces dual timelines, with the main narrative following Ashlyn in the present as she uncovers the mystery of the two books, and the other taking readers back to 1941 from the perspective of each unauthored book—each telling conflicting sides of a tragic romance. Since its publication in March 2023,The Echo of Old Bookshas become a favorite among readers, with the novel even being nominated for a Goodreads Choice Award.
14The Book Thief
Written By Markus Zusak
Another amazing World War II historical fiction,The Book Thiefby Markus Zusak, follows the life of Liesel, a young girl living in 1939, Nazi Germany. After finding a gravediggers guide by her brother’s grave, her love of books and book thievery begins—as she continues her escapades by saving books from Nazi book-burnings. But once her foster family begins to hide a Jew in their basement, the dangers of war become all the more real.The Book Thiefis a New York Times bestseller, and despite being published back in 2005, continues to be a top choice and favorite among readers.
13The Midnight Library
Written By Matt Haig
One of the mostpopular books on BookTok,The Midnight Libraryby Matt Haig, follows Nora Seed, a woman who finds herself with the opportunity to change her life. Full of misery and regret,Nora discovers she can explore alternate realities of her life by reading different books found inside the Midnight Library.
The Midnight Library was the Goodreads Choice Award winner for Reader’s Favorite Fiction in 2020.
This book is full of whimsy, emotional depth, and the reality of what anyone would be willing to do if they had the power to change their previous decisions. For those who love a bit of magical realism in their everyday life,The Midnight Librarywould be an excellent read.
12The Story Collector
Written By Evie Woods
The Story Collectorisa mix of historical fiction, magical realism, and a touch of mystery, with a story that centers around two different female protagonists. Sarah, the heroine in the present timeline, finds a diary on her travels to Ireland—one that uncovers the past of a young girl named Anna, whose story is told in a dual timeline one hundred years prior. Anna’s diary leads Sarah into a dangerous game, uncovering mysterious secrets.The Story Collectorcomes from bestselling author Evie Woods, also known for her work,The Lost Bookshop, a Wall Street Journal and Sunday Times bestseller.
11The Lost Bookshop
Another popular book by Evie Woods,The Lost Bookshop,centers around the mysterious workings of a vanishing bookshop—and when three unsuspecting strangers find themselves under its spell, they learn their lives are as extraordinary as the ones found in books. Opaline, Martha, and Henry have each long felt they were not living as the main characters of their own story, but the charm of the bookstore, and the mystery to solve within, breathes new life into their characters.The Lost Bookshopis acozy fantasy readthat blends historical fiction, magical realism, and romance into the narrative.
10The Book That Wouldn’t Burn
Written By Mark Lawrence
The Book That Wouldn’t Burnis the first inThe Library Trilogy, a fantasy series that follows a young boy who has lived his whole life trapped inside one room of the library, and a newly trained librarian, who together will uncover the magical secrets of an ancient library. While Livira hopes to uncover forbidden knowledge, Evar just wants to experience the world beyond the library—but their fates are entwined, and the sentient library has its own agenda.
The Book That Wouldn’t Burnis a great fantasy read, and its sequel,The Book That Broke the World,has also received high praise from readers. The third book in the fantasy series,The Book That Held Her Heart, is expected to be released on June 17, 2025.
9The Book Of Doors
Written By Gareth Brown
The Book of Doorswas one of thebest fantasy books of 2024,perfectly blending its fantastical elements into modern-day society. When New York City bookseller, Cassie Andrews, is given a gift by a favorite customer, her world becomes infinitely more magical.
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The mysterious gift turns out to be the Book of Doors, a special book that bestows power to whoever possesses it—in this case, the ability to open doors and travel wherever they wish to go. However, this is not the only magical book in existence, and Cassie’s travels bring her into a world of violence and danger.
8The Ten Thousand Doors Of January
Written By Alix E. Harrow
The Ten Thousand Doors Of January, set in the 1900s, follows the life of January Scaller, a ward of Mr. Locke—ignored almost as much as the artifacts that adorn the halls. But whenJanuary discovers a book that carries the scent of other worlds, she finds herself thrust into mystery and adventure. With a heart that longs to find answers about her missing father, January uses the book to travel through time on a quest for family and the truth about the magical powers in her family’s lineage.
7The Giver Of Stars
Written By Jojo Moyes
From the bestselling author Jojo Moyes,The Giver of Starsfollows the lives of five women in Depression-era Americaas they travel through the mountains of Kentucky with Eleanor Roosevelt’s new traveling library. Their escapades throughout Kentucky and beyond quickly made them known as the Packhorse Librarians of Kentucky, as the women are willing to traverse through all kinds of dangers to meet their goals.
The Giver of Starsis full of comedic, heartbreaking, and unforgettable moments that highlight the circumstances of women at the time, and their bravery in breaking down boundaries.
The women are deeply committed to their job and have a deep desire to deliver books to those who have never had any, in the hopes of arming them with knowledge that will change their lives. Based on true historical events,The Giver of Starsis full of comedic, heartbreaking, and unforgettable moments that highlight the circumstances of women at the time, and their bravery in breaking down boundaries.
6The Last Bookshop In London
Written By Madeline Martin
The Last Bookshop in London, by Madeline Martin, is based on true events during World War II, as several bookshops were destroyed in the Blitz. Kicking off the story in 1939, Grace Bennett arrives in London right as the city is preparing for war. Grace, who was unprepared for such events, later finds herself working in an old bookshop on Primrose Hill.
The Last Bookshopin Londonis a wonderful example of the profound power of literature and the hope it can inspire among its readers.
However,it’s through these fated events that she discovers the power of storytellingin uniting a community—something desperately needed for all living through such dark times.The Last Bookshopin Londonis a wonderful example of the profound power of literature and the hope it can inspire among its readers.
