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Embedded Files
10+
A Series of Unfortunate Events (1999-2006)
10+ Dark Humour & Mystery
A Series of Unfortunate Events follows the Baudelaire orphans as they outwit villains using intelligence and resilience. The books blend mystery with dark comedy while celebrating reading, logic, and perseverance. Witty and unconventional, they reward curious readers.
Lemony Snicket is the pen name of American author Daniel Handler. His writing is known for dark humour, clever wordplay, and encouraging critical thinking.
The Witches (1983)
10+ Dark Humour & Fantasy
The Witches follows a boy who discovers a secret society of witches plotting against children. Darkly funny and thrilling, the story explores bravery and quick thinking in the face of danger. It’s spooky, bold, and unforgettable.
Roald Dahl was a British author famous for blending humour, darkness, and imagination. His stories often empower children while challenging unfair authority.
Matilda (1988)
10+ Dark Humour & Fantasy
Matilda tells the story of a brilliant girl who uses her intelligence and courage to stand up to cruel adults. Funny, rebellious, and empowering, the novel celebrates learning, kindness, and justice. It remains a favourite for readers who love clever heroes.
Roald Dahl was a British author famous for blending humour, darkness, and imagination. His stories often empower children while challenging unfair authority.
The Baby-Sitters Club (1986-)
10+ Contemporary Fiction
The Baby-Sitters Club follows a group of friends who start their own babysitting business while navigating school, friendship, and growing up. Through everyday challenges, the books explore responsibility, teamwork, and understanding others. Warm and relatable, the series captures the ups and downs of friendship.
Ann M. Martin is an American author best known for creating one of the most influential middle-grade series of all time. Her work highlights friendship, empathy, and real-life problems in an accessible and honest way.
Night Books (1988)
10+ Dark Humour & Fantasy
Nightbooks follows a boy trapped by a witch who must tell a scary story every night to stay alive. Mixing suspense with imagination, the novel explores fear, creativity, and the power of storytelling. Creepy but accessible, it’s perfect for readers who enjoy spooky tales.
J. A. White is an American author known for writing atmospheric middle-grade horror. His stories balance fear with heart and imagination.
Harry Potter (1997-2007)
10+ Fantasy / Adventure
Harry Potter follows a young boy who discovers he is a wizard and enters a hidden world of magic, friendship, and danger. As Harry grows up at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, he faces dark forces while learning about loyalty, courage, and the power of choice. Imaginative and emotionally rich, the series explores identity, prejudice, and the struggle between good and evil.
J. K. Rowling is a British author best known for creating the Harry Potter series, one of the most influential works of modern children’s and young adult literature. Her writing combines fantasy with moral questions, focusing on friendship, bravery, and standing up against injustice.
Percy Jackson & the Olympians (2005-2009)
10+ Fantasy / Adventure
Percy Jackson & the Olympians follows a twelve-year-old boy who discovers he is a demigod, the son of a Greek god, and is thrown into a hidden world of monsters, myths, and quests. As Percy learns to survive and protect his friends, the series explores identity, loyalty, courage, and the idea of belonging. Fast-paced and humorous, the books bring ancient mythology into the modern world.
Rick Riordan is an American author best known for making mythology accessible and exciting for young readers. His writing blends adventure, humour, and education, encouraging curiosity about ancient cultures while focusing on friendship and moral choice.
11+
Enola Holmes (2006-)
11+ Mystery & Adventure
Enola Holmes follows the clever and independent younger sister of Sherlock Holmes as she solves mysteries while evading the restrictions placed on girls in Victorian England. Using wit, disguise, and determination, Enola challenges expectations and uncovers secrets on her own terms. Fast-paced and empowering, the series celebrates intelligence, independence, and courage.
Nancy Springer is an American author known for reimagining classic characters for younger readers. Her work often features strong female protagonists and emphasizes curiosity, resilience, and self-reliance.
The School of Good and Evil (2006-)
11+ Fantasy
The School for Good and Evil follows two best friends who are taken to a magical school where children are trained to become heroes or villains. As they struggle to fit into their assigned roles, the story questions ideas about good, evil, friendship, and choice. Darkly imaginative and playful, the novel challenges traditional fairy-tale rules.
Soman Chainani is an American author known for reinventing fairy tales for modern readers. His work explores identity, morality, and the complexity of friendship through fantasy worlds with a sharp edge.
12+
Anne of Green Gables (1908)
12+ literary fiction
Anne of Green Gables follows Anne Shirley, an imaginative and outspoken orphan who transforms life in a quiet rural community with her creativity and strong sense of self. As Anne grows up, the novel explores friendship, belonging, ambition, and the challenge of staying true to who you are. Warm, humorous, and hopeful, the story celebrates individuality and the power of imagination.
L. M. Montgomery was a Canadian author whose novels often focused on young people finding their place in the world. Through vivid settings and emotionally rich characters, she highlighted the importance of empathy, resilience, and imagination, creating stories that continue to resonate with readers of all ages.
Fear Street (1989)
12+ Horror
Fear Street is a collection of horror stories set in a town where terrifying events seem impossible to escape. Featuring cursed histories, secrets, and supernatural threats, the series explores fear, guilt, and survival. Short, suspenseful, and gripping, the books are popular with readers who enjoy fast-paced scares.
R. L. Stine is an American author famous for introducing generations of readers to horror. His work blends suspense and accessibility, making scary stories engaging rather than overwhelming.
Lockwood & Co (2013-2017)
12+ Supernatural Mystery
Lockwood & Co. follows a group of teenagers who hunt ghosts in a haunted version of London. Mixing humour, danger, and mystery, the series explores friendship, bravery, and facing fear head-on. Fast-paced and atmospheric, the books combine chills with clever problem-solving.
Jonathan Stroud is a British author known for writing suspenseful fantasy with strong teen protagonists. His stories often balance dark themes with wit and sharply drawn characters.
The City of Ember (2003)
12+ Science Fiction
The City of Ember is set in an underground city built to protect humanity, where lights are beginning to fail and supplies are running out. When two teens discover clues about the city’s forgotten purpose, they must act quickly to uncover the truth and escape before everything goes dark. Suspenseful and imaginative, the novel explores curiosity, survival, and the importance of knowledge.
Jeanne DuPrau is an American author known for writing thoughtful science fiction for young readers. Her work often explores problem-solving, responsibility, and how young people respond when systems begin to fail.
Stranger Things: The Other Side (2018)
12+ Graphic Novel
Stranger Things: The Other Side retells the events of the first season from Will Byers’s perspective as he survives in the terrifying Upside Down. Isolated and hunted, Will must rely on memory, hope, and resilience to stay alive. Dark and suspenseful, the story deepens the emotional stakes of the original series.
Jody Houser is an American writer known for expanding popular film and television worlds through graphic novels. Her work focuses on character psychology, untold perspectives, and emotional depth.
13+
Heartstopper (2016-)
13+ Graphic Novel
Heartstopper follows Charlie and Nick as their friendship slowly grows into a romantic relationship. Through honest conversations and gentle storytelling, the graphic novels explore identity, mental health, friendship, and what it means to feel accepted for who you are. Warm and affirming, the series celebrates kindness, self-discovery, and young love.
Alice Oseman is a British author and illustrator known for writing thoughtful, inclusive stories about teenagers. Her work focuses on identity, mental health, and relationships, offering realistic and compassionate portrayals of young people’s lives.
All the Boys I've Loved Before (2014)
13+ Young Adult Romance
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before follows Lara Jean, whose secret love letters are accidentally sent out, turning her quiet crushes into very public drama. The novel explores first love, family, and the confusion of growing up, blending humour with heartfelt emotion. Light and engaging, the story captures the excitement and awkwardness of teenage relationships.
Jenny Han is an American author known for writing romantic coming-of-age stories for young adults. Her novels focus on family, friendship, and emotional growth, making her work especially popular with teen readers.
Let It Snow (2008)
13+ Young Adult Fiction
Let It Snow weaves together three interconnected love stories set during a massive snowstorm on Christmas Eve. As characters cross paths, the book explores chance, friendship, and how small moments can change everything. Playful and warm, the stories highlight connection, kindness, and the magic of unexpected encounters.
John Green, Maureen Johnson & Lauren Myracle are well known for shaping modern young adult literature through stories that combine humour, emotion, and relatable teen voices. Together, they create character-driven narratives that explore love, friendship, and growing up.
Dumplin' (2015)
13+ Young Adult Fiction
Dumplin’ follows Willowdean, a confident teen who enters a beauty pageant to challenge body standards and prove a point. As friendships and feelings become complicated, the novel explores self-acceptance, confidence, and what it really means to be brave. Funny and empowering, the story celebrates individuality and self-worth.
Julie Murphy is an American author known for writing inclusive young adult fiction. Her work highlights body positivity, friendship, and the pressure teens face to fit in, while promoting self-confidence and empathy.
Erased (20122-2016)
13+ Manga / Science Fiction
Erased follows Satoru, a young man with the unexplained ability to travel back in time moments before a tragedy occurs. When he is sent back to his childhood, he must prevent a series of kidnappings and murders while confronting buried trauma. Suspenseful and emotional, the story explores memory, responsibility, and the lasting impact of childhood experiences.
Kei Sanbe is a Japanese manga artist and writer known for blending mystery with emotional depth. His work often focuses on time, guilt, and redemption, using suspense to explore human relationships.
The Kissing Booth (2012)
13+ Young Adult Romance
The Kissing Booth follows lifelong friends whose bond is tested when romance complicates everything. Set in a high school environment, the story explores friendship, boundaries, and the excitement and confusion of first love. Light and dramatic, the novel captures the intensity of teenage emotions.
Beth Reekles is a British author who began writing The Kissing Booth as a teenager. Her work focuses on relatable teen relationships and emotional drama.
Along for the Ride (2009)
13+ Young Adult Fiction
Along for the Ride follows Auden, a teen determined to reclaim the experiences she missed while growing up too fast. Over one summer, she forms new friendships and begins to understand herself differently. Quiet and reflective, the novel explores identity, balance, and second chances.
Sarah Dessen is an American author known for writing thoughtful coming-of-age novels. Her stories often focus on self-discovery, relationships, and the emotional complexity of growing up.
Stranger Things: Six (2019)
13+ Graphic Novel
Stranger Things: SIX explores the story of another child subjected to experiments at Hawkins Lab before Eleven. As Six struggles to understand her powers and escape control, the novel examines fear, identity, and the loss of childhood. Tense and unsettling, the story reveals the human cost behind the lab’s experiments.
Jody Houser is an American writer known for expanding popular film and television worlds through graphic novels. Her work focuses on character psychology, untold perspectives, and emotional depth.
Stranger Things: Kamchatka (2019)
13+ Graphic Novel
Stranger Things: Kamchatka follows a group of prisoners forced to fight Demogorgons in a secret Russian facility. As they struggle to survive, the story explores control, dehumanization, and resistance. Gritty and intense, the graphic novel expands the world of Stranger Things beyond Hawkins.
Michael Moreci is an American writer known for action-driven graphic novels. His work often explores power, survival, and moral choice in high-stakes environments.
The Hunger Games (2008-2010)
13+ Dystopian Science Fiction
The Hunger Games follows Katniss Everdeen, a teenager forced to compete in a televised fight to the death in a society that uses fear and spectacle to control its population. As she struggles to survive, the story explores power, inequality, media manipulation, and moral choice. Fast-paced and intense, the novel examines how individuals resist oppressive systems.
Suzanne Collins is an American author best known for writing dystopian fiction for young adults. Her work often explores war, propaganda, and the impact of violence on young people, encouraging readers to question authority and social injustice.
14+
Shadow and Bone (2012)
14+ Young Adult Fiction
Shadow and Bone follows Alina Starkov, a young woman who discovers a rare power that could save her war-torn world. As she enters a dangerous world of magic and politics, the novel explores power, identity, and the cost of ambition. Fast-paced and immersive, the story blends fantasy with personal growth.
Leigh Bardugo is an American author known for building rich fantasy worlds filled with morally complex characters. Her work often explores power, identity, and the consequences of choice.
Six of Crows (2015)
14+ Young Adult Fiction
Six of Crows centers on a group of skilled outcasts brought together for an impossible heist. Told from multiple perspectives, the novel explores loyalty, trauma, revenge, and survival in a corrupt world. Darker and more complex than Shadow and Bone, it focuses on trust and moral ambiguity.
Leigh Bardugo is an American author known for building rich fantasy worlds filled with morally complex characters. Her work often explores power, identity, and the consequences of choice.
Sweet Tooth (2009-2013)
14+ Dystopian
Sweet Tooth follows a young boy with deer-like features as he journeys through a post-apocalyptic world where humanity is struggling to survive. Blending adventure with emotional depth, the story explores innocence, loss, and what it means to be human. Visually striking and morally complex, the graphic novel offers a haunting reading experience.
Jeff Lemire is a Canadian writer and illustrator known for emotionally driven graphic novels. His work often focuses on family, survival, and vulnerability within dark or fantastical settings.
Pride and Prejudice (1813)
14+ Classic Literary Fiction
Pride and Prejudice follows Elizabeth Bennet as she navigates family pressure, social expectations, and her complicated relationship with the reserved Mr Darcy. Through sharp dialogue and memorable characters, the novel explores love, reputation, class, and the danger of judging others too quickly. Witty and insightful, the story shows how personal growth can change both hearts and minds.
Jane Austen was an English novelist known for her sharp social observation and irony. Her novels examine relationships, gender roles, and class with humour and intelligence, making her work enduringly relevant to modern readers.
The Vampire Diaries (1991-2011)
14+ Young Adult / Paranormal
The Vampire Diaries follows a teenage girl caught in a dangerous love triangle with two vampire brothers in a town filled with supernatural secrets. Blending romance, suspense, and fantasy, the series explores identity, loyalty, power, and the consequences of immortality. Fast-paced and dramatic, the books helped shape modern paranormal YA fiction.
L. J. Smith is an American author known for popularizing supernatural romance for young adult readers. Her work combines mythology, emotional conflict, and high-stakes relationships, influencing a generation of paranormal fiction.
The Umbrella Academy (2007-)
14+ Graphic Novel / Science Fiction
The Umbrella Academy follows a group of dysfunctional siblings who were adopted for their extraordinary abilities and trained to save the world. Reuniting as adults, they must confront family trauma, fractured relationships, and an impending apocalypse. Dark, fast-paced, and unconventional, the story blends superhero action with themes of identity, power, and belonging.
Gerard Way is an American writer and musician, best known as the lead singer of My Chemical Romance, who co-created The Umbrella Academy. Gabriel Bá is a Brazilian artist whose expressive illustrations helped define the series’ distinctive style. Together, they created a graphic novel that reimagines superheroes as deeply flawed, human characters.
Ready Player One (2007-)
14+ Science Fiction
Ready Player One is set in a future where people escape reality through a massive virtual world filled with pop-culture challenges and puzzles. When a contest promises ultimate power to the winner, a teenage gamer must use knowledge, skill, and teamwork to survive. Fast-paced and nostalgic, the novel explores identity, escapism, and the dangers of living more online than in the real world.
Ernest Cline is an American author known for blending science fiction with pop-culture references and gaming culture. His work focuses on technology, nostalgia, and how virtual spaces shape identity and human connection.
The Martian (2011)
14+ Science Fiction
The Martian follows astronaut Mark Watney after he is accidentally left behind on Mars and presumed dead. Using science, problem-solving, and dark humour, he must survive alone on a hostile planet while Earth races to rescue him. Gripping and intelligent, the novel explores resilience, ingenuity, and the power of human determination.
Andy Weir is an American author known for science-based science fiction grounded in real physics and engineering. His writing combines technical accuracy with humour and optimism, making complex ideas accessible and exciting for readers.
Uglies (2005)
14+ Science Fiction
Uglies is set in a future where everyone must undergo cosmetic surgery at sixteen to become “pretty” and fit into society. When Tally begins to question the rules, she is forced to choose between belonging and thinking for herself. Fast-paced and provocative, the novel explores beauty standards, conformity, identity, and the cost of social control.
Scott Westerfeld is an American author known for writing science fiction and young adult novels that challenge social norms. His work often explores identity, technology, and power, encouraging readers to question the world around them.
Thursday Murder Club (2020-)
14+ Mystery Fiction
The Thursday Murder Club follows four clever retirees who meet weekly to investigate unsolved crimes—until a real murder happens right in their quiet community. Using sharp wit, observation, and teamwork, they uncover secrets that others overlook. Clever and humorous, the story shows that curiosity and intelligence don’t fade with age.
Richard Osman is a British author, television presenter, and producer. Known for his humour and love of puzzles, he writes mysteries that combine clever plotting with warmth and sharply observed characters, making crime fiction accessible to a wide range of readers.
Divergent (2011)
14+ Dystopian Fiction
Divergent is set in a future society divided into factions based on personality traits. When Tris Prior discovers she doesn’t fit neatly into any one group, she becomes a threat to the system and must choose between safety and independence. Fast-paced and suspenseful, the novel explores identity, conformity, courage, and the danger of forcing people into fixed categories.
Veronica Roth is an American author best known for the Divergent trilogy. Her work focuses on choice, identity, and social control, using dystopian settings to explore how young people define themselves in restrictive systems.
The Maze Runner (2009)
14+ Dystopian Fiction
The Maze Runner follows a group of boys trapped in a mysterious enclosure surrounded by a deadly maze with no memory of how they got there. As they try to survive and uncover the truth, the story explores teamwork, courage, and the ethics of experimentation. Fast-paced and suspenseful, the novel keeps readers questioning who is really in control.
James Dashner is an American author known for high-concept dystopian fiction for young adults. His work often explores survival, memory, and the moral consequences of extreme scientific control.
The Fault in Our Stars (2009)
14+ Young Adult Fiction
The Fault in Our Stars follows two teenagers who meet at a cancer support group and form a deep, honest connection. Through humour and heartbreak, the novel explores love, illness, mortality, and the desire to leave a meaningful mark on the world. Emotional and reflective, the story balances romance with philosophical questions about life and loss.
John Green is an American author known for thoughtful, emotionally rich young adult novels. His work often combines humour with serious themes, encouraging readers to think deeply about love, suffering, and meaning.
Five Feet Apart (2018)
14+ Young Adult Fiction
Five Feet Apart follows two teens with cystic fibrosis who fall in love but must remain physically distant to stay alive. As they challenge the rules meant to protect them, the novel explores risk, freedom, and what it means to truly live. Tender and emotional, the story focuses on love under extreme limitations.
Rachael Lippincott, Mikki Daughtry & Tobias Iaconis collaborated to create a contemporary YA novel centered on illness, relationships, and emotional resilience. Their work emphasizes empathy, vulnerability, and the complexities of young love.
15+
Persuasion (1817)
15+ literary fiction
Persuasion follows Anne Elliot, a thoughtful young woman who is given a second chance at love after years of regret and missed opportunity. Set in a society obsessed with status and reputation, the novel explores loyalty, self-worth, and what it means to grow up and trust your own judgment. Quiet but powerful, the story shows that emotional strength and patience can be just as heroic as bold action.
Jane Austen was an English novelist known for her sharp observations of social class, relationships, and human behaviour. Through irony and carefully drawn characters, she exposed the pressures placed on women and questioned the values of the society she lived in, while writing stories that still feel relevant today.
Dracula (1897)
15+ Gothic fiction
Dracula follows a group of characters as they uncover and confront a mysterious count whose presence brings fear, obsession, and danger to Victorian England. Told through letters, diaries, and newspaper articles, the novel blends horror with suspense while exploring ideas about power, desire, science, and the unknown. Dark and atmospheric, the story helped define the modern vampire and shaped the horror genre forever.
Bram Stoker was an Irish writer best known for creating one of literature’s most enduring villains. Drawing on folklore, Gothic traditions, and Victorian anxieties about science, sexuality, and invasion, his work reflects the fears of a rapidly changing world.
The Haunting of Hill House (1985)
15+ Gothic fiction
The Haunting of Hill House follows a small group of people who stay in a mansion known for its disturbing history and unsettling atmosphere. As strange events unfold, the novel blurs the line between supernatural horror and psychological fear, asking whether the house is truly haunted or if the characters are unraveling from within. Subtle, eerie, and deeply unsettling, the story focuses on loneliness, fear, and the need to belong.
Shirley Jackson was an American writer celebrated for her mastery of psychological horror and suspense. Rather than relying on monsters or violence, she explored fear through everyday settings, damaged relationships, and the inner lives of her characters, making her work both disturbing and emotionally powerful.
Rebecca (1938)
15+ Gothic fiction
Rebecca follows a young woman who marries a wealthy widower and moves into his grand estate, only to find herself haunted by the memory of his first wife. As secrets emerge, the novel builds an atmosphere of tension and unease, exploring jealousy, power, identity, and control. Suspenseful and psychologically rich, the story shows how the past can dominate the present.
Daphne du Maurier was a British author known for blending romance, suspense, and gothic elements. Her novels often focus on intense emotional states and unsettling relationships, using atmosphere and psychological tension to explore fear, obsession, and identity.
All Quiet on the Western Front (1929)
15+ Classic War Fiction
All Quiet on the Western Front follows a group of young German soldiers who enlist in World War I filled with idealism, only to be shattered by the brutal reality of trench warfare. As friendship, hope, and identity are stripped away, the novel exposes the physical and psychological toll of combat. Stark and uncompromising, the story is one of the most powerful anti-war novels ever written.
Erich Maria Remarque was a German novelist whose writing drew directly from his own experiences as a soldier in World War I. His work focuses on the human cost of war, loss, and disillusionment, giving voice to a generation scarred by violence.
The Queen's Gambit (1983)
15+ Literary fiction
The Queen’s Gambit follows Beth Harmon, a brilliant young chess player who rises to the top of a male-dominated world while struggling with addiction and isolation. As her talent grows, the novel explores ambition, control, identity, and the cost of genius. Tense and compelling, the story shows how discipline, obsession, and self-belief can both empower and endanger a person.
Walter Tevis was an American novelist known for writing about outsiders with extraordinary abilities. His work often focuses on addiction, obsession, and the search for meaning, using precise, character-driven storytelling to explore success and vulnerability.
All the Bright Places (2015)
15+ Young Adult Fiction
All the Bright Places follows two teens who form a deep connection while struggling with mental health challenges. Through their relationship, the novel explores grief, love, and the importance of being seen and understood. Emotional and intense, the story encourages conversations about mental health and empathy.
Jennifer Niven is an American author whose work often addresses mental health and emotional resilience. Her writing aims to promote understanding, compassion, and open dialogue around difficult topics.
The Last Letter from Your Lover (2008)
15+ Historical Romance
The Last Letter from Your Lover tells two parallel love stories—one in the 1960s and one in the present—connected by a series of secret letters. As past and present intertwine, the novel explores memory, choice, and the lasting impact of love. Emotional and reflective, the story examines how decisions echo across time.
Jojo Moyes is a British author known for emotionally driven fiction that blends romance with moral complexity. Her novels often focus on love, loss, and personal growth.
Alice in Borderland (2010-2016)
15+ Manga
Alice in Borderland follows a group of young people trapped in a deadly alternate version of Tokyo where they must compete in brutal survival games. As the challenges escalate, the story explores morality, identity, teamwork, and the value of life. Dark, intense, and fast-paced, the narrative questions how people behave when survival is at stake.
Haro Aso is a Japanese manga artist best known for creating high-stakes survival stories. His work explores human psychology under extreme pressure, blending action with philosophical questions.
Jack Reacher (1997-)
15+ Thriller / Crime Fiction
Jack Reacher follows a former military police officer who lives without attachments, moving from place to place and uncovering crimes others want hidden. Using intelligence, physical strength, and a strict personal code, Reacher takes on corrupt systems and powerful enemies. Fast-paced and gritty, the series explores justice, independence, and moral certainty.
Lee Child is a British author best known for creating one of the most successful thriller series of all time. His writing is known for tight plotting, minimal style, and a focus on justice and individual action.
iBoy (2010)
15+ Science Fiction
iBoy follows a teenage boy who develops extraordinary abilities after a violent attack leaves pieces of a smartphone embedded in his brain. As he learns to control his powers, he must decide how to use them in a world shaped by technology, crime, and inequality. Gritty and fast-paced, the novel explores justice, responsibility, and the impact of digital life on identity.
Kevin Brooks is a British author known for writing intense, realistic young adult fiction. His work often tackles violence, morality, and social issues, presenting challenging stories that encourage critical thinking and discussion.
Limitless (2001)
15+ Science Fiction
Limitless follows a struggling writer who gains access to a drug that unlocks his brain’s full potential, dramatically increasing intelligence and confidence. As success grows, so do dangerous side effects and powerful enemies. Fast-paced and provocative, the story explores ambition, addiction, power, and the cost of chasing perfection.
Alan Glynn is an Irish author known for writing psychological thrillers that examine ambition, morality, and modern pressure. His work often focuses on how small choices can spiral into life-changing consequences.
Frankenstein (1818)
15+ Gothic Fiction
Frankenstein follows Victor Frankenstein, a young scientist who creates life through dangerous experimentation and then recoils from the consequences of his actions. As creator and creation spiral toward tragedy, the novel explores responsibility, ambition, isolation, and what it truly means to be human. Dark and thought-provoking, the story questions whether the real monster is the creature—or the society that rejects him.
Mary Shelley was an English writer and one of the founders of science fiction. Her work combines gothic horror with philosophical questions about science, ethics, and human nature, making Frankenstein one of the most influential novels ever written.
16+
The Decameron (1353)
16+ literary fiction
The Decameron follows ten young people who escape a deadly plague and pass the time by telling stories in the countryside. The tales are funny, shocking, and clever, revealing how people really behave under pressure and helping shape modern storytelling.
Giovanni Boccaccio was a 14th-century Italian writer, poet, and humanist who helped shape early Renaissance thought by writing in the vernacular, championing classical learning, and portraying human character with realism, wit, and psychological depth.
The Witcher (1990-)
16+ fantasy fiction
The Witcher follows Geralt of Rivia, a monster hunter trained from childhood to fight creatures that terrorise the world. Set in a brutal fantasy landscape, the stories mix action, magic, politics, and moral dilemmas, constantly asking what really makes someone a “monster.” Beneath the battles and dark humour, the series explores choice, power, prejudice, and what it means to stay human in an unfair world.
Andrzej Sapkowski is a Polish fantasy writer best known for The Witcher series, which reshaped modern fantasy by blending Slavic folklore, dark realism, and sharp moral ambiguity. His work rejects simple heroes and villains, instead focusing on flawed characters forced to make difficult choices in a violent, politically complex world.
One Hundred Years of Solitude (1967)
16+ literary fiction
One Hundred Years of Solitude tells the story of the Buendía family across several generations in the fictional town of Macondo. Blending reality with magical events, the novel explores love, power, memory, war, and loneliness, showing how history and family patterns repeat themselves over time. Strange, beautiful, and sometimes unsettling, the book challenges readers to see how personal lives and entire societies are shaped by the past.
Gabriel García Márquez was a Colombian writer and journalist who helped define magical realism, a style that mixes everyday life with the surreal. His writing combines rich storytelling with political and social insight, using myth, humour, and imagination to reveal deeper truths about human experience and Latin American history.
White Noise (1985)
16+ literary fiction
White Noise follows Jack Gladney and his family as they navigate everyday life surrounded by constant media, consumer culture, and a growing fear of death. When a toxic chemical spill disrupts their town, the novel turns darkly comic, exposing how people rely on technology, advertising, and information to feel safe. Sharp and unsettling, the book questions how modern life shapes identity, anxiety, and what we choose to believe.
Don DeLillo is an American novelist known for exploring how media, technology, and mass culture influence the way people think and live. His work often examines fear, power, and identity in modern society, using satire and precise language to reveal the hidden pressures of contemporary life.
The Sandman (1989-1996)
16+ literary fiction
The Sandman follows Dream, one of the immortal Endless, as he navigates a world where myths, nightmares, and reality collide. Blending fantasy, horror, history, and philosophy, the graphic novels explore stories about power, responsibility, storytelling, and what it means to change. Dark, imaginative, and visually striking, the series redefined what comics could be.
Neil Gaiman is a British author known for mixing mythology, folklore, and modern life in his stories. His work often explores imagination, identity, and the power of stories themselves, and he has been a key figure in bringing graphic novels and fantasy into mainstream literature.
Bridgerton (2000-2006)
16+ historical romance
Bridgerton follows the lives, romances, and scandals of the wealthy Bridgerton family in Regency-era London. Beneath the glamour and drama, the novels explore love, reputation, gender expectations, and the pressure to conform to society’s rules. Fast-paced and entertaining, the series offers a modern take on history through relationships, secrets, and social power.
Julia Quinn is an American author best known for making historical romance accessible, witty, and character-driven. Her novels focus on sharp dialogue, emotional growth, and strong female characters, helping bring the genre to a wide contemporary audience.
13 Reasons Why (2000-2006)
16+ young adult fiction
13 Reasons Why tells the story of a high school student who receives a series of recordings explaining the reasons behind a classmate’s suicide. As the narrative unfolds, the novel explores bullying, isolation, responsibility, and how everyday actions can deeply affect others. Direct and emotionally intense, the book encourages readers to reflect on empathy, accountability, and the impact of their choices.
Jay Asher is an American author known for writing contemporary young adult fiction that tackles difficult social issues. His work focuses on teen voices and real-world consequences, aiming to start conversations about mental health, communication, and compassion.
Purple Hearts (2017)
16+ romance
Purple Hearts follows two young people who enter a marriage of convenience for personal reasons, only to find their lives and emotions becoming deeply intertwined. Set against themes of love, sacrifice, and the cost of personal choices, the story explores how relationships can grow in unexpected and challenging circumstances. Emotional and dramatic, the novel examines loyalty, identity, and what people are willing to risk for one another.
Tess Wakefield is an American author whose writing focuses on romance and emotionally driven storytelling. Her work explores love under pressure and the complexities of modern relationships, often blending heartfelt moments with real-world dilemmas.
My Oxford Year (2018)
16+ contemporary fiction
My Oxford Year follows an ambitious young woman who travels to Oxford University expecting a year focused on study and self-improvement, only to have her plans changed by an unexpected relationship. Set against the backdrop of one of the world’s most famous universities, the novel explores love, ambition, loss, and how life rarely follows a neat path. Emotional and reflective, the story focuses on growing up and learning what truly matters.
Julia Whelan is an American author and narrator whose writing often centers on personal growth, relationships, and life-changing choices. Her stories blend romance with deeper emotional themes, making them accessible while still thought-provoking.
You (2014)
16+ Psychological Thriller
You follows Joe Goldberg, a charming but dangerously obsessive man who believes love justifies control and violence. Told from Joe’s unsettling point of view, the novel explores manipulation, privacy, and how easily obsession can disguise itself as romance. Dark and disturbing, the story forces readers to question trust, power, and the stories people tell themselves to excuse their actions.
Caroline Kepnes is an American author known for psychological thrillers that use intimate, unreliable narrators. Her writing examines obsession, identity, and modern relationships, especially how technology blurs boundaries between connection and surveillance.
Behind her Eyes (2017)
16+ Psychological Thriller
Behind Her Eyes centers on a woman caught in a tense web of secrets involving her boss and his mysterious wife. As relationships deepen, the novel builds slow-burning suspense before revealing a shocking twist that challenges ideas of identity, trust, and control. Unpredictable and eerie, the story explores how appearances can hide deeply disturbing truths.
Sarah Pinborough is a British author known for blending psychological suspense with speculative elements. Her work often subverts reader expectations, using twists and unreliable perspectives to explore fear, desire, and identity.
Bird Box (2014)
16+ Dystopian/Horror Fiction
Bird Box follows a mother and her children as they struggle to survive in a world where seeing an unknown force leads to madness and death. Told through tense, fragmented scenes, the novel explores fear, survival, and the instinct to protect others at all costs. Claustrophobic and haunting, the story asks how people endure when the greatest danger cannot be seen.
Josh Malerman is an American writer and musician known for atmospheric horror and psychological tension. His stories focus on fear of the unknown and human vulnerability, using minimal detail to create maximum suspense.
The Woman in Cabin 10 (2016)
16+ Pshychological Thriller
The Woman in Cabin 10 follows a travel journalist on a luxury cruise who believes she has witnessed a murder—only to be told that no one is missing. Trapped at sea and doubting her own perceptions, she must uncover the truth before it’s too late. Tense and claustrophobic, the story explores trust, isolation, and how easily women’s voices can be dismissed.
Ruth Ware is a British author known for modern psychological thrillers inspired by classic mystery traditions. Her novels often feature unreliable narrators and closed settings, using suspense to explore fear, power, and perception.
Altered Carbon (2002)
16+ Science Fiction
Altered Carbon is set in a future where human consciousness can be transferred between bodies, making death optional for those who can afford it. The story follows Takeshi Kovacs, a former soldier hired to solve a murder that shouldn’t be possible. Dark and complex, the novel explores identity, inequality, power, and what it really means to be human.
Richard K. Morgan is a British author known for gritty, thought-provoking science fiction and fantasy. His work often examines violence, technology, and social inequality, challenging readers to think critically about the future and moral responsibility.
The Three-Body Problem (2006)
16+ Science Fiction
The Three-Body Problem begins during China’s Cultural Revolution and expands into a global story about first contact with an alien civilization. As scientists uncover signals from space, humanity is forced to confront questions about survival, trust, and its place in the universe. Intellectually challenging and unsettling, the novel explores science, power, fear, and how civilizations respond to existential threats.
Liu Cixin is a Chinese science fiction writer best known for bringing hard science fiction to a global audience. His work blends advanced scientific ideas with political, philosophical, and ethical questions, reshaping modern science fiction and expanding it beyond Western perspectives.
The Pale Blue Eye (2013)
16+ Psychological Thriller
The Pale Blue Eye follows a retired detective investigating a series of murders at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in the 1830s. Assisted by a young cadet named Edgar Allan Poe, he uncovers dark secrets involving obsession, grief, and ritual. Atmospheric and unsettling, the novel blends history, mystery, and psychological tension.
Louis Bayard is an American author known for historical fiction and literary thrillers. His work often reimagines real historical figures, blending fact and fiction to explore morality, loss, and the darker sides of human nature.
The Shining (1977)
16+ Horror
The Shining follows Jack Torrance and his family as they become isolated in a remote hotel with a violent past. As supernatural forces and personal demons collide, Jack’s sanity begins to unravel. Intense and psychological, the novel explores isolation, addiction, fear, and the destructive power of unchecked anger.
Stephen King is an American author widely regarded as one of the most influential writers of horror. His work often places ordinary people in extreme situations to explore fear, trauma, and moral breakdown.
Gone Girl (2012)
16+ Pshychological Thriller
Gone Girl follows a marriage that becomes the center of a national scandal when a woman disappears and her husband becomes the prime suspect. Told through shifting perspectives, the novel explores manipulation, media influence, power, and the performance of identity. Dark and sharply written, it challenges ideas about truth and trust.
Gillian Flynn is an American author known for dark psychological thrillers with complex female characters. Her work often explores violence, gender expectations, and unreliable narration.
The Girl on the Train (2013)
16+ Psychological Thriller
The Girl on the Train follows a woman who becomes entangled in a missing-person investigation after witnessing something unsettling from her daily commute. As memory, alcohol, and perception blur, the novel explores obsession, trauma, and the unreliability of perspective. Tense and claustrophobic, it examines how easily truth can be distorted.
Paula Hawkins is a British author known for psychological thrillers centered on flawed, unreliable narrators. Her work explores memory, control, and the hidden lives behind ordinary routines.
Luckiest Girl Alive (2015)
16+ Psychological Fiction
Luckiest Girl Alive follows a successful young woman whose carefully controlled life begins to unravel when past trauma resurfaces. As public image clashes with private pain, the novel explores memory, survival, and the pressure to appear “perfect.” Dark and confrontational, the story examines victimhood, anger, and reclaiming control.
Jessica Knoll is an American author and journalist known for writing about trauma, gender, and social power. Her work challenges cultural narratives around success and silence.
The Wonder (2013)
16+ Historical Fiction
The Wonder follows an English nurse sent to rural Ireland to observe a young girl who claims she can survive without eating. As faith, science, and community beliefs collide, the nurse begins to question what is really happening. Quiet, tense, and unsettling, the novel explores belief, control, and the danger of unquestioned authority.
Emma Donoghue is an Irish-Canadian author known for historical fiction and psychologically rich narratives. Her work often explores power, confinement, and the experiences of women within rigid social systems.
Burning (2018)
16+ Psychological Drama
Burning follows a young man whose quiet life becomes increasingly unsettling after he reconnects with a former acquaintance and meets her mysterious, wealthy friend. As tensions build and reality becomes uncertain, the story explores obsession, class divide, loneliness, and unspoken violence. Slow-burning and ambiguous, the narrative invites readers to question truth, perception, and what is left unsaid.
Haruki Murakami is a Japanese author known for blending realism with surreal and psychological elements. His work often explores isolation, desire, and the hidden strangeness beneath ordinary life, making him one of the most widely read contemporary writers in world literature.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2005)
16+ Psychological Thriller
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo follows journalist Mikael Blomkvist and hacker Lisbeth Salander as they investigate a decades-old disappearance within a powerful Swedish family. As secrets surface, the novel explores corruption, violence, gendered abuse, and the misuse of power. Dark, complex, and gripping, the story helped define modern Nordic noir.
Stieg Larsson was a Swedish journalist and author best known for the Millennium series. His writing combines crime fiction with political and social critique, focusing on injustice, extremism, and violence against women.
The Snowman (2007)
16+ Psychological Thriller
The Snowman follows detective Harry Hole as he hunts a serial killer whose murders are linked to snowfall and long-hidden secrets. As the investigation deepens, the novel explores obsession, trauma, and the darker side of human nature. Chilling and suspenseful, the story is a key example of Scandinavian crime fiction.
Jo Nesbø is a Norwegian author and former musician best known for his crime novels featuring detective Harry Hole. His writing is known for complex plots, moral ambiguity, and a bleak but compelling exploration of crime and justice.
The Chestnut Man (2018)
16+ Psychological Thriller
The Chestnut Man follows two detectives investigating a series of brutal murders connected by small chestnut figurines left at each crime scene. As the case unfolds, it exposes hidden crimes, political corruption, and the long-lasting impact of violence. Dark and tightly plotted, the story is a chilling example of modern Scandinavian crime fiction.
Søren Sveistrup is a Danish writer and screenwriter best known for creating the TV series The Killing. His fiction combines complex mysteries with social commentary, focusing on trauma, justice, and the consequences of institutional failure.
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