Snap our of your reading slump with these binge-worthy books

You know that feeling when you want to get back into reading but just…can’t? You pick up a book, read a few pages, and somehow end up scrolling through your phone or rewatching the same comfort show for the hundredth time. Yeah, we’ve all been there. A reading slump can feel impossible to escape, but the right book—one that hooks you from the first page—can change everything. Whether you need a fast-paced thriller, a cosy romance, or a story so gripping you forget to check your notifications, these books will get you back on track and remind you why you fell in love with reading in the first place.

The Secret History by Donna Tartt

This one’s for the dark academia girlies (and guys). The Secret History pulls you into the world of a tight-knit, elite group of classics students at a prestigious college, where intellect, obsession, and morality blur in the most twisted ways. The story unravels a murder from the start, but it’s not about who did it—it’s about why. Donna Tartt’s writing is rich, immersive, and packed with the kind of atmosphere that makes you want to light a candle, grab a coffee, and pretend you’re studying in an old library.

Beartown by Fredrik Backman

This one hurts in the best way. Set in a small, hockey-obsessed town, Beartown is about more than just sports—it’s about community, loyalty, and the uncomfortable truths people choose to ignore. When a terrible incident shakes the town, everyone is forced to pick sides, revealing how far people will go to protect what they love (or what they think they should love). Fredrik Backman’s writing is raw, emotional, and straight-up brutal at times, but in a way that lingers with you long after you’ve turned the last page.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Old Hollywood glamour, scandal, and a complicated, unforgettable love story—this book has it all. The story follows the life of legendary actress Evelyn Hugo, who, after years of secrecy, is finally ready to tell the truth about her seven marriages, her career, and the love of her life. As journalist Monique Grant pieces together Evelyn’s confessions, you get pulled into a world of fame, ambition, and sacrifice. It’s dramatic, emotional, and ridiculously addictive.

The Mistborn Trilogy by Brandon Sanderson

If you’re looking for an easy way back into fantasy, Mistborn is the one. Set in a world where a tyrant has ruled for a thousand years, the story follows Vin, a street thief who discovers she has powerful magic—and might just be the key to rebellion. Sanderson’s magic system (based on metals, which is super cool) is one of the best out there, and the pacing is perfect. You get action, politics, and a cast of characters you’ll get way too attached to.

Harry Potter by J K Rowling

Do I even need to introduce this one? If you’ve somehow never read Harry Potter, this is your sign to finally do it. And if you have read it, you already know that revisiting Hogwarts is the ultimate cure for a reading slump. Magic, adventure, friendships that feel like home—there’s a reason this series is loved worldwide. It’s nostalgic, comforting, and always feels like stepping into a world where anything is possible.

The Sundown Motel by Simone St. James

If you love eerie, small-town mysteries with a supernatural twist, The Sundown Motel is so worth picking up. The story flips between two timelines—one in 1982 and one in 2017—both centring around the same creepy, rundown motel where people seem to disappear. There’s a missing girl, a journalist digging for answers, and just the right amount of ghostly vibes. It’s fast-paced and spooky, but not in a way that’ll keep you up all night (unless you start binge-reading).

The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August by Claire North

Imagine dying and then immediately restarting your life over and over again, with all your memories intact. That’s Harry August’s reality. Every time he dies, he’s reborn into the same life, and he’s not the only one—there’s an entire secret society of people like him. But when he learns that something (or someone) is causing reality to unravel, he realises he has to stop it. This book is smart, mind-bending, and one of those stories that makes you rethink everything.

Lead image credit: IMDb

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