Every generation has books that mark a special place in their heart, and while the youngest generation yet is still in the making, what is becoming clear is what kind of books Gen Z will hold near and dear to their heart.
Surprisingly, Gen Z loves romance novels more than the previous generation, hence the upward trend of summery love stories on TikTok. Gen Z does have some favorites in common with Millennials, for example, popular series like Harry Potter, Twilight, and The Hunger Games are still going strong with this generation.
While Gen Z has demonstrated a sustained interest in love stories, there has also been an immense surge in popularity for books focused on issues like the power of social media and the rediscovery of oneself.
Here are some of our favorite books bound to become cult classics for Gen Z.
Note
Article updated April 20th, 2025: We’ve included newly released books to the list to make it fresh and more relevant. We’ve also replaced some of the books to provide more variety for the readers.
15. So Thrilled For You by Holly Bourne
Nicki is a thirty-something whose life couldn’t be better: she’s got a close-knit friend group, she’s just entered her thirties, and she’s happily pregnant with her first child.
But during Nicki’s baby shower, on an oppressively hot summer day, old resentments begin to bubble up. When a fire breaks out by evening’s end, everyone becomes a suspect, including Nicki herself.
Why we recommend it: This crime mystery has a multilayered narrative structure and offers a candid variety of perspectives on contemporary motherhood and female friendship. It’s a must-read for fans of Big Little Lies.
14. Hunchback by Saou Ichikawa
This novel, a guaranteed classic for Gen Z, follows Shaka, a woman living with a severe congenital disorder that requires her to use an electric wheelchair and ventilator.
Shaka finds meaning in her online identity, but everything comes to a terrifying halt when one of her caretakers finds her provocative online footprint and demands money for her silence.
Why we recommend it: I loved how this novel explored disability, accessibility, and identity. It’s short, too, making it perfect for a weekend read.
13. Creation Lake by Rachel Kushner
This espionage thriller tells the story of Sadie, who works as a spy for hire after being fired from her job with the U.S. government.
When Sadie is given the assignment of infiltrating an anarchist eco-commune in France, her job seems simple: find evidence of their crimes. But Sadie soon finds discoveries far more surprising and philosophical than she was expecting.
Why we recommend it: This novel is a delightful blend of literary essay, noir, and satire. Great for fans of a good villainess.
12. Help Wanted by Adelle Waldman
When the diverse, misfit employees at Town Square, a big-box store, are offered a competitive promotion opportunity, they all leap at the chance to escape the grind of retail work.
But soon, they collectively decide to lobby for their universally despised boss to get the promotion. If she’s gone, their lives at work will be easier. Right?
Why we recommend it: I love how this novel captures the difficult realities of working in service, as well as its exploration of themes like solidarity and social change. It’s like if The Office were a book.
11. First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston
Evie Porter doesn’t really exist. Her identity has been created by her mysterious boss, who has given her the assignment of finding out all she can about a man named Ryan.
However, when Evie begins to fall for Ryan, her job becomes more complicated. Can she hang on to her job, her identity, and her life?
Why we recommend it: This book is incredibly fast-paced and addictive, perfect for fans of thrillers and crime novels.
10. The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood
Ali Hazelwood rapidly went viral on TikTok (a social media also very near and dear to Gen Z’s heart), but it was also an instant success on the most critically acclaimed book list in 2021. The novel follows Olive, a biology graduate student and she is trying to convince her friend that she is over her ex-boyfriend, especially because that friend wants to date him. After a mix-up and the need to keep up a facade, Olive ends up in a fake relationship with a renowned professor.
Hazelwood is a PhD scientist who writes books about women in STEM, perhaps this is another reason why Gen Z connects so deeply with her books as this generation really appeals to authenticity and transparency.
9. Orbital by Samantha Harvey
Winner of the 2024 Booker Prize, Orbital is about a team of six international astronauts who are on board the International Space Station throughout the course of a single day. As they go about their routines, they watch the tiny Earth through their windows out on nothingness.
This brief and wonderful novella offers a unique perspective on life on earth and the meanings that keep us all going.
Why we recommend it: I loved how this novel effectively delivered a powerful argument against climate change. Its brief page count also makes it an excellent gift for most readers in your life.
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8. Perfection by Vicenzo Latronico
This gorgeous novel concerns the daily lives of Anna and Tom, two digital nomads living in Berlin. As they post their seemingly perfect lives, filled with plants and brunches, on Instagram, they slowly begin to feel a growing sense of dissatisfaction.
As the political climate around them changes, they begin to wonder if they should take action. Can social media be used for more than external validation?
Why we recommend it: This novel is a timely and honest examination of our relationship to online identity and social media, which Gen Z knows better than anyone. It’s an incredibly relatable book to anyone who’s felt the pressures of being on the Internet.
7. A Court Of Thorns And Roses by Sarah J. Maas
This 7 part fantasy series could well be the next Twilight for how popular it has become as a fantasy romance series and a TV adaptation is rumored to be underway.
The series follows a 19-year-old moral named Feyre who was hunting in the woods when she killed a wolf that was on the pounce. The next day an immortal, called a Faerie, comes to her home demanding payment as it was a fellow immortal whom she killed. There is a treaty between the mortal and immortal realms that prevents harm to the other, and as payment, Feyre must go and live in the other realm and much to her surprise is exposed to an entirely new way of life.
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Subscribe to our weekly newsletter6. The Seven Husbands Of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Taylor Jenkins Reid has written many viral books, including Daisy Jones & The Six, but The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo really struck a chord with young audiences.
The book follows not just the husbands, but the Hollywood career of an iconic actress from getting her start in the 50s and how it evolved throughout her life. If you haven’t read this book, you are in for some twists and turns as the title does not imply nearly half of the story of an exciting life lived.
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5. All Fours by Miranda July
In Miranda July’s latest book, a forty-something artist decides to abruptly end her road trip in an anonymous hotel.
As she reflects, she begins to come to powerful revelations about her identity as a mother, a partner, and a woman, embarking on a hilarious and often awkward journey of sexual liberation.
Why we recommend it: I loved that this book felt so personal and how it explored thorny topics like sexuality, desire, and agency.
4. The Empusium by Olga Tokarczuk
Perfect for The White Lotus fans, this historical fiction horror novel set in 1913 follows Mieczysław, a young Polish student who has arrived at a health resort in order to recover from tuberculosis.
As increasingly strange events begin to unfold around him, Mieczysław is confronted with his own inner turmoil, including the internalized misogyny he carries.
Why we recommend it: This book is incredibly atmospheric and spooky, making it a great choice for fans of feminist horror.
3. It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover
Possibly the most famous TikTok romance novel of all time thanks to Gen Z readers, this list would not be complete without It Ends With Us, the first book in Hoover’s series.
The plot seems quite simple, Lily is beginning her new life after college and meets someone, but is challenged by her first love – which forces her to choose who she wants to be. The life step in which it takes place represents a phase of life that many Gen Z find themselves in, or looking forward to making this book close to home for them – but also readers of any age!
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2. The Anthropologists by Ayşegül Savaş
In this Gen Z cult classic, Asya and Manu are a young couple trying to make sense of their lives in a foreign city. While they search desperately for a new apartment, they strain to maintain connections with their family and friends back home.
How close can we really keep our identities across the distance of borders?
Why we recommend it: I loved the prose in this book, which was beautiful and poetic. It felt like reading a modern dream in the most satisfying and emotional way possible.
1. 7 Days In June by Tia Williams
Speaking of how childhood can mold you into the person that you are, 7 Days in June is another perfect example of looking to the past in order to heal your future.
The protagonist is a successful writer, although she suffers from a condition that causes severe migraines and pain. As a single mom navigating success and deciding the best way to move forward, she is faced with the ghost of her past: a boy she spent chaotic days with 15 years ago. This beautifully written book is the page-turning romance story you have been waiting for.
These are our top books destined to be cult classics for Gen Z! What do you think? Let us know what you’d recommend in the comments.
As always, happy reading!
