1. I'm Not Afraid of the Dark
This prompt is perfect for stories that delve into the eerie and spine-chilling. You could choose a Gothic horror, ghost story or a tale of dark magic and terrifying creatures. Maybe it’s a book where shadows come alive, or where nyctophobia (the fear of darkness) plays an important role in the story. Perhaps it’s a story best read by torchlight, the kind that makes you jump at every creak. Alternatively, you could read a story which explores resilience in the face of darkness as a character confronts fears others run from. Whether literal or metaphorical, be brave, step into the unknown and uncover what lurks in the dark.
The Circle Recommends...
Books from a variety of genres that work well for this prompt include:
Misery by Stephen King (Horror)
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly by Jean-Dominique Bauby (Memoir)
The Fall of the House of Usher and Other Writings by Edgar Allan Poe (Gothic Fiction)
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley (Science Fiction/Gothic)
The Bloody Chamber by Angela Carter (Fairy Tale Retelling/Gothic Fiction)
The Dark by Emma Haughton (Thriller)
Dracula by Bram Stoker (Horror)
Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo (YA Fantasy Fiction)
The Between by Tananarive Due (Horror/Supernatural)
Weyward by Emilia Hart (Historical Fiction/Supernatural)
The Woman in Black by Susan Hill (Gothic Horror)
The Haunting of Sunshine House by Dominika Best (Horror/Thriller)
In the Dark by Loreth Anne White (Psychological Thriller)
One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig (Psychological Thriller)
2. A Heavy Read
A great prompt to be interpreted in different ways. A heavy read might be one with a theme or topic which is emotionally hard to contemplate, or it may have a deep impact on you long after reading. A heavy read could be a book which, quite literally, is heavy to hold, has lots of pages or a weighty cover. Alternatively you could be very creative and choose a book about a heavy character, heavy metal band, a job which involves heavy lifting or maybe the biography of a heavyweight boxer? You could even choose a non-fiction book about rocks!
The Circle Recommends...
Books from a variety of genres that work well for this prompt include:
House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski (Experimental Fiction)
The Phenomenology of Spirit by G.W.F. Hegel (Philosophy)
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison (Literary Fiction)
Palestine by Joe Sacco (Graphic Nonfiction)
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath (Semi-Autobiographical Fiction)
A Little Life by Hanya (Fiction)
Beloved by Toni Morrison (Historical Fiction/Magical Realism)
The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt (Literary Fiction)
The Measure by Nikki Erlick (Magical Realism)
The Help by Kathryn Stockett (Historical Fiction)
Les Misérables by Victor Hugo (Historical Fiction)
1984 by George Orwell (Dystopian Fiction)
The Murder of PC Blakelock and the Case of the Tottenham Three by David Rose (True Crime/Nonfiction)
A Rock and a Hard Place by J. D. Kirk (Thriller/Crime)
3. Set During a Conflict
For this prompt you could look to include stories set during wars, revolutions or societal upheavals, whether historical, contemporary or fictional. Alternatively you could choose a book related to family or social group battles where characters face great emotional or psychological pressures. Perhaps you’d prefer a fantasy genre where kingdoms or galaxies are at war. You’re looking for books which may contain themes of chaos, human strength, resourcefulness, community and survival, personal growth and complex political issues, intense human experiences, resilience and moral dilemmas along with the complexity of conflict.
The Circle Recommends...
Books from a variety of genres that work well for this prompt include:
The War Poems of Siegfried Sassoon by Siegfried Sassoon (Poetry)
Minor Detail by Adania Shibli (Historical Fiction)
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis (Fantasy)
Milkman by Anna Burns (Literary Fiction
Maus by Art Spiegelman (Graphic Novel/Memoir)
All the Light we Cannot See by Anthony Doerr (Historical Fiction)
Home Going by Yaa Gyasi (Historical Fiction)
The Song of Achilles by Madeleine Miller (Romance/Greek Mythology/Historical Fiction)
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini (Historical Fiction)
War Horse by Michael Morpurgo (Historical Fiction)
The Blackout Murders by Anna Elliott and Charley Veley (Thriller/Mystery)
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (Historical Fiction/Young Adult)
Blackout by Simon Scarrow (Historical Fiction/Thriller)
4. Give Me a Clue
Choose a book for this prompt that dives into the world of mystery, crime or uncovering secrets. This could include classic whodunits, detective stories, gripping thrillers or tales of uncovering hidden truths. Look for stories where solving a puzzle or exposing wrongdoing takes precedence, keeping you guessing until the end! Books with twists and turns, suspense, clever plots and uncovering the unexpected are perfect for this prompt.
The Circle Recommends...
Books from a variety of genres that work well for this prompt include:
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn (Thriller)
The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler (Detective Fiction)
The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Mystery)
Death of a Red Heroine by Qiu Xiaolong (Crime Fiction)
Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency by Douglas Adams (Science Fiction/Comedy)
Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz (Mystery)
The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton (Mystery)
The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman (Crime Fiction)
A Deadly Inside Scoop by Abby Collette (Cosy Mystery)
And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie (Mystery)
The Boy from the Woods by Harlan Coben (Thriller)
In Too Deep by Lee Child (Thriller)
5. Second Chances
This prompt is perfect for tales of redemption, trust and betrayal, the storyline needs to involve a second chance being offered. Perhaps it’s a story where there are broken promises, with a character trying to earn forgiveness. Maybe the character seeks a second chance at rebuilding their life after it’s collapsed around them. Maybe there are dark conditions to this chance, where it is offered at a hefty price. Perhaps there’s time travel involved, a chance to right past wrongs. Alternatively the focus could be on the resilience of the betrayed, as they confront the deception and hunt for justice or closure, they must offer a second chance to the betrayer to hit this prompt. There may be themes of regret, hope, vengeance, the fragility of trust and redemption.
The Circle Recommends...
Books from a variety of genres that work well for this prompt include:
Atonement by Ian McEwan (Historical Fiction)
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini (Historical Fiction)
Normal People by Sally Rooney (Contemporary Fiction)
Trainspotting by Irvine Welsh (Urban Fiction)
Wild by Cheryl Strayed (Memoir)
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman (Fiction)
Again, Rachel by Marian Keyes (Romance)
The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold (Fiction)
The Heart of a Woman by Maya Angelou (Autobiography)
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig (Magical Realism)
A Bit of a Stretch - The Diaries of a Prisoner by Chris Atkins (Memoir)
The Last Care Taker by Jessica Strawster (Thriller/Mystery)
Midnight Sun by Jo Nesbø (Crime Thriller)
Never Greener by Ruth Jones (Contemporary Fiction/Romance)
6. Monday, Monday!
Look for stories where the days of the week, routines and predictability play a key role. Perhaps the book focuses on a day that literally or metaphorically keeps repeating in a stagnant, Groundhog Day style loop, with the monotony of daily life leading to a character feeling trapped in time. Can beauty eventually be found in routine and the mundane? Alternatively, you might choose a book where the daily or weekly grind is comfortable, the character enjoys their routine, the life they’ve carefully constructed around themselves and the safety of this well-structured existence, when suddenly life is disrupted or their perspective changed.
The Circle Recommends...
Books from a variety of genres that work well for this prompt include:
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky (Young Adult Fiction)
One Day by David Nicholls (Romantic Fiction)
Play It as It Lays by Joan Didion (Literary Fiction)
The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, Aged 13¾ by Sue Townsend (Humor/Coming of Age)
Ulysses by James Joyce (Modernist Fiction)
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman (Humerous Fiction)
Perfect Tense by Michael Bracewell (Fiction)
Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata (Literary Fiction)
Normal People by Sally Rooney (Psychological Fiction)
The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion (Romantic Comedy)
The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August by Claire North (Science Fiction/Fantasy)
Snug in Iceland by Victoria Walker (Contemporary Fiction/Travel)
How to Stop Time by Matt Haig (Fantasy/Philosophical Fiction)
7. A School Subject Story
This prompt asks for a theme within the book that’s connected to a school subject. This could be a non-fiction book delving into a subject like history, science or art, a biography of someone working in a school subject field, or a fiction book containing a lead character with a career in a school subject area but not in a school, such as scientists, mathematicians, writers, artists, historians, geologists or librarians. Alternatively look for books with titles that reference school subjects such as Lessons in Chemistry, or one with a cover that features equipment used in schools, like paintbrushes, science lab equipment or chalkboards.
The Circle Recommends...
Books from a variety of genres that work well for this prompt include:
Stoner by John Williams (Literary Fiction)
The History Boys by Alan Bennett (Drama)
Eats, Shoots, and Leaves by Lynne Truss (Nonfiction/Grammar)
A History of Britain in Ten Enemies by Terry Deary (Nonfiction/History)
On Beauty by Zadie Smith (Literary Fiction)
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus (Historical Fiction)
Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly (Biography)
Educated by Tara Westover (Memoir)
After Math by Denise Grover Swank (Sports Romance)
The Secret History by Donna Tartt (Psychological Fiction)
A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson (non-fiction)
Beach Hut 512 by Dorothy Koomson (Thriller)
Shakespeare by Judi Dench (Biography/Literary Criticism)
8. A Touch of the Green-Eyed Monster
Themes of envy, jealousy or rivalry are central to this prompt. From relationship dramas to tales of professional or personal competition, explore stories where characters wrestle with their green-eyed emotions. You could choose a book with a theme of romantic jealousy, sibling rivalry or workplace envy in fiction or memoirs. Look for books where jealousy drives characters to dark places, or where it sparks personal growth. You might also consider reading non-fiction about jealousy’s psychological and social effects.
The Circle Recommends...
Books from a variety of genres that work well for this prompt include:
Money by Martin Amis (Satire/Literary Fiction)
Rivals by Jilly Cooper (Romance)
Didion and Babitz by Lili Anolik (Biography/Essays)
Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare (Tragedy)
Burr by Gore Vidal (Historical Fiction)
The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith (Psychological Thriller)
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier (Gothic Novel)
The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory (Historical Fiction)
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn (Thriller)
Vicious by V.E. Schwab (Fantasy)
Plain Bad Heroines by Emily M. Danforth (Gothic Novel)
The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling (Paranormal Romantic Comedy)
The Other Side of the Story by Marian Keyes (Contemporary Fiction/Romance)
One August Night by Victoria Hislop (Historical Fiction)
The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena (Thriller/Mystery)
9. Set in Scandinavia
For this prompt, choose any book that explores Scandinavian cultures, folklore or landscapes, and features the countries of the region as main settings. Consider books about Viking history, Scandinavian mythology, or modern-day tales of life in places like Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland and Finland. Perhaps the main character or writer is setting off on a Scandinavian road trip or perhaps you’ll choose a memoir written by someone who moved to one of these countries for a fresh start. You could use Nordic noir crime thrillers, fantasy stories with ties to Scandinavia, travel memoirs exploring the region’s culture and landscape, contemporary or historical fiction to hit this prompt.
The Circle Recommends...
Books from a variety of genres that work well for this prompt include:
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson (Crime Thriller)
Ghosts by Henrik Ibsen (Drama)
The Complete Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Andersen (Folklore/Fairy Tales)
The Sickness Unto Death by Søren Kierkegaard (Philosophy)
The Third Realm by Karl Ove Knausgaard (Autofiction)
Let the Right One In by John Ajvide Lindqvist (Gothic Horror)
The Half-Drowned King by Linnea Hartsuyker (Fantasy)
Out Stealing Horses by Per Petterson (Literary Fiction)
Beartown by Fredrik Backman (Literary Fiction)
A Scandinavian Summer by Helga Jensen (Romance/Contemporary Fiction)
Angel Maker by Morgan Greene (Thriller/Crime)
All I Want for Christmas by Karen Swan (Contemporary Fiction/Romance)
Christmas Island by Natalie Normann (Romance/Contemporary Fiction)
10. A House on the Cover
This prompt requires you to pick a book that features a house, flat, or building resembling a house on the cover. This could be a full view of the building, a close-up of a door, windows or even a door handle. Alternatively, you can choose a book where the title contains the word ‘house’ (not ‘home’ or other synonyms). An example for this is the book, The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune. The focus is strictly on the physical representation of a house on the cover or the word ‘house’ in the title, without abstract symbolism or deeper connotations.
The Circle Recommends...
Books from a variety of genres that work well for this prompt include:
Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. (Science Fiction)
Flowers in the Attic by V.C. Andrews (Gothic Fiction)
Bleak House by Charles Dickens (Victorian Fiction)
The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson (Horror)
The Poetics of Space by Gaston Bachelard (Philosophy)
Barbican Residents’ by Anton Rodriguez (Photography)
Brutalist Plants by Olivia Broome (Art/Design)
The Midnight House by Amanda Geard (Historical Fiction)
The Family Remains by Lisa Jewel (Thriller)
The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune (Magical Realism)
Here to Stay by Mark Edwards (Thriller)
The Family at Number 12 by Anita Walker (Thriller/Mystery)
The Wrong Sister by Claire Douglas (Psychological Thriller)
A Borrowed Path by Imogen Clark (Contemporary Fiction/Romance)
11. All I Want for Christmas is...
This prompt invites you to pick a book with a Christmassy or cosy winter theme. It could be a heartwarming festive romance, a story about the magic of Christmas or maybe a cosy seasonal mystery. The focus is on books that evoke the warmth and excitement of festive lights, log fires, snow and the feeling of wondering ‘What do I want for Christmas?’ You could choose a book where characters, during the season, hope to achieve something they’ve spent all year longing for — a special gift, finding someone special, a family reunion or answers. Covers featuring Christmas trees, snow, gifts or sparkling lights fit the theme perfectly.
The Circle Recommends...
Books from a variety of genres that work well for this prompt include:
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens (Novella)
The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry (Short Story)
How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss (Children’s Fiction)
Letters from Father Christmas by J.R.R. Tolkien (Fantasy)
A Christmas Memory by Truman Capote (Memoir/Short Story)
The Christmas Bookshop by Jenny Colgan (Romance)
A Boy Called Christmas by Matt Haig (Fiction)
Christmas in Paris by Anita Hughes (Romance)
Dying for Christmas by Tammy Cohen (Thriller/Mystery)
The Secret History of Christmas by Bill Bryson (Nonfiction/Humour)
19th Christmas by James Patterson (Thriller/Crime)
Letters from Father Christmas by J.R.R. Tolkien (Children’s Literature/Fantasy)
The Secret Christmas Library by Jenny Colgan (Contemporary Fiction/Romance)
12. Amphibian
Dive into stories where life unfolds both on land and in water, made possible through technology and skill. These human characters are able to navigate underwater and terrestrial worlds, such as deep-sea divers, submarine crews or marine researchers. They may survive in the depths for long periods of time, facing the challenges and dangers of exploration, isolation, discovery and fragile human relationships. From shipwrecks to underwater caves, these stories are rich with the mystery, survival and adaptation that come with life in two worlds. Please note, the use of magic to survive underwater is prohibited for this prompt, however science fiction is allowed.
The Circle Recommends...
Books from a variety of genres that work well for this prompt include:
Moby-Dick; or, The Whale by Herman Melville (Adventure Fiction)
Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson (Adventure Fiction)
Drift by Caroline Bergvall (Poetry/Experimental Fiction)
The Book of the Frog by Sally Coulthard (Nonfiction/Natural History)
Ness by Robert Macfarlane (Poetry/Environmental Fiction)
The Deep by Nick Cutter (Horror)
Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant (Science Fiction Horror)
Sphere by Michael Crichton (Science Fiction Psychological Thriller)
The Luminous Dead by Caitlin Starling (Science Fiction Thriller)
The Abyss by Orson Scott Card (Science Fiction Thriller)
Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne (Classic/Adventure)
The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See (Historical Fiction)
13. Social Media Mayhem
Social media is the focus of this prompt, driving chaos, conflict and drama. Whether it's the downfall of influencers whose online personas spiral out of control, the creeping tension of cyberstalkers lurking behind screens, or the unsettling consequences of living in a world where digital connections take over real-life interactions, explore stories of navigating fame, privacy and the pressure of constantly being ‘on’ in the online world. These tales not only reflect the power of social media and its dangers, but also highlight the fragility of identity.
The Circle Recommends...
Books from a variety of genres that work well for this prompt include:
Follow Me by Elizabeth Rose Quinn (Thriller/Mystery)
The Murder After the Night Before by Katy Brent (Crime Thriller)
Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace (Literary Fiction)
My Not So Perfect Life by Sophie Kinsella (Contemporary Fiction/Chick Lit)
White Noise by Don DeLillo (Literary Fiction)
Transmission by Hari Kunzru (Literary Fiction)
Anon Pls. by DeuxMoi (Contemporary/Autofiction)
People Like Her by Ellery Lloyd (Thriller/Suspense)
Followers by Megan Angelo (Dystopian/Speculative)
Fake Accounts by Lauren Oyler (Contemporary Fiction)
Social Creature by Tara Isabella Burton (Psychological Thriller)
You Are Not a Gadget by Jaron Lanier (Nonfiction/Tech Criticism)
The Circle by Dave Eggers (Dystopian Fiction)
If I Had Your Face by Frances Cha (Contemporary Literary Fiction)
The Age of Surveillance Capitalism by Shoshana Zuboff (Nonfiction)
14. A Debt to Repay
Explore books where the central theme revolves around a character burdened by a dangerous debt they owe to another. In these stories, the tension arises from the character’s need to repay or resolve this debt in a struggle for survival. The debt weighs heavily on the character, shaping their choices, driving them into risky situations or forcing them to confront difficult truths. These plots revolve around the idea of owing something to someone dangerous, with the stakes of repayment being high.
The Circle Recommends...
Books from a variety of genres that work well for this prompt include:
No Country for Old Men by Cormac McCarthy (Thriller/Western)
Debt: The First 5,000 Years by David Graeber (Nonfiction/Economics)
The Godfather by Mario Puzo (Crime)
The Cartel by Don Winslow (Crime/Thriller)
The Last Godfather by John Marinelli (True Crime)
The Black Dahlia by James Ellroy (Crime/Noir)
Payback by R. C. Bridgestock (Crime/Police Procedural)
The Redemption of Billy Bird by Stephen Carroll (Contemporary Fiction)
The Debt by Michael H. Rubin (Legal Thriller)
The Gone World by Tom Sweterlitsch (Science Fiction/Thriller)
A Debt Redeemed by Andrew Clark (Romance/Contemporary Fiction)
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas (Fantasy/Romance)
The Secret Collector by Abigail Johnson (Mystery/Thriller)
15. Main Character is a Teacher
Explore books where the main character is a teacher. Whether they are navigating the challenges of school politics, guiding the next generation through their educational journey or getting caught up in an unexpected mystery, the teacher is central to the plot. The subject they teach is irrelevant; the focus is on their role as an educator and how it shapes their experiences. From the classroom to the outside world, these stories explore the complexities of being a teacher and how this profession touches and intertwines with many lives.
The Circle Recommends...
Books from a variety of genres that work well for this prompt include:
The Freedom Writers Diary by Erin Gruwell (Nonfiction/Education)
The History Boys by Alan Bennett (Drama/Comedy-Drama)
Dead Poets Society by N. H. Kleinbaum (Fiction/Drama)
A Teacher’s Life by Julie Hearn (Memoir/Education)
The Story of a Teacher by Tom Malmquist (Literary Fiction)
The Chalk Man by C. J. Tudor (Thriller/Mystery)
The Madwoman Upstairs by Catherine Lowell (Literary Thriller)
The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach (Literary Fiction/Sports)
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë (Gothic Fiction)
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott (Historical Fiction)
The Lives of Children by George Dennison (Nonfiction/Education)
The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark (Literary Fiction)
A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J. Gaines (Historical Fiction)
In Any Lifetime by Marc Guggenheim (Romance/Contemporary Fiction)
The Teacher by Freida McFadden (Thriller)
16. Sugar-Coated
It’s all about desserts! Pick a book that focuses on sugary treats, whether it’s set in a bakery, ice cream parlour or has a sugar-themed cover image or title containing a word associated with sugar, such as ‘treacle’, ‘syrup’, ‘cake’, ‘candy’, ‘ice cream’, ‘sweet’ or ‘chocolate’.
The Circle Recommends...
Books from a variety of genres that work well for this prompt include:
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl (Children’s Literature)
Island Beneath the Sea by Isabel Allende (Historical Fiction)
Salt, Sugar, Fat: How the Food Giants Hooked Us by Michael Moss (Nonfiction/Food & Health)
How to Be a Domestic Goddess by Nigella Lawson (Cookbook)
Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain (Memoir)
Chocolat by Joanne Harris (Contemporary Fiction)
The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley (Mystery)
The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen (Contemporary Fiction)
Sweetbitter by Stephanie Danler (Contemporary Fiction)
Love & Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch (Young Adult/Contemporary)
The Candymakers by Wendy Mass (Children’s/Young Readers)
Patisserie by Meg Rivers (Romance/Contemporary)
Murder at the Book Club by Betsy Reavley (Mystery/Cosy Crime)
Just Deserts by Jerry Crowther (Mystery/Crime)
The Vanilla Killer by Peter Boland (Thriller/Crime)
17. Rock, Paper, Scissors
This prompt invites you to explore books where the central character faces a significant, life-changing decision. Perhaps they are torn between difficult choices, each with its own undesirable consequences, and the pressure of making the right decision weighs heavily on them. It could be a choice between one life and another, one love and another, head versus heart, moving away or staying, running or fighting. The phrase ‘rock, paper, scissors’ is used here as a light-hearted metaphor for the indecision and inner conflict that often accompany these crucial moments. The story looks at the emotional and mental struggle the character faces as they grapple with their choices, whether small or momentous.
The Circle Recommends...
Books from a variety of genres that work well for this prompt include:
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (Literary Fiction)
Sophie’s Choice by William Styron (Historical Fiction)
Les Misérables by Victor Hugo (Historical Fiction)
NW by Zadie Smith (Literary Fiction)
Lord of the Flies by William Golding (Allegorical Fiction)
The Road by Cormac McCarthy (Post-Apocalyptic Fiction)
The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro (Literary Fiction)
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern (Fantasy/Romance)
Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro (Dystopian/Literary Fiction)
Before We Were Strangers by Renée Carlino (Romance/Contemporary Fiction)
The Choices We Make by Karma Brown (Contemporary Fiction)
Anxious People by Fredrik Backman (Contemporary Fiction/Humour)
One Day by David Nicholls (Romance/Contemporary Fiction)
The Vacation by Kathryn Croft (Thriller)
Rock, Paper, Scissors by Alice Feeney (Thriller)
For Whom the Bell Tolls by Jaysea Lynn (Thriller)
18. 2025!
Choose a book published in 2025, the year Authologie launched the Promptastic Reading Challenge. Whether it’s written by your favourite author, a debut novel you’ve been hearing rave reviews about or an unexpected bestseller that’s caught your eye, 2025's a year full of exciting titles. Pick a book that has you eagerly rushing to the bookshop to get your hands on it.
The Circle Recommends...
Books from a variety of genres that work well for this prompt include:
We Do Not Part by Han Kang (Literary Fiction)
I Write to Find Out What I’m Thinking by Joan Didion (Essay Collection)
Men in Love by Irvine Welsh (Literary Fiction)
Zero Point by Slavoj Žižek (Nonfiction/Philosophy)
Hungerstone by Kat Dunn (YA/Gothic/Speculative Fiction)
The Woman with All the Answers by Linda Green (Contemporary Fiction/Women’s Fiction)
Crash by Freida McFadden (Thriller)
Blue Blood by Damien Boyd (Thriller/Crime)
Framed in Death by J.D. Robb (Thriller/Police Procedural)
19. Written by a Comedian
This prompt encourages you to pick up a book written by someone known for making people laugh. Whether it’s a memoir filled with humour and wit, a comedic novel or even a heartfelt tale written with a light-hearted sense of fun, the focus is on authors who have honed their comedic careers before stepping into the literary world. These writers bring their unique sense of humour, timing and perspective to their storytelling, often making even the most serious topics feel lighter, or offering fresh, amusing takes on everyday life. The author could be a stand-up comedian or funny TV personality, perhaps a funny actor or screenwriter. This is your chance to explore the lighter side of literature and enjoy the comedic genius of some of the world’s funniest authors!
The Circle Recommends...
Books from a variety of genres that work well for this prompt include:
Content Provider by Stewart Lee (Essays/Comedy)
Unruly by David Mitchell (Memoir/Essays)
Strong Female Character by Fern Brady (Memoir)
Ayoade on Ayoade by Richard Ayoade (Satirical Memoir)
Meantime by Frankie Boyle (Literary Fiction)
The Life and Loves of a He Devil by Graham Norton (Memoir/Entertainment)
So… Anyway… by John Cleese (Memoir/Humour)
Dear Mrs. Bird by AJ Pearce (Historical Fiction)
Is It Just Me? by Miranda Hart (Humour/Memoir)
The Man Who Forgot His Wife by John O’Farrell (Contemporary Fiction/Comic Fiction)
The Fry Chronicles by Stephen Fry (Memoir)
The Girl with the Lower Back Tattoo by Amy Schumer (Memoir/Humour)
I’m Not as Well as I Thought I Was by Ruby Wax (Memoir/Mental Health Non‑Fiction)
Straight Outta Crawley by Romesh Ranganathan (Memoir/Humour)
No Shame by Tom Allen (Memoir/Humour)
The Hotel Avocado by Bob Mortimer (Memoir/Humour)
20. Feathers on the Cover
Your task is simple but visually intriguing: choose a book that features feathers on its cover. It’s a fun opportunity to choose a book based on its visual appeal and then explore how its cover art reflects the deeper themes of the story. Whether the feathers are part of a larger design or subtly integrated into the background, they can provide clues to the book’s mood, setting or symbolism.
The Circle Recommends...
Books from a variety of genres that work well for this prompt include:
The Feather Thief by Kirk Wallace Johnson (Nonfiction/True Crime)
The Bird Way by Jennifer Ackerman (Nonfiction/Nature)
H Is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald (Memoir/Nature Writing)
The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe (Poetry/Horror)
Magonia by Maria Dahvana Headley (Fantasy/Young Adult)
Skellig by David Almond (Children’s Literature/Magical Realism)
Weyward by Emilia Hart (Historical Fiction/Drama)
The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt (Literary Fiction)
The Birds by Daphne du Maurier (Horror/Short Story)
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou (Memoir/Autobiography)
Persuasion by Jane Austen (Classic Fiction/Romance)
Shakespeare by Anthony Burgess (Biography/Literary Criticism)
Lyrebird by Cecelia Ahern (Contemporary Fiction)
See Me Not by Janelle Harris (Psychological Thriller)
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho (Philosophical Fiction/Adventure)
21. Extreme Close-Up
For this prompt, you’ll need to choose a book with a striking extreme close-up on its cover. This could be a close-up of a face, an eye, lips or any other bold, in-your-face human feature that dominates the design. The focus is on covers that bring the viewer uncomfortably or intriguingly close to a detail, creating an almost intimate or intense visual experience. Whether the close-up is mysterious, unsettling or captivating, it sets the tone for a story that draws you in and forces you to take a closer look at its contents.
The Circle Recommends...
Books from a variety of genres that work well for this prompt include:
Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano (Literary Fiction)
The Serial Killer’s Wife by Alice Hunter (Thriller/Crime)
The Martian by Andy Weir (Science Fiction)
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde (Gothic Fiction/Classic)
The Housemaid by Freida McFadden (Thriller/Contemporary Fiction)
The Housemaid's Secret by Freida McFadden (Thriller/Contemporary Fiction)
The Story of the Eye by Georges Bataille (Erotic Fiction)
The Trial by Franz Kafka (Modernist Fiction/Classic)
Junky by William S. Burroughs (Autobiographical Fiction)
Human Acts by Han Kang (Literary Fiction)
The Blood of Others by Simone de Beauvoir (Philosophical Fiction)
The Birthday Party by Shalini Boland (Psychological Thriller)
