1. I’m Not Afraid of the Dark

This prompt is perfect for stories that delve into the eerie and spine-chilling.

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You could choose a Gothic horror, ghost story or a tale of dark magic and creatures. Perhaps it’s a story best read by torchlight, the kind that makes you jump at every creak.

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Maybe it’s a book where shadows come alive, or where nyctophobia (the fear of darkness) plays an important role in the story.​ 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.

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Books from a variety of genres we think could 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)​

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2. A Heavy Read

A great prompt to be interpreted in different ways.

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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.

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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!

 

Books from a variety of genres we think could 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 (a physically heavy book, with a very heavy plot!)

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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.

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Alternatively, you could choose a book related to family or social group battles where characters face great emotional or psychological pressures.

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Perhaps you’d prefer a fantasy genre where kingdoms or galaxies are at war.

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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.

 

Books from a variety of genres we think could 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)

 

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4. Give Me a Clue!

Choose a book for this prompt that dives into the world of mystery, crime or uncovering secrets.

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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.

 

Books from a variety of genres we think could 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)

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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 a second chance, where it is offered at a hefty price. Perhaps there’s time travel involved, a chance to right past wrongs.

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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.

 

Books from a variety of genres we think could 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)

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6. Monday, Monday!

Look for stories where the days of the week, routines and predictability play a key role.

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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?

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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.

 

Books from a variety of genres we think could 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)

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7. A School Subject Story

This prompt asks for a theme within the book that’s connected to a school subject.

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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.

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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.

 

Books from a variety of genres we think could 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)

 

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8. A Touch of the Green-Eyed Monster

Themes of envy, jealousy or rivalry are central to this prompt.

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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.

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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.

 

Books from a variety of genres we think could 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)

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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.

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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.

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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.

 

Books from a variety of genres we think could 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)

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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.

 

 

Books from a variety of genres we think could 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)

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11. All I Want for Christmas is…

This prompt invites you to pick a book with a Christmassy or cosy winter theme.

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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.

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Covers featuring Christmas trees, snow, gifts or sparkling lights fit the theme perfectly.

 

Books from a variety of genres we think could 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)

 

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12. Amphibian

Dive into stories where life unfolds both on land and in water, made possible through technology and skill.

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These human characters are able to navigate underwater and terrestrial worlds, such as deep-sea divers, submarine crews or marine researchers.

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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.

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Please note, the use of magic to survive underwater is prohibited for this prompt, however science fiction is allowed.

 

Books from a variety of genres we think could 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)

The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See (Historical Fiction)

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MORE COMING SOON...​

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