Reading is fundamental! Check out our list of books that'll spirit you away to fantastical libraries and magical bookstores.
Sure, books set at the beach or cool travel destinations are good to read. But what about books set in libraries and bookstores? Now those are on another level – a book-ception, if you will. Here’s a list of bestseller books that’ll transport you to grand ol’ libraries and dreamy bookshops.
Bestseller books set in libraries and bookshops
What You Are Looking For Is In The Library by Michiko Aoyama
Can a book really change your life? Yes, according to this Japanese bestseller. Sayuri Komachi, described by Tokyo’s most enigmatic librarian, is known for asking her famous question: “What are you looking for?” Even so, she has the innate ability to sense what visitors are looking for and will recommend the one book they never thought they needed to read. If you’re currently feeling stuck in life, pick up this book. It might just transform you.
Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan
Inspired by his friend’s tweet, the author wrote the book based on a thought: What would a 24-hour bookstore look like? A tale intersecting books, technology, friendship, and love, the story follows Clay Jannon, who finds himself working at the store after getting laid off. He notices only a few customers coming in daily, but they never seem to buy anything. With the help of his friends, they go down the rabbit hole and discover fascinating things about the bookshop.
The Borrower by Rebecca Makkai
They say the road to hell is paved with good intentions… which is probably how we would describe Rebbeca Makkai’s debut novel (in the best way possible!). Lucy Hull is a children’s librarian who notices her favourite patron, Ian Drake, camped out on the premises beyond opening hours. The 10-year-old’s trying to run away from his overbearing mother, who has enrolled him in weekly anti-gay classes. With this information, Lucy does the thing she knows best: she kidnaps him and go on an improvised road trip. Oops.
The Bookshop Woman by Nanako Hanada
Nanako’s life has hit rock bottom, and it doesn’t look like it’ll get better anytime soon. She’s just separated from her husband, living between various places, and stuck in a dead-end job. Nanako decides to join an online meet-up site, billing herself as a “sexy bookseller” that offers a “book that’ll change your life” in exchange for a meeting. Think of this as Tinder, but the literary version. Ah, we love it!
Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-reum
What is it with Asians writing stories about books that can change your life? Not that we’re complaining – especially when a novel is as good as Hwang Bo-reum’s. This popular #Booktok recommendation is about Yeonju, who has done everything she’s supposed to in order to succeed in life. When everything falls apart and Yeonju burns out, she abandons everything and opens a bookshop. That’s where she meets various characters, and everyone learns how to truly live. If you’re looking for a heartwarming book, get this one.
The Cartographers by Peng Shepherd
An estranged relationship with a parent, death, a library, and a map. Add them up and you get a fast-paced, imaginative thriller by this critically acclaimed author. Disgraced former cartographer Nell Young finds out her father is found dead in his office at the New York Public Library. An old, worthless gas station highway map, which led to the two falling out, is hidden underneath his desk. But is it really that valueless? Nell’s investigation leads her down a dangerous journey which reveals a few unexpected secrets.
The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern
Who lives in a secret underground world beneath the earth’s surface? No, not Spongebob Squarepants. We’re talking about pirates, painters, lovers, liars, and ships sailing on a starless sea. That’s just a smidge of what graduate student Zachary Rawlins discovers after flipping through a mysterious book and stumbling on a story from his childhood. He follows a series of clues and ends up at a doorway to an ancient library, which has become more than just a buried home for books and their guardians.
Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa
Ask a bibliophile why they love reading; the only answer they’ll give you is that “there’s power in books”. Takako doesn’t relate to this, even though the Morisaki bookstore has been in her family for three generations. When her boyfriend drops a bomb on her, she reluctantly accepts her uncle’s offer to live rent-free in a tiny room above the shop. As Takako slowly heals her broken heart, she also discovers new worlds hidden in the stacks of books. Awww. Welcome to the world of reading, Takako!
Bestseller books with autistic characters
Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata
“Essential worker” – if you can recall when the term originated, you’re a real one. This hit novel details Keiko Furukura’s journey working in a convenience store. To many people, it’s a disregarded job, and anyone working in that line is looked down upon. Keiko, however, is able to find peace and purpose in her life. This is a poignant yet darkly comic look into modern work culture and societal pressures.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon
Here’s an oldie but a goodie. This award-winning bestseller follows fifteen-year-old Christopher, who comes across his neighbour’s dead poodle while walking one night. The teenager took it upon himself to investigate the case, chronicling any information he gathered in a book. Fun fact: the book uses prime numbers to number the chapters.
The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang
We’re all for representation, and knowing that the author herself is diagnosed with autism means there’s a firsthand understanding and authenticity woven into the narrative. Anyway, back to the book: Stella Lane is an autistic woman obsessed with math who struggles to understand intimacy in a relationship. Because of that, she decides to hire an escort to show her the ropes and help her out in the love department.
Standard Deviation by Katherine Heiny
Ever wonder what it’s like parenting a special needs child? Graham and Audra are at opposite ends of the spectrum (pun intended). Even though Graham loves his son dearly, he wishes he could trade him for someone who can make friends easily and roll with the punches. Meanwhile, Audra is nurturing and patient, although she has no boundaries. How will this comedy of manners work out?
Colin Fischer by Ashley Edward Miller and Zack Stentz
If you’re up for solving another mystery, grab this novel. A gun is found in the school cafeteria, and Colin Fischer is the only one keen on investigating why. His tormentor Wayne is temporarily suspended, though Colin is convinced the gun doesn’t belong to the bully. Each chapter starts with an excerpt from the protagonist’s diary, shedding light on Asperger’s syndrome.
Key Lime Sky by Al Hess
Sci-fi with a slice of pie – scratch that, make it plenty of pies. Denver is a passionate food reviewer trying to regain his brief moment of viral popularity. One day, he witnesses an alien spaceship exploding, though it seems he’s the only one who has seen it. Denver documents the incident on his failing blog, which earns him popularity online. The only person to believe him is Ezra, a handsome bartender. As the two investigate, the town starts changing…
The Reason I Jump by Naoki Higashida
This memoir, written by the author when he was 13, shines a light on what goes on inside an autistic mind. Using an alphabet grid to painstakingly construct sentences and answer questions people want to know, Naoki Higashida offers an honest and charming look into life that’ll inspire you to see the world through a different lens.
The Maid by Nita Prose
Can we just say how cool it is that there are books where the main character is autistic and solves mysteries? Add this novel to your reading list. Molly struggles with social skills, but she gets by thanks to her grandmother. Now that her gran has passed away, she has to navigate life on her own. So, she decides to become a hotel maid. Molly’s investigative adventure starts when she enters the suite of an infamously wealthy and finds him dead. If you enjoy playing Clue, this will be a treat for you.
Bestseller books to welcome the Dragon Year
The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon
Almost 850 pages – that’s something to bear in mind should you be interested in adding this lengthy bestseller to your book list. The world is on the brink of a war with dragons, and it’s up to magical women to save the day. Game of Thrones fans and those who are into slow-burn romances will have a field day lapping this novel up. Set aside a day in bed to flip the pages.
Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim
This bestselling book centres around Princess Shiori’anma, who harbours a secret. Normally, she can contain the forbidden magic running in her veins, but on the day she’s getting married, Shiori loses control. This leads to her banishment and her six brothers being turned into cranes. It doesn’t get any better – if she speaks about her curse, one of her brothers will die. Sound familiar? That’s because this is a spin on the classic Grimm Brothers tale, blended with East Asian mythology. Psst: check out the book covers, aren’t they just sublime?
Little Sip of Sin by Clio Evans
Monsters and creatures are just like us humans – they want to love and be loved in return. Dracon and Dell are two dragon shifters who desperately want to find their soulmate: someone who won’t run away from their teeth, claws, scales, and tails. Oh, and the two don’t mind sharing their newfound love with each other. They’re introduced to Kat, who adores monsters but is reluctant to fall in love with one, let alone two. Will they end up in a situation that Britney Spears will totes approve of? Grab this spicy novella to find out.
A Natural History of Dragons by Marie Brennan
Don’t you wish dragons existed? If only there was an opportunity to study them. Well, Lady Trent has done that, and she’s compiled everything in her “memoir”. This fantasy read is packed with science, magic, and humour that’ll keep readers preoccupied the moment they crack the book open. When you’re done with this, consider following up with the other books in Lady Trent’s series.
Equal of the Sun by Anita Amirrezvani
We’re all for books featuring headstrong female protagonists dealing with treacherous conundrums. Loosely based on Iran’s Princess Pari Khan Khanoom, this tome details the friendship between Pari and her closest adviser Javaher, who also happens to be an eunuch. Discover how the duo navigate their country’s political realms, secrets that threaten to explode, the harems, and beyond.
Vacant Steppes by Steven Sy
There are probably no dragons in this book, but we know it’s perfect for those who are born in the Year of the Dragon. This epic fantasy novel prominently features the Great Steppe, a vast grassland populated by six nomadic tribes that live together harmoniously. Unfortunately, the Empire’s invasion threatens to rip apart the ties that bind them together. It’s up to a new generation of leaders to mend the broken alliances or risk losing everything, including their inheritance.
Together We Burn by Isabel Ibañez
Zarela is a flamenco dancer who’s forced to become a dragon fighter, while Arturo is a devastatingly good-looking dragon hunter who refuses to help her. Despite their differences, the two have to work together and do whatever it takes to prevent outside forces from taking away Zarela’s birthright. This book is set in an ancient city inspired by Spain and plagued with dragons – two things that go well together, we reckon.
Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan
Here’s another bestselling book with a premise inspired by a tale you may be familiar with. The story follows Xingyi, an immortal who lives on the moon with her mother. Both of them lived under the radar for many years until the Celestial Emperor discovered their existence. The young girl flees from home and vows to free her mother, while others plot to take down the Celestial Kingdom. But don’t worry, the Emperors have a plan of their own. Written by a Malaysian author (hi, neighbour!), this novel has received rave reviews since its release.
When Women Were Dragons by Kelly Barnhill
Imagine having the ability to turn into a dragon. Oh, wouldn’t that be awesome? This fantastical science-fiction novel explores that premise: in 1950s America, thousands of women were able to transform into mythical creatures. This leads to a “mass dragoning event” where many wives and mothers decide to metamorphose. Don’t be fooled by the blurb, however. While it may sound like a work of speculative fiction, it delivers in terms of emotional intelligence.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
Here’s another book that doesn’t feature dragons; the closest thing is someone with a dragon tattoo. That someone is computer hacker Lisbeth Salander, who works together with journalist Mikael Blomkvist to solve the mystery of a woman who disappeared for four years. Naturally, they find out more than they anticipated. While there have been two film adaptations to this Swedish bestseller, the book is superior to the movies. And that’s a fact!
Do you have any bestseller books to recommend? DM us on Instagram or Facebook with your picks.
