Lariat Adult Fiction List

Here are 25 recommend fiction titles for adults from the 2025 Lariat List! The Lariat List features outstanding fiction titles for adults, published within the current and previous year, that are simply a pleasure to read! That's it. That's the criteria. The Lariat List is selected by a committee of Texas librarians and is one of 10 reading lists from the Texas Library Association. Visit txla.org/lariat for lists from previous years.


Updated January 13, 2025
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We used to live here
Kliewer, Marcus
Paper Book
From an author "destined to become a titan of the macabre and unsettling" (Erin A. Craig, #1 New York Times bestselling author), a haunting debut--soon to be a Netflix original movie--about two homeowners whose lives are turned upside down when the house's previous residents...
The god of the woods
Moore, Liz
Paper Book
The runaway bestseller, now available in paperback Named a Best Book of the Year by NPR, People, Time, and the New York Times "Extraordinary . . . Reminds me of Donna Tartt's 1992 debut, The Secret History . . . I was so thoroughly...
By any other name : a novel
Picoult, Jodi
Paper Book
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * From the co-author of Mad Honey comes an "inspiring" (Elle) novel about two women, centuries apart--one of whom is the real author of Shakespeare's plays--who are both forced to hide behind another name. "You'll...
The borrowed life of Frederick Fife : a novel
Johnston, Anna
Paper Book
"A funny, heartfelt story about found family and seeing the silver lining in life. Fans of A Man Called Ove and Remarkably Bright Creatures will especially enjoy this new novel."--Library Journal A zany case of mistaken identity allows a lonely old man one last chance to be part of a...
By any other name : a novel
Picoult, Jodi
Paper Book
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * From the co-author of Mad Honey comes an "inspiring" (Elle) novel about two women, centuries apart--one of whom is the real author of Shakespeare's plays--who are both forced to hide behind another name. "You'll...
James : a novel
Everett, Percival
Paper Book
A brilliant, action-packed reimagining of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, both harrowing and ferociously funny, told from the enslaved Jim's point of view. From the "literary icon" (Oprah Daily), Pulitzer Prize Finalist, and one of the most decorated writers of our...
The frozen river : a novel
Lawhon, Ariel
Paper Book
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * GMA BOOK CLUB PICK * AN NPR BOOK OF THE YEAR * From the New York Times bestselling author of I Was Anastasia and Code Name Hélène comes a gripping historical mystery inspired by the life and diary of Martha...
James : a novel
Everett, Percival
Paper Book
A brilliant, action-packed reimagining of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, both harrowing and ferociously funny, told from the enslaved Jim's point of view. From the "literary icon" (Oprah Daily), Pulitzer Prize Finalist, and one of the most decorated writers of our...
We solve murders
Osman, Richard
Paper Book
INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER! "Madcap fun, with an entertaining new cast of characters and Osman's trademark wit. Delightful!" --Shari Lapena From the #1 bestselling author of The Thursday Murder Club Series A brand new mystery. An...
We solve murders
Osman, Richard
Paper Book
INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER! "Madcap fun, with an entertaining new cast of characters and Osman's trademark wit. Delightful!" --Shari Lapena From the #1 bestselling author of The Thursday Murder Club Series A brand new mystery. An...
The frozen river : a novel
Lawhon, Ariel
Paper Book
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * GMA BOOK CLUB PICK * AN NPR BOOK OF THE YEAR * From the New York Times bestselling author of I Was Anastasia and Code Name Hélène comes a gripping historical mystery inspired by the life and diary of Martha...

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