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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The book of doors : a novel
Brown, Gareth
Paper Book
A debut novel full of magic, adventure, and romance, The Book of Doors opens up a thrilling world of contemporary fantasy for readers of The Midnight Library, The Invisible Life of Addie Larue, The Night Circus, and any modern story that mixes the wonder of the unknown...
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...
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
ONE OF THE NEW YORK TIMES'S NOTABLE BOOKS OF 2024 A NEW YORK TIMES BEST THRILLER OF 2024 A NEW YORK TIMES BEST CRIME NOVEL OF 2024 PEOPLE MAGAZINE'S #1 BOOK OF THE YEAR A NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY TOP 10 PICK OF 2024
Worst Case Scenario
Newman, T. J.
Paper Book
"Worst Case Scenario is the best thriller I've read so far this year. It's a chilling idea with great characters and near-perfect execution." -James Patterson When a pilot suffers a heart attack at 35,000 feet, a commercial airliner...
The women
Hannah, Kristin
Paper Book
A #1 bestseller on The New York Times, USA Today, Washington Post, and Los Angeles Times! From the celebrated author of The Nightingale and The Four Winds comes Kristin Hannah's The Women--at once an intimate portrait of coming of age in a...
Crow talk : a novel
Garvin, Eileen
Paper Book
Nationally bestselling author of The Music of Bees Eileen Garvin returns with a moving story of hope, healing, and unexpected friendship set amidst the wild natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest. Frankie O'Neill and Anne Ryan would seem to have nothing in common. Frankie...
The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife A Novel
Johnston, Anna.
Ebook
"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...
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...
James : a novel
Everett, Percival
Paper Book
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * NATIONAL BOOK AWARD WINNER * ONE OF THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW'S 10 BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR * SHORTLISTED FOR THE BOOKER PRIZE * KIRKUS PRIZE WINNER * A brilliant, action-packed reimagining of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, both...
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...
By Any Other Name A Novel
Picoult, Jodi
Ebook
#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...
Expiration dates : a novel
Serle, Rebecca
Paper Book
The New York Times bestselling author of In Five Years and One Italian Summer returns with "a romantic gem" (Laura Dave, New York Times bestselling author) about a young woman who decides to finally live for herself rather than rely on the universe for answers.
Expiration Dates
Serle, Rebecca.
Ebook
The New York Times bestselling author of In Five Years and One Italian Summer returns with "a romantic gem" (Laura Dave, New York Times bestselling author) about a young woman who decides to finally live for herself rather than rely on the universe for answers.
The wedding people : a novel
Espach, Alison
Paper Book
A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER A Today Show #ReadwithJenna Book Club Pick A propulsive and uncommonly wise novel about one unexpected wedding guest and the surprising people who help her start anew. It's a beautiful day in Newport,...
Extinction : a novel
Preston, Douglas J.
Paper Book
With Extinction, #1 New York Times bestselling author Douglas Preston has written a page-turning thriller in the Michael Crichton mode that explores the possible and unintended dangers of the very real efforts to resurrect the woolly mammoth and other long-extinct animals.
Extinction A Novel
Preston, Douglas J.
Ebook
With Extinction, #1 New York Times bestselling author Douglas Preston has written a page-turning thriller in the Michael Crichton mode that explores the possible and unintended dangers of the very real efforts to resurrect the woolly mammoth and other long-extinct animals.
Family family : a novel
Frankel, Laurie
Paper Book
​"Not all stories of adoption are stories of pain and regret. Not even most of them. Why don't we ever get that movie?" India Allwood grew up wanting to be an actor. Armed with a stack of index cards (for research/line memorization/make-shift confetti), she goes...
The Frozen River A Novel
Lawhon, Ariel.
Ebook
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...
Funny story
Henry, Emily
Paper Book
AN INSTANT #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER! A New York Times Notable Book of 2024 Named a Must-Read Book of 2024 by TIME ∙ NPR ∙ ELLE ∙ Woman's World and more! A shimmering, joyful new novel about a pair of...
Funny Story
Henry, Emily.
Ebook
AN INSTANT #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER! A New York Times Notable Book of 2024 Named a Must-Read Book of 2024 by TIME ∙ NPR ∙ ELLE ∙ Parade ∙ Woman's World and more! A shimmering, joyful new novel...
How the light gets in : a novel
Maynard, Joyce
Paper Book
From New York Times bestselling author Joyce Maynard comes the eagerly anticipated follow-up to her beloved novel Count the Ways--a complex story of three generations of a family and its remarkable, resilient, indomitable matriarch, Eleanor. Following the death of her former husband, Cam,...
How to read a book : a novel
Wood, Monica
Paper Book
"The perfect pick to really light a fire under my book club, and yours....A reminder that goodness, and books, can still win in this world." --New York Times Book Review "A beautiful, big-hearted treasure of a novel." --Lily King National Bestseller * From the award-winning...
James A Novel
Everett, Percival.
Ebook
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * NATIONAL BOOK AWARD WINNER * ONE OF THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW'S 10 BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR * SHORTLISTED FOR THE BOOKER PRIZE * KIRKUS PRIZE WINNER * A brilliant, action-packed reimagining of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, both...
Listen for the lie
Tintera, Amy
Paper Book
A New York Times Bestseller * A Good Morning America Book Club Pick * An NPR Best Book of the Year * A Washington Post Best Thriller of 2024 "A world-class whodunit." --Stephen King "An extremely successful high-wire act,...
Listen for the Lie A Novel
Tintera, Amy.
Ebook
A New York Times Bestseller * A Good Morning America Book Club Pick * An NPR Best Book of the Year * A Washington Post Best Thriller of 2024 "A world-class whodunit." --Stephen King "An extremely successful high-wire act,...
Lula Dean's little library of banned books : a novel
Miller, Kirsten
Paper Book
"Kirsten Miller has that rare ability to take a serious subject and make it very, very funny. I enjoyed this novel and you will too."--James Patterson The provocative and hilarious summer read that will have book lovers cheering and everyone talking! Kirsten Miller, author of The Change,...
Lula Dean's Little Library of Banned Books A Novel
Miller, Kirsten
Audiobook
Malas
Fuentes, Marcela
Paper Book
A GOOD MORNING AMERICA BOOK CLUB PICK A Bookpage Best Historical Fiction Book of 2024 "A vivacious, page-turning novel of rebellion and rebirth." --Xochitl Gonzalez, New York Times bestselling author of Olga Dies Dreaming and Anita de Monte...
Malas A Novel
Fuentes, Marcela.
Paper Book
A GOOD MORNING AMERICA BOOK CLUB PICK A Bookpage Best Historical Fiction Book of 2024 "A vivacious, page-turning novel of rebellion and rebirth." --Xochitl Gonzalez, New York Times bestselling author of Olga Dies Dreaming and Anita de Monte...
Middletide : a novel
Crouch, Sarah
Paper Book
In this gripping and intensely atmospheric debut, disquiet descends on a small town after the suspicious death of a beautiful young doctor, with all clues pointing to the reclusive young man who abandoned the community in chase of big city dreams but returned for the first love he left behind....
The spellshop
Durst, Sarah Beth
Paper Book
AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES, USA TODAY AND INDIE BESTSELLER! A #1 LibraryReads pick! An Indie Next pick! EXCLUSIVE DELUXE EDITION--a gorgeous hardcover edition featuring beautiful lavender sprayed edges! The Spellshop<...
The Spellshop
Durst, Sarah Beth.
Ebook
The Spellshop is Sarah Beth Durst's romantasy debut-a lush cottagecore tale full of stolen spellbooks, unexpected friendships, sweet jams, and even sweeter love. Join Kiela the librarian and her assistant, Caz the sentient spider plant, as they navigate the low stakes...
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 A Novel
Osman, Richard.
Ebook
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 Wedding People A Novel
Espach, Alison.
Ebook
A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER A Today Show #ReadwithJenna Book Club Pick A propulsive and uncommonly wise novel about one unexpected wedding guest and the surprising people who help her start anew. It's a beautiful day in Newport,...
Where they last saw her : a novel
Rendon, Marcie R.
Paper Book
NATIONAL BESTSELLER * From the award-winning author of the Cash Blackbear series comes a compelling novel of a Native American woman who learns of the disappearance of one of her own and decides enough is enough. A WASHINGTON POST AND BOOK RIOT BEST BOOK OF THE...
The women : a novel
Hannah, Kristin
Audiobook
A #1 bestseller on The New York Times, USA Today, Washington Post, and Los Angeles Times! From the celebrated author of The Nightingale and The Four Winds comes Kristin Hannah's The Women--at once an intimate portrait of coming of age in a dangerous time...
The Women A Novel
Hannah, Kristin.
Ebook
A #1 bestseller on The New York Times, USA Today, Washington Post, and Los Angeles Times! From the celebrated author of The Nightingale and The Four Winds comes Kristin Hannah's The Women--at once an intimate portrait of coming of age in a...
The Wren in the Holly Library
Linde, K.A.
Audiobook
CAN YOU LOVE THE DARK WHEN YOU KNOW WHAT IT HIDES? Some things aren't supposed to exist outside of our imagination. Thirteen years ago, monsters emerged from the shadows and plunged Kierse's world into a cataclysmic war of near-total destruction....
The wren in the Holly Library
Linde, K. A.
Paper Book
The instant New York Times bestseller Can you love the dark when you know what it hides? Some things aren't supposed to exist outside of our imagination. Thirteen years ago, monsters emerged from the shadows and plunged Kierse's world...

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