I love a good viral book as much as the next reader. Some of my favorite reads started because I kept seeing them pop up on Bookstagram, BookTok, or in everyone’s “currently reading” posts. But every now and then, I finish one of those wildly popular books and think, Surely there’s another book out there that deserves this kind of love, too.
The truth is, for every bestseller that takes the internet by storm, there are dozens of incredible books quietly waiting to be discovered. Some are overshadowed by bigger releases. Others never get the hype they deserve despite offering unforgettable characters, brilliant storytelling, or unique ideas. So this month, I thought it would be fun to pair a few viral favorites with books I’d recommend just as enthusiastically—stories that may not have dominated your social media feed but absolutely deserve a place on your bookshelf.
If you loved The Housemaid by Freida McFadden, read Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera.
One of the things I loved most about The Housemaid was how impossible it was to stop reading. Every chapter seemed to end with another twist, and I kept telling myself, “Just one more chapter.” If that’s the kind of reading experience you’re chasing, Listen for the Lie absolutely delivers.
The story follows Lucy, who returns to her hometown years after being accused of murdering her best friend—a crime she can’t remember committing. Told alongside a true-crime podcast investigating the case, it’s clever, suspenseful, and surprisingly funny. I don’t hear nearly enough people talking about this one, and that’s a shame because it’s one of the smartest thrillers I’ve read recently.
If you loved Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros, read The Will of the Many by James Islington.
If Fourth Wing pulled you in with its academy setting, dangerous competitions, and high-stakes world-building, I can’t recommend The Will of the Many enough.
Set in a society inspired by the Roman Empire, it follows a young man sent undercover into an elite academy while hiding secrets that could change everything. The world-building is exceptional, the mystery unfolds at just the right pace, and the ending left me immediately wanting the sequel. It’s the kind of fantasy that reminds me why I love the genre in the first place.
If you loved The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides, read The Last Murder at the End of the World by Stuart Turton.
I always appreciate a mystery that gives readers all the clues but still manages to surprise them. That’s exactly what Stuart Turton does in The Last Murder at the End of the World.
The novel is set on a secluded island where the last survivors of humanity have just over twenty-four hours to solve a murder before a deadly fog wipes out everything. It’s inventive, atmospheric, and unlike anything else I’ve read. If you enjoy mysteries that make you think as much as they entertain, this one deserves a spot on your TBR.
If you loved People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry, read The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley.
On paper, these books couldn’t be more different. One is a contemporary romance, while the other involves time travel and government agencies. Yet both gave me the same feeling: I became completely invested in the characters long before I reached the ending.
The Ministry of Time blends romance, history, humor, and speculative fiction into something wonderfully original. It’s thoughtful, funny, surprisingly emotional, and one of those books I found myself recommending to anyone willing to listen.
If you loved Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin, read The Phoenix Pencil Company by Allison King.
Some books don’t rely on shocking twists or fast-paced plots to stay with you. Instead, they quietly settle into your heart, and The Phoenix Pencil Company is exactly that kind of novel.
Its magical realism feels effortless, but what truly stood out to me were its themes of family, creativity, memory, and the stories we inherit. Like Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, it’s ultimately about human connection, and I found myself thinking about it long after I turned the final page.
If you loved The Midnight Library by Matt Haig, read The Measure by Nikki Erlick.
I enjoy books that leave me reflecting long after I’ve finished them, and The Measure did exactly that. It asks a simple but profound question: What would happen if everyone knew how long they had left to live?
Like The Midnight Library, it’s less about the speculative premise and more about the people living through it. It’s compassionate, thought-provoking, and sparked conversations long after I recommended it to friends. If you enjoy stories that make you pause and examine your own life, this is one worth picking up.
One of my favorite things about being part of the reading community is discovering books I probably never would have found on my own. Sometimes they’re recommended by a friend, sometimes by a librarian, and sometimes by someone with only a handful of followers who simply couldn’t stop talking about a book they loved. Those recommendations often become my favorite reads.
So while I’ll happily keep reading the viral bestsellers, I’ll always have a soft spot for the quieter books waiting patiently for their turn in the spotlight. They remind me that the best reading discoveries aren’t always the loudest—they’re often the ones that find us when we least expect them.
I’d love to hear from you! If you’ve read a book that deserves far more attention than it’s getting, or if you’ve discovered a hidden gem after finishing a viral bestseller, send me an email at ihorton@whatsupmag.com. Your recommendation might just become my next favorite read.
