@kris.and.mads: We recommend hundreds of books across genres, but where should you start?! We’re so glad you asked! We wouldn’t always recommend even our favorite books to someone trying out a genre for the first time, or just starting their reading habit. So we’ve chosen titles and authors in each genre that are accessible, fast-paced, relatable, and less of a time commitment. We also think these starter books provide a great foundation for further reading in each genre! The books we would recommend reading eventually stand on the shoulders or build on the foundations of the books we recommend starting with! The starter books are by no means less awesome than the books we recommend reading eventually, they just have a lower barrier to entry, or work better at the beginning of a reading journey! We absolutely love all of these!!! BOOKS MENTIONED Fantasy Standalone Start with: Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson Eventually read: The Sword of Kaigen by M. L. Wang Brain-Benders Start with: Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke Eventually read: I Who Have Never Known Men by Jaqueline Harpman Fantasy Series Start with: Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas Eventually read: Dandelion Dynasty by Ken Liu Thrillers Start with: The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley Eventually read: There Is No Antimemetics Division by QNTM Classics Start with: Emma by Jane Austen Eventually read: Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë Literary Fiction Start with: Wellness by Nathan Hill Eventually read: Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin Historic Fiction Start with: The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon Eventually read: Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell Sci-fi: Start with: Ready Player One by Ernest Cline Eventually read: Dune by Frank Herbert Romance Start with: Into the Blue by Emma Brodie Eventually read: Alone With You In the Ether by Olivie Blake Horror Start with: Juniper and Thorn by Ava Reid Eventually read: The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones Contemporary Fiction Start with: Finding Grace by Loretta Rothschild Eventually read: The Correspondent by Virginia Evans
Kristen and Maddie
Region: US
Tuesday 19 May 2026 20:47:55 GMT
Music
Download
Comments
j-dog :
So random but yall should do a tattoo tour!
2026-05-19 20:52:12
20
Hailey :
Need top 3 teas you like to drink!
2026-05-19 20:57:53
5
𝑃𝑎𝑢𝑙𝑎 | 📚🇨🇦 :
So many good ones on this list you guys!!!
2026-05-19 20:58:54
13
Steph :
What’re books that made you laugh out loud?
2026-05-19 22:30:10
2
Michael Jackson :
I’m someone who very much enjoys 1800s litterature, but thanks to your channel i have now started to get in to fantasy. I have finished the Farseer trilogy, and that one was so much fun! My biggest recommendation for anyone interested in 1800s naturalism and realism (with shorter and impactful stories) is Therese Raquin by Emile Zola, and the Death of Ivan Ilyich (to see what Tolstoys writing is like). If you like romance, Therese Raquin is the one to start with. Jane Eyre is also very good, but that one is a long story. If you like Tolstoys writing, Anna Karenina will be a wonderful romance (although tragic).
2026-05-19 21:47:25
8
Abby :
You are my comfort channel, it’s a parasocial relationship at this point😅. I really want to join the Patreon book club, but I’m not sure how it works. Should I bite the bullet and try it out?
2026-05-19 21:34:03
3
lady_aviel :
I loved Project Hail Mary as a starter sci-fi!
2026-05-20 22:08:32
1
Faith Idachaba :
I just started yesteryear! Only 30-ish pages and it is indeed already a mind-f***
2026-05-25 14:20:58
1
bradd729 :
How many hours a day do you read to get through that many books
2026-05-25 23:08:53
1
Emily :
Sigh…*adds to tbr*
2026-05-20 20:45:57
2
Nancy'sdays :
I just finished yesteryear, very good
2026-05-25 12:19:26
1
Krumple Co. :
So many amazing recs 🥰
2026-05-20 01:00:01
2
Jamie :
Such a great list! Is it weird I’m proud when I’ve read the more “advanced” recommendations already?? 😂
2026-05-25 16:04:59
1
tifylyn :
Just finished yesteryear last night 🤯
2026-05-20 12:12:05
3
Leah Marks Author :
What do you recommend for epic fantasy with a tiny bit of romance in it, but not too much?
2026-05-22 21:40:35
1
Salizabeth93 :
I just the midnight feast and haven’t heard anything about it!! Now I’m more excited!
2026-05-20 01:38:20
2
Jenna Hosfield :
PERIOD .
2026-05-21 04:40:51
1
TheBookNook💌 :
Love this!!!
2026-05-20 01:58:37
2
emly.lockhart :
I loved Wellness, the audiobook really good
2026-05-24 03:43:54
1
stevenmccorkle885 :
I can't believe you chose Sword of Kaigen over Tigana! But I second the request for top teas to sip while reading. Or red wines. Or whisky cocktail...
2026-05-19 22:32:28
2
Morgan Brown :
This was such a perfect video!! I love all of yalls recs sm
2026-05-19 23:56:12
1
lust_for_life :
Thank you for putting this in the caption. It’s always helpful
2026-05-20 17:12:00
1
Katie's Cosy Library 📚 :
I CAN’T wait to start Into the Blue 💙📚
2026-05-19 21:48:04
1
jarjarbynks :
I have read so many of these, because you recommended them, and look forward to checking off the rest 🫶🏼
2026-05-19 23:51:02
1
shutupiamreading :
You guys are SO good at giving recs and describing books! I want to read every single book you talk about 😩
2026-05-19 21:31:03
0
To see more videos from user @kris.and.mads, please go to the Tikwm
homepage.