Forget Movie Night—Here Are 12 Books for Couples to Read Together

Movie nights are always fun, and it's hard to say no to an adventurous day outdoors. But sometimes, all you want to do is cozy up and avidly thumb through the pages of a book. Add bae to the mix by diving into books for couples to read together, and you make the whole reading thing way more fun. (It's a quiet spin on parallel play.)

Whether you're soaring through the twisting plotline of a fantasy novel or cracking open the history vault to read a classic piece of literature, there's nothing quite like working through the same book with your partner and cross-checking notes, guessing about what comes next and swapping reactions over an epic finish. To help narrow down your next pick, we've rounded up some truly great books for couples to read together.

In this article:

• The Best Books for Couples to Read Together
• Fiction Books for Couples to Read Together
• Fantasy Books for Couples to Read Together
• Romance Books for Couples to Read Together

The Best Books for Couples to Read Together

All the books in this roundup are excellent choices, but we're calling these three the top books for couples to read together, so start here.

Outlander, Diana Gabaldon

Photo: Amazon

Now a famous TV series, Outlander originated as a book series by Diana Gabaldon that hinges on time travel. It features Claire Randall, a WWII nurse who is transported from 1945 Scotland back to the 18th century. Gabaldon completed meticulous research while writing, so the book reads as historical fiction with romance and fantasy all swirling together. And if you like the first book? There are eight more to read, with another on the way.

Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen

Photo: Uncommon Goods

You can't go wrong with classic literature, and Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice is easily one of the best. Its timeless story of love, misunderstandings and personal growth makes it both relatable and inspiring, sparking conversations about romance, character and what it really means to find a lifelong partner. This Uncommon Goods version is gorgeous, but what makes it especially fun is that it's packed with ephemera like replica love notes and hidden treasures along the way.

Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow, Gabrielle Zevin

Photo: Amazon

This modern classic is a story of friendship, love and creativity, following two video game designers whose bond spans decades. They're not lovers, and the story isn't a classic romance novel, but the book does explore human connection, ambition (and failure), identity and what it means to build something together.

Fiction Books for Couples to Read Together

Sometimes the best reads are simply great fiction novels. Here are a few works of fiction you two can devour as you embark on this new hobby of reading side by side.

James, Percival Everett

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Winner of the National Book Award and 2025 Pulitzer Prize, Percival Everett's James is a powerful retelling of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, this time told from Jim's perspective. It shines fresh light on themes of freedom, legacy and humanity, and brilliantly showcases Jim's "agency, intelligence and compassion."

Gone Girl, Gillian Flynn

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Gone Girl shook the entire literary scene when it hit bookshelves in 2014, truly catapulting a new way of storytelling. It's twisty and gripping with shocking moments that'll leave you slack-jawed. The kind of book where you might find yourself flipping page after page into the wee hours of the morning just to figure out what happens next.

A Gentleman in Moscow, Amor Towles

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Amor Towles' A Gentleman in Moscow is a witty novel about Count Alexander Rostov, who is sentenced to house arrest in a grand Moscow hotel after the Russian Revolution. What makes this a fun book for couples to read together is that it balances charm, humor, clever dialogue and a bit of romance. Plus, it invites convos on resilience and the beauty of companionship.

Fantasy Books for Couples to Read Together

For a dose of magic and imagination, try reading these fantasy favorites together. This is definitely a great way to do something together that'll get your creative minds flowing.

The Princess Bride, William Goldman

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You're probably well acquainted with the iconic movie, but did you know that The Princess Bride was a book first? This "fractured fairy tale" was penned by William Goldman and is ripe with swashbuckling sword fights, pirates, daring rescues and, of course, the love story of Westley and Buttercup. What's cool about reading the book is that it offers more backstory on some of your favorite characters.

The Ocean at the End of the Lane, Neil Gaiman

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Neil Gaiman is a pro at fusing fantasy, myth and dark humor in a way that's equal parts magical and deeply human. The Ocean at the End of the Lane is a shorter book that covers memory, childhood, and the power of friendship and love. The storyline could very easily spark conversations about your own upbringings and how those experiences shaped who you are today.

Project Hail Mary, Andy Weir

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If you two are both into sci-fi (or want to give the genre a chance), pick up Andy Weir's Project Hail Mary. This modern-day author is known for his sweeping, self-contained science adventures, and this one is no different. It follows Ryland Grace, a high-school science teacher turned reluctant astronaut, who wakes up alone on a spaceship with no memory of how he got there. The high-stakes plotline, humor and unexpected heartfelt moments make it a great book for couples to read together.

Romance Books for Couples to Read Together

Sometimes, nothing beats an iconic love story. These romance novels are less rom-com and more sweeping, complex romance that you two can enjoy reading together.

Twice, Mitch Albom

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Global bestselling author Mitch Albom (The Five People You Meet in Heaven) has just debuted his newest novel, Twice. This heartwrenching romance story takes you on a winding journey through true love, second chances and the life-defining choices we all make. It's a complex yet soul-nourishing read that'll keep you flipping through the pages and spark numerous conversations to help improve your relationship.

Wuthering Heights, Emily Brontë

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Penned nearly 200 years ago in 1847, Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights remains one of the most iconic love stories of all time. And despite its age, it still resonates in our modern world (fun fact, there are already several movies, with the newest one coming in February 2026, featuring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi). The story is dark, gothic and stormy and swirls with motifs of obsessive love and revenge.

Where the Crawdads Sing, Delia Owens

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This literary debut from Delia Owens combines so much into one novel. It's a coming-of-age story of a young girl, but also a rich love letter to the stunning beauty of nature, an exploration of naive and mature romance, and some murder-mystery details woven in, as well. They've made this one into a movie, so you can watch it afterward.