Aesthetic Book Recs, Anyone?

Hello, Book Nerds! Welcome back to Reading Has Ruined My Life or welcome if you are new. As always, my name is Hannah and I am your captain on this journey into my bookcases.

Back in 2023 I created two posts where I gave book recommendations based on aesthetics. People really seemed to like these posts, but I haven’t created one in nearly two years. So I’m back today with another five curated lists full of book recommendations based on your desired aesthetic. Yes! Five lists! I have spent hours upon hours poring over my bookcases, my book wish lists, social media, and the internet at large to find books that match the five following aesthetics.

Below are those five aesthetics, what they all mean in my opinion, a handful of book recommendations, and a beautiful aesthetic moodboard I created in Canva. Now I’ve covered quite a few big aesthetics already, so if you’re looking for an aesthetic and it’s not here then there’s a good chance it’s in one of the two other posts. And if I still haven’t covered your favorite aesthetic then drop it in the comments and maybe I’ll make another post with it in the future. As for what aesthetics I’m talking about this time, well, let’s just say they’re some fun ones. Now let’s crack in!

American Gothic

1. If you’ve been on RHRML at least once, then you'll know I love Gothic Lit. So that’s why we’re kicking off this aesthetic post with American Gothic. I’m looking at this aesthetic as a whole, but know there are soooo many subgenres (Southern Gothic, Appalachian Horror/Gothic, New England Gothic etc. etc.) within American Gothic. The genre of American Gothic is typically characterized by real-life horrors, bloodshed, generational and social trauma, and intense isolation normally bringing on a descent into madness; this genre/aesthetic is such a fun time! If you’re wondering what visuals go with American Gothic then look no further than nature overtaking dilapidated buildings, overgrown gardens and cemeteries, lots of farms (both working and abandoned but mainly abandoned or rundown), small churches, stormy weather, and lots black and white as a representation of good versus evil. So what books do I recommend? Well here are five. 

·      Wieland by Charles Brockden Brown

·      We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson

·      Ghost Story by Peter Straub

·      The Boatman’s Daughter by Andy Davidson

·      The Elementals by Michael McDowell

Film Noir

2. Film Noir is next on this list. I love this aesthetic. It’s not one I try to achieve in my real life, but I love the vibes. You know what you are getting when it comes to Film Noir. This aesthetic is based on the cinematic style of crime dramas from roughly the 1930s to 1950s. It’s a style everyone can name for a single screenshot. The characters are cynical and pessimistic, there’s probably a Femme Fatale, a jazz club setting, or at least a bar, is needed for the story. Now let’s get to the books.

·      “Hammers On Bone” by Cassandra Khaw

·      Hardcase by Dan Simmons

·      No Bed of Her Own by Val Lewton

·      Die A Little by Megan Abbott

·      Strangers on a Train by Patricia Highsmith

Royalcore

3. Let’s talk about Royalcore now. In my first ever aesthetic post, I talked about Dark Royalty Core, so it’s only fair I talk about Royalcore now. Royalcore is what you think it is. The aesthetic is based off the visual of Western Europe royalty ranging from the Arthurian legends of the 5th century all the way up to the late 19th century. It’s all about refinement, running down a hallway in a flowy gown, classical music, opulent castles; you get it, you get the vibes. As for what to expect in books, think political intrigue, classical studies, a hint of scandal, and if the book genre is historical fiction or fantasy, expect some battles. Ready for some book recs?

·      The Selection series by Kiera Cass (really anything Kiera Cass writes fits the Royalcore aesthetic perfectly)

·      Tokyo Ever After by Emiko Jean

·      The Ivory Key by Akshaya Ramen

·      Of Fire and Stars by Audrey Coulthurst

·      Cursebreaker series by Brigid Kemmerer

2000s Preppy

4. Hey. Hey come closer. Do you like Mean Girls? What about Clueless or Gossip Girl? If you’re a fan of these titles then you’ll probably love the 2000s Preppy aesthetic, or as I like to call it, the Blair Waldorf aesthetic. This is everything you think it is. It’s private schools, plaid skirts, the Tiffany heart necklace, Ralph Lauren everything. As for what to expect in this aesthetics’ literature, you’ll find high class versus low class, drama, drama, drama, there will be a high school mean girl someone is trying to dethrone. This aesthetic is pretty nostalgic for me so here are some books I recommend.

·      Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé

·      The Clique series by Lisi Harrison (when I think 2000s Preppy, this is what I think of!)

·      The Thousandth Floor by Katharine McGee

·      Everyone Worth Knowing by Lauren Weisberger (really anything by Lauren Weisberger is a good fit for the 2000s Preppy aesthetic)

·      A Dangerous Year by Kes Trester

Cozy

5. Finally, we have the Cozy aesthetic. Sometimes known as the Comfy aesthetic, this one is all about being snuggled up under a mountain of blankets, a warm drink, a pet to cuddle, and a good book. It’s all about being relaxed and comfortable. As for books to match this aesthetic, they should feel like a comforting hug. Books should essentially put you in your happy place; so giving recommendations for this aesthetic is harder as it is pretty subjective. But I picked some books that tend to feel like sitting in front of a fire on a chilly fall day because that’s what makes me feel cozy.

·      Cerulean Chronicles series by T.J. Klune

·      Before the Coffee Gets Cold series by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

·      84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff

·      The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna

·      A Little Princess by Fances Hodgson Burnett

With that, I shall bid you all adieu. Thank you very much for joining me today. I do hope you’ve found some good books that sound cool to you. Anyway, I shall see you all again next week with a new review. If you can’t wait that long then you can always check out my podcast Nothing to See Hear. It stars me and two of my dearest friends and we talk absolutely everything. Seriously, we have episodes about gay vampires, weird and wild moments of history, we review Barbie, Disney, and Scooby-Doo films; we talk about it all. You can find the show on Spotify and YouTube.

Until next time, stay safe, wash your hands, and read some good books for me.

See y'all then, bye!