9 Books You'll Want to Finish Before Everyone Else Does

In today’s fast-paced world of literature, staying ahead of the curve in book trends can give you a distinct advantage—not only for your personal enrichment but also for engaging in cultural conversations and intellectual debates. Below is a list of 9 books you'll want to finish before everyone else does. This collection spans genres, themes, and styles, ensuring you experience some of the most compelling narratives and insightful analyses before they become mainstream sensations.

1. A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara

A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara is an emotionally intense, deeply affecting novel that follows four college friends as they navigate adulthood in New York City. This is not a light read, but one that will linger in your thoughts for years. Early readers gain a profound connection to one of the most emotionally resonant works of modern literature—before others catch up to its cult status.

2. Anxious People by Fredrik Backman

The novel unfolds around a failed bank robbery that turns into a hostage situation, where the captives’ stories and secrets come to light. Backman’s warm, empathetic prose reveals the anxieties and hopes that shape his characters’ lives. Readers who finish this book early gain insight into its rich emotional tapestry and sharp social commentary, positioning themselves to join vibrant discussions about mental health, forgiveness, and compassion in contemporary fiction circles.

3. The Overstory by Richard Powers

Richard Powers’s The Overstory is an ambitious, Pulitzer Prize-winning novel that interweaves the lives of diverse characters connected through their relationships with trees and the natural world. This sweeping narrative explores environmental activism, the interconnectedness of life, and humanity’s impact on the planet. Early readers benefit by engaging with the novel’s profound ecological message before it becomes a staple in environmental and literary discussions, offering deep insights into the urgent conversation about conservation and climate change.

4. The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo

The Familiar offers a mesmerizing blend of magic, history, and gothic atmosphere. Set during the Spanish Inquisition, it centers on Luzia, a scullery maid with hidden magical abilities who gets entangled with powerful forces beyond her control. Bardugo’s trademark dark world-building and compelling characters shine in this standalone novel. The setting is vividly realized, capturing both the grandeur and horror of the time. Themes of survival, ambition, and secrecy swirl in a narrative that balances lyrical prose with page-turning suspense. With its rich historical texture and supernatural intrigue, The Familiar is bound to be one of Bardugo’s finest works.

5. The Hunter by Tana French

In The Hunter, Tana French returns to rural Ireland with a gripping psychological thriller that slowly burrows into the reader’s consciousness. The story follows retired detective Cal Hooper and his teenage neighbor Trey as they investigate a sinister disappearance in their small town. French’s narrative pacing is masterful—measured and deliberate, building an atmosphere of dread with every page. The novel dissects the rot beneath idyllic surfaces, revealing how community can both protect and destroy.

6. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

The story follows two young illusionists, Celia and Marco, bound in a competition where only one can survive, yet their growing love complicates everything. Morgenstern’s richly detailed world-building and atmospheric prose create an enchanting, immersive reading experience. Finishing this novel early allows readers to delve into its layered narrative and fantastical setting before it becomes a beloved classic, ideal for fans of magic realism and romantic suspense.

7. The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

The story centers around Nora Seed, who, given the chance to explore different versions of her life through a magical library, seeks meaning and hope amid despair. Haig’s poignant writing and accessible wisdom make this novel resonate deeply with readers navigating mental health and existential questions. Finishing this book early allows readers to internalize its life-affirming message and join transformative discussions long before it becomes a book club staple.

8. The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt

In the aftermath, Theo clings to a stolen painting—the titular Goldfinch—which leads him into a world of art, deception, and emotional upheaval. Early readers of this sprawling epic will experience its intricate character development and philosophical undercurrents before it reclaims viral attention from book communities worldwide.

9. Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr

Anthony Doerr blends historical fiction with futuristic narrative threads, exploring the power of storytelling to preserve hope and human connection across time. This ambitious novel rewards careful readers with layered symbolism and philosophical depth—those who finish it early can be part of nuanced literary conversations before its complex structure gains broader mainstream attention.

Final Thoughts: Your Edge in the Literary World

By finishing them ahead of the mainstream, you position yourself not only as a well-informed reader but also as an influencer in conversations about literature and society.