
An aesthetic is a visual way to express one’s style and personality. Often associated with social media, aesthetics are now being used to describe the moods of books, as well. Read on to discover stories that might fit your own aesthetic!
Coastal or beach aesthetics embrace the breezy feel of summer at the shore. Think of ocean waves, bike rides on the boardwalk, ice cream in a cone, and poolside flirtations.
- Where the Rhythm Takes You by Sarah Dass
- Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen
- The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han
- Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller
- We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
- The Education of Margot Sanchez by Lilliam Rivera
This aesthetic celebrates a simple, rural lifestyle steeped in nostalgia. An emphasis on agriculture, foraging, and crafting is a key element. It often features a cozy feel over high-stakes plotting.
- Flowerheart by Catherine Bakewell
- The Secret of a Heart Note by Stacey Lee
- Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery
- The Tea Dragon Society by K. O’Neill
- An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson
Dark academia sometimes centers around institutes of higher learning, as well as a love for literature and the classics. However, it can also feature morally gray characters, boarding school settings, and mysteries.
- Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
- The Forest Demands Its Due by Kosoko Jackson
- The Ravens by Kass Morgan
- Everyone’s Thinking It by Aleema Omotomi
- A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid
- Don’t Breathe a Word by Jordyn Taylor
Do you love the glitz and glam of royalty? Can’t get enough stories of princes and princesses? Dive into opulence with the royalcore trend.
- The Selection by Kiera Cass
- The Star-Touched Queen by Roshani Chokshi
- The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton
- Tokyo Ever After by Emiko Jean
- Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim
- The Glittering Court by Mead
Can’t choose between an edgy aesthetic or a more playful one? You don’t have to! Whimsigoth combines dark, moody vibes with magic and whimsy. Fairy tales, which often do the same, are a perfect fit for this aesthetic.
- Violet Made of Thorns by Gina Chen
- Cuckoo Song by Frances Hardinge
- The Drowned Woods by Emily Lloyd-Jones
- Ash by Malinda Lo
- Gilded by Marissa Meyer
- Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson