Recs if you like Open Water...

Shorter books (under 200 pages) that are part of at least one quest. Many are also in the public domain, making them easily accessible when you want to grind for that next badge.

Writing and voices from outside of the white Western canon. Fiction and Non-fiction with an emphasis in diaspora, decolonization, global history, and resistance narratives from around the world. Features African, Asian, Central American, South American, Caribbean, and Middle Eastern voices.

Began with many recommendations from Jamin Anderson (@jaminanderson__ on Instagram) and has expanded with the help of the Pagebound community.

Books that are atmospheric, emotionally unsettling, beautifully written, a little weird, and linger long after you finish them.

learning is endless, and far too many people are being oppressed and subjected to violence in this world. just a list of books that shed more light on various marginalized folk from all over the world :) any recs are welcome!

this is your reminder to read books by Black authors all month, all year, every year— not just during Black History Month. it’s crucially important to be able to diversify your reading and your bookshelves. expand your mind, your perspectives, your knowledge, and your taste. if you don’t know where to start, here are some recommendations!

Books written in or featuring 2nd person POV

Short, quick reads that still pack a punch and wake you from your numb slumber

Short books that you can read in a sitting, to help you achieve your yearly reading goal 🤭🥳 Feel free to mention anything else from the list, I'm so glad to add & check them out 😁

This list was generated from a post on pagebound club on Juneteenth in 2026. I opted to not try and make this list comprehensive but just to document the community recs from that day - however, if you have more books to recommend please comment in the forum! Prompts from the original post will be in the comments. Note: prompts asked for books by Black authors, not only those from/books set in the US. See comments section for more discussion.

recs from @leahsfigtree and @emmareadstoomuch on substack + personal recs

an engaging collection that captures the depth and diversity of African storytelling, blending tradition, history, and modern life through powerful voices.

Books written in second person

Goodreads 80 of the Past Decade’s Very Popular Fiction from 2016 - 2025

2025 Broken Country - Isola 2024 The Women - Real Americans 2023 Tom Lake - Weyward 2022 Demon Copperhead - Diamond Eye 2021 Reading List - Cloud Cuckoo Land 2020 My Dark Vanessa - Vanishing Half 2019 Giver of Stars - Girl, Woman, Other 2018 Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell - Where the Crawdads Sing 2017 Stay with Me - 7 Husbands of Evelyn Hugo 2016 Lilac Girls - Behold the Dreamers

For the lovers

I bought a guided reading journal for more grounded reflection and a way to wind down at night (and a cute incentive to take my time with reading and not feel guilty about it). Surprise, the journal has recommendations in the back! I figured I'd share just in case anyone else was interested/had the same journal and wanted a list on here too!

A variety of books recommended by a librarian (appropriate for students aged 11-16 as well).

Shorter books (around 200 pages) to get out of a reading slump or to help pad your stats. Comment if you want recommendations, I’ve read a lot of these.

A nonexhaustive list of romance featuring black women.

Books under 250 pages

Novels whose main characters are artists, recommended by Pagebound users. Recommendations are always welcome; the only rules are that the main character must be an artist of some form (be it a painter, writer, actor, musician, dancer, or even a chef) and that their art must play a key role in the plot. If you're looking for YA or middle grade novels about artists, please check out the "Aspiring Artists" list on my profile.