Hi Everyone,
I am preparing my book selections for a reading challenge I am doing in 2026 that requires me to read a book that starts with each letter of the alphabet. I have some options for each letter, but I'm not super excited about the options I have so far for J, Q, Y, and Z (especially J).
I typically enjoy fiction in the form of science fiction, fantasy, folklore-based fantasy, dystopian, post-apocalyptic, and highly atmospheric books. I usually avoid romance, romantasy, the classics, and contemporary fiction/beach reads. Some books I have enjoyed this year were A Psalm for the Wild-Built, Elder Race, The Butcher of the Forest, Camp Zero, Dark Eden, and Wild, Dark Shore. Some previous favorites include Station Eleven, Wool, All Systems Red, and Starter Villain.
I am open to non-fiction in the realm of medical history (I loved Everything is Tuberculosis), and works that show the daily lives of people now and in history (think: the lives of people in North Korea). I could be open to other topics if you've read something particularly compelling in the areas of history or anthropology.
I would love some suggestions for books starting with J, Q, Y, and Z (especially J as my options are very limited there so far). Thank you in advance!
by FlonkertonWorldChamp
12 Comments
Jitterbug Perfume is an all time, top 3, favorite book for me.
Also, there are a million lists online (related to this particular reading challenge and just in-general lists of books by genre than sorted a-z by title.) So . . . What about those aren’t working for you/which ones in your categories/genres (of which there are many) don’t work for you and why? That may help-us-help-you . . .
Jade City
I’ve only read one book that starts with any of those letters and that’s *Jaws*.
However, looking through my TBR list, *Julia* by Sandra Newman stood out as one that might fit your vibe. It’s a retelling of 1984 from Julia’s perspective.
I second Jade City by Fonda Lee, but if that doesn’t interest you, maybe you could try Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton?
Do you count articles when considering the first first letter of a title? Words like “a” and “the”.
Joyland by Stephen on King
Zodiac by Neal Stephenson
Quicksilver for Q
But don’t hold me responsible for how bad the sequel was is whatever
Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell. A bit too long for my liking but a fantastic fantasy nevertheless
Jurassic Park, obviously.
Zed by Elizabeth McClung
Judas Unchained (sequel, so read Pandora’s Star first) by Peter. F. Hamilton
Queen Demon by Martha Wells is the second book in a series (the first being Witch King) but both of them are really good
have not read it, but The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri (my library sorts this under J) is on one of my lists of interesting sounding books. There’s probably an interesting book about Jesus out there starting with Jesus ??
is manga allowed? If so, Yotsuba&