What is a buddy read? A reader's guide

Jason BoogMay 28, 2026

My wife and I just finished reading “Yesteryear” by Caro Claire Burke together. This book almost requires a friend or family member to buddy read with you. When something bonkers happens (which is often the case), I need to debrief with my wife immediately.This is called a buddy read. It's two people reading the same book at the same time, talking about it as they go. Honestly, it's my favorite way to read a book.

What is a buddy read?

Different people have different definitions of a buddy read. For me, a buddy read is more of a one-off experience, unlike the many book clubs I've joined over the years. For instance, my wife and I only read the same book together a couple of times a year, but my book clubs keep a much more rigorous schedule.

Buddy reading books recommended by Fable readers

Some books just require another person to read with you. The story is too bonkers, the characters are too wild, the characters are too infuriating, or the ending is too devastating. A few Fable readers described their buddy reading experiences.Fable reader Jade: “I do have a buddy and we basically buddy read every book together now — if I don’t go it alone, those books will end up neglected, and I don’t want that now. Loving it, just having that one person just enhances your reading experience and talking about different theories.”Fable reader Barbell: “Oh dude, Yesteryear was a family affair. I annotated that book, then at night, after dinner and putting the kiddo to bed, both my husbands and I would sit down, and I’d go over all the insane stuff that had happened and read them my favorite quotes. It’s the perfect buddy read. Me and the hubby’s are about to start House of Leaves, that also feels like a necessity to read with someone.”Here are some more buddy reading picks from our readers!

"The Body" by Stephen King

Four rambunctious young boys venture into the Maine woods in search of a boy from a nearby town who has disappeared. An iconic coming-of-age story that explores the loneliness and isolation of young adulthood.Fable reader The Book Witch: “I loved this! Parts of this story had me laughing out loud, giggling to myself. Other parts reminded me of childhood, when we think we know more than we do, but we can't let anyone know. I can also see why this narrative became such a popular movie. I'm kind of sad this was as short as it is, but it's also kind of perfect that way.”

"Ironwood" by Michael Connelly

Page-turning, packed with intrigue, and bringing together an unstoppable investigative team, Ironwood continues the Catalina series with all of Michael Connelly’s signature blend of noir and police procedural. Fable reader Sarah: “Police procedural drama is where Connelly rules. The second Catalina Novel doesn’t disappoint. Procedurals can be a bit predictable but Connelly does them best. Love the Ballard tie in and the nod to Bosch. You can never go wrong with Connelly.”

"How to Cheat Your Own Death" by Kristen Perrin

From the gritty streets of 1960s Soho to the lofty galleries of present-day West London, two interlocking mysteries decades apart unfold in this installment of the Castle Knoll Murder Mystery series.Fable reader Dorian: “This is an excellent series. I think this book might be my favorite so far!”

"Caller Unknown" by Gillian McAllister

A road trip across America with her teenage daughter was meant to be much-needed bonding time for Simone before Lucy leaves home for university. But on the first night of their stay, in a cabin deep in the Texan desert, Simone wakes to find Lucy missing and a mobile phone in her place. Fable reader Sophie: “A tense psychological thriller about a woman, Simone, whose ordinary life is thrown into chaos after a mysterious phone call pulls her into a dangerous situation involving secrets, manipulation and impossible choices. As the pressure builds, she must uncover the truth before everything she loves is destroyed. This book kept me gripped from the very beginning to the last page, with an intriguing storyline and short chapters."

"The Bell Jar" by Sylvia Plath

The story chronicles the breakdown of Esther Greenwood, a bright, beautiful, enormously talented college student facing a profound identity crisis while coming of age in 1950s America, as she navigates the pressures of society along with her own ambitions. Fable reader thequietwriter: “Reading Plath is always an exercise in self-love and determination for me. Whatever that determination and love may look like. At times, the writing feels like your own thoughts, some we still deal with today. Whatever you take from this book, I hope it inspires you to love yourself and be confident, even when faced with mounting pressure and the dread of the unknown, we, as women, can get through it."

"Outlander" by Diana Gabaldon

A spellbinding novel of passion and history that combines exhilarating adventure with a love story for the ages. One of the top ten best-loved novels in America.Fable reader Millennial.novel.nerd: “I loved this book. The characters feel richer, the world feels bigger, and the emotional stakes are somehow even higher than on screen. I’ve heard book two is rough in its own way, but honestly? I can’t wait to start it. A fantastic beginning to a series I already loved and now love even more.”

"Red Rising" by Pierce Brown

Inspired by a longing for justice, and driven by the memory of lost love, one man sacrifices everything to infiltrate the legendary Institute, a proving ground for the dominant Gold caste, where the next generation of humanity’s overlords struggle for power. Fable reader Lisa: “My friend and I read Red Rising together, and honestly, I needed my best friend to buddy read that one with me ’cause we were so frustrated throughout that entire book.” Sapiens

"Sapiens" by Yuval Noah Harari

From examining the story of human evolution in the global ecosystem to charting the rise of empires, Sapiens integrates history and science to reconsider accepted narratives, connect past developments with contemporary concerns, and examine specific events within the context of larger ideas. Fable reader Hannah: “Very well written and thought-provoking. I thought the author did a really good job of capturing all perspectives, so the book didn’t feel like a typical biased non-fiction book, instead an interesting story about the history and predicted future of the human race.”

"Before the Coffee Gets Cold" by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

If you could go back in time, who would you want to meet? In a small back alley of Tokyo, there is a cafe that has been serving carefully brewed coffee for more than one hundred years. Local legend says that this shop offers something else besides coffee—the chance to travel back in time. Fable editor Jason: “Such a quiet and wonderful little book. I could have stayed in this simple coffee shop for months and months. My new recommendation for anybody who needs something to decompress.”

"Lightlark" by Alex Aster

An instant bestseller and soon-to-be major motion picture, this is a masterfully written, utterly gripping YA fantasy novel filled with secrets, deception, romance, and twists.Fable reader Booked: "I’m such a sucker for trials and competitions in books, so this had me completely hooked from start to finish. The constant twists and turns kept me on edge, and I was genuinely shocked more than once. I loved how each ruler came from a different realm, each with its own unique powers, some well-known, others carefully hidden. Every 100 years, they come together in an attempt to break a curse that devastates all of their realms. Usually, I can figure out who the villain is pretty quickly, but with this book, I was never completely sure, which made the ending even more shocking.”

"The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo" by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Aging and reclusive Hollywood movie icon Evelyn Hugo is finally ready to tell the truth about her glamorous and scandalous life. But when she chooses unknown magazine reporter Monique Grant for the job, no one is more astounded than Monique herself, beginning a mesmerizing journey through the splendor of old Hollywood into the harsh realities of the present day as two women struggle with what it means—and what it costs—to face the truth.Fable reader lemon: “SOBBING. Anyone who is queer, read this book. Anyone who is straight and supports, read this book. Anyone who doesn't understand queer people, read this book. I am sitting here with tears dripping onto my screen because of how much I relate to this story. Taylor Jenkins Reid, you are an amazing writer of queer novels. I had myself laugh, cry, smile, and frown over this book. This really opened my eyes to the world we live in today. How we only live once and must be open about who we love for the sake of our own happiness. Being queer is so beautiful, and this book really shows others that it isn't disgusting or odd. It's beautiful and flourishes with love. Invest in reading Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, it's a piece of writing that can't be described in one review.”

"The Yellow Wife" by Sadeqa Johnson

This story follows an enslaved woman forced to barter love and freedom while living in the most infamous slave jail in Virginia. Born on a plantation in Charles City, VirginiaFable reader Nicholl: “I could not put this book down. My pulse pounded in many places. Pheby's story was heartbreaking and raw on so many levels. I found myself trying to imagine what it would be like to experience that life and I just couldn't fathom that layer of hell she was forced to exist in. I absolutely love this story ."

"The Family Upstairs" by Lisa Jewell

A page-turning look inside one family’s past as buried secrets threaten to come to light. Be careful who you let in. The master of “bone-chilling suspense” brings us the can’t-look-away story of three entangled families living in a house with the darkest of secrets.Fable reader Moonlit : “Lisa Jewell knows how to rev up them fryers and leave you asking for more. Her books are so enthralling that you forget to breathe, and you have to remind yourself to sleep because you would be up all night reading this book. This story is a bit different than her other books; it's a slow unraveling of how a group of strangers becomes the family upstairs.”

"All the Beauty in the World" by Patrick Bringley

Millions of people climb the grand marble staircase to visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art every year. But only a select few have unrestricted access to every nook and cranny. They’re the guards who roam unobtrusively in dark blue suits, keeping a watchful eye on the two million square foot treasure house. A portrait of a great museum, its hidden treasures, and the people who make it tick, by one of its most intimate observers.Fable reader Carolyn: “Reading this lovely book transported me back in time to when I was an art student studying illustration and art history in New York City. I’d spent countless hours wandering around the Met, admiring the stunning artwork, and being in awe of the artists who created them. This book deserves its own golden frame, because—like all the pieces at the Met—it is a gorgeous work of art.”

"The Count Of Monte Cristo" by Alexandre Dumas

After he is thrown in prison on his wedding day for a crime he did not commit, Edmond Dantès learns that he was betrayed by his friends and becomes determined to get revenge. His ally, Abbé Faria, helps him escape and Dantès travels to the Isle of Monte Cristo to uncover the man’s treasure. Assuming the identity of the Count of Monte Cristo, Dantès returns home and establishes relationships with those he knew in his past life, keeping their betrayal and his thirst for revenge, fresh in his mind. Fable reader Sarah: “For a long book, I did not want to put it down! There were twists and suspense throughout. Overall, I emotionally connected to the characters and felt like I was inside of the book."

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (A Hunger Games Novel)

"The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes" by Suzanne Collins

Ambition will fuel him. Competition will drive him. But power has its price. Ambition will fuel him. Competition will drive him. But power has its price. It is the morning of the reaping that will kick off the tenth annual Hunger Games.

"Inheritance Games" by Jennifer Lynn Barnes, Christie Moreau

A bestselling novel with deadly stakes, thrilling twists, and juicy secrets--perfect for fans of One of Us is Lying and Knives Out. Caught in a world of wealth and privilege, with danger around every turn, one woman will have to play the game herself just to survive.Fable reader MacKenna: “The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes was so GOOD to buddy read with my friend Kayla.”

"The Tainted Cup" by Robert Jackson Bennett

A novel that mixes the charms of detective fiction with brilliant fantasy world-building to deliver a fiendishly clever mystery that’s at once instantly recognizable and thrillingly new.Fable reader Dree: “I enjoyed reading Tainted Cup as a buddy read! Trying to be a detective with someone is so fun 🕵🏽‍♀️”

"The Only One Left" by Riley Sager

AGothic chiller about a young caregiver assigned to work for a woman accused of a Lizzie Borden-like massacre decades earlier. Fable reader Ashleigh: “Talk about surprise!!! This whole book was intriguing and every twist and turn was a surprise. It just got better and better. I never would have guessed that ending!”

"Never Whistle at Night: An Indigenous Dark Fiction Anthology"

A bold, clever, and sublimely sinister collection of stories that is a celebration of Indigenous peoples’ survival and imagination, and a glorious reveling in all the things an ill-advised whistle might summon.

"Book Lovers" by Emily Henry

One summer. Two rivals. A plot twist they didn't see coming... Nora Stephens' life is books—she’s read them all—and she is not that type of heroine. Not the plucky one, not the laidback dream girl, and especially not the sweetheart. In fact, the only people Nora is a heroine for are her clients, for whom she lands enormous deals as a cutthroat literary agent, and her beloved little sister Libby. Fable reader Brooke Averick: “Hands down the best banter I’ve ever read. So excited to be on the Emily Henry train, sorry I was late, my dog ate my homework.”

"The Game of Kings" by Dorothy Dunnett

In this first book in the legendary Lymond Chronicles , Francis Crawford of Lymond, traitor, murderer, nobleman, returns to Scotland to redeem his reputation and save his home. Fable reader Mika: “An absolute masterpiece; simultaneously the hardest thing I have ever read and one of the most rewarding. I cannot possibly do justice to Dunnett's erudite prose in this review. There were so many incredibly memorable side characters, clever and twisting plots, and startlingly hilarious and witty dialogues... it was worth every moment it took to read.”

"Killers of the Flower Moon" by David Grann

In the 1920s, an undercover team began to expose one of the most chilling conspiracies in American history. Fable reader Gothic Booktroverts: “Me and my fiancé buddy read Killers of the Flower Moon last year. We had to keep reminding each other that it actually happened.”

"As Red as Blood" by Salla Simukka, Owen Frederick Witesman

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo meets Six of Crows —this international bestseller is an edge-of-your-seat thriller that chills to the bone, and not just because of the icy winter setting. Even the cold Finnish winter can’t hide a culprit determined to stain the streets red.

"A Series of Rooms" by A.J. Barlowe

On the night of his twenty-first birthday, a domino effect of unfortunate events leads Liam Cassidy to a chance encounter with a stranger. What he thinks will be nothing more than a moment of shared refuge in a bar bathroom takes a turn when Liam finds the same stranger waiting in his hotel room that night. Fable reader Perusing_Pages: “"As the story unfolds, it will break your heart. I am blown away that this is the author's debut novel. Liam and Jonah are incredible characters with so much depth and nuance to them.

"Our Mutual Friend" by Charles Dickens

Following his father's death, John Harmon returns to London to claim his inheritance, but he finds he is eligible only if he marries Bella Wilfur. To observe her character, he assumes another identity and secures work with his father's foreman, Mr Boffin, who is also Bella's guardian. Disguise and concealment play an important role in the novel and individual identity is examined within the wider setting of London life: in the 1860s the city was aflame with spiralling financial speculation while thousands of homeless scratched a living from the detritus of the more fortunate.

"The Buffalo Hunter Hunter" by Stephen Graham Jones

A chilling historical horror novel set in the American West in 1912, following a Lutheran priest who transcribes the life of a vampire haunting the fields of the Blackfeet reservation, seeking justice. Fable reader Sydney: “I buddy read The Buffalo Hunter Hunter with a friend and really enjoyed it — it was nice to talk some things out and share my surprise and thoughts with another person who was also reading it at the same time!”

"The Housemaid" by Freida McFadden

An unbelievably twisty read that will have you glued to the pages late into the night. Anyone who loves "The Woman in the Window," "The Wife Between Us," and "The Girl on the Train" won’t be able to put this down!Fable reader Dom: “This was my first Freida McFadden book & I am ready to read more !!!! Overall, this was a great build-up story and GREAT character building as well!!”

"Mad Mabel" by Sally Hepworth

There are two kinds of people no one ever expects to be murderers: little girls and old ladies. There are two kinds of people no one ever expects to be murderers: little girls and old ladies. Elsie Mabel Fitzpatrick is eighty-one years old. She's lived on her idyllic street for sixty years—longer than anyone else. Aside from being a curmudgeon who minds everyone else's business, few would suspect that Elsie has a past she's worked exceedingly hard at concealing—because when it comes to murder, no one ever suspects little girls or old ladies. And Elsie Mabel Fitzpatrick, once a little girl and now an old lady, has a strange history of people in her life coming to a foul end.Fable reader Mads: “Completely captivating! I wanted to read about every single day of Mabel’s life. I wanted to know every single detail. I love the pace of the book, the story telling, the detail, everything. The relationships were so well detailed that I felt I knew every character in the book! I felt like I was in this world with her.”

Buddy reading with your partner

There are so many ways to buddy read. Like me, many Fable readers love reading with their partners. I was so happy to read these stories!Fable reader Emotional Support Grumpy: “My Wife and I love to buddy read Book Lovers by Emily Henry.”Fable reader Hershy: “My partner made a perfect playlist and we’ve been reading a couple of chapters each week for the last two months (he reads a lot less and a lot slower — which is just fine by me as I’m just happy to read together).”Fable reader BlueMeansYou: “My wife and I take turns picking books we love and reading them aloud to each other. We’re up to 135 books as of my last count… We spend most of our time together reading and discussing the book.”Fable reader Natalie: “Me and my hubby have just buddy read The Help for the umpteenth time 🤣 and we are planning to buddy read The Martian and Project Hail Mary. We have read quite a few books together and some of them are classics.”Fable reader Linda48: “We have two rules. I can’t choose romance and he can’t choose philosophy.”

Family buddy reads

Other people buddy read with siblings, parents, and other family members! I've got a very occasional science-fiction buddy-read exchange with my brothers. This article made me want to rekindle that bookish conversation.Fable reader Carlene “I ‘buddy read’ to my daughter. She has lost the ability to talk so I watch her eyes and body language. We have read probably close to 120/135 books — I haven’t kept count. She got really upset about what happened in a book so she kicked it out of my hands… Lol.”Fable reader Emily : “My brother and I buddy read Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell together last winter (and then inspired my sister to join the mix, who finished it first!). We all loved it, and it was great fun. He and I plan to tackle The Count of Monte Cristo this summer. My husband and I occasionally buddy read — more often than not, we read something and then tell the other, ‘You’ve GOT to read this one!’”Fable reader Kittielala: “I read The Outsiders with my daughter since she was reading it for school. I think we might both try Project Hail Mary next.”Fable reader Kendall: “My sister and I enjoyed buddy reading Red Rising.”

Buddy reading across the miles

I recently moved hundreds of miles to a new city, leaving behind some of my favorite reading buddies. We still text each other and try to keep our book conversations going across time and space.I'm not alone, as I discovered when talking to other Fable readers about buddy reding.Fable reader Savana: “My best friend and I buddy read together. I moved states so we’re now long distance so it’s nice to have it keep us connected.”Fable reader Abram: “While I rarely do buddy reads, I have greatly enjoyed the buddy reads I have done of novels that were released on a serialized schedule. The most notable example: a friend and I read Our Mutual Friend by Charles Dickens following the monthly serialized schedule and it was one of the coolest reading projects in my life. There were months where we were anxious to skip ahead, but it was so fun trying to figure out where the novel was going, discussing characters, and talking about our favorite passages. And then at the finale, we got on Zoom and took turns reading aloud the final installment and processing the finale together. I highly recommend it for anyone interested in a mammoth classic like that.”