Riot Headline Book Riot’s 2025 Read Harder Challenge

Rachel Brittain

Rachel is a writer from Arkansas, most at home surrounded by forests and animals much like a Disney Princess. She spends most of her time writing stories and playing around in imaginary worlds. You can follow her writing at rachelbrittain.com. Twitter and Instagram: @rachelsbrittain

The First Lines of These Queer Books Will Make You Want to Read Them ASAP

Sometimes all it takes is a compelling first line to draw you into a book. Consider these first lines of queer books with THAT magic.

Set Sail With These SFF Pirate Books

Ahoy, book lovers! Set sail on the high seas and interstellar space with these SFF pirates, featuring book like A Pirate's Life for Tea.

Heroes Get Better with Age: 10 Middle-Aged Protagonists in SFF

Set out for the horizon with these middle-aged protagonists in SFF, including The Dream-Quest of Vellitt Boe by Kij Johnson, to experience the hero's journey in a whole new way.

25 Must-Read Morbid Nonfiction Books

Morbid nonfiction isn't just for true crime fans. These creepy true stories are for everyone with a bit of morbid curiosity in their hearts.

Fight Censorship With These Banned Book Goodies

Shirts, pins, and stickers promoting banned books and fighting censorship are a great way to keep book bans in the public consciousness.

Love & Other Epic Adventures: Science Fiction Romance Books

Get your fill of space adventures, AI hunks, and shipworthy pairings with these science fiction romance books like The Red Scholar's Wake.

Quiz: Can You Match the Sci-Fi Opening Line To Its Novel?

How well do you know your science fiction? Test your expertise with this sci-fi opening line quiz full of both hard and soft sci-fi novels.

An Alphabet of Queer Books: LGBTQ Book Recs from A-Z

Get ready for a reading challenge or invent your own with this alphabet of queer books from Another Appalachia to Zara Hossain Is Here.

On a Magical Note: Music Magic in Fantasy Books

Explore the wonderful world of music magic with these fantasy books that feature magic systems based on music.

9 of the Very Best Alternate History Books

The best alternate history books ask "What if?" American Hippo asks what if hippos roamed the USA? His Majesty's Dragon asks, what if dragons fought in the Napoleonic War? And so much more.