Recommend Me A Book: Your Coffee Shop Order, But Make It A Book Recommendation

If you’ve ever found yourself demanding the internet, anyone, ‘recommend me a book’, then chances are you are looking for someone to hit you over the head with a new favourite read. Sometimes we just don’t know what we are looking for and need some inspiration. We’ve all been there.

Imagine this: you walk into your favourite coffee shop, the door swings shut behind you, and the air smells like roasted beans and fresh pastries. You step up to the counter, place your usual order, and while the barista works their magic, you reach into your bag for your current read.

But what if your coffee order could choose your next book for you?

Just like your go-to drink says something about your mood, your style, or your whole vibe, it can also point you toward a story that fits you perfectly- whether you’re an iced-coffee-in-winter kind of reader or someone who’ll always choose a classic latte.

So grab your drink, get comfy, and let’s find out which book your favourite coffee is quietly recommending.

This post is all about recommended you a 10/10 book based on your coffee shop order. I have compiled a list of many the wow factor books I have ever read, and as a former English Literature student, there is some good ones.

This post is for all those who have ever searched up ‘recommend me a book’ in blind hope. I hope you find what you are looking for here.

‘Recommend me a book’- Coffee orders and books

1. Latte: Warm, simple and Comforting

Reader vibe: Loves immersive, character-driven stories.
Book recs:

Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine – Gail Honeyman

Eleanor, a socially isolated woman with rigid routines, begins a journey that forces her to confront the life she has created for herself. As her her world begins to unfurl and her emotional layers unfold, the story gently explores healing, loneliness, and human connection. You should read it because it’s warm, witty, and ultimately uplifting – a reminder that it’s never too late to heal and change your life.

The Thursday Murder Club – Richard Osman

In a peaceful retirement village, four sharp and mischievous residents meet weekly to solve cold cases, until a real murder lands on their doorstep. What follows is a charming, funny, and surprisingly heartfelt mystery filled with clever twists and lovable characters. You should read it because it’s comforting, cosy, and delightfully smart- the perfect feel-good mystery without the darkness.

2. Cappuccino: Classic, Balanced, A Little Sophisticated

Reader vibe: Appreciates craft, structure, and short classics
Book recs:

The Goldfinch– Donna Tartt

A sweeping, emotionally rich coming-of-age story, The Goldfinch follows a boy whose life is reshaped by grief, art, and the strange, luminous power of a stolen painting. Tartt writes with a tenderness that makes even the messiest human moments feel understood. It’s the kind of novel that stays with you long after you close it, tugging gently at your heart.

Rebecca – Daphne Du Maurier

Rebecca pulls you in slowly, like walking through fog until you realise it’s actually smoke. The narrator arrives at Manderley full of hope, only to find that the memory of her husband’s first wife is everywhere- gorgeous, intimidating, and suffocating. It’s the perfect read if you want a story that feels gothic, dreamy, and quietly devastating.

3. Iced Coffee: Gets bored easily, Like’s Fast Paced stories

Reader vibe: Loves contemporary, witty, accessible reads.

Book recs:

How to Build A Girl – Caitlin Moran

Funny, filthy, and unexpectedly tender, How to Build a Girl captures the chaotic beauty of inventing yourself from scratch as a teenage girl. Moran writes with honesty and heart, giving you permission to laugh at the mistakes you’ve made while cheering on the ones you’re still brave enough to attempt. It’s a reminder that growing up is messy, and that’s exactly what makes it magic.

The Tent, the Bucket and Me: My Family’s Disastrous Attempts to go Camping in the 70s– Emma Kennedy

Emma Kennedy’s hilarious memoir of disastrous ’70s camping holidays is told with such warmth that you’ll feel like you’re right there beside her, soggy sleeping bag and all. Underneath the chaos is a real affection for the imperfect families that shape us. It’s the sort of book that makes you smile at your own childhood mishaps with a little more love.

☕ 4. Flat White: Minimalist, Intense, Quietly Confident

Reader vibe: Prefers emotionally rich, beautifully written novels.
Book recs:

The Bell Jar – Sylvia Plath

Esther’s story is raw in a way that’s both painful and strangely comforting, like someone finally saying the quiet parts out loud. You watch her struggle with expectations, depression, and the pressure to be “fine” when she isn’t. Read this if you want something honest and emotionally sharp, the kind of book that makes you feel seen.

The Catcher in the Rye – J.D.Salinger

Holden wanders New York with this mix of bitterness and vulnerability that makes you want to shake him and hug him at the same time. He’s lost, grieving, and trying so hard to make sense of a world that feels fake. It’s worth reading because it captures teenage loneliness in a way that still hits, even decades later.

5. Mocha: Sweet, Creative and whimsical

Reader vibe: Wants whimsy, immaculate vibes and stunning writing.

Book recs:

The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender – Leslye Walton

Ava’s story feels like a fairy-tale dipped in sadness- magical, soft, and full of emotion. She’s born with wings and grows up in a family where love is complicated and often painful. If you love books that feel like poetry and leave you with that bittersweet ache, this one is unforgettable.

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe – Benjamin Alire Sáenz

This book feels like summer- warm, slow, and full of big feelings that sneak up on you. Ari and Dante’s friendship grows into something beautiful and transformative, helping them understand themselves and each other. Read it if you want a gentle, tender story that holds your heart carefully.

6. Espresso: Bold, No-Nonsense, Intense

Reader vibe: Loves horror or gripping nonfiction, in other words: psychopath.
Book recs:

The Long Walk – Stephen King

This is one of those stories that gets under your skin, because it’s not just a horror scenario but it’s a test of humanity. You follow these boys who are pushed to the edge physically and emotionally, and some moments are surprisingly touching. It’s intense, bleak, and strangely moving if you’re drawn to psychological stories.

American Psycho – Bret Easton Ellis

Dark, razor-sharp, and unforgettable, American Psycho uses its shocking humour and brutality to cut straight to the hollow core of consumerism and image-obsessed culture. It’s deeply unsettling, yes- but also a brilliantly layered satire that rewards thoughtful readers. If you’re drawn to fiction that challenges, provokes, and lingers, this one leaves a mark.

7. Black Coffee: serious and mysterious

Reader vibe: non fiction

Book recs:

Please Kill me – Legs McNeil

This book feels like being in the room where punk actually happened — messy, loud, and a little dangerous. It’s basically the scene telling its own story through wild interviews and no-filter honesty. Read it if you want something chaotic and real, full of the energy that made punk, well… punk.

The Psychopath Test – Jon Ronson

Ronson takes you with him as he tries to understand what makes someone a “psychopath,” and the journey is as funny as it is unsettling. He interviews the strangest people and asks the questions you didn’t realise you were curious about. It’s the perfect pick if you love nonfiction that feels conversational and a little weird.

7. Hot Chocolate: Trashy romance

Reader vibe: Comfort over chaos; romance readers

Book recs:

The Selection – Keira Cass

This book is like sinking into a YA fairy-tale with just the right amount of drama. America Singer gets thrown into a royal competition she never wanted, and watching her navigate love and pressure is both fun and addictive. Read it when you want something easy, romantic, and escapist in the best way.

The Winners’ Trilogy – Marie Rutkoski

These books mix political strategy with emotional tension in a way that feels surprisingly intimate. Kestrel and Arin’s relationship is complicated and full of longing, and the world around them is constantly shifting. It’s a great choice if you love fantasy-lite stories with smart writing and characters you root for.

8. Matcha Latte: Short and sweet

Reader vibe: Addictive story collections
Book recs:

The Lottery and Other Stories – Shirley Jackson

Shirley Jackson’s stories slip quietly under your skin, revealing the unsettling truths hiding beneath everyday life. She writes with such calm precision that even the smallest moments feel charged with meaning and unease. It’s a collection that stays with you, reminding you how thin the line can be between the ordinary and the uncanny.

The Dangers of Smoking in Bed – Mariana Enriquez

Enriquez’s stories are dark, tender, and strangely luminous, exploring fear and longing in a way that feels both intimate and daring. She has a gift for capturing the haunted corners of human experience- those places where grief, desire, and the supernatural blur together. It’s the kind of collection you read with your heart in your throat and finish feeling a little changed.

QUIZ: What Book Should You Read Based on Your Coffee Order?

Grab your favourite drink and answer these cozy questions to find out which book is calling your name…

[Related Post- How To Read More When You Work A 9-5]

1. It’s Saturday morning. You’re heading to a café. What’s your energy for the day?

A. I want something warm and easy. A little comfort, please.
B. Balanced and calm — I’m in my classic era.
C. Fast-paced energy. Keep me entertained.
D. Quiet, introspective, reflective.
E. Creative and dreamy. I want vibes.
F. Intense. I want a punch of something.
G. Serious and thoughtful. I’m here to learn.
H. Cozy, sweet, and romantic.

2. What’s your ideal reading feeling?

A. Soft and heartwarming
B. Absorbed in beautiful writing
C. Laughing a bit too loudly
D. Emotionally punched in the chest
E. Wonderstruck by magic or whimsy
F. Wide-eyed and slightly disturbed
G. Curious, informed, and nosy
H. Comfortably dramatic

3. Choose a cozy coffee shop corner:

A. A window seat with warm sunlight
B. A sleek wooden table with perfect lighting
C. A busy spot where you can people-watch
D. A quiet nook in the back
E. A plush armchair surrounded by plants
F. A stool at the counter — straight to the point
G. A desk with a notebook and highlighters
H. A soft sofa with a blanket someone probably left behind

4. Your perfect reading snack:

A. A buttery croissant
B. A neat slice of lemon drizzle
C. A huge cookie, obviously
D. A dark chocolate square
E. Something cute like a macaron
F. Nothing — the book is enough
G. A simple granola bar
H. A towering slice of cake, no regrets

5. Pick the quote that speaks to your soul today:

A. “Be kind – everyone is carrying something.”
B. “Beauty lives in the details.”
C. “Life is too short to be bored.”
D. “I feel everything more deeply.”
E. “A little magic makes everything better.”
F. “Tell me the truth, even if it hurts.”
G. “I want to understand the world.”
H. “Love is messy, and that’s the point.”

Results: What Should You Read?

Mostly A’s → Latte Reader

You need warmth, depth, and characters you can root for.
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine or The Thursday Murder Club

Mostly B’s → Cappuccino Reader

You appreciate beautiful craft and rich storytelling.
The Goldfinch or Rebecca

Mostly C’s → Iced Coffee Reader

You crave pace, wit, and fun.
How to Build a Girl or The Tent, the Bucket and Me

Mostly D’s → Flat White Reader

You want emotional honesty and sharp, elegant writing.
The Bell Jar or The Catcher in the Rye

Mostly E’s → Mocha Reader

You live for whimsy, vibes, and big feelings.
Ava Lavender or Aristotle & Dante

Mostly F’s → Espresso Reader

You like your books bold, intense, and unforgettable.
The Long Walk or American Psycho

Mostly G’s → Black Coffee Reader

You want the truth — messy, weird, fascinating.
Please Kill Me or The Psychopath Test

Mostly H’s → Hot Chocolate Reader

You’re a romance-and-comfort reader through and through.
The Selection or The Winners’ Trilogy

This post was for all those who have ever shouted into the abyss: ‘recommend me a book’.

What’s your coffee shop order?

Recommend Me A Book: Your Coffee Shop Order, But Make It A Book Recommendation