4 Best Fiction Books to Read With Your Partner

A partial view of a couple smiling through a book-lined shelf.

While reading can be a cozy, solitary pastime, it’s also a great way to connect with others and spark great conversations. For this rundown of the best fiction books to read with your partner, we’ve opted to include books that are relatively easy to digest but come with great opportunities for analysis and fun conversations. 

However, we must add the caveat that everyone’s different, and tastes can vary wildly between people — even between partners. Despite this, we hope that some of these books can help to lead you down your own unique rabbit hole that helps you discover the types of books that help you and your partner connect in the best way. 

Here are the four best fiction books to read with your partner. 

1. The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Starting off with a short, fun read, we’re diving right into this list with The Little Prince. While it is technically a children’s book, it’s also a profound piece of literature that has the chance to stimulate conversations without being a difficult or drawn-out read. 

If you and your partner have never read fiction together before, this is a great jumping-off point because of the book’s accessibility and enjoyable nature. Touching on meaningful themes and providing wit and humor, it’s an easy place to start. 

And, if you and your partner find that you really enjoy this absolute masterclass in children’s literature and want more context about the story, we’d highly recommend checking out Wind, Sand, and Stars, Saint-Exupéry’s fascinating memoir which includes insight into his experiences as a pilot. 

2. The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie

One of the most enjoyable parts about reading fiction with your partner is getting to share theories and speculate about what is going to happen. And, what better type of book to spark these types of conversations than a gripping mystery?

For the number two spot on this list, we’re highlighting the queen of the mystery genre herself, the one and only Agatha Christie. The Murder of Roger Ackroyd features Christie’s beloved Detective Hercule Poirot as he interacts with an intriguing collection of characters to solve a murder. 

This is a fantastic book to read with your partner because if you both love it, it opens the floodgates for many more amazing Agatha Christie novels and the mystery genre in general. So, get you and your partner some magnifying glasses and start theorizing like detectives with this charming murder mystery. 

3. A Gentleman In Moscow by Amor Towles

For a cozy, easy-to-read gem, Amor Towles’ A Gentleman In Moscow is a great piece of fiction to curl up with. Following the story of a Count on house arrest at a coveted Russian hotel, this story abounds in beautiful sentiments and highlights the power of optimism in the face of adversity. 

If you’re having trouble deciding on the best fiction book to read with your partner, this accessible read is a great choice. With a likable protagonist and addictive writing style, A Gentleman In Moscow is sure to have the two of you talking about the historical setting and what your own courses of action would be in similar situations. 

And, if Amor Towles’ superb writing hits exactly the nerve you wanted it to, you’ll be happy to know that he has a couple of other novels that you can explore for more literary adventure. 

4. Fairy Tale by Stephen King

Fantasy is always a great option when it comes to reading fiction with your partner. Another amazing option is world-class writing by a lauded author. Blending these two ideals, we present you with one of King’s more recent literary offerings, Fairy Tale. 

With classic fantasy otherworldliness, odd twists, and even a bit of coming-of-age, this superb piece of fiction is great for reading on your own, reading aloud, or even listening to on road trips. This is the type of story that immediately has you invested in how the narrative will unfold. 

If Fairy Tale earns a 10/10 on your and your partner’s lists, then we highly recommend you check out other Stephen King novels as well as other fantasy classics, such as those by author Brandon Sanderson. 

Taking Turns Choosing Books

While democratically deciding on which book to read next is usually the best option, when it comes down to a jury of only two people, this can sometimes be a difficult ask. No matter which direction you go in during your search for the best fiction books to read with your partner, there is a simple method that many find helpful. 

This good old-fashioned method is none other than the classic take-turns picking. While this doesn’t always have to be the case, if you and your partner are having trouble agreeing on your next read, give this tried and true method a shot. Hopefully, this results in both of you discovering new genres you like and developing a consistent habit of reading fiction with your partner.