Compelling books to stop you scrolling

With the city sweltering and chaos on every street corner, DI Logan McRae is battling more than just rising temperatures. A firebombed hotel, an under-resourced force, and a tabloid magnate eager to watch it all burn push Aberdeen to the edge. Darkly witty and dripping with tension, This House of Burning Bones from bestselling author Stuart MacBride is a masterclass in procedural noir that’ll have you ditching your doomscrolling for something far more intriguing.

The power’s out, society is collapsing, and your name has just been read aloud on the Emergency Broadcast System – marking you for death. Blake Crouch's dystopian thriller, Run, doesn’t give you a moment to breathe, plunging you into a breakneck race for survival where trust is scarce and danger is everywhere. If you’re craving pure adrenaline, this is the book that’ll undoubtedly take you away from your feed. 

Telepathy, legacy, and long-buried sibling rivalry collide in Gifted & Talented, a darkly addictive blend of intrigue and magic from New York Times bestselling author Olivie Blake. As three damaged heirs vie for control of their father’s magitech empire, secrets unravel and powers surge in a high-stakes game of inheritance. Think Succession, but with psychic battles and magical abilities – this one will have you swiping back to the first page before you reach for your phone again.

Birdie has waited eighteen years for this moment. Now that her sister’s killer is free, she’s got a gun, a plan, and nothing left to lose. But revenge is never simple. The Sunshine Man is a taut, emotionally charged thriller where past trauma meets present fury, and the truth is messier than justice. Bestselling author of The Lamplighters, Emma Stonex, delivers a haunting, addictive story that dares you to look away – but you won’t.

Messy, hilarious, and quietly heartbreaking, Thirst Trap captures the chaos of your twenties in all its raw, unfiltered glory. In a crumbling Belfast houseshare haunted by loss and laced with unresolved tensions, three friends try to hold each other – and themselves – together. Gráinne O’Hare delivers a sharply observed, emotionally honest debut that’s as funny as it is gutting. If you've ever loved, lost, or partied too hard to forget, this is the kind of story that will make you pause your scroll and feel seen.

You’re driving on a foggy road at night. A stranded family. A crying baby. Would you stop? Strangers in the Car twists that split-second decision into a nightmare ride you won’t forget. C. M. Ewan is a master of turning everyday moments into edge-of-your-seat terror, so, forget your feed – this chilling thriller will keep you hooked long after the first chapter.

What begins as a playful weekend murder mystery quickly spirals into something chillingly real when Abigail’s brother is found dead – and the game refuses to end. Fair Play is a stylish, emotionally layered locked-room whodunnit that toys with genre and grief in equal measure. Clever, poignant, and compulsively readable, this is the kind of story that will pull you deep into its puzzle-box heart.

Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction 2025, this bold, brilliant, and bitingly funny novel reimagines The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn through the eyes of the enslaved Jim, offering a searing new perspective on a classic tale. As Jim (now James) and Huck flee down the Mississippi, Percival Everett explores freedom, fatherhood, and the brutal absurdities of American history with wit and wisdom. This is more than a retelling – it’s a revelation, and it demands your full attention.

Down a quiet Kyoto street, the Kamogawa Diner serves more than food – it serves memories. A former pop star, an aspiring Olympian, and others seek dishes tied to moments they've lost. With warmth, heart, and a touch of mystery, Hisashi Kashiwai’s gentle sleuthing series explores how food connects us to who we were and who we still hope to be. With just 224 pages and each chapter a short story in itself, it is an easily digestible, comforting read that will linger like your favourite meal.

When Grady Green’s wife vanishes without a trace, the bestselling author is left with nothing but questions – and a haunting silence. A year later, on a remote Scottish island, he spots a woman who looks exactly like her. Beautiful Ugly is a razor-sharp thriller of twisted love, unreliable memory, and the lies we live with. With every chapter a breadcrumb and every revelation a gut-punch, Alice Feeney will keep you hooked to the final page.

Sweet, smart, and spark-filled, First Time Caller is the romantic escape your phone can’t give you. When a viral radio segment puts single mum Lucie in the spotlight, she finds herself unexpectedly tangled in a slow-burn connection with the show’s jaded host. B.K. Borison brings warmth, wit, and a dose of Sleepless in Seattle magic to this cosy love story. For anyone craving charm, chemistry, and a happy ending worth tuning in for – this one’s worth putting your phone down.

Thought-provoking and refreshingly practical, Smartphone Nation is the book to read when you feel like your screen time is stealing more than just your attention. Digital literacy expert Dr Kaitlyn Regehr offers clear, compassionate guidance for navigating today’s online world – whether you’re raising kids in it or trying to reclaim balance yourself. With real tools, smart strategies, and eye-opening insights, this is essential reading for anyone ready to stop scrolling and start living with more intention.