There are so many great books out there that choosing what to read next can feel overwhelming. Even as someone who reads regularly, I run into that same problem all the time. You finish a great book, and suddenly you’re stuck trying to figure out what could possibly live up to it.
That’s why curated lists like this one are so helpful.
PBS put together a list of 12 books to read, with help from bestselling author Ann Patchett and NPR critic Maureen Corrigan. Right away, that tells you this isn’t just a random collection of titles. You’ve got experienced readers and respected voices in the literary world working together to highlight books that are worth your time.
And honestly, that collaboration alone makes this list interesting. PBS and NPR are both known for taking books seriously, and when you add someone like Ann Patchett into the mix, expectations are pretty high.
The result is a list that blends well-known authors with lesser-known voices, fiction with nonfiction, and familiar genres with ones you might not usually pick up.
Let’s take a closer look at the 12 books to read according to PBS—and why this list works so well.
The Full List
Here are the 12 books featured on the PBS list:
- The Correspondent by Virginia Evans
- The Satisfaction Cafe by Kathy Wang
- King of Ashes by S. A. Cosby
- El Dorado Drive by Megan Abbott
- The Antidote by Karen Russell
- Who is Government? edited by Michael Lewis
- Everything is Tuberculosis by John Green
- A Marriage at Sea by Sophie Elmhurst
- The Salt Stones by Helen Whybrow
- Swimming Studies by Leanne Shapton
- Mister Dog by Margaret Wise Brown
- In the Wild by Zadie Smith and Nick Laird
A List That Balances Popular and Underrated Books
One of the first things that stood out to me is how balanced this list is.
You’ve got recognizable names like John Green, Michael Lewis, and Zadie Smith, which immediately gives the list credibility. These are authors with proven track records who consistently put out quality work.
At the same time, there are several books here that most readers probably haven’t heard of.
That’s important.
A good reading list shouldn’t just recycle the same bestselling titles you see everywhere. It should introduce you to new authors and stories you might have missed otherwise. This list does exactly that.
For example, books like The Salt Stones by Helen Whybrow or The Correspondent by Virginia Evans aren’t necessarily dominating headlines—but that’s part of the appeal. These are the kinds of books that can surprise you.
Standout Picks From the List
King of Ashes by S. A. Cosby
This is one that I’ve seen come up multiple times, and it’s probably the book on this list that I’m most likely to pick up next.
S. A. Cosby has built a reputation for writing gritty, character-driven crime novels, and King of Ashes seems to continue that trend. If you like darker stories with strong emotional weight, this is one to keep on your radar.
Everything Is Tuberculosis by John Green
John Green is one of those authors who can make almost any topic engaging.
While many people know him for his fiction, his nonfiction work has also been gaining attention. This book takes a deep dive into a global issue, blending research with storytelling in a way that makes complex topics easier to understand.
It’s also a good example of how this list isn’t limited to just one type of reading experience.
Who Is Government? edited by Michael Lewis
Michael Lewis is known for making complicated systems feel accessible, whether he’s writing about finance, sports, or politics.
This book looks at the people behind government institutions, offering a perspective that you don’t usually see. It’s the kind of nonfiction that can change how you think about everyday systems.
The Antidote by Karen Russell
Karen Russell is known for her unique storytelling style, and The Antidote looks like another example of that.
If you’re someone who enjoys literary fiction with a slightly surreal or unconventional edge, this is a book worth checking out.
A Mix of Genres That Keeps Things Interesting
Another thing I really like about this list is the variety.
You’re not just getting one type of book over and over again. Instead, there’s a mix of:
That last one—Mister Dog by Margaret Wise Brown—is especially interesting. It’s not something you’d expect to see on a list like this, but it works. It adds a different kind of reading experience and shows that good storytelling isn’t limited by genre or age group.
This variety makes the list more approachable. No matter what kind of reader you are, there’s at least one book here that will catch your attention.
Why Lists Like This Matter
It’s easy to overlook curated lists, especially with so many recommendations floating around online.
But when a list is put together by people who genuinely understand books, it becomes a lot more valuable.
Ann Patchett and Maureen Corrigan bring years of reading experience to the table. They’re not just picking popular titles—they’re selecting books that offer something meaningful.
And that’s what makes this list stand out.
It’s not about hype. It’s about quality.
Stepping Outside Your Comfort Zone
One of the biggest benefits of following a list like this is that it pushes you to try something new.
Most readers, myself included, tend to stick to the same genres. It’s easy to stay in that comfort zone.
But some of the best reading experiences come from books you wouldn’t normally pick up.
This list encourages that.
Maybe you go in planning to read one book and end up discovering a new favorite author. That’s the kind of experience that keeps reading exciting.
Final Thoughts
These are the 12 books to read according to PBS, and overall, it’s a strong and well-rounded list.
It combines well-known authors with hidden gems, mixes genres effectively, and offers something for every type of reader. More importantly, it feels thoughtfully curated rather than thrown together.
While the list may have originally been created with a specific season in mind, there’s nothing about it that feels limited to one moment in time. These are books you can pick up whenever you’re looking for your next great read.
And honestly, that’s what makes a list like this valuable—it’s not just about what’s trending right now, but about what’s worth reading in general.
If you’re trying to figure out what to read next, this is a great place to start.
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