Rebecca Yarros Reveals the Books She Actually Loves to Read

Known for her steamy romances and emotional plotlines, Rebecca Yarros is one of the best authors of our generation. Her most famous series is Fourth Wing—officially titled The Empyrean series—but according to the author, fantasy isn’t the only genre she prefers to read. In fact, she is much more partial to thrillers and family sagas. Below, we reveal Yarros’ favorite books and why she loves them.

‘The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi’ by Shannon Chakraborty

In Shannon Chakraborty’s The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi, legendary pirate Amina Al-Sirafi has left her sea days behind—or so she thinks. When a desperate mother tracks her down with a dangerous mission to rescue her kidnapped daughter, Amina must decide if the money is worth the danger. What follows is a battle of strength, bravery and courage.

“The writing, the voice, the characters…it’s all sublime,” Yarros told Waterstones in 2023. “This book grabbed hold of me from the first page and didn’t let go. And are you telling me that as a woman in her forties, I can start my pirating era? Because Shannon made me feel like I could sail on the next tide.”

‘Yellowface’ by R.F. Kuang

This New York Times bestseller follows friends June Hayward and Athena Liu. The two writers were supposed to rise together—but only Athena became a literary legend. So, when June witnesses Athena’s shocking death, she decides to steal her friend’s manuscript and publish it under a pen name. As fame pours in, June can’t escape Athena’s ghost—or the truth.

“It has quick, biting prose that drew me straight in and quickly did its job of making me feel superbly uncomfortable as June became one of the most unlikeable heroines I’ve ever met,” Yarros said. “It’s wonderfully written and an important, cringeworthy glimpse at the publishing industry and cultural appropriation.”

‘The History of a Difficult Child’ by Mihret Sibhat

This bestselling debut novel set in Southwestern Ethiopia in the 1980s is all about complex family dynamics. Selam Asmelash is the youngest member of her family. She spends her days listening to the radio in secret trying to learn what happened during their regime change. And if that weren’t enough, Selam’s ailing mother embraces Pentecostal God and insists her family convert as well. Now Selam must not only deal with the oppression happening in her country, but her ever-changing mother as well.

“It’s a thought-provoking, beautiful, moving and sometimes harrowing look at family, religion and revolution all told from the perspective of a child who—to me—feels simultaneously wise and too young to be experiencing it all,” Yarros said. “Plus, I’m a HUGE sucker for witty one-liners, especially coming from a kid, so Selam has completely stolen my heart. “

‘Love on the Byline’ by Xio Axelrod

Spice and steam combine in this Xio Axelrod novel. Blake Dillon has always dreamed of making a difference with her work, but her current job covering celebrity gossip isn’t exactly doing that. But when she gets tasked with shadowing Oliver Benjamin—her college crush turned celebrity—that all changes. Can they put the past behind and finally give happily ever after a chance?

“I’m a huge fan of Xio’s writing. She always delivers smart, poignant, relatable romance and this one is a prime example,” Yarros raved. “Diving into the glamorous world of Hollywood and its not-so-pretty-side too, it’s witty, steamy and absolutely delivers on both a friends-to-lovers and right-people-wrong-time trope that’s my catnip.”

‘Fall of Ruin and Wrath’ by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Fantasy lovers will love this novel by Jennifer L. Armentrout. The plot follows Calista, a courtesan of the Baron of Archwood, who gives her perfection in exchange for information. But when Baron takes an interest in the traveling prince and the prince takes an interest in Calista, things turn spicy…and deadly.

“Imaginative and seductive, this fantasy romance was an all-nighter book for me,” Yarros said. “The world-building is gorgeous, the characters are both swoony and determined, and you can’t help but keep turning pages to see just how far Calista’s intuition will take her. Jennifer is truly an expert at her craft.”

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This story was originally published April 23, 2026 at 8:30 PM.