Last Updated on November 23, 2023 by Louisa
When it comes to kitting out your bookshelf, sometimes too much color can be distracting. If you’re going with a minimalist vibe, perhaps you’d prefer some books with a black cover?
Black book covers are timeless, elegant, and evoke a sense of mystery. Whether you want to make a bold statement in your home, or you’re looking to break up some bright colors, a dark cover will never let you down.
I also think black book covers give off an intriguing vibe that encourages readers to delve further into their content.
But we can’t all buy books purely for aesthetics, so if you want a book with a black cover that is also enjoyable to read, take a look at these suggestions…
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Acclaimed Books with A Black Cover
I’ll kick things off with the best highly acclaimed books with black covers. If you’re ever short on a decision, these are some of the world’s best-sellers and award-winning books.
1. Twilight – Stephenie Meyer
Twilight is an award winning YA book that spans four books in total.
The Twilight Saga follows the story of a teenage girl, Bella Swan, and her newfound love for a mysterious vampire, Edward Cullen.
They must find a way to make their romance work in the midst of human-vampire conflicts that threaten to tear them apart.
As their journey progresses, Bella learns about the supernatural powers she’s been gifted with and finds out that there’s much more to the vampires of her town than meets the eye.
Together, they must fight off evil forces, forge alliances and face difficult truths as they battle for survival in an ever-changing world.
This deep and angsty love story offers everything a reader would want; action, mystery, and a few drops of danger, as well as a cast of non-human characters to swoon over.
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2. The Handmaid’s Tale – Margaret Atwood
The award-winning Handmaid’s Tale is a renowned New York Times Bestselling novel and a timeless classic.
Set in an alternate future where environmental disasters have caused a severe decline in birthrates, civil unrest leads to the establishment of Gilead, an oppressive totalitarian regime.
As a result, the precious few remaining fertile women are forced into servitude as handmaids, tasked with bearing children for the Republic’s ruling commanders.
Offred is one such handmaid, torn away from her family and set upon a harrowing journey of survival through memories and secrets.
This gripping narrative takes readers into a searing world filled with suspense and darkness at every turn.
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3. Fifty Shades of Grey – E. L. James
This award-winning book is popular for a reason. E. L. James’s first novel is a suspenseful, steamy love story that will keep you constantly on edge. It is the story of Christen Grey and Ana, a dark tale of romance.
When the beautiful Anna meets the dark, intimidating Christen Grey she is intrigued and interested. She is a student coming to interview him, for Mr. Grey is a successful entrepreneur.
They are both drawn to each other, and when Grey finally admits his feelings, sparks become a flame. An intense and erotic relationship begins between them, but one that is strictly on Christen Grey’s terms.
A funny, steamy quick read, this book brings you all the twisted love that you enjoyed in After. It also brings you its two sequels, great new characters, and at the center of it all, a passionate billionare love book.
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4. The Hunger Games – Suzanne Collins
The Hunger Games is possibly one of the most well-known dystopian series set in a dystopian society, where society is divided by class.
In the world of Panem, there exists a stark divide between the wealthy and poverty-stricken districts.
The Capitol stands above all by far, as the wealthiest of them all. Every year, one boy and one girl from each district must enter into The Hunger Games – a winner-takes-all competition that puts their lives at risk.
It is Katniss Everdeen from District 12 who blazes a path of change in this three-book series; coming to life on screen and page alike.
The Hunger Games series winds its way through several engrossing twists and turns that can only truly be experienced when reading the books – so if you’ve only seen the movies stop right here and dive into this story for yourself!
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5. Looking for Alaska – John Green
Miles Halter is on a quest for the “Great Perhaps” and transfers to a boarding school in pursuit of this goal.
There, he meets Alaska Young, an unpredictable and wild figure that shakes up his mundane life.
Together with Chip “Colonel” Martin, they have some wild adventures at Culver Creek Boarding School. But when tragedy strikes, Miles is faced with mortality and must learn to embrace life fully in order to make the most of it.
This beautiful story chronicles an emotional journey of friendship to lovers, and coming-of-age elements. It’s a book that readers won’t be able to put down!
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Non-Fiction Books with A Black Cover
If you would prefer some non-fiction books with black covers, then these are some of my favorites…
6. A Book About Absolutely Nothing – I.M. Nobody
This book is exactly what it says on the tin. It’s a book of absolutely nothing. All the pages are blank.
It’s either seen as a novelty or a piece of art. If you’re looking for a coffee table book or a random gift for a friend as a joke present, this would certainly be a funny purchase.
And what’s great is that because it’s blank, you can use it as a notebook and fill it with your own personal thoughts and secrets. And if anyone was to find it, well, it does say it’s a book of nothing.
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7. Can’t Hurt Me – David Goggins
Can’t Hurt Me chronicles the inspirational story of David Goggins and his journey from an overweight, disheartened couch potato to a record-breaking endurance athlete and personal trainer.
Tackling the excuses that hold so many of us back from investing in our physical and mental health, Goggins delves into his own troubled childhood marked by poverty and abuse.
Despite facing these daunting obstacles in his 20s, he succeeded in turning his life around to become an ultra-endurance athlete who set a world record for pull-ups in 24 hours.
In this deeply personal biography, Goggins conveys how one can push through the toughest of challenges with a positive attitude, proving time and time again that you really can’t hurt him!
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8. The Mountain Is You – Brianna Wiest
If you’re someone who feels self-sabotage, then this is a book for you. It reveals not only why and when we do it, but how to stop it.
Brianna West describes how conflicting needs can create self-sabotaging behaviors. In order to overcome this negative reaction, we need to learn to accept change and learn from our most damaging habits.
This book is about building your emotional intelligence and better your understanding of your brain and body, and drawing on past experiences in order to act on improving yourself.
The mountain is a metaphor for the challenges we face, especially if they seem impossible to overcome. To climb a mountain it takes mental as well as physical strength to overcome it.
This is a book about mastering your own mountains.
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9. Forgiving What You Can’t Forget: Discover How to Move On, Make Peace with Painful Memories, and Create a Life That’s Beautiful Again – Lysa TerKeurst
Another prominent self-help book that needs a place on your bookshelf if Forgiving What You Can’t Forget.
This #1 New York Times Bestseller is all about letting go of the pain other people have done to you. We have all at some point in our lives experienced unresolved pain, and if you’re struggling to let go of this, then this book may help.
Lysa TerKeurst has also been on this journey and found surprising ways to let go of resentment. If you’re resistant to forgiving people who don’t make the effort to make things right, then you’ll find enlightenment in this book.
This is not just a self-book based on experience but on 1,000 hours of theological study. It offers empathy and therapeutic insight.
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10. Salt: A World History – Mark Kurlansky
Have you ever wondered where a common household item such as salt came from? How did we decide that adding salt to a meal makes it taste better? What is it made of? Where does it come from?
These are all questions answered in Mark Kurlansky’s non-fiction book, Salt.
It turns out, Salt is the only rock we eat and has shaped civilization from the very beginning. In fact, it was once so valuable to the human race, that it was used as currency.
This is not a simple book of facts. Mark Kurlansky writes in such a way that it is captivating as well as knowledgeable. As you follow the journey of Salt, you are greeted by colorful characters and enjoyable stories.
Salt is an entertaining and enjoyable read.
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Young Adult Books with A Black Cover
Do you prefer a young adult book with a black cover? Then you’re going to love these YA novels!
11. The Night Circus – Erin Morgenstern
The Night Circus is a National Bestselling novel about two starcrossed magicians who are enslaved to the circus.
When the circus arrives, there is no announcement, no warning, it will simply turn up one night and be gone by dawn. Under the canvas dome, the audience is captivated by the unique and breathtaking performance of Le Cirque des Rêves.
But behind the scenes two magicians are enstared in a fierce duel. Celia and Marco have been trained for this battle by their magical instructors since childhood, but neither one of them knew the duel would leave only one of them standing.
Celia and Marco fall headfirst in love, which only leads to disaster. Soon it is not just their lives at stake, but the lives of everyone else in the circus.
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12. To Kill A Mockingbird – Harper Lee
To Kill a Mockingbird is story of compassion and coming of age, set in a quiet Southern town on the brink of a moral crisis.
This timeless story is told from the perspective of a young girl, Scout, who is growing up in Jim Crow South.
The storyline follows her father, Atticus Finch, a white doctor in the community, who is bravely defending a falsely accused black man in a court full of prejudice and racism.
What makes this book so important, is that it was written at the height of the Civil Rights Movement in the United States.
It’s one of the first novels to challenge prejudice, and human behavior and explores themes of racism, innocence, and justice.
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13. The 5th Wave – Rick Yancey
Another sci-fi book with a black cover I love is The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey.
Step into an alien takeover of the planet Earth, where human aliens threaten to destroy everything we know.
In this riveting story, follow Cassie on her journey to find her brother amidst the fifth wave of destruction.
Through suspense and intense action, Rick Yancey has crafted a truly captivating tale.
Readers won’t be able to put it down from start to finish; no wonder it was awarded the Red House Children’s Book Award in 2014!
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14. Gone Girl – Gillian Flynn
Gone Girl was an international sensation when it came out and it’s easy to see why. This dramatic and fast-paced thriller story has you on tender hooks throughout.
It follows the disappearance of Amy Dunne, who mysteriously vanished on her fifth wedding anniversary. Only, husband Nick, is dangerously on the edge.
The story follows Nick as he is confronted by the police and media pressure to speak about what happened to Amy, who everyone clearly believes he murdered her.
Only Nick doesn’t help himself with his evasive and odd behavior, and obvious resentment towards his wife. But is he really a killer? and what happened to Amy?
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15. Stolen – Lucy Christopher
Stolen is the intriguing debut novel by Luxy Christopher, which follows a kidnapping in Southeast Asia.
The novel is partly written as a letter from a victim, Gemma, to her abductor.
When she was 16 on a layover at Bangkok Airport, on her way to Vietnam for a vacation with her parents, she steps away for a second to get a coffee.
When a German, Ty, pays for Gemma’s drink, he drugs it and before she knows it she was taken away.
Her kidnapper takes her to the desolate Australian Outback, where Gemma fights for survival and comes to terms with her living nightmare.
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Romance Books with A Black Cover
If you love a good romance book, red is not the only color of passion. These are the best romance books with black covers…
16. Beautiful Disaster – Jamie McGuire
A romance book with a beautiful black cover is Beautiful Disaster, written by the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Jamie McGuire.
It’s a classic dark romantic story about a good girl who falls in love with a bad boy.
The story follows Abby Abernathy who’s the typical girly girl who has never done anything wrong – she doesn’t drink, curse, and wears clothes like my gran. She also has a dark past, which is about to creep up on her while she’s in college.
Desperate to put the past behind her, Abby keeps making poor decisions. One of which is a one-night stand with an irresistible bad boy, Travis Maddox.
He’s the epitome of bad boys, with tattoos, chiseled abs, and clean-cut hair. Not someone you want to bring home to your mom – but undeniably sexy.
Every night he heads to the fighting ring to gamble for money and by day he’s a college kid. When he meets Abby, he tricks her into taking a bet – one that if she loses she has to live with him.
It’s a sizzling college romance book that will have you feeling hot under the collar.
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17. Verity – Colleen Hoover
Colleen Hoover’s New York Times Bestseller, Verity, is an international sensation.
Lowen Ashleigh is a struggling writer offered the job of a lifetime: completing the remaining book of renowned author and Jeremy Crawford’s best-selling wife, Verity Crawford.
When Lowen visits their home to go through Verity’s notes and outlines, she stumbles upon the half-written autobiography that reveals shocking secrets about her family that could potentially devastate Jeremy.
But Lowen keeps these secrets concealed from Jeremy out of fear of ruining his marriage – and possibly his capacity to ever love Verity again.
A gripping story with unexpected twists and turns, you won’t be able to put this novel down!
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18. From Blood and Ash – Sarah J. Maas
From Blood and Ash follows Poppy, whose life isn’t her own. Chosen from birth to usher in a new era, Poppy is a Maiden, responsible for the entire kingdom’s fate.
Instead of waiting for her Ascension, she would rather stand with the guards, battling against the evil that stole her family. But the decision was never hers.
When Hawke, a golden-eyed guard who is sworn to secure her Ascension, walks into her life, destiny, and duty become entwined with passion and need.
He incites her rage, causes her to doubt her beliefs, and tempts her with the forbidden—after all, the life of a Maiden is a life of solitary.
A fallen nation, abandoned by the gods and dreaded by mortals, is rising once again, determined to reclaim what they feel is theirs through bloodshed and revenge.
As the shadow of the cursed approaches, the boundary between what is unlawful and what is right grows increasingly hazy.
Poppy is on the point of losing not just her heart but possibly her life, as every blood-soaked thread holding her world together begins to unravel.
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19. Birthday Girl – Penelope Douglas
Birthday Girl is an erotic age gap romance novel with Fifty Shades of Gray vibes – it will certainly get your heart rate racing!
It follows the story of two young teenage lovers, Jordan and Cole who are trying to make positive changes as a couple.
Forced to leave their home, their only choice was to move in with Cole’s slightly estranged father, Pike. Only, Jordan and Pike can’t seem to help but notice one another.
Jordan is nineteen and Pike is thirty-eight, not to mention her boyfriend’s dad.
Everything about this is taboo. But the attraction is intense, and soon, they just can’t stay away…
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20. Crave – Tracey Wolff
When Grace entered the academy, her entire world changed. Nothing about that school or the other kids in it seemed right.
Being the only mortal there, she isn’t sure which of the warring factions she belongs to if she belongs at all.
Then there’s Jaxon Vega. A vampire with lethal secrets who hasn’t felt anything in a century. But Jaxon put a wall for a purpose.
Now someone wants to rouse a sleeping monster, and Grace may have been sent to the academy on purpose—as bait.
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Fantasy/Sci-Fi Books with A Black Cover
Looking for a story from another world? Then you’ll love these fantasy and sci-fi novels with black covers!
21. The Lord of The Rings – J.R.R. Tolkein
Of course, The Lord of The Rings trilogy needs no introduction.
This epic masterpiece by J.R.R. Tolkein follows Frodo Baggins and his fellowship as they journey to Mordor to destroy the ring of power, and evil ring that in the hands of Lord Sauron can destroy Middle Earth.
If you’re looking for a copy of the trilogy in black, you can find the complete works in this hardback copy. It also comes with some illustrations including a map of Middle Earth. This is more of a collector’s piece than anything else.
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22. Coraline – Neil Gaiman
Neil Gaiman is best known for his novel, American Gods, but Caraline is a novel worth adding to your library at home.
It follows a girl, Coraline who discovered a door in her new home, shortly after moving in. When Coraline steps through the door, she find a house just like this one but much better.
She meets another mother and father and they desperately want her to stay and be their little girl. So much so, that Coraline is unable to leave.
Coraline has to fight to save herself and return to her life through the other door. This is a slightly spooky read, but intended for audiences from 8 to 12.
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23. Dracula – Bram Stoker
Dracula is a very famous story, but if you’re searching for a copy of the book with a black cover, then you’ll want to get the Wordsworth Classics copy.
The story of Dracula follows a young lawyer who is sent to Dracula’s estate in Transilvania to prepare property ownership documents.
Only Dracula is a vampire, and leaving may not be so easy.
The story is written through journal entries, letters, and telegrams, which makes for an enticing and realistic read.
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24. Curse of The Wolf King – Tessonja Odette
Gemma Bellefleur wants to leave her past behind and forget the day she was humiliated and her heart broken.
But when she was trying to overcome her pain, Gemma was captured by a trickster fae king who threatened to hold her with him for ransom. The news spread in the town, and Gemma becomes a sensation again.
A plague cursed the human-hating King Elliot. He was willing to do anything to save himself from this curse.
Gemma can use the situation for her freedom and make a deal with the King. All she has to do is to protect the King from death. Can Gemma sacrifice her life to save the King?
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25. Vampire Diaries – L. J. Smith
If you’re a fan of vampire books, then you’ll love The Vampire Diaries series. This New York Times bestselling series is hailed as one of the greatest vampire stories of all time, and was even turned into a CW TV show.
It follows Elena Gilbert, a high school student who is top of her class. She’s used to getting everything, from what to who she wants. She has her eyes set on one boy, handsome Stefan, but he doesn’t appear interested.
As Elena struggles to understand why Stefan doesn’t want her, we learn that Stefan is a vampire, and when his dark and dangerous vampire brother comes to town, anyone around him is in danger.
But for Elena, she just can’t stay away.
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Children’s Books with A Black Cover
Finally, here’s something for the little ones. Here are the best children’s books with black covers!
26. The House of The Scorpion – Nancy Farmer
The House of The Scorpion was the winner of the National Book Award for Young People’s Literature, as well as the winner of the Newbery Honor Book and Printz Honor Book Awards.
It follows Matteo Alacrán who was not born, but harvested. His DNA came from the lord of Opium, El Patrón and he was fertilized in a petri dish and placed in the womb of a cow.
Opium is a strip of poppy fields that grow across the border between the United States and what was once Mexico.
He is now a boy called Matt, who most consider a monster, except for his father, El Patrón.
As he struggles to understand his place in the world, he is threatened by people who want him gone – an abomination, grown in science and not born. His only way to survive is to escape.
But even once escaped, she finds that freedom is not so easy, especially when you’re different in more ways than one.
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27. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian – Sherman Alexie
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian is the true story of Junior, a cartoonist growing up on the Spokane Indian Reservation.
When he leaves his troubled school on the Reservation to attend an all-white, high school in a nearby town, he finds he is the only Indian in the school.
This is the hilarious and beautifully written tale of the author’s own experience growing up as an outsider in both race and culture.
Complete with drawings by Ellen Forney, this is an enlightening portrayal of adolescence, through the eyes of a Native American boy who just wants to live the life he wants.
This is a great story for older children who want to understand more about race and different cultures.
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28. A Snake Falls to Earth – Darcie Little Badger
Darcie Little Badger’s A Snake Falls to Earth is a vivd and symbolic folktake of a young girl who’s trying to understand her family’s rich history.
Nina is a teenager from Texas, who is trying to understand why her family has such long lifespans. At the same time, in another universe, a snake person named Oli is trying to figure out why his toad neighbor is dying.
When Nina and Oli’s paths cross when they are caught in a Gulf Coast hurricane, their friendship is confronted by danger.
This is a sensitive story about ecology, cultural loss and climate change, told in a way that children may understand it.
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29. Eyes That Speak To The Stars – Joanna Ho and Dung Ho
From New York Times bestsellers Joanna and Dung Ho, the Eyes That Speak to the Stars is a beautiful story about a young boy who learns about his own race and heritage in a kind and validating way.
It follows a boy who is upset by a drawing of him created by a friend from school. He realizes that his eyes are different, and his father tells him that they rise to the skies, speak to the stars, and shine like sunline.
His father says that his eyes are visionary, and he begins to find power and strength from within.
It is a story about how children can find strength and comfort in who they are.
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30. Hotel Magnifique – Emily J. Taylor
The Hotel Magnifique is no ordinary hotel. It’s a magical world of enchanting rooms and golden ceilings, and champagne-filled fountains.
Every night, the hotel changes location. It only stays in one place once every decade. When seventeen-year-old Jade visits the Magnifique when it arrives in her hometown.
She devises a plan to secure jobs there for herself and her sister, in hopes they can leave their ordinary life.
When the sisters are swept away to the life of the Hotel Magnifique, they embark on an adventure like no other. Only after a while, Jani starts to discover more sinister parts beneath the hotel’s grand facade.
She starts to ask questions; who runs this hotel? And what was the true price paid by the ones who live there?
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Final Word on Best Books With A Black Cover
This concluded the list of my favorite books with a black cover!
I hope you found something on this list that is not only enjoyable to read but looks amazing on your book shelf.
Do you think I missed anything from my list? Let me know in the comments!
